Black's House for Little Witches

15

A/N: Here's 4k words worth of a chapter.

I hope you read and enjoy. :)

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"We're going to be able to see lions and, and tigers?" Neville asked as they stood outside the gates of the zoo. He shifted uncomfortably and tugged at his shirt. "But, but aren't they dangerous?"

"They're behind enclosures," Sirius answered before Hermione could. "We're safe, Neville."

Harry nodded excitedly. "Yeah, totally safe! And my magic is controlled enough now that I won't even make the glass disappear on the boa constrictor exhibit!"

"You did what?" Narcissa asked, perplexed.

Harry sheepishly ducked his head. "Well, last time I came to the zoo, I accidentally vanished the glass. No one was hurt though!" he quickly assured. He shrank down on himself suddenly, a sullen, haunted expression crossing his features. "Uncle Vernon wasn't happy about it," he whispered.

Hermione moved to the boy as the three adults shared concerned looks. "It's okay, Harry. Nothing's going to happen this time," she promised. She slowly reached for Harry's hand, lightly squeezing it when he accepted it with his own. "We don't even have to go near the reptiles if you don't want to."

"We can stay away," Andromeda agreed. "Snakes are icky."

That brought a small laugh out of Harry. "Weren't you sorted into Slytherin?"

Andromeda made an exaggerated grimace. "Doesn't mean I like snakes."

"Well, I can't argue with that." Harry laughed again, seemingly out of his dark mood. That was good. Hermione wanted him to be able to enjoy their outing.

Bellatrix cleared her throat softly. "Not that anything will happen, but should something like that occur, the three of us will take care of it appropriately," she said, gesturing to herself, Narcissa, and Sirius. "But, I think we're going to have a good day. And we should probably get going before someone gets too impatient again," she said with a look towards a fidgeting Andromeda.

Andy huffed slightly. "I wanna see the pandas and the penguins, Bella."

"Yes, yes, I know. And we'll get to them," the older woman promised. "Do we want to go in groups?"

Narcissa chuckled softly as Andromeda groaned dramatically. "Why don't I go with Drommie, and the rest of you can go at your own pace? We can meet up later, but I don't want you all to feel stuck at the panda enclosure."

Hermione shifted slightly. She hadn't spent all that much time alone with Bellatrix. While she knew the older woman wasn't really mean or scary, Bellatrix still intimidated her slightly. Hermione always felt like she was one step from doing something wrong in the woman's presence. But, technically she wouldn't be alone. Harry and Neville were there along with Sirius. It would be alright.

"Excellent idea, Cissa," Sirius said as the three teens nodded. He kissed both Narcissa and Andy on the cheek before letting them leave.

"Hermione can even tell us animal facts!" Harry declared, nearly vibrating in excitement as much as Andy. "I'll bet you know loads of facts. Right, Mione?"

Hermione blinked. "Well, I guess I know some things," she stammered out. She hadn't been prepared to be put on the spot like that. Besides, hadn't everyone at school thought she was a know-it-all? Why would Harry want her to tell them animal facts?

Bellatrix held a hand out to her. "Come along then. Where do you three want to start?"

Hermione shyly accepted the woman's hand. Harry and Neville walked on their own, and she probably could, too, but at the same time, there were so many people around, she really didn't want to get separated from Bellatrix. "Could we, if it's okay with Harry and Neville, start at the otters?" In a soft whisper, she added, "They're my favorite."