Soul Bound 12

“Why are we here mom?”Nymphadora asked Andromeda as they followed Narcissa and Bellatrix up the pathway to the Granger’s house. It had taken no time to pack up all the things Andromeda and Nymphadora wanted to keep. Especially because Ted spent most of that time laying on the floor pretending to be unconscious. He didn’t move until Andromeda and Bellatrix finished in the bedroom. After that he pretended to be dizzy and light headed and repeatedly asked Andromeda to examine him. She just ignored him. As they were leaving he tried to plead with her to give him another chance but she was unmoved. Before she left she told him to expect the divorce papers soon. Once they got to Malfoy Manor they put everything in the library and hurried to the Granger’s. Hermione’s appointment had been done for over an hour and they all were nervous to find out the results.

“We are here to visit some of my and my sisters’ friends. They just had a baby named Hermione.”Andromeda didn’t plan on telling Nymphadora more than that. When she was older she would find out the truth but now she was too young to comprehend everything.

“Hermione being the cutest baby that ever existed.”Bellatrix would fight anyone who said otherwise.

Narcissa used her key to open the door and walked inside.“She is indeed the cutest baby that ever existed.”

“Who’s the cutest baby that ever existed?”Jean asked as she met the group at the bottom of the stairs. Seeing a small child with them made her pause.”I see we have a brand new visitor.”

“Jean this is my daughter Dora, Dora this is my friend Jean.”Andromeda pulled Nymphadora forward.

“It’s nice to meet you Dora and welcome to my home.”Jean blinked in surprise when the girl’s hair changed from black to pink.

Seeing Jean’s confusion Andromeda explained.”She’s a metamorphmagus.”

“I see.”Jean said.

“Where is Hermione?”Bellatrix was over the introduction and wanted to see her soulmate.

“Denis is in the garden with her.”Jean held up the diaper and baby wipes she was holding.”I just came inside for supplies.”

Narcissa was quick to take them out of Jean’s hands and walked away calling over her shoulder.”I will change it.”

“That’s not fair!”Bellatrix rushed after Narcissa.

“How has your day been?”Jean asked as she followed at a slower pace with Andromeda and Nymphadora.

“Eventful. I have decided to leave my husband and with my sisters’ help myself and Dora have moved out of the family home and into Malfoy Manor with them.”Andromeda was going to celebrate later with her sisters after Nymphadora went to bed.

“Dad vanished a room with him inside it.”Nymphadora told her.

“Why would he do that?”Jean couldn’t think of a reason someone would vanish a room when they were inside it.

“He was trying to ward the room and the result of his efforts was sending himself and our bedroom to a very horrible place.”Andromeda thought Ted deserved the time spent there.

“I see what Bellatrix meant about his magic.”Jean knew that you had do something terribly wrong to do what Ted did.

“She is very right about him.”Andromeda waited until Jean opened the sliding door before walking outside into the garden. She loved the space because the Grangers had set it up to grow both vegetables and flowers. There were also many fruit trees that provided shade on sunny days. One of those trees shading the object of Andromeda’s affection. Hermione was laid out on a blanket under the tree while Narcissa changed her diaper, Bellatrix criticized Narcissa and Denis laughed watching them.

“Denis I come baring more guests.”Jean made her way over to Denis giving him a chaste kiss before taking a seat next to him under the tree.

“Hello Andromeda.”Denis smiled at Nymphadora.”You must be Dora. I’m Denis.”

“Hello.”Nymphadora replied distractedly. 

Following her daughter’s line of sight Andromeda smiled when she saw her attention was fixed on the tire swing.”You want try it out?”

“Try what out?”Nymphadora asked.

“Come on.”Andromeda took her daughter by the hand and brought her to the swing.”Do you want to try this?”

Nymphadora looked the swing over.“What does it do?”

“You sit on it and someone pushes it causing you to fly through the air like you were on a broom.”At least that’s the way it was explained to Andromeda by Denis.”So what you say? Do you want to try?”

“Yes please.”Nymphadora with Andromeda’s help took a seat on the tire and grabbed onto the ropes.

“Alright hold on tight and if you want me to stop just tell me.”Andromeda waited for a nod of acknowledgment before she pushed the tire smiling when her daughter squealed in delight. Seeing Nymphadora react so positively to it had Andromeda deciding she was going to put one in the garden at the manor. She was sure Denis would help her build one.

“Make me go higher.”Nymphadora screamed.

Andromeda pushed the tire harder. She was happy that Nymphadora wasn’t effected negatively by her parents breaking up. Then again it hadn’t really had time to set in. Plus outside influences had yet to touch on the subject. It didn’t matter though. Andromeda and her sisters would protect the girl from everything. She was confused when Jean walked over.”Is she not allowed to use this?”

“No, she’s fine. I just came over to offer to push her so you could see Hermione.”Jean wanted Andromeda to get as much time as she could with the baby.

“That would be lovely thank you. Dora Jean is going to push you now.”Andromeda told her daughter.

“Ok.”Nymphadora replied.

“Thank you again.”Andromeda really did want to see Hermione.

“No problem. It is probably for the best you go join them anyway because Denis refuses to tell them what happened at the doctor without you.”Jean would have told them right away but Denis didn’t think it was fair.

“Good.”Andromeda made her way over to the group and took a seat next to Narcissa who was holding Hermione. Looking at the beautiful brown eyes of her soulmate Andromeda smiled.”Hello my love.”

“Finally you’re here. Now Denis tell us what the healer said.”Bellatrix wasn’t happy about having to wait.

“Hermione is growing at a perfect rate. Her organs are all the right size and everything is working properly. The only thing that was abnormal was that she weighs a little more than a normal baby in her peer group.”Denis said.

Narcissa lifted Hermione up and kissed her forehead.”See even the muggle healer thinks you’re perfect.”

“I like that she has the extra weight. Her chubbiness is very cute.”Bellatrix actually wished Hermione was chubbier.

“It is very cute.”Andromeda agreed.

“I was wondering if you could recommend a muggle book store to go to? I want to get some muggle medical books so I can learn about muggle medical techniques.”Bellatrix figured Denis being a muggle teeth healer would know the best place.

“It depends on what the topic is you are looking for and how detailed the research you want.”Denis told her.

“I think for now I want books on babies focusing on their growth and development.”Bellatrix thought that was a good place to start.

“Bella and I were talking about it and we thought the muggles are smart to start having their children go to healers when they are babies. That gives the healer a chance to fix any abnormalities.”Narcissa was planning on borrowing Bellatrix’s books after she was done with them.

“Does the magical world not do that?”The squibs in Denis’ community all took their children to the doctor starting when they were babies.

“No we only go to a healer if something is wrong. I think if we sent them when they were still growing they could fix a lot of problems. Like our cousin Sirius. He has horrible posture and a limp he has had since he started walking. I don’t know what they could have done for him but maybe something.”Bellatrix was sure something could be done.

“If he was treated in the muggle world they would have probably put him in a device called a back brace that people wear to straighten out their spines. It helps people with bad posture. As for the limp it might be because of his bad posture.”Denis told her.

“Muggles have devices that straighten spines?”Andromeda had never heard of such a thing.

Denis nodded.”The have devices to fix all the parts of the body. Even teeth.”

“What kind of device would you put on teeth?”Narcissa asked.

“They are also called braces. They are made of metal and are attached to your teeth. How they help your teeth is when the metal is tightened it forces your teeth to straighten. Perfect teeth are a status symbol to muggles so myself and Jean put braces on a lot of people.”Denis and his wife made most of their money putting on braces.

“We don’t put a lot of stock in a person’s teeth. Unless of course they are rotting out of their mouth or are all missing but other than that we could care less if your teeth are crooked.”Andromeda and her sisters had been blessed with perfect teeth but if they hadn’t they wouldn’t care.

“Hermione is going to grow up learning the importance of keeping her teeth and gums healthy.”Denis and Jean were going to make sure Hermione took care of her teeth.

Narcissa looked down at the baby and smiled.”She is going to grow up learning a lot of stuff.”

“By the time she gets to Hogwarts she will be ready to test out.”Bellatrix was going to make sure that Hermione was far ahead of her classmates.

“Bella and myself plan to try and get jobs at Hogwarts a year before Hermione attends.”Narcissa told them.

“We figure trying to get jobs the year she starts wouldn’t work because Dumbledore will find out about her origins. As we aren’t going to keep our link with her secret he would likely not hire us in hopes he can isolate Hermione from outside influences.”Bellatrix was pretty sure that is what he would do.

“It’s a good idea. I was going to apply for the healer position but Poppy isn’t leaving any time soon.”Andromeda wasn’t sure what other role she could fill.

“He wants access to our husbands’ estates. He would hire you just to make us happy.”Bellatrix bet Dumbledore would agree to anything to get them all under his thumb.

“True. I’m worried about what plans he will make concerning Hermione though.”Andromeda said.

“That was something we wanted to bring up with you and Jean Denis. We were wondering if you would let one of us become Hermione’s magical guardian. That way no one can legally step in and take control of Hermione’s assets while she is underage.”Narcissa wanted to be that guardian.

“Can someone actually do that?”Denis asked.

“Someone with as much power as Dumbledore has could.”Bellatrix told him.

“I will discuss it with Jean but I’m sure she will agree it’s a good idea.”Denis didn’t want to take the chance of that happening.

“I want to be the one to be her guardian but I don’t think it would be right. It would make Hermione and Dora sisters and I don’t want to deal with the drama that would bring if people found out.”Andromeda didn’t want to be the topic of a rumor mill.

“I’m going to do it because I am the oldest.”Bellatrix earned the honor through right of birth.

“I should get to because it was my idea.”Narcissa wasn’t going to step aside and let Bellatrix do it.

“If Jean agrees we will let you decide who does it.”Denis wasn’t willing to get in the middle of a fight with the sisters.

“I think you should duel for it.”Andromeda suggested.

“What do you say Cissa are you willing to duel for it or are you to scared?”Bellatrix goaded.

“I will happily duel you.”Narcissa had a very good incentive to win.

“Dumbledore said he talked to the two of you. What happened?”Andromeda asked.

“He and his goons showed up at the manor and searched the place. While he was there he questioned both me and Cissa. We played our parts beautifully and he is a firm believer we were never followers of the Dark Lord.”Bellatrix was just happy that part was over.

“We also think that he is encouraging us to reunite because he is hoping it will give him access to the Malfoy and Lestrange vaults. He wasn’t very good at hiding his true intensions. Especially his disappointment when Bella told him the reason she wasn’t a Death Eater was because she vomits at the sight of blood and open wounds.”Narcissa smiled when Andromeda laughed.

“Bella squeamish around blood and injuries?”Andromeda didn’t know how anyone could believe that.”He should know better because of all the duels you got in at Hogwarts always ended with your opponents bleeding.”

“We know he isn’t a smart man.”Bellatrix said.

“What else did you talk about?”Andromeda wanted to know if it was as ridiculous as Bellatrix being afraid of blood.

“Nothing really. He wanted to know why we went to meetings but even we don’t know the answer to that. He did ask us to testify at the upcoming trials which we agreed to and after we promised to bring him the records we kept of what went on in the manor and meetings they finished their search and left.”Narcissa was actually impressed that they didn’t wreck anything and left only a small mess after finishing the search.

“It took them forever to look. By the time they were done it was too late to come here. Even though I was tempted to show up anyway.”Bellatrix just didn’t want to wake up Hermione.

“If you want to come over during the night it’s fine. Just try not to wake us up. Also you can use a guest room if you want to sleep here.”Denis knew what it felt like when you were away from your soulmate for long periods of time and he wouldn’t wish that feeling on his worst enemy.

“I might take you up on that.”Bellatrix couldn’t officially move in with the Grangers until the trials were over but with Denis’s offer she would stay the night regularly.

“I will as well.”Narcissa was more than happy to take Denis up on his offer. She wouldn’t however use a guest room. She would just use her magic to make herself a bed so she could sleep in Hermione’s room.

Seeing the sadness on Andromeda’s face Denis was quick to add.“Dora can spend the night as well.”

“Are you sure?”Andromeda didn’t want to impose.

“Dora is a part of the family. She is welcome here anytime.”Denis told her.

“Thank you Denis.”Andromeda was going to have to make sure to bring things to keep her daughter occupied when they visited.

“What did Dumbledore say to you about us?”Bellatrix wanted to know what angle the old man used to encourage Andromeda to reach out to them.

“Well first he called a meeting. Unfortunately it wasn’t held at Sirius’ house so I wasn’t able to talk to Kreacher.”Andromeda wouldn’t be able to visit the house without alerting someone. Then they would ask questions Andromeda did not want to answer.

“That’s too bad. I really wanted those books.”Bellatrix would just have to order them.

“If it wasn’t at Sirius’ where did they hold the meeting?”Narcissa asked.

“It was at Molly’s house and let me tell you that place is disgusting. I had to clean the couch before I sat down on it was so gross. There wasn’t any part of the house that I saw that wasn’t covered in filth. Even the walls and ceilings were stained. When I walked in the front door my foot stuck to the floor. I head Arthur comment about the substance I stepped in being there for a couple weeks and they just hadn’t gotten around to cleaning it.”Andromeda was never going back to that home ever again.

Bellatrix laughed.“For all her talk about women should be housewives and her recommendations for the books with the best house cleaning spells she has a filthy house.”

“She has a lot of children. They probably add to the mess. Not that I’m excusing it.”Narcissa was very big on cleanliness and had taught herself cleaning spells well before she went to Hogwarts. Even though she had house elves she still took care of messes that she encountered in the Manor. Most of them made by Bellatrix.

“It’s not the children who are responsible for the thick layers of dirt on every picture frame, nicknack, shelf and windowsill I saw. Nor are they responsible for the dirty kitchen and dirty dishes that overflowed out of the sink onto the counters. I sat next to Augusta Longbottom and she made a comment about wanting tea but not trusting anything that came out of that kitchen.”Andromeda wouldn’t trust it either.

“If her home was so dirty why did she invite people there?”Denis wouldn’t have let people come over if his house was that dirty.

“I have no clue. The thing is she wasn’t even embarrassed by it either. If anything I thought she seemed proud that the Order was holding a meeting at her home.”Andromeda told him.

“She is insane.”Bellatrix turned towards Narcissa.”Cissa let me hold the baby.”

“She’s comfortable.”Narcissa wasn’t ready to give up Hermione.

“I don’t want her to fall asleep on you because then I won’t get to hold her for a long time.”Bellatrix wanted Hermione to fall asleep in her arms not her sister’s.

“Bella we don’t have anywhere to be today. You will get your turn.”Narcissa told her.

“Something important could happen and we may have to leave. Let me have my turn now and you can get a second one later.”Bellatrix of course was going to hog Hermione for most of the day but she wasn’t going to tell anyone that.

Narcissa opened her mouth to argue but shut it when she caught the sight of Denis frowning. Wanting to stop the fight she handed Hermione to Bellatrix.”I will be waiting for my second turn.”

“I get to hold her next.”Andromeda wasn’t going to miss her chance.

“Tell us what happened at the meeting.”Narcissa wanted to take the attention off of she and her sister fighting over Hermione.

“Dumbledore showed up and before he could even speak Molly asked if you two had been arrested yet.”Andromeda smiled when Bellatrix laughed again.

“Why does she hate the three of you so much?”Denis asked.

“She is incredibly jealous of us. We were raised in one of the most respected pureblood households and our parents made sure everything we had was the best of the best. Whereas Molly’s family was one of the least respected houses and her family gave their children second hand everything including clothes. Even though they are richer than most of the Sacred 28. Molly was actually bullied at Hogwarts because of how cheap her family was.”Narcissa told him.

“We were also popular and members of Slytherin House. That being the house all the pureblood children are put in. Molly was put in Gryffindor.”Andromeda said.

“Don’t forget the fact that her parents refused to arrange a marriage for her because they didn’t want to pay a dowry. I personally think the only reason she married Arthur is because he was the only pureblood interested in her.”Bellatrix didn’t think the pair was a love match.

“If she is so big on pureblood traditions why is she a part of the Order?”Denis would think that the woman would follow the Dark Lord.

“The Dark Lord would have never taken Molly because she is a poor excuse for a pureblood. She and her husband were both disowned and are dirt poor. They don’t have important roles in society either. It’s also well known that Molly and Arthur lack any kind of magical skills. The Dark Lord would never even consider letting them join his ranks.”Bellatrix didn’t think the man would have even had a meeting with the pair.

“She only has a place in the Order because of her brothers. If it wasn’t for them she would have been kicked out a long time ago because she does not keep her opinions to herself and has insulted a lot of people. I don’t understand why the twins put up with it though. She actually got in a fight with the pair about her wanting to live in a family home and the brothers refusing to let her. Wands had been drawn but I left before it got out of hand.”Andromeda bet that more than one spell was cast by the four of them.

“That woman is never living in one of Hermione’s properties.”Based on what the sisters had told him Denis wouldn’t allow it.

“We all agree on that.”Narcissa wasn’t going to allow it either.

“I think that when she finds out about Hermione she is going to push her youngest son to court her. He is three months old and will be in her class at Hogwarts.”Andromeda said.

“We will be there to interfere.”Bellatrix wouldn’t let any of Molly’s spawns near Hermione.

Denis gave Hermione a sad smile.”I want her to make a lot of friends at school but I know it’s going to be hard for her to trust anybody. I worry that she will be lonely.”

“She won’t be lonely she will have us and we will make sure that anyone that comes into her life only has pure intentions.”Andromeda wasn’t worried about Hermione making friends. The sisters would be there for her and would help her find people she could trust.

“She will have her pick of friends.”Narcissa knew that Hermione was going to be very popular.

“I still like Bellatrix’s idea of living somewhere isolated.”Denis thought it would be heaven living with his soulmate, daughter and the sisters in a remote location not having to deal with all the stress and drama that came with Hermione’s titles.

“It would be nice.”Bellatrix would love living the rest of her life away from society.

“Even if we don’t live there full time we should look into getting a place like that so we can go there to relax and recharge when the stress gets to much.”Andromeda suggested.

“I like that idea.”Narcissa wouldn’t mind a secret vacation spot.

“None of our safe houses would fit the criteria for that but I can spend some time searching for properties for us.”Bellatrix wasn’t working on anything at the moment. Finding a vacation home would give her something to do while she was forced to be away from Hermione.

“I’ll check to see if there is anything available in the muggle world.”Denis volunteered.

“It sounds like we have a plan.”Bellatrix thought it was a good plan at that.

“Get back to what happened at the meeting. What was the response to Molly’s question?”Narcissa asked.

“Dumbledore told her that not only were you not going to be arrested but Bella’s last name was Black not Lestrange. He then told us that Bella only married Rod because it guaranteed my safety. There was some arguing but it was Augusta who got everyone on your side by telling them about how it was for her growing up and being married in pureblood society.”Andromeda told them.

“Do you think that we are going to have a lot of problems with them?”Bellatrix wanted to know what future threats they may have.

Andromeda shook her head.”No because not only do you have Dumbledore’s backing you have all of the high ranking members of the Order supporting you. The only real problem I think you will have is Molly but she is always a problem.”

“Now we just have to deal with the public.”Narcissa was not looking forward to the negative attention she and Bellatrix were going to start receiving in the next few days. 

“If having to deal with some negative press is the only way to get Rod, Rab and Lucius put in Azkaban for the rest of their lives I will happily pose for the cameras.”Bellatrix didn’t care about what people thought of her. Especially because those people meant nothing to her.

“I’m excited that I can actually go to the trials with you.”Andromeda was looking forward to seeing her brother in laws in shackles.

“It’s going piss off both Rod and Lucius seeing us reunited.”Bellatrix was excited to see their reactions.

“Bella language.”Narcissa scolded.

“Sorry.”Bellatrix needed to be better with what she said.”So other than how amazing me and Cissa are was anything important talked about.”

“Just that they found out where the Dark Lord was staying thanks to a tip from Cissa and that they were going to need help hunting down his followers that went on the run.”Andromeda thought the entire meeting was a waste of time but at least her sisters were cleared.

Narcissa looked over at Hermione and smiled when the baby yawned.”She’s sleepy.”

“Should we bring her inside to sleep or is she alright out here?”Bellatrix wanted Hermione to be comfortable.

“We should probably go inside because it looks like Dora is done with the swing and all the things we have for a child to play with are in the house.”Denis said.

“I should have brought something to keep her entertained.”Andromeda was kicking herself for not preparing for the visit.

Denis stood.”It’s no problem. Maybe Dora will play video games with me. Jean doesn’t enjoy them.”

“What are video games?”Narcissa asked as she gathered up Hermione’s items and stood as well.

Denis smiled brightly.”Come on I’ll show you.”

“Andy can you hold Hermione so I can stand?”Bellatrix didn’t want to fall and hurt the baby.

“Sure.”Andromeda herself stood and took Hermione from her sister.

“Thanks.”Bellatrix stood up and took Hermione back from Andromeda.”I’m very interested in learning what these video games are.”

“If you like to duel I have a couple games I think you’ll love.”Denis thought Mortal Kombat would interest Bellatrix.”Then again they may be to violent for Dora.”

Andromeda waved off his concern.”She has witnessed many duels. I doubt that one of these video games you speak of will be worse.”

“In one of them you can rip your opponents head off taking their spine with it.”Denis told her.

Bellatrix smiled brightly.”Oh I’m going to enjoy these video games very much.”

“I think it will be fine.”Andromeda wasn’t to sure but her daughter had seen people get injured before. Injuries that were pretty gruesome. The girl in question running up to her stopped further conversation about it.”Hello love. Did you have fun?”

Nymphadora nodded.”Can we get a tire swing for our new house?”

“Of course we can get a tire swing for the manor.”Narcissa would happily add a muggle contraption to the grounds of a very strict pureblood family’s property. Especially knowing it would infuriate Lucius and all the Malfoys that came before him if they saw it.

“Yes!!”Nymphadora cheered.

“Denis wanted to know if you would be interested in him showing you his video games.”Andromeda told her.

“What are video games?”Nymphadora asked.

“They are a muggle toy that is a lot of fun. I’ll show you.”Denis held out his hand for Nymphadora to take.

Andromeda smiled at her daughter.”I’m coming with you.”

“Ok.”Nymphadora took Denis’ hand.

“Im honestly surprised that Denis hasn’t tried to get you to play with him before this.”Jean said as she walked back to the house with the sisters and Hermione.

“He seems really excited.”Narcissa wasn’t sure about seeing something so violent but she would join the rest of them.

“I’m really excited.”Bellatrix wanted to rip someone’s head off. She stop misstep when Hermione began crying.”What’s wrong sweetheart?”

“She’s probably hungry.”Jean guessed.

“I’ll make her a bottle.”Narcissa volunteered before her sisters could.

“We will be in the family room.”Jean told her.

“I’ll bring it in when it’s ready.”Narcissa said making her way into the kitchen. She didn’t fully understand Jean’s choice to pump her breasts for milk instead of feeding Hermione directly from her body. Jean said it was because Hermione hurt her when she ate. Narcissa wasn’t going to judge though. Breast milk was the best for a baby and how Hermione got it didn’t matter. Narcissa did wonder if there was something similar to the breast pump in the magical world. She doubted there was. After shopping for Hermione in the muggle world Narcissa saw all kind of items that were extremely helpful that the magical world didn’t have. Even their health care was better. She thought it was outright stupid not to have a baby checked by a healer and was planning on having all her future children see one in the muggle world because she bet the magical world wouldn’t be at the same standards as the muggle healers for a long time. If ever.