Meeting Draco's Aunt

Chapter 14

Since the incident Bellatrix hadn't left her room. Narcissa was driving herself mad with worry and Lucius tried his damned hardest to support his wife. She blamed herself, she should of told the woman from day one when she first found out. Should of been open with her, eased her in slowly not keep it all hidden then throw her in the deep end, not that she'd expected any of that to happen. Realistically how was she to know they'd attack then? Then again she knew their sort, she should of half expected it. Draco felt plagued watching his mother worried so much, if she didn't stop she'd wear a hole in the floor where she paced.
"Narcissa, sweetheart. Stop blaming yourself, you weren't to know. None of us were. This is Bellatrix we're talking about, she'll come around. Just give her some time to process this." Lucius approached his wife, encouraging Her to take a seat beside Draco. Hermione had opted to make everyone tea. She felt rather awkward sitting in the room and not doing anything. Draco had insisted the elves take care of it, But Narcissa sushed him. She understood Hermione's need to do something.
The Gryffindor returned to the room with a silver tray. On it was the bone China teapot followed by the matching teacups. Hermione didn't know they'd had guests whilst she was in the kitchen and was quite surprised when she saw Professor Mcgonagall sitting beside Narcissa. It must have been obvious by the way she froze at the door.
"Oh Hermione, we forgot to tell you. Draco, go get Professor Mcgonagall a tea cup, and bring the shortbread." Narcissa said approaching the girl and ushering her inside, helping her set out the tea.
"Oh there's no need for that, I'll be fine." The deputy head said, not wanting a fuss.
"I can go get it, I don't mind." Hermione offered a smile before dashing off back to the kitchen. She stopped at the doorframe, hearing the rustling from inside. She slowly stepped inside to see Apollo raiding the cupboards. She smiled, if he was doing this, that meant only one thing. Bellatrix was fine. Apollo only left her side and wandered when there was nothing to be concerned over.
"I could really do with a cup of tea myself pet." Hermione startled at that voice, she spun around to see the very woman stood behind her. Before Hermione knew it she'd pulled the woman into a tight embrace. She felt her tense at first, but soon felt her relax, she even nudged her head into the crook of Hermione's neck.
"Everyones in the living room, I can bring one in if you'd like." She slowly pulled back, meeting the woman's eyes.
"I'll help you if that's alright. We mustn't forget the shortbread. Dear Minerva does so love her shortbread biscuits."
"How did you know professor Mcgonagall was here?"
"I have my ways. Now how about this tea?"

***

The room fell silent as all eyes fell on the duo as they entered.
"Your in luck Minerva, Apollo was just about to get his little hands on these." Bellatrix set the plate of biscuits down in front of the witch on Narcissa wooden coffee table.
"Luck has nothing to do with it, I've never moved so fast in my life." Hermione comments as she stood beside Bellatrix, she placed Minerva's teacup alongside the biscuits.
Bellatrix chuckled as she glanced sideways at the young Gryffindor.
"That was fairly impressive I'll admit, though Apollo was anything but impressed." As if on cue the little creature enters, chittering as he made his way over to Draco, climbed up on to the settee and slumped in almost pouting manner beside the blonde.
"Don't pout, you've had more than enough biscuits for one day." Bellatrix said, addressing her familiar.
"Oh don't begrudge him one more on my part." Minerva reached for a shortbread before extending her hand for the little black eyed bandit. He happily chittered and eagerly accepted the biscuit from the head of Gryffindor who smiled warmly at the creature.
"You spoil him Minerva. That's why he's the way he is."
 

***

Hermione stared at her ceiling of her bedroom. She was conflicted and didn't fully know why. No that was a lie, she did know why. Because of how cosy Bellatrix and Mcgonagall are all of a sudden. Despite liking both women individually, she didn't like them together. It was like tomato sauce and ice cream. They should be kept apart. Hermione didn't nor couldn't stay downstairs much longer, she excused herself with a poorly feeling stomach. It was safe to say the Gryffindor certainly had not felt like this before. She didn't like it, it wasn't her. She was being foolish. Bellatrix was a grown woman and can spend her time with whom ever she wants, even if it's not her. Even if it's the elegant and bright head of Gryffindor. Yes it was safe to say Hermione was feeling rather down. She felt even more down when the reality of it hit her. Minerva had so much more to offer, not to mention she wasn't still in school or best friends with Bellatrix's nephew, nor was she a semi-permanent house guest due to having nowhere else to go.  With a heavy heart the girl adjusted her position, reached for her sketchbook beneath her pillows and with a sigh she hesitantly began flicking through to find an empty page. She hoped that by sketching something, her mind would distract itself from this downwards spiral she suddenly found herself slipping down. 20 minutes in and the only thing to touch the page was a single tear.