Meeting Draco's Aunt

Lurking in the shadows

Bellatrix watched from the shadows as Hermione spoke to her school friends, and Narcissa, Draco and Lucius spoke to some people from one of Narcissa's little groups.
She wasn't one for large public affairs, not anymore anyway. No, she'd much rather have stayed home and entertained herself. Apollo sat on her shoulder, his little hands running through her hair in attempts to calm the storm that was bubbling inside. She was becoming anxious, especially when some women noticed her and began blatantly pointing in her direction, causing more people to turn and look.

Her heart rate increased as she felt her nails digging into her sides, she was trying to remain calm, trying not to draw anymore attention, but when the group of strange women headed in her direction panic began taking over her body. Her head was spinning, she couldn't breath.
"Ah Bellatrix, how lovely it is to see you my dear." And just like that she was being whisked away. Her mind couldn't focus, her body was moving without informing her mind of their route.
"It's alright dear, you're perfectly alright." She knew that voice, that Scottish lilt. Minerva.
The woman blinked, trying to control her breathing and gather her surroundings. She was in, what appeared to be a tent, but it wasn't her sister's tent. No, she didn't recognise this place at all.
"That's it, just breath." She tensed at the hand on her shoulder, snapping her to the culprit. She relaxed at the warm smile emanating from the older woman.
"See, I knew you could do it." Her eyes expressed all the warmth Bellatrix needed and before she knew it she was in an embrace. The taller woman ran her hand gently down Bella's hair in a soothing manner, her other hand drew circles on the girls back as she nudged her head into the mother like figures neck, she sniffled.
"There there, you're alright Bella, I've got you." She spoke softly, placing a kiss on the younger woman's head.

"I...I...didn't know...I didn't know them." She managed to croak out amongst staggered breathing.
"No, but they've heard of you. Don't worry though sweetheart, I'm here and I won't let anyone harm you. Nor will Narcissa, Lucius or Draco. And Albus would blow the roof now wouldn't he?" The girl chuckled, if anyone were to blow the roof it was this woman currently holding her, Albus would just be her back up.
"Not to mention Severus, you know he has your back, always...despite his inability to show it. Then of course there's Miss Granger, from what I've heard you've formed quite the bond." Bellatrix pulled back slightly, meeting blue eyes.
"She's nice enough and intelligent, she brings me milk and braids my hair." The girl smiles fondly, Minerva's heart clenched.
"Aw Bella." Was all she managed as she brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face. They ruined her, they've ruined the life of the sweetest and brightest witch she ever knew.

"Come Bella, let's have some tea and biscuits." She took the girl's hand and led her into the kitchen. Bellatrix sat where she was told, and waited patiently for Minerva to prepare the tea, then with a smile she took a sip and accepted the offered biscuit with a polite thank you.
"You're very welcome dear." Minerva responds, she always was so polite. A smile graced the older woman's lips as she watched the girl, she hadn't realised just how much she had missed her. Minerva treated all students fairly, that didn't mean however she didn't have her favourites, because she certainly did. Bellatrix however, wasn't just a favourite student, no her hold went deeper than that.

"Thank you, Professor." That snapped Minerva out of her thoughts.
"I thought we agreed you can call me Minerva."
"Ah yes, my apologies, Minerva." She nods, some of the old Bellatrix evident now.
"No need to apologise my dear. Just drink your tea." She reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

***

Narcissa went into sheer panic mode when she couldn't find her sister, a thousand different thoughts running through her mind.
"Narcissa, calm down we'll find her." Lucius tried his best to calm his fretting wife. Draco and Hermione had set out to find her, figuring they'd have better luck than a freaked out Narcissa.
"I shouldn't of left her Lucius, she's vulnerable, you know how vulnerable she is, and with those monsters on the loose" Narcissa's eyes widen in sheer horror.
"What if they have her Lucius? What if they have her? She can't go through that again. She doesn't even know, I hid it from her, she doesn't even know that they're back!" Narcissa spoke quickly through staggered breaths, Lucius just about catching on to what she said, though before he had chance she was out of his grasp, he quickly spun around to see his wife running directly towards Bellatrix.

Bellatrix chuckled at one of the comments Minerva made, their arms were linked as they returned to where they were before Minerva whisked Bellatrix away.
"Oh Narcissa dear, whatever's the matter?" The blonde's eyes lit up, tears threatening to fall any minute. She tried to compose herself, rationality coming back.
"Where have you been? I've been worried sick!"
"I'm afraid that's my fault." Minerva intervened, giving Narcissa the look and the blonde understood instantly. She sighed a breath of relief, though mentally kicked herself for not noticing sooner.

"Minerva, helped me. It would appear my... emotions got the better of me."
"Thank you Minerva, thank you very much." The older witch held up her hand and dismissed the thank you.
"No need. We've had a delightful catch up over tea haven't we Bella?"
"Oh yes, it was most interesting. Oh Narcissa those twins of Arthur's are causing havoc." Bellatrix said with an amused smile, though that faded when she saw the worry all over her young sisters face.
"I'm terribly sorry for worrying you love."
"Doesn't matter, you're safe. That's all I care about." Narcissa said with a smile. Just then Lucius approached the three, nodding politely to the Professor, he hesitated before calling the woman by her given name, still After all this time finding it odd to address his former profesor by her first name.
"Minerva, it's good to see you. I hope you're well, and our little minx here didn't cause you too much trouble?" His eyes drift to the shorter curly haired woman, before returning to the elder witch.
Minerva chuckles, just as two of her current students approach her, clearly out of breath.

"Professor." Draco nods, very much like his father before turning his attention to his mother.
"Found her then." Draco states the obvious,
"I didn't go missing, I was merely having tea with Minerva." Bellatrix said quietly
Hermione had remained silent since returning, her eyes fell on Bellatrix and her arm entwined with Minerva and something inside her began to boil. She couldn't quite identify the feeling, but tried to keep it at bay. She liked Professor Mcgonagall, didn't necessarily like how close she appeared to be with her Bellatrix. Hermione swallowed at that thought, did she really just call Bellatrix hers?

"Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger." Minerva nods, Hermione snapped her attention to her profesor and smiles, trying to empty her head from all the current bizarre thoughts that ran through her mind.
"How are you professor Mcgonagall?" She smiled politely, ignoring the nagging voice in her head that told her to do something else.
"I'm quite well thank you, how have you been?"
"I've been wonderful. I can't thank the Malfoy family enough for what they've done for me."
"Oh don't be silly dear, you're like a part of our family, and our door will always be open for you." Narcissa places her hand on the brunette's shoulder.
"I told you mum adores you." He nudged the girl, who nudged him back. Though her eyes shifted to Bellatrix who appeared to be quite at ease with the physical touch of the older woman. Much to Hermione's displeasure.