Hermione's Four Hearts 4

“Alright everyone calm down so we can go over the rules before they join us.”Andromeda told the group. She wasn’t that happy that she was dealing with all these people and would prefer to have this meeting after Hermione was in better health. Hermione not feeling well being the reason they kept the meeting small and only invited the least combative members of the Order minus the Weasleys and Harry who invited themselves. That way Hermione could step in when it got out of control like Andromeda expected it to. The girl was the only one everyone respected and she was feared enough to make everyone calm down. Even those who despised her like Harry and most of the older Order members knew that Hermione could easily wipe the floor with the whole group. It didn’t matter if one of the them attacked her or all of them at once it was almost guaranteed that Hermione would win the fight. That gave her a lot of authority on the Light side. Authority Andromeda was counting on to get Narcissa and Bellatrix granted their freedom. 

“We make the rules not you.”Molly told her.

“That is where you are wrong. Hermione makes the rules. If you don’t wish to follow them you are more than welcome to leave.”Andromeda predicted that Molly was going to be one of the first ones kicked out of the house.

“Let’s hear these rule.”Kingsley was willing to hear Andromeda out.

“Rule one no one is to pull a wand on my sisters.”Andromeda held up a hand.”I don’t care if you think they are a threat. Anyone who pulls a wand is going to be asked to leave and will be forbidden from returning to this property. The wards will be adjusted to keep you out.”

“How can you expect us to keep both women especially Bellatrix Lestrange in line without our wands?”Amelia Bones asked.

“It’s Bellatrix Black now and she is no threat to any of you unless you target her, myself, Narcissa, Fleur or Hermione.”Andromeda knew that Bellatrix wouldn’t do anything unless she was protecting the five of them.

“That’s bullshit. She would try to kill us the first chance she gets.”Bill said.

“And what is this about her last name being Black. Did she do something to Hermione to force her to take her into my family?”Ron asked.

“It’s not your family. It’s mine. Hermione stole my title.”Harry told him.

“Hermione didn’t steal anything. Sirius magically adopted her and personally picked her to be his heir.”Nymphadora knew that Harry was still pissed that even though Sirius was his godfather that the man didn’t bother adopting him. She asked Sirius about it and he told her that Harry was a disgrace to the Potter family and there was no way he was going let him sully the Black family as well. The fact that Ron was claiming it was his family wasn’t a surprise because he was convinced Hermione was going to marry him and give him her titles. Something Nymphadora knew her mother would never let happen even if for some unimaginable reason she and Hermione broke up. Not that they would. The pair was madly in love with each other.

Harry’s face turned red.”She is a thief and once I get the chance I’m going to sue her for what is rightfully mine!”

“We are getting off topic. What are the rest of the rules?”Minerva had heard enough about Harry’s lost inheritance. She personally thought Sirius made the right choice. Hermione would be a great Head of Household for the Black family.

“Second rule is they will only answer the questions they want to.”As Andromeda expected the group didn’t appreciate that.

“They will answer all our questions no matter what.”Molly told her.

“And they will be forced to drink a truth potion.”Amelia added.

”They will not be drinking any potions and if you try to be pushy with them the questioning will cease and you will all be asked to leave.”Andromeda wasn’t going to let her sisters be bullied.

“You have to agree they need to drink a truth potion?”Kingsley wouldn’t trust anything they said unless they did.

“Hermione said that the only way she would agree to them drinking a truth potion was that everyone else would have to drink one as well and allow themselves to be questioned.”Andromeda smiled when Nymphadora laughed.

“Classic Hermione.”Nymphadora thought it was a genius compromise and wouldn’t expect anything less from Hermione.

Bill scoffed.”Like she would drink one herself.”

“Hermione said she would happily drink one.”Andromeda knew that was because Hermione was immune to them as was Narcissa but she wasn’t going to tell them that.

“What are the other rules?”Lupin wasn’t exactly sure how he felt about the rules but would follow them if it got them answers.

“The final rule is that anyone who speaks ill of my sisters, makes offensive comments about them or threatens them in any way will be asked to leave. They are to respected as they are under Hermione, my and Fleur’s protection. The three of us will not put up with anyone being disrespectful.”Andromeda could see the displeasure on the faces of the group but she wouldn’t put up with anyone attacking her sisters be it physically or verbally.

“I think we can agree to those rules.”Minerva didn’t think they were bad. That and if it was Hermione making them she had a reason for it.

“Then I’ll get them.”Andromeda walked up the stairs to the room the four women were in and took down the wards. Opening the door she was pleased to see Hermione had more color in her cheeks.”They weren’t happy about it but they agreed to the rules.”

“I bet they weren’t.”Bellatrix figured they were pissed they couldn’t just throw her and Narcissa in a cell and torture the both of them.

“Are you ready darling?”Narcissa asked Hermione smirking when the girl blushed.

“Yeah I’m good to go.”Hermione wasn’t sure what was going on but Bellatrix, Narcissa and even Fleur were being overly affectionate. She felt somewhat guilty that she liked the attention and was going to mention it to Andromeda later.

Fleur walked to the bed, picked Hermione up bridal style and cradled her close to her body.”Let’s get going then.”

“I can walk.”Hermione didn’t want to be carried.

“You really can’t sweetheart. It would put strain on your muscles and may hurt you more.”Andromeda knew that Hermione was embarrassed by being carried but it was the best thing for her.

Bellatrix pulled out her wand and made her way to the door.”Come on pet. The sooner we talk to these idiots the sooner we can kick them out. Then we can finally relax and spend time together.”

“I’ll go first. Then Bella followed by Cissa with Fleur and Hermione last so we can protect them.”Andromeda didn’t want Hermione to be exposed while she was vulnerable.

“Do you think they would actually attack Hermione?”Narcissa asked as she took her position behind her sister.

“There is a lot animosity towards Hermione because she doesn’t follow their orders or even tells them what she is up to most of the time. It’s caused many of them to become jealous because she has become the face and hero of the Light side in the public’s eyes while they get no glory or recognition. It’s especially bad with the old timers who were active in the first war. She gets in fights with them at every meeting she attends.”Andromeda knew that was also why Hermione didn’t go to many meetings.

“Don’t worry we will protect her.”Bellatrix wouldn’t let anything happen to Hermione.

“Clear off the couch so Hermione can sit down.”Nymphadora ordered once she caught sight of Hermione being carried. She paid no attention to her aunts. Her priority was to make her future step mother comfortable.

“Are you alright Hermione?”Minerva thought Hermione looked better than she had feared she would after being tortured for days.

“Who did this to you?!”Ron demanded.

“I’m fine Minerva. Just a little tired. As for who did this to me I killed them so they don’t matter anymore.”Hermione wasn’t exactly lying. She did destroy the horcrux that made Bellatrix hurt her.

“Let’s get to why we are really here.”Molly glared at the sisters.”You two are going to answer our questions.”

Hermione settled on the couch patting Fleur on the knee when she took a seat next to her with Narcissa sitting on the other side of Hermione. Bellatrix was standing on one end of the couch and Andromeda was standing on the other. All four women were in a good position to defend each other and Hermione should it come to that. “Both Ladies Black are only willing to answer the questions they are comfortable answering. Before that happens I will explain what happened to them and why I brought them here.”

“That would be nice because what Andromeda told me was rather disturbing.”Minerva didn’t have a clue of what Hermione did to Bellatrix.

“As it is now well known I have been on the hunt for horcruxes.”Hermione was cut off by Harry.

“That isn’t your job. Dumbledore assigned me that mission.”Harry said.

“I should be searching and destroying them with Harry because Dumbledore ordered me to go with him.”Ron told them.

“The pair of you would be dead within a day if you went on that mission.”Lupin actually thought they wouldn’t last an hour.

Ron puffed out his chest.”I would have gotten the job done a lot faster than it’s taking Hermione. She should be at the Burrow planning our wedding with my mother not running around playing with things she doesn’t understand.”

“Hermione is not going to marry you you insect!”Bellatrix wouldn’t let anyone but her, her sisters and Fleur claim Hermione.

“She is going to marry me. As a matter of fact now that she is here we can have the wedding next week.”Ron jumped back when he was faced with five wands pointed at him.

“Ronald I will never marry you. Not only do I despise you but I am lesbian and have been in a relationship with Andromeda for over a year.”Hermione just hadn’t said anything because it wasn’t anyone’s business.

Molly pointed her wand at Andromeda.“You dare corrupt the poor girl and try to steal her away from my son! I always knew you Blacks were despicable.”

“Alright everyone calm down and put your wands away. We aren’t here to deal with Ron’s stupidity, Harry’s jealousy or Molly thinking she more important than she is. We are here because we are trying to win a fucking war. So if you Ronald, Molly and Harry can’t refrain from your pettiness then leave because the grown ups need to talk.”Hermione wasn’t going to put up with their drama.

“That’s right pet put them in their place.”Bellatrix loved seeing Hermione being so commanding.

Hermione leveled the three with a glare before continuing.”As I was saying. I was hunting for horcruxes when I was caught by some snatchers. It was revealed to me that the Dark Lord has a trace on his other name. If you say it it alerts the snatchers of your location.”

“We will let the others know right away so it gets spread to the rest of the public.”Kingsley predicted a lot of lives would be saved due to that information.

“After I was captured I was taken to Malfoy manor where I met Bellatrix.”Hermione was cut off once again by Ron.

“If you touched her I will kill you.”Ron threatened Bellatrix.

“And you Mr.Weasley are the first person who is going to be asked to leave my home.”Fleur pulled out her wand and used the spell Hermione taught her to adjust her wards. The result being Ron suddenly rushing towards the door.

“What did you do? I can’t stop!!”Ron screamed as he disappeared out the front door.

“What did you do to him?!”Molly demanded.

“Ronald is fine. The wards only made him leave the property. That said if he tries to get back in they will hurt him.”Fleur was very happy the spell worked and was already planning on asking Hermione to teach her other types of magic.

Minerva cut in before Molly could argue.”What happened when you met Bellatrix?”

“She cast a spell on me. It was when the magic hit me that I noticed there was something wrong with it. Bellatrix’s natural magic was tainted with a type of foreign magic. Having dealt with that type of foreign magic before I immediately realized that the Dark Lord somehow turned Bellatrix into one of his horcruxes.”Hermione unsurprised by the looks of shock and disbelief she was getting.

“You’re expecting us to believe that Bellatrix is a horcrux?”Bill asked.

“I don’t care what you believe. I know for a fact she was a horcrux.”Hermione didn’t care what any one of them thought. All that mattered to her was it was destroyed.

“Is she still a horcrux?”Lupin didn’t think she was based on the fact Hermione brought her to the safe house.

Hermione shook her head.”It took me a few days but I came up with a way to remove it from her body and detach it from soul as well as destroy it. I also removed her Dark Mark.”

“You removed the Dark Mark?”Kingsley had never heard of one being removed before.

Bellatrix rolled up her sleeve.”It’s like it was never there at all.”

“Amazing.”Amelia whispered voice full of awe.

“What happened to you when Hermione removed the horcrux?”Nymphadora asked.

“It was like a thick fog lifted and my mind was clear. My thoughts were no longer a jumbled mess that even I couldn’t make sense of. All that mania and obsession with blood purity and my worship and loyalty to the Dark Lord was gone. Once I had a chance to really think about everything I was both disturbed and ashamed of my actions since I got the Dark Mark. I never truly believed that purebloods were better than other magic users and had always had a fascination and love of magical creatures so it was very confusing to me as to why I devoted myself to the Dark Lord’s cause.”Bellatrix wasn’t even sure why she got the Dark Mark.

“So you are no longer loyal to the Dark Lord?”Minerva was somewhat skeptical but the proof was right in front of her and Hermione vouched for Bellatrix.

“No my loyalties lie with Hermione, my family and Fleur.”Bellatrix was only adding on Fleur because she was going to be a part of her relationship with Hermione.

“So you aren’t planning to fight on our side?”Amelia asked.

“I will fight for myself, Hermione, my family and Fleur.”Bellatrix wasn’t going to join up with the Order. She didn’t trust them.

“What use are you to us then? We should just throw you in a cell.”Harry said.

“Would that be classified as him breaking the rules.”Nymphadora stage whispered to her smiling mother.

“Not quite but close.”Andromeda knew that Harry would find himself out of the house before the discussion was done.

“No one is throwing either Bellatrix or Narcissa into a cell.”Hermione wouldn’t allow it.

“What is Narcissa’s story?”Kingsley wanted to know how the youngest Black sister was involved.

“I was forced to marry Lucius by my parents when I was underage and had no way to fight against it. During the marriage ceremony blood magic was used to bind us together. It gave Lucius control of my magic and forced me to obey him even if I didn’t want to. I wasn’t able to leave or rebel against the Dark Lord even when I wanted to. Luckily Hermione killed my husband along with Draco when she was brought to the manor and freed me.”Narcissa gave Hermione a grateful smile when she felt the girl take her hand and give it a supportive squeeze.

“Wait if Hermione killed Lucius and Draco that makes her the Malfoy Head of Household.”Molly said.

Andromeda rolled her eyes at the obvious glee Molly showed hearing that.”Your son isn’t taking her titles.”

“She has more than earned the right to lead all three houses.”Fleur was proud of Hermione for killing off Bellatrix and Narcissa’s husbands and their heirs. She was also excited for the chance to see what kind of items a pureblood family owned. She didn’t really get the chance while at Sirius’ house to look around.

“Three? What other ring did she get?”Nymphadora was pleased that Hermione earned more titles. It would make it so Hermione could take better care of her mother.

“She killed my bastard of a husband and his brother. That earned her the Lestrange Head of Household title.”Bellatrix couldn’t wait until she got the chance to visit the manor her husband lived at so she could destroy all his stuff and lord the fact that a muggleborn was in charge of the family over the many living portraits of his ancestors. 

“That will take some major resources away from the Dark Lord.”Minerva knew those two houses were the wealthiest pureblood families on the Dark Lord’s side. The Blacks were the only family wealthier and Hermione was in charge of them as well.

“A lot of important resources as well because Lucius ran businesses that supported the Dark Lord’s war machine. Businesses that without them the Dark Lord will have problems clothing, feeding and without access to the many Malfoy homes housing his followers.”Narcissa told them.

“How can we get them out of those properties?”Lupin wanted to get the Dark Lord and his followers out of the properties so they had to scramble to regroup.

“Do like Fleur did and change the wards. Something I plan on doing when I feel a little bit better.”Hermione was actually going to do many things with the estates once she felt better.

“Is that something we can send someone else to do?”Kingsley asked.

“The only ones other than myself that have the authority to make any decisions or change the wards on any of my properties are Andy, Dora, Bellatrix and Narcissa but that’s only to anything Black family related.”Hermione was going to add Fleur as well when she got a chance.

“Why would me and Cissa have the privilege? I would have thought that Sirius would have blasted us off the tapestry.”That’s what Bellatrix would have done if the roles had been reversed.

“Sirius didn’t disinherit you because he knew the only way you would ever become a Black again was if your husbands were dead. It was his hope that if that happened that you would have seen the error of your ways. He mentioned to me many times that he never believed that the pair of you were that committed to the Dark Lord’s cause. It was because of that he wanted you to have the resources and support to get away from the man and his followers if you chose to.”Hermione explained.

“I thought he hated us.”Narcissa was always under the impression that their cousin couldn’t stand them.

“No he loved the both of you very much but your parents kept him away from you because they thought he was a bad influence on you. As a matter of fact he was the one to convince me that that you could be redeemed. It’s why even though we didn’t talk at Malfoy manor that I trusted you enough to bring you here.”Hermione wouldn’t have done it without Sirius’ influence.

“As touching as this is can we get back to the questioning?”Lupin was happy that his best friend was right but they had more important things to discuss.

“What do you want to know?”Bellatrix was planning on asking Hermione questions about Sirius later. She wanted to know about the man he turned out to be.

“What can you tell us about the Dark Lord’s plans?”Amelia asked.

“Not much because I wasn’t stable enough to be involved in meetings that dealt with most things. My main purpose was to go where he told me to and cause as much chaos as I could. Plans were never important to me and I wouldn’t have followed one anyway.”Bellatrix was surprised that she hadn’t been killed years ago with how reckless she was.

“You liar! You know exactly what he is planning and are trying to trick us into telling you our plans so you can report back to him.”Harry accused Bellatrix.

“That just earned you Harry an invitation to join Ronald.”Fleur waved her wand and cast the spell to alter her wards. The results were identical to when she did it for Ron. Harry rushed out of the room without being able to stop himself.

“Stop right now! We need to make a plan for me to kill the Dark Lord!”Harry screeched as he left the house.

“Why would you want him to kill the Dark Lord?”Bellatrix couldn’t think of any reason Harry would be trusted with that job.

“I’ll explain it to you later.”Hermione didn’t want to waste time and she also didn’t want the others to know she figured out who the prophesy was talking about.

“Can you tell us about the Dark Lord’s numbers?”Amelia asked.

“He has about five hundred on his side but not all of them are fighters. He had more but he recently lost the support of the vampires and the giants.”Bellatrix narrowed her eyes when she noticed the slight lift of Hermione’s lips. Looking at her sister Andromeda wasn’t even bothering to hide her smirk. That made Bellatrix believe that the pair had something to do with the Dark Lord losing that support. She would ask them about it later when they were in private.

“Our numbers are better if you count the students at Hogwarts right now.”Kingsley said.

“I don’t want children fighting in this war.”Minerva didn’t want her students risking their lives.

“Not to insult you Minerva but a child is leading the fight against the Dark Lord.”Lupin pointed to Hermione. Everyone knew that she was the one in charge of the Light side. Even the people who claimed they were in charge knew it.

“She hasn’t been a child for years.”Andromeda knew that Hermione was young but the girl had experienced enough in life that it aged her many years. That and the time turner she used had her well into adulthood.

“I still hate it.”If Minerva could she would have killed Dumbledore herself for the mess he got them all into. 

“We all hate it.”Amelia said.

“Anything else you can think of that will help us?”Lupin asked.

Bellatrix shook her head.”Like I said I wasn’t involved with anything to important. I was simply a weapon to him.”

“Lucius didn’t want me around unless he needed to project the perfect pureblood family image. I wasn’t allowed in any meetings and his office and other places the Dark Lord and his people used were off limits. I never even dared to enter for fear of punishment.”Narcissa hadn’t wanted to risk it.

“I guess that we now have to decide what to do with you.”Kingsley said.

“That’s all you are going to ask them?!”Molly’s voice was outraged.

“They have told you what they know. There is no reason to ask them anything else.”Hermione wasn’t going to let them waste the sisters’ time with useless questions.

“There are many reasons to ask them more questions because I don’t believe they are being truthful in their answers.”Molly told her.

Hermione ignored Molly.”As to what to do with them. I have decided that they will both be pardoned for their crimes and will be allowed to live their lives with no restrictions.”

“What?!”Molly screeched.

“Bellatrix wasn’t in control of her mind or body. She wasn’t responsible for what the Dark Lord did. Narcissa had no free will and was magically controlled by her husband. Neither were willing participants in the Dark Lord’s plans. Hell they don’t even believe in that blood purity nonsense.”Hermione wasn’t going to let anyone lock the sisters up.

“I agree with Hermione. It wouldn’t be fair to punish them for something they had no control of and wouldn’t want to participate in if they had the choice.”Lupin also wanted to carry out his best friend’s wish to have his family reunited.

“I’m not sure.”Amelia said.

“I think that they should still be held accountable for some of their crimes but we will have to speak to the others before we make a decision.”Kingsley told them.

“I’m sorry. It seems I have led you to believe that you have a say in this. You do not. The sisters are going to be pardoned. I’ve made my decision.”Hermione wasn’t going to be overruled.

“Now wait just a second.”Bill pointed his finger at Hermione.”You aren’t in charge here. It’s up to us decide what happens to the sisters and I say they should be executed for what they have done.”

Hermione motioned to Bill.“Fleur if you would.”

“With pleasure.”Fleur happily changed the wards to eject Bill. She smiled brightly as she watched his struggle to stay in the house.

“Stop right this second Fleur!”Bill screeched as he tried to hang on to the door jam and failed.

“Alright this is getting tiring. I will once again say it. The sisters are to be pardoned. I know we don’t have the ministry right now but let the rest of our allies know. Also let them know that I will take it as a personal insult should they be attacked and will defend their honor.”Hermione would raise a wand to anyone who attacked the sisters.

“We will.”Minerva would be telling everyone in hopes of preventing Hermione from hurting people.

“I’m still not sure about this but I will go along with it because Hermione is taking responsibility for them.”Amelia said.

“I will inform the others.”Kingsley told them.

“I will not let them walk free! They are murderers!!”Molly yelled.

Fleur didn’t wait to be told. She just went through the motion to get rid of Molly.”Have a nice trip Molly.”

“What are you…”Moly screamed when her body started moving without her permission.

Minerva watched her go.”I think the rest of us should get going as well. Hermione needs some peace and quiet to recover.”

“If you can think of anything else to tell us have Andromeda send us a message.”Kingsley said.

“Thank you for cooperating.”Lupin was pleased with the way the sisters handled themselves. It was more than enough proof for him to see they had changed.”I hope you feel better soon Hermione.”

Hermione smiled.“Thank you Remus.”.

“I’ll stop by later to check in.”Nymphadora wanted to give her mother some privacy to spend time with Hermione and her sisters.

“Good bye.”Andromeda called after the group as she walked them to the door. She waited until they passed through the wards before letting out a sigh of relief.”They are gone.”

“I’ll modify the wards to keep everyone but us and Dora out.”Fleur figured Andromeda wanted her daughter to have access to her. Everyone else however she was going to use the spells Hermione taught her while they were waiting for everyone to show up for the meeting and Andromeda to tell them the rules to change the wards to keep them out. They would give a lot of people some nasty surprises.

“I think Hermione should get some sleep.”Narcissa had felt Hermione’s body starting to slump further into her side as the meeting went on.

“I hate to agree with you because there is so much I have to do.”Hermione had a long list of things that needed her attention.

Bellatrix picked Hermione up and carried her up the stairs.”We will help you with all that after you take a nap.”

“I don’t have the energy to fight you.”Hermione could already feel her eyelids drooping.

“That’s because you used all of it fighting for me and Cissa.”Bellatrix had been deeply touched and gotten very aroused watching Hermione fight so fiercely for her and her sister.

“Well if left to those idiots they would have thrown an event and hung you in front of a large crowd.”Hermione could easily see them doing it.

“I don’t doubt that.”Bellatrix could see it as well. Laying Hermione on the bed she pulled the blankets over her.”Now try and rest. The four of us will be standing guard so nothing will harm you.”

Hermione yawned.”Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”Bellatrix smiled when Hermione’s breath immediately evened out. Leaning down she kissed Hermione on the forehead. She wanted to stay in the room and watch over her while she was sleeping but she needed to speak to the others. She wanted to know what they thought about the meeting and who was going to give them trouble. Not that Bellatrix was worried about any trouble. Hermione was obviously the authority amongst the group. Even though most of them weren’t pleased about it. Bellatrix did wonder why the three Weasleys and Harry Potter were there for the meeting. It was obvious no one respected them. If anything they seemed to annoy the others. Bellatrix shrugged as she made her way out of the room. It didn’t matter to her what the Weasleys did. If they got out of hand she would take care of them. It was as simple as that.