Hermione's Four Hearts 3

“Why isn’t she waking up Andy?”Bellatrix asked when the door opened. Catching sight of a figure entering after her sister Bellatrix grabbed her wand and stood in front Hermione ready to defend her. Narcissa took the position next to her. Bellatrix hadn’t been told anyone else was visiting and didn’t trust the stranger near Hermione. Hell she barely even trusted her sisters near Hermione. The girl was hers. Bellatrix had claimed her. That meant it was up to Bellatrix to keep her safe and the power she felt coming off of the blond haired blue eyed woman screamed that she was a threat. One Bellatrix would eliminate in a heart beat if she made a move towards Hermione.

“Bella, Cissa it’s alright you can lower your wands. As a matter of fact Cissa why don’t you put the wards back up. Then I will introduce you to Hermione’s friend Fleur.”Andromeda knew that it was up to her to keep things from turning deadly.

“If she is Hermione’s friend then why didn’t Hermione let her in the room?”Bellatrix wasn’t going to relax just yet.

“We think the only reason Fleur wasn’t allowed in was because she was needed to deal with everyone else and explain to me what happened. She was also the one who sent the patronus telling me Hermione had arrived.”Andromeda explained.

“I still don’t trust you.”Bellatrix said.

“I’ll prove to you I’m trustworthy. Whatever it takes.”Fleur didn’t care that these two women were supposed to be the enemy. Hermione had brought them to her home for a reason. Fleur truly believed that reason being Hermione trusted Fleur to take care of all three of them. If she didn’t she could have taken them anywhere. Like one of Hermione’s personal safe houses that Fleur knew she had but didn’t tell anyone about.

“Now then we brought you both food and I have couple potions I want each of you to take. First though Bella will you please move so I can have access to Hermione.”Andromeda made a shooing motion with her hand.

Bellatrix weighed her options. She knew Andromeda wouldn’t hurt Hermione and Narcissa was in the room as well. Decision made she walked away from the bed and looked over the tray of food and drinks.”I’m glad you brought food because my appetite is back and I’ve never felt so hungry.”

“That’s likely a side effect of what Hermione did.”Narcissa finished the wards and fixed herself a cup of tea. Taking a sip she sighed happily.”It feels like ages since I’ve been able to enjoy a cup of tea without worrying about whether or not the Dark Lord will use me as his play thing.”

“What was it like living with him?”Fleur asked.

“Scary. There was never a second I wasn’t afraid for my life. Even my dreams were plagued with horrors. I had no allies or anyone to talk to. My sister was the cruelest of the bunch so she was no help and my husband was a failure who constantly displeased the Dark Lord putting myself and his son in the insane man’s crosshairs. My life was a nightmare.”Narcissa looked at Hermione and smiled.”But I’m free now because Hermione saved me.”

“Cissa I didn’t realize it was that bad.”Andromeda had thought her sister enjoyed her life and the status the Malfoys had.

“I played my part well and made it so everyone thought I was the perfect pureblood housewife. In reality I was nothing more than a weak, scared woman with no control over her life.”Narcissa was never going to be that again though.

“I’m sorry I didn’t help you.”Andromeda wished she had reached out to her sister.

“He would have had both of us killed if you did.”Narcissa wasn’t upset that Andromeda didn’t reach out to her. It wasn’t safe.

“I feel so ashamed that I was aligned with him. It boggles my mind why I even got involved with the cause in the first place and why I worshiped the Dark Lord so much.”Bellatrix had been thinking about things and found the Dark Lord’s cause silly. If what he said was true then Hermione wouldn’t have been able to do any of the things she had done. Some of them Bellatrix personally witnessed.

“So you have no clue what Hermione did to you?”Fleur was finding herself shocked by the way the two women were not only acting but by what they were saying as well.

Bellatrix took a bite of her sandwich, chewed then swallowed.”No I don’t. It was like she was sucking a physical entity out of my body and once it was gone I felt like my old self. All my loyalty to and obsession with the Dark Lord was gone and all that was left was the dark liquid that came out of Hermione’s mouth.”

“Did you taste anything when she kissed you?”Andromeda wasn’t pleased by Hermione kissing her sister but knew she did it for a reason.

“Actually it felt like my mouth had been cleaned. Before all I tasted was rot and there a film that lived on my tongue. Even my teeth felt slimy. After Hermione pulled away from me I didn’t taste the rot anymore, the film was gone and although still rotten my teeth don’t feel as gross. I can actually taste this food. Whereas before everything tasted like dirt.”Bellatrix was enjoying the experience of eating.

“I brought you something for your teeth. Are there any other changes you can tell?”Andromeda lifted Hermione’s head up and forced her to drink one of the potions. She gave a nod of thanks to Fleur when she stepped forward and helped her.

“My joints aren’t achy anymore. My posture is better and I even noticed that my skin is smoother, tighter and I have less wrinkles. Honestly I feel like I have taken a really good rejuvenation potion that actually worked like it’s supposed to.”Minus being underweight Bellatrix was feeling very confidant with her body. She just needed to fix her teeth.

“That just adds more questions.”Narcissa was somewhat jealous Bellatrix’s body got a make over. Narcissa had a few wrinkles and some loose skin that she wouldn’t mind getting rid of.

“Do you think she will wake up soon?”Fleur asked Andromeda. She like the other women in the room was very curious to know what Hermione did to Bellatrix.

“Bella do you know exactly what you did to her?”Andromeda could help Hermione better if she knew what was done.

“No I remember Hermione reacting to me hurting her but I don’t remember exactly what I did to hurt her. I actually only remember bits and pieces after I took the Dark Mark.”Bellatrix was happy she didn’t remember everything because what she did remember would haunt her for a long time.

“Which is weird because Bella would constantly regale anyone who would listen with stories of her adventures during not only the second war but the first war as well.”Narcissa hated when her sister told those stories.

Andromeda cupped Hermione’s cheek, kissed her on the forehead and sighed.”Seriously darling what did you do?”

“What do you mean darling?”Bellatrix asked.

“Not that it is any of your business but Hermione and I are dating.”Andromeda told her.

“You are dating Hermione?”Fleur was very surprised to hear that.”I thought you were married.”

“Ted and I hadn’t been working out for a long time. When I realized I had feelings for Hermione I asked for a divorce which he agreed to. Once it was finalized Hermione and I then became official and have been dating for over a year. For the last six month we have been living together.”It had been the happiest and hardest year of Andromeda’s life. Especially with Hermione going off on missions all the time.

“Well we are going to have discuss this because now that I found her I’m not letting her go.”Bellatrix wasn’t giving Hermione up to anyone.

“I myself would like a chance to court Ms.Granger.”Narcissa would like the opportunity to explore a relationship with Hermione.

Fleur cleared her throat.”If we are all stating our intensions then I was also hoping for a chance with Hermione as well.”

“Are you serious right now? What part of we have been together for over a year are you all not understanding?”Andromeda asked in disbelief.

“Andy let’s not pretend we haven’t shared a lover before.”Bellatrix and Andromeda had shared a few.

“And don’t forget that it was you who always wished we would marry the same person so we could live together and our children would be siblings.”Narcissa reminded her.

“I know I am the outsider in this situation but I am more willing to share with the three of you. I just ask that no one else be added to the relationship.”Fleur wasn’t against sharing Hermione with the sisters. It was obvious that the curly haired woman had some kind of bond with each of them. So if the only way to be with Hermione was to accept them then Fleur would.

Andromeda sighed. She hated that she liked the idea because Narcissa was right she always wanted to live with her sisters and have their children be siblings. Her sisters who seemed to have completely changed due to whatever Hermione did and they reminded Andromeda of same people who she made those plans with. She didn’t know Fleur very well but knew that Hermione respected her. That said a lot about her because Hermione didn’t respect many people.”I am ok with it but the final decision will be Hermione’s.”

“I knew you would see it my way. I also agree with Fleur no adding anyone other than the four of us.”Bellatrix was only accepting Fleur because Andromeda was.

“Agreed no more than us.”Narcissa was of the same thought as Bellatrix it was only because of Andromeda that she was accepting Fleur.

“Now we just have to wait until she wakes up to share the good news.”Bellatrix said.

“I brought some books to read to her.”Fleur told them holding up the three books she had in her hand.

Bellatrix took one from her.”It’s in French.”

“Hermione’s parents are French. It is her first language.”Andromeda told her.

“I’ll have to learn it then.”Bellatrix wanted to speak Hermione’s preferred language with her.

“She thinks spells sound fancier in French.”Andromeda had to agree with her.

“Everything French is fancier not just the language.”Fleur was pleased that Hermione appreciated her home country as much as Fleur did.”I can’t wait to discuss her experiences in France with her.”

“She actually owns a vineyard out in the French country side. She has staff that works there and they grow a 100 acres of grapes that they use to turn into their own wine. It’s been in her family for over two centuries and was left to her by her parents when they died.”Andromeda was looking forward to visiting there once the war was over.

“I thought her parents were alive?”Fleur was sure she heard someone talking about them.

“Hermione’s parents died when she was a child. She was then adopted by her godparents the Grangers. That’s why she has duel citizenship. She was born and lived in France until she was five then moved to England to live with the Grangers.”Andromeda explained.

“That’s nice that the Grangers stepped in.”Narcissa was sad that Hermione’s parents died. It must of been hard on Hermione being a child losing her parents.

“Her relationship with the Grangers is odd. It’s not a parent child relationship. They have always treated Hermione like an adult. Even with her vineyard. The Grangers were in charge until Hermione came of age but they never made a decision on how things went. It was always Hermione who had the final say. She also picked her own bed time and what she ate. Other things as well. I think the Grangers were just lucky that Hermione is so responsible and didn’t let the freedom go to her head.”Andromeda knew any other child would have abused the privilege and gotten in all kinds of trouble.

“I would have loved that kind of freedom growing up.”Bellatrix would have done so many things if she had no one to answer to.

“It’s a good thing you didn’t have it.”Narcissa could only imagine the destruction and chaos Bellatrix would have caused.

Before anyone could reply a groan caught the room’s attention. All four women rushed to Hermione’s bed side. Andromeda put her hand on Hermione’s cheek.”Sweetheart can you open your eyes?”

“Hurts.”Hermione grumbled.

“Yes darling I know it hurts but I can’t make it better if you don’t open your eyes.”Andromeda felt her eyes fill with tears when Hermione’s eyelids opened and two pain filled, bloodshot, dull brown eyes looked back at her. Andromeda carefully pulled Hermione into a hug.”I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry.”Hermione tried to lift her arms but her body wasn’t cooperating.

“How are you feeling mon cheri?”Fleur didn’t think Hermione felt good based on the look in her eyes and the grimace on her face.

“I could be better than again I could be a lot worse. So I think all in all I’m feeling pretty good.”Hermione looked around the room.”Where am I?”

“You are at Shell Cottage.”Andromeda told her.

“Well knowing that and seeing you two means I’m not dead so I must of done something right.”Hermione at least hoped she did. The memories of what happened before she passed out were a little hazy.

Bellatrix laughed.”Oh pet you did a bunch of things right.”

“Oh you made it. Is Narcissa here too?”Hermione looked around once Andromeda released her from the hug noting along with her and Fleur in the room were Narcissa and Bellatrix as well.

“You don’t remember taking us here?”Narcissa asked.

“The last thing I remember is getting through the gates of Malfoy Manor, past the wards, grabbing you both and thinking Fleur would keep us safe. All my focus was on getting us to Fleur. Anything after that I don’t know.”Hermione’s only intent for their destination was to find Fleur.

Fleur smiled brightly hearing that.”You had faith I would keep you safe?”

“I couldn’t go to Andy because she would have likely been around other people in the Order or would be at work. You are the only one other than her I trust. I knew that even if something happened to me you would treat Bellatrix and Narcissa as if they were friends of mine and would protect them from everyone else. You unlike the others are level headed and don’t take things at face value.”Hermione knew that Fleur was the only one that would protect the sisters.

“Well it didn’t matter in the end because once we got here you put us in this room, warded it with blood magic and set it so only Andromeda could open it. Then you passed out again.”Narcissa was highly impressed with the feat.

“So who knows that my new friends are here with me?”Hermione needed to make a plan and wanted all the information.

“By now everyone knows. Minerva has held them off from forcing Bella and Cissa to be interrogated but that’s only because everyone wants to know what happened at the manor that led to you saving both my sisters.”Andromeda was thankful for it she just desperately wanted to know what Hermione did.

“Can I have some water?”Hermione’s throat was incredibly dry. She struggled to sit up giving Fleur a smile when she helped. She took a sip of water from the glass Bellatrix held to her lips and sighed happily.”I haven’t had anything to drink in a week. At least I think it’s been a week. I lost track of time in the dungeon.”

“You were at the manor for five days. Four of those days were spent with me in my punishment room where I tortured you.”Bellatrix lowered her head in shame thinking about her actions.

“It wasn’t your fault you tortured me. You weren’t in control of your body or mind.”Hermione didn’t blame Bellatrix for anything.

“What do you mean by that?”Narcissa was happy they were finally getting answers.

“I noticed something was off the first time Bellatrix cast a spell on me when I was brought to her in the parlor. It was obvious to me her magic was tainted.”Hermione told her.

“What do you mean tainted?”Bellatrix didn’t think there was anything wrong with her magic.

“Magic has a certain scent to it. A scent that is very unique to each caster. Even when using dark spells the scent of a person’s magic stays the same.”Hermione explained.

“You can smell magic?”Fleur had never heard of such a thing before.

Hermione nodded the best she could.”I have always been able to. I can smell the magic on different objects as well. So when Bellatrix was using her magic on me I noticed two different scents. One I knew to be hers and another that wasn’t that I immediately recognized.”

“What was it?”Narcissa asked.

“It was the same magic used to make the Dark Lord’s horcruxes.”Hermione expected the looks of shock she was getting.

“Wait are you saying that Bella is one of the Dark Lord’s horcruxes?”Andromeda didn’t know that a person could be a horcrux.

“No I’m saying she was one of his horcruxes. She no longer is.”Hermione wouldn’t have brought her to Fleur’s house if she was.

“You destroyed it when you kissed me? Right?”Bellatrix did not like finding out she had a part of another person’s soul living in her body.

“How I got it out was by studying how it was imbedded in your magic. Then I prepared my own spell to extract it and destroy it. I apologize for kissing you without your permission but it was the only sure fire way for my plan to work.”Hermione wasn’t one to force people to kiss her.

Bellatrix laughed at the absurdity of the situation.”You saved me from a fate worse than death and you are apologizing for kissing me?”

“Well yes. No one has the right to kiss another person unless they are given permission. Not even if they are saving them. I just couldn’t figure out a different way.”Hermione had run through hundreds of scenarios but the kiss was the only one that worked.

Andromeda huffed.”Oh Hermione what am I going to do with you?”

“Love me forever.”Hermione quipped.

Andromeda leaned forward and kissed her.”That I will.”

“So what’s going to happen to us now?”Narcissa asked.

“You are probably going be to asked some questions. However if you don’t want to answer anything I will make sure they leave you alone.”Hermione told her.

“You would prevent them from questioning us?”Bellatrix would have thought Hermione would be leading the questioning.

“Of course. You don’t owe anyone anything. If you would rather not talk about something that I know for a fact was extremely traumatic then I will support you. That and the Order doesn’t have a right to know everything.”Hermione was only letting the questioning happen because she needed to show the sisters had changed.

“Regardless I would appreciate it if you would be there when they ask their questions.”Bellatrix didn’t want to be without Hermione.

“I need to explain the horcrux and Narcissa’s situation. I also don’t want them to try and bully you. I saved you that means you are under my protection and I will not let anyone even make an offensive comment about you let alone point a wand in either of your directions.”Hermione would kill anyone who disobeyed her order to leave them alone.

Fleur shivered at the sexiness of Hermione being all commanding.”Goddess.”

“I agree with Fleur. That was a very sexy display Ms.Granger.”Narcissa smirked when Hermione blushed.

“I wasn’t trying to be sexy.”Hermione mumbled as she willed her cheeks to cool down.

“She is just naturally sexy. It’s in everything she does.”Andromeda thought Hermione was incredibly sexy.

“Anyway why doesn’t someone set up a time so we can get this meeting out of the way. I have some plans to make and I can’t do that in house full of Weasleys and Mr. Attention Seeking Harry Potter that I know are probably already here or will show up soon. That and all the other Order members who think they are a lot more important than they are.”Hermione mostly ignored all of them and gave them very little information on what she was doing. The only reason she was going to speak to them this time was to tell them about the Black sisters.

“I’ll do it.”Andromeda volunteered.”While I’m gone Bella take those potions on the dresser. One will fix your teeth. Narcissa I will give you yours later. They are to get your body healthy again.”

“I’ll take them right now.”Bellatrix wanted her teeth fixed before the meeting.

Andromeda gave Hermione a kiss.”Try to eat some food and drink what you can.”

“I will.”Hermione promised.

“Don’t forget to cast the wards.”Andromeda reminded them on her way out the door.

“I’ll do it.”Narcissa was the best out of the sisters with wards and the only other person she trusted to do it was Hermione who was to weak to even lift a wand.

“What do you want to eat pet?”Bellatrix held the tray before Hermione.

“I’ll try some soup.”Hermione thought she could keep that down.

Fleur eagerly grabbed the soup and took a seat next to Hermione’s bed. She lifted the spoon to Hermione’s mouth.”Open.”

“I can feed myself.”Hermione protested.

“Hermione you can barely lift your hands up there is no way you are feeding yourself.”Narcissa was jealous she wasn’t the one feeding Hermione but she knew there would be more chances in the future.

“I hate that you are right.”Hermione grumbled opening her mouth for more soup.

Fleur smiled triumphantly.”There that isn’t so bad is it?”

“It’s humiliating.”Hermione told her.

“You gained those injuries while saving myself and my sister. You should only feel pride not humiliation. I mean even after four days of torture you killed at least a dozen Death Eaters and wounded dozens more while protecting all three of us the entire time. You have nothing to feel bad about.”Bellatrix still couldn’t believe Hermione did all that and she had witnessed it.

“That’s true.”Hermione opened her mouth for more soup. Taking in the quiet of the room she took a moment to go over everything. There was definitely going to be a fight once the sisters were introduced to the Order. It couldn’t be prevented. Hermione didn’t care about their opinions though. The only opinions that mattered to her were those of the three women in the room and Andromeda. In the end Hermione didn’t need the Order to win the war. She had been fighting it on her own for years. The only thing the Order usually did was get in the way or make a situation worse. That and brag about how amazing they were. That was one of the reasons Hermione stopped going to meetings. Nothing important was spoken about and the group mostly sat around patting each other on the back while telling stories about the first war. Stories that in Hermione’s opinion were most likely lies. Not that she cared enough to call them out on it. It wasn’t worth wasting her time. She had much more important things to do. Important things that she couldn’t start planning until Fleur cleared out her house. That being something Hermione was going to help her do.