Chapter Text
Hermione paced nervously up and down the corridor, occasionally glancing at the double doors at the far end of it. Madam Pomfrey had been at work for quite some time now. Was it possible that this was actually more serious than she thought? Mentally she made a list of all the complications one could suffer from after a head trauma. Internal bleeding seemed like the least of her problems.
She suddenly heard footsteps behind her. Hermione turned to look at the wooden door behind her. She was supposed to divert anyone who tried to get close to the Hospital wing. As the footsteps became more pronounced, however, she discerned two walking patterns. There were two people coming and judging by the clatter one was in heels. Moments later the door opened, revealing the smiling face of Andy Tonks. Hermione was just about to rush towards her when the woman behind her came through the door as well.
Narcissa Malfoy had a way to make you feel inferior even if you hadn’t punched her sister in the face merely a couple of hours ago. And if that was the case, well…
Hermione held her gaze heroically, but those piercing blue eyes were something else. She looked away first, directing her attention towards Andy who was saying something to her.
“Taking down Bella in seconds, you really are something, Brightest Witch of Your Age!”
“This is the second time you have laid a hand on a family member of mine, Miss Granger. Should I be worried about Lucius next time?” Narcissa said drily, leaving Hermione no choice but to look at her again.
“Oh, shut up, Cissy, both Draco and Bella had it coming” Andy grinned. “Though if anyone’s punching Lucius, I hope it’s me.”
“It was an accident! And stop looking at me like that, that’s the least she deserves!”
Narcissa did turn away and Hermione even thought she saw guilt shadow her face. She must have imagined it. Guilt surely wasn’t a common emotion for this haughty woman.
“Is she going to be out of there soon? Minerva thinks she’s faking to get out of repairing the statue she broke on the seventh floor” Andy said.
“She hated that thing, the story about accidentally hitting it with a spell is absolutely fake” Narcissa spoke. There was a fondness in her voice Hermione hadn’t heard before. Listening them chat about Voldemort’s right hand so casually made her think back to this morning when Bellatrix Lestrange was still dead and the world was finally a peaceful place. And then Headmistress McGonagall had called her into her office.
“Hermione, come in.”
She opened the door, surprised at the acknowledgment. Professor McGonagall, now Headmistress, was sat at her desk munching on Ginger Newts. This was the most relaxed Hermione had ever seen her. She supposed this woman deserved her rest more than everyone else. Yet only three weeks after the Battle of Hogwarts she had announced the renovation of the castle was about to begin and everyone willing to help was welcome. That was how Hermione had found herself sitting at one long table in the Great Hall along with fellow seventh-years, some members of the Order, and, of course, the teachers. She had been an active participant of the debate whether seventh-years should come back to redo their last year of school when a tabby cat Patronus jumped stealthily on the bench between her and Ginny. She had excused herself after hearing the newly appointed Headmistress wished to speak to her urgently.
“A biscuit? And perhaps a seat?”
“Thank you.”
Hermione banished all negative thoughts about this impromptu meeting from her mind. It didn’t have to be bad news. Professor McGonagall maybe only wanted to see how she was doing. The woman herself probably even needed to speak to someone.
“How are you doing, Professor?”
“It seems peaceful days are ahead,” McGonagall shrugged, “I am really not the one who should be answering this question.”
“Me neither.”
“One would argue you are among the few who really deserve to rest after this ordeal.”
“I realised early on what being Harry’s friend would eventually entail. It was nothing unexpected though I am glad it’s over.”
Hermione thought she noticed McGonagall’s eyes glisten for just a second. The moment was gone and the Headmistress was speaking again, her voice gravelly, yet gentle.
“I am afraid there is one last trial for our wizarding community to overcome. One last trial for you in particular.”
Hermione felt herself slide to the edge of her seat. Her hands gripped the desk, knuckles turning white. More trials? After all this fate had decided to test her again? She had been looking forward to throwing herself into repairing the castle to forget everything about the war.
“Miss Granger-Hermione, you need to breathe.”
She hadn’t even noticed Professor McGonagall get up and come over to her. She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you, Hermione. In fact, I wanted to make this easier on you.”
Hermione tried to follow the breathing pattern Professor McGonagall set for her. When she’d calmed down somewhat, she lifted her eyes to meet her Headmistress’s.
“There was another spy in Voldemort’s ranks besides Severus.”
Hermione gaped. Her brain promptly got to work. Another spy… Narcissa Malfoy? She had lied to Voldemort, she was the other masterful Occlumens besides Snape. She’d never gotten the Dark Mark though, she wasn’t inner circle. Unless she’d made Lucius… no, no way would he take that big of a risk.
“Spot on for everything, Granger. I see where you got your nickname from.”
That voice… it wasn’t singsong like before, but she would recognise it anywhere. Lestrange had been a great Legillimens, of course, taking lessons from Voldemort himself. Apparently.
“I told you not to come in until I invited you, Bella.”
Hermione paid no attention to McGonagall’s next words. Lestrange was probably anticipating a wand attack. Only, Hermione wasn’t taking chances. She swivelled fast and before either McGonagall or Lestrange had even registered her movement, Hermione’s fist had made contact with the Death Eater’s nose.
“Bella!”
“There she is! Oh, that’s a heavy bandage, Hermione really knocked you out, huh?”
“Would you two shut up?”
Bellatrix frowned at them. “Don’t you have places to be?”
“Why, we absolutely had to come check up on our dear sister after such a scary accident!”
Bellatrix glared at Andromeda removing the bandage Pomfrey had forcefully wrapped around her head.
“I’m fine!” she huffed.
“She took it off, didn’t she?” Madam Pomfrey stepped out of the Hospital Wing.
“Forget it, told you I’m not wearing it. Now where’s Granger?”
Andromeda and Narcissa looked around. Hermione had been there just a moment ago, but was now nowhere to be seen.