Harry Potter - Truth Unearthed Chapter 5
Title:Truth Unearthed
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Minerva/OC AU
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Harry Potter, they belong to J.K. Rowling. (The woman is a genius.)
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. Comments are welcome! Enjoy!
Chapter 5
It was late that night and Minerva had long said goodbye to her wife when the door to her room opened and closed as if by the hand of ghost. The Transfiguration teacher slept peacefully, completely unaware that she was no longer alone in her room. Hermione took off the Invisibility cloak she had more or less borrowed from Harry and stepped towards the bed were her favourite Professor was resting. She hated what she needed to do but Hermione simply had to, otherwise her conscious wouldn't let her rest. She reached out and gently shook the older woman awake.
“Professor! Professor McGonagall”, Hermione whispered with some urgency. “Please, Professor, you must wake up! I need you.”
Minerva heard a voice through her sleep fuzzy brain. She slowly opened her eyes and found her best student next to her bed, begging her to wake up.
“Miss Granger? Do you know what time it is? You should be in bed. What are you doing here?”
“I know, Professor”, Hermione was ringing her hands.
“Lumos”, Minerva ordered as she sat up straighter. “How in Merlin's name did you get here?”
“I borrowed Harry's cloak. But this isn't important now.”
“Of course it is”, her Professor objected strongly.
“No it isn't”, Hermione interrupted forcefully, “please, I need you to listen, Professor. Something isn't right and that is why I am here.”
“Go on!” Minerva relented when she heard the urgency in Hermione's voice.
“You know what happened at the Ministry?” Receiving a nod of confirmation the girl continued, “Well, you see, something wasn't right but I couldn't put my finger on it. I kept thinking and thinking but I simply wouldn't get it. Tonight I couldn't sleep and step by step I was walking through the whole incident again in my mind. That was when it suddenly hit me. I knew what wasn't right.”
“What?”
“Bellatrix Lestrange”, Hermione offered triumphantly.
“What about her?”
“She wasn't right.”
“Did somebody use Polyjuice potion and pretend to be her? What?”
“No”, Hermione shook her head exasperated, “that is not it. It is her all right. But she didn't kill Sirius. I know it looked as if it was her and she didn't deny it but it wasn't her, I am very certain. And I think she did it on purpose, letting herself get captured.”
“Bellatrix Lestrange is Voldemort's most loyal servant and she is an excellent duellist, as much as it pains me to admit it. So why would she let herself get captured? There has to be a catch somewhere. I mean even if she did, she certainly has an agenda. She doesn't do anything without a reason.”
“I agree, Professor”, Hermione nodded eagerly. “But what if it is not what we think it is? There is something about her.”
“What, Hermione?”
The girl shook her head in frustration. “I don't know. But I am convinced I am right. Please, Professor, you have to come with me to Grimmauld Place and talk to her.”
“Now? Can't this wait until morning?”
“No. I am afraid the other members, in their need to get information out of her, will treat her with her own medicine.”
“Bugger”, the Transfiguration Professor muttered as she slid out of bed. Minerva grabbed her wand from the desk, muttering a spell and transformed her pyjama into her usual black and green robes. Her slippers turned into a sensible pair of boots and with another wave of her wand her hair was made up in her customary bun.
“Hand me that cane, please!”
Hermione did as she was asked and together they left the hospital undetected. In the alley they apparated to Grimmauld Place.
***
Hermione followed Minerva inside. It seemed empty but when they walked towards the stairs to the cellar they heard voices and the maniac laughter of Bellatrix Lestrange. Slowly and carefully Minerva descended the stairs with Hermione right behind her. Her steps brought her to the room where Remus and Alastor were trying to get Bellatrix to talk. Hermione had been right, in their desperation for information they had turned to measures unworthy of the Order. With a silent spell she disarmed them and stood tall as both men turned furiously to see who had done this. Minerva leaned heavily on her cane, her expression stern as she looked at the two men she called her friends.
“Leave us”, Professor McGonagall ordered with a tone that broke no argument.
“But...”, Moody tried to object half-heartedly.
“Are you deaf? I said leave us. Now!” Minerva thundered.
She smiled faintly when both men scrambled past her, glad to leave her presence. She handed both their wands as well as her own to Hermione who stood stock still behind her Professor.
“You as well, Miss Granger.”
When the girl looked worriedly at her she assured with a pat on her shoulder, “Everything will be all right, Hermione. Do not worry! You did the right thing. Now go!”
Minerva waited until she could hear the footsteps on the stairs and the closing of the door to the cellar before she walked towards the woman on the floor. With a grunt she bent down and helped the Death Eater to the cot by the wall. Ever since her arrival there had been no sound from the other woman. Minerva sat down next to Bellatrix and propped her cane on the wall. She raised the woman's head with her hand and brushed the wild raven curls from her face. It was bruised, an eye already swollen shut and blood from her split lip was running down her chin.
“Oh, Bella”, Minerva whispered at the damage she witnessed.
“There has been worse.” The Death Eater said with a crooked smile.
“I don't doubt that.”
Without her wand there wasn't much she could do. There was no point in taking unnecessary risks since she wasn't at her physical height. McGonagall was suddenly startled when Bellatrix grasped her hand and put her fingers against her temple.
“What...?”
“Look!” The Death Eater softly pleaded before Minerva was nearly overwhelmed by thoughts and images.
Bellatrix had opened her mind to her former Professor to see and understand. No words were needed. Bellatrix held nothing back everything was there for Minerva to witness. She would know things not even her sister had ever seen. It was the only way to convince the older woman of her intentions. When the last images of the fight at the Ministry faded, Minerva sat back against the wall. She was at a loss for words. A few things she had suspected, others she had known for sure but many were completely new information to her. Each and every part of the puzzle made the person that sat next to her.
“What do you want?” Minerva asked without looking at Bellatrix.
“A chance for my sister and my nephew when this is all over”, the Death Eater answered without missing a beat.
“What about you?”
“I will most probably die in the coming war”, Bellatrix said with a rueful chuckle, “and even if I won't there is nothing I deserve.”
“Bella...”
“No, Professor”, she cut the older woman off. “I don't. You saw, you know now. I am the Dark Lord's perfect creation. Rodolphus had done well, Voldemort should be proud.” Bellatrix let go of Minerva's hand and walked to the other end of the room. She couldn't look at her former Professor, couldn't bear the compassion she would certainly find in her green eyes. She didn't deserve it, not after everything she had done.
“Why now, Bella? What has changed?”
“Fourteen years in Azkaban is a very long time to think about your life when there is nothing else you can do.”
The Death Eater turned and walked back to the cot again, where she sat down.
“This hell hole restored my sanity. It is truly absurd whereas others lost theirs I found mine again because there was nothing to lose anymore.”
“Does your sister know about this?”
“Most of it, yes”, Bellatrix admitted. “You shouldn't underestimate her abilities. She is very capable.”
“I know”, Minerva nodded. “The three Black sisters were always very talented witches. I have often regretted that none of you was sorted into my House.”
“Andy would have loved it.” Bellatrix agreed. The thought of her estranged sister brought a painful smile to her face. “She was always the bravest of us.”
“So were you.”
“Not really. But I would have liked it too, not that I would have ever admitted it though. I always had a crush on you.”
“Only until you met Susanna Wilson”, Minerva reminded her gently.
“Better let bygones be bygones”, Bellatrix said determinedly with a sad shake of her head. “So, how are we...”
She suddenly stopped when McGonagall raised her hand and listened carefully. A wistful smile stole over the Professor's striking features when she recognised the witness of their conversation.
“I distinctly remember that I told you to wait upstairs, Miss Granger, did I not?”
They heard the shuffling of feet and a sigh before a guilty looking young woman appeared in the doorway. Hermione had the good grace to look embarrassed. She didn't dare look at McGonagall but found her shoes rather interesting.
“Well, Miss Granger, since you are the one who insisted on my coming here to speak to Madam Lestrange, do you have gathered enough evidence that you feel justified in your decision?”
“Yes, Professor.” Hermione simply stated with conviction. “I was right about her, wasn't I?”
“I am still here you know.” Bellatrix snapped at the girl.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to be impolite”, Hermione stuttered as she looked at the most feared Death Eater in the world, who didn't seem so scary at all.
Bellatrix noticed this and decided it was best to give one of her more impressive performances. In a flash she was off the cot, before Minerva or Hermione could react she had the girl by her throat, hissing in her ear.
“Don't you dare look at me like that again, little mudblood. Neither do I care nor do I want your pity. You better safe it for yourself and your little blood traitor friends.”
“Bellatrix!” McGonagall's sharp tone forced the Death Eater to let go of Hermione's throat and return to the cot. Hermione looked a bit less confident now and uncertain as far as the maniac woman was concerned. Minerva waved her inside the room which Hermione only did reluctantly.
“By the look on her face I'd say I still have it”, Bellatrix laughed crazily, sending a shiver down Hermione's spine. It was the same sound she had heard at the Ministry when all hell broke lose.
“That's enough!” Minerva ordered sternly, causing Bellatrix to look like a scolded student and Hermione to smirk at the look on the feared woman's face. The Professor sighed again before she grabbed her cane to get up.
“Meet me tomorrow at the black lake around midnight. I will talk to the Headmaster.”
They heard a commotion from upstairs and the booming voice of the Daywalker, “Stop babbling like an idiot, Remus and tell me where my wife is.”
“You should leave now, Bella”, Minerva suggested kindly. “Miss Granger will hand you back your wand. Leave before they return downstairs.” With that McGonagall slowly left to climb the stairs and calm down her agitated wife.
***
Bellatrix watched her go, limping and heavily leaning on her cane. Even injured Minerva McGonagall was a formidable woman. While she was contemplating her former Professor a voice brought her from her reverie.
“Hit me!”
“What?” Bella looked incredulously at the girl next to her. Hermione rolled her eyes at the outburst before she explained.
“You must hit me.”
“Are you crazy?”
“No. That would be your domain”, the girl answered cheekily.
Bella glared at the insolent little brat and took an intimidating step towards her. Hermione merely folded her arms over her chest.
“Look, it is only logical, isn't it? I mean you can't just walk away like that. Think what they would believe about the Professor. We must convince them that I, Ms Know-It-All, did something stupid and you could escape.”
Bella rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “You do have a point.”
“I usually have”, Hermione said with a gleam in her eyes as she handed the Death Eater her wand.
“I could just cast a spell. That would be easier.”
“No, you can't”, the girl shook her head. “I had your wand, remember? To get it you had to take it forcefully. Therefore you must hit me.”
“Why are you doing this?” Bella cocked her head.
“She trusts you and I trust her. Implicitly. Whatever it is you told her, she believes you.”
“Everything”, the Death Eater whispered.
Bella wondered what it was about Minerva McGonagall that inspired such loyalty. People always thought it was Dumbledore who instilled unwavering trust and loyalty in those who followed him but it was McGonagall with her honesty, courage, morality and strength that made her students grow and exceed her expectations. The lioness and her cubs were always envied by Bella.
She was startled when she felt a warm hand taking her own, flinching slightly at the unexpected touch. It had been such a long time since she had been shown so much kindness by another human being besides Cissy. First McGonagall and now this girl she was supposed to hate.
“Use this one”, Hermione said matter of fact as she held Bella's hand in her own. “The ring will leave a convincing scratch. You better do it fast before I lose my courage.”
“Sorry”, Bella mumbled as she backhanded Hermione, who stumbled backwards and fell by the forcefulness of the blow. Mainly though it was because she was taken by surprise. She felt warmth tickle down her cheek where Bella's ring had cut through her skin. When she looked up Hermione found the older woman staring horrified at her, her hand was trembling and she stood frozen in place.
“Go!” Hermione urged her but when Bella only stared at her she got up and grabbed the trembling hand. “Please, Bella, go!”
Bellatrix shook her head to clear her vision and with a last look at the girl she turned on her heels and left. Outside the room the apparated to the front gate of Malfoy Manor. The punishment she would receive for letting herself get caught would be severe. Never had the Dark Lord spared any of them for ineptitude. But it was worth it. She would suffer it gladly if it meant Narcissa and Draco would have a chance for a life when everything was over.
***
“I hate to repeat myself, Remus”, the Daywalker growled menacingly, forcing the man to take a step back. “Where is my wife?”
“I am here, darling”, Minerva said softly behind Siobhan's back.
The vampire turned around, her eyes blood red but they instantly returned to their sky blue colour when she spotted her beloved wife right behind her. Minerva looked exhausted, the lines around her eyes more pronounced from the strain of being on her feet for some time now.
“I am sorry”, Minerva held out her hand for Siobhan. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Siobhan took the offered hand in her own and carefully pulled Minerva into her strong arms. She embraced the witch tenderly, needing to feel the comfort of Minerva’s body, inhaling her scent and revelling in the warmth of their closeness. The vampire hid her face in the crook of her wife’s neck, “I was so frightened when they told me you were gone.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I could smell Hermione’s scent in your room at St. Mungo’s. Besides I knew how she tried to convince us that something was up with Bellatrix.” Siobhan explained softly. She pulled back slightly from their embrace and cupped her wife’s cheek in her soft palm. Reading the question in Siobhan’s eyes, Minerva covered the hand with one of her own and in an act of silent understanding she shared everything Bella had shown her with her wife.
“Goodness, Minerva”, Siobhan breathed. “This is awful. I had no idea.”
“Neither did I, my love. I suspected some of it but to have your suspicions confirmed is something different.”
There was a lot they needed to talk about but the commotion from the stairs interrupted their short moment of privacy. Minerva sighed at an outraged Auror and colleague coming their way, dragging a guilty looking Hermione behind them.
“That demon spawn escaped”, Moody thundered. “Thanks to Miss Granger here.”
“Then why, pray tell, are you still here and not on your way to pursue her?” McGonagall asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Right, well, we’ll see you.” Alastor turned and limped out of the house with Remus hot on his heels.
When they were gone for good, the Tranfiguration teacher walked over to her star student. She took the girl’s chin in her head and turned her face so she could take a closer look at the bleeding wound on her cheek. With a wave of wand she closed the cut and cleaned the cheek before she looked questioningly at Hermione.
“What happened, Miss Granger? I distinctly remember that you were unharmed when I left the cellar.”
“I told Madame Lestrange to hit me.” Hermione mumbled under the scrutinising gaze of her mentor.
“Why on earth would you do that? And more importantly why would she agree to that?” Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose, hoping that her trust in Bella wasn’t misguided after all.
“It was the only logic solution.”
“What was the problem?” McGonagall asked exasperated.
“I didn’t want to compromise your reputation. If her escape was too easy they would have questioned your loyalty to the Order and I didn’t want that.” Hermione explained.
“What is about you children lately and this need to protect me?” Minerva asked more rhetorically than expecting an answer and was surprised when she did get one.
“We are no longer children, Professor”, Hermione said softly. “We are Gryffindors. We look out for each other. You taught us well.”
McGonagall was touched by her student's words.
“We are and you are quite right, Hermione, we do care for each other. It seems I am not such a bad teacher after all.”
“You are a wonderful teacher.”
“Thank you, Miss Granger”, Minerva patted Hermione’s shoulder gently.
“Um, Professor?” Hermione bit her lower lip. Uncertain if she should tell her favourite teacher or not. Throwing caution to the wind she decided McGonagall deserved to know.
“Yes?”
“Harry knows.”
“Potter knows what, Miss Granger?”
“Well, you see, when he punched Malfoy and you sent him to the Headmaster, well Professor Dumbledore told him about you and your wife wanting to become his parents after his own died.” Hermione glanced at the shocked faces of the most admired and formidable women she had ever known.
“Meddling old fool”, McGonagall hissed at her old friend's interference. “Is he very angry?”
“Harry isn't angry, just shy, sad and a bit insecure how to broach the subject with you. He made me promise I wouldn't tell you but I thought you deserve to know.”
“Hermione”, it was Siobhan who spoke now, “thank you for telling us. I would say it is high time to return to Hogwarts. We all could use some rest before we set things in motion that a great deal of lives depend upon.”
“You are right, darling”, McGonagall agreed with a curt nod.
“Is Madame Lestrange on our side now for good, Professor?” Hermione wanted, no she needed to know.
“Yes, I suppose she is”, Minerva said with a sad but slightly proud smile. “You know, Miss Granger, Bella wasn't always the raving lunatic she had become after she joined Voldemort.”
“I never thought she was. You are not going to let her die though, Professor? I mean, I know she thinks she doesn't deserve any kindness or mercy but that is not true, is it?”
Minerva gave Hermione's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before she answered, “You have my word, Hermione, I will do what I can to keep her alive.”
“Thank you.” The girl whispered gratefully.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow at the sudden pink hue on Hermione's cheeks, recognising it for what it was, it made her wonder if her student was fully aware what was going on. Minerva sighed heavily at the realisation, hoping against hope that when this was all over Bella had a chance of happiness. So many lives had already been destroyed due to one man's greed for power. How many more would lose everything before it came to an end?
“Lets go”, the Daywalker urged them and together they stepped into the fire to floo back to Hogwarts.
When they stepped from the hearth in the Headmaster's office Albus was already waiting for them, smiling knowingly at his Deputy, her wife and her student.
“Welcome home, ladies”, Dumbledore greeted them jovially, smiling at Minerva's annoyed expression. She was angry at him for telling Harry about their wish to take him in and give him a home.
“Well, what did Madame Lestrange have to say?”
“Why not ask her yourself? We are going to meet her tomorrow.” Minerva said rather coldly before she turned to leave. She was bone tired and her back hurt like hell. She needed to get off her feet and lie down.
“Minerva?” Dumbledore was taken aback by the coldness in her voice. When she didn't answer he tried a different approach. “Tabby, please, whatever is the matter?”
McGonagall still had her back to him as she closed her eyes in an attempt to calm her fury. Sometimes he only saw the bigger picture no matter the cost for those around him. This and his constant need for secrecy was slowly wearing down her patience with her old friend. If they fought they had a right to know what was happening because one way or the other they would have to pay the price.
“Not now, Albus. Not tonight. I am afraid I am going say things I will regret tomorrow.”
“Tabby...”
“Good night, Albus!”
With tired steps she left his office, knowing that her wife would follow as soon as she had accompanied Miss Granger to her dorm.
The headmaster looked at his best friend's wife for an explanation but Siobhan shook her head. It was not for her to tell him, this was between Albus and Minerva and knowing her wife like she did, Minerva would sooner or later confront him. So she bid good night and led Hermione form his office to the Gryffindor common room. Before she stepped through the portrait though, Hermione had one last request.
“Professor, I know it is quite unusual but may I come with you when you meet Madame Lestrange?”
“Why?”
“Just to make sure she is all right.” Hermione answered honestly.
Siobhan sighed at the sincere concern in the girl's voice.
“I will talk to my wife. But let’s be honest, Hermione. She won't be. Voldemort will most certainly punish her for failing him. She knew that when she let herself get caught to speak to us.”
“I know. Still. Good night, Professor.”
“Good night, Hermione.”
***
Bellatrix slowly climbed the stairs to her sister's room, feeling an aching pain in every muscle of her body. She knew the Dark Lord's punishment would be severe but after the beating she took from Moody and Lupin it felt worse than anything she had to endure so far. Lucius the coward had put the blame on her. She snorted when she thought of the man her parents had chosen for her little sister. He was full of himself, a pompous arse, a coward but all big and strong when it came to beat his wife into submission.
Bella knew everything her sister had to endure in her marriage and now he had the audacity to offer her and his son to the Dark Lord to save his own sorry arse. It was pathetic. She entered her sister's room without knocking and found Narcissa curled into a ball in the middle of the bed. There was need to use Occlumency to know what had happened. Bella took off her boots and climbed under the blanket. As soon as Narcissa realised who it was she turned around and threw herself into Bella's arms.
“Sshh, Cissy, I've got you”, Bella whispered into her baby sister's soft hair.
“Lucius made me the Dark Lord's whore and he promised him Draco”, Narcissa sobbed into Bella's chest.
“I know, Cissy. I know. I promise you I will take care of you both.”
“It doesn't matter anymore”, Narcissa cried harder. “Sybil will never want me after...”
“Hey”, Bella gently raised her sister's head to look into her puffy eyes, “that old nut case loves you more than life itself. Nothing will ever change that and you know it.”
“Don't call her that!”
“Sorry”, the Death Eater smiled as she guided Narcissa's head back to her chest before she closed her eyes to catch some much needed rest herself.
Cissy would suffer nightmare's for the time being and she wanted to be there for her as much as she could. She knew that her sister had long ago learned to detach herself from those awful brutalisation she had suffered through her life but as soon as she fell asleep they were back with vengeance. Bella had similar dreams since she was twelve. The only person who knew the full extent of the things that ever happened to her was Minerva McGonagall though she was certain the Professor's wife knew as well which was fine with her. She knew they didn't have secrets and while she showed the older woman her past she had given her permission to share it with the Daywalker.
She felt sleep claim her when she heard Narcissa murmur, “I love her just as much, you know.”
“I know you do.” Bella whispered as she kissed her sister's hair before they both succumbed to sleep.
TBC