Black's House for Little Witches

38

A/N: Hello, a new chapter for your viewing. I hope you read and enjoy. :)
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Bellatrix woke to a disturbance outside her room. Crying, specifically. Based on the direction, she heard potentially two different cries. She glanced at the clock and sighed softly to herself. It was just after one in the morning. She had a long night ahead of her. She threw aside her covers and slipped out of bed and to the hallway. Narcissa's door opened a moment later, and she stepped into the hall as well.

"I heard Drommie get sick. I knew letting Sirius talk me into getting the kids pizza for dinner would not go well," she offered as an explanation. "I'm not sure what's wrong with Hermione."

Bellatrix nodded. "You tend to Andy. I'll go to Hermione."

Narcissa gave a swift nod and turned to move toward Andy's room while Bellatrix walked toward Hermione's. The sound of crying increased as she got closer, confirming that something was indeed wrong.

Bellatrix pushed the door open and stepped inside. A very loud meow greeted her. She glanced down at the bed to find Crookshanks glaring at her from where he stood near Hermione's head.

"Don't you give me that look, mister," Bellatrix tutted. "If you wanted someone here sooner, you should have come and gotten one of us." She ignored the disgruntled noises the cat gave her and sat down on the bed beside Hermione. "Oh, my sweet girl, what has got you so upset, hm?" she asked quietly as Hermione attempted to fold herself into her lap. She hugged the girl and rubbed her back soothingly. "Bad dream?" The girl was drenched in sweat. Bella couldn't see any visible signs of illness, but something was clearly up.

Hermione released a guttural sob and latched on tight to the woman. Bellatrix shifted to hold her in a more comfortable position, ending up cradling Hermione against her chest. She rocked the girl gently and hummed a soft tune as she waited for Hermione to calm down.

"Mommy and Daddy no want me," Hermione said through hiccups. Her grip around Bella's neck tightened.

"Honey, we just saw them," Bellatrix pointed out in a soft tone. "They're so excited to see you, Hermione."

"No want me," Hermione sobbed and shook her head against Bella's shoulder. "No want me anymore."

"They do, darling girl. They really do."

"No! No want! Sayed it!"

Bellatrix hummed quietly to herself as she considered how to help. Hermione's clothes were soaked in sweat, and she could guess the girl's diaper did not fare much better. "Alright, sweet girl," she started. She nudged Crookshanks away, ignoring his complaintive meowing. "We're going to get you cleaned up," she explained as she shifted around. She gently laid Hermione on the bed. "New pjs, a new nappy. And then maybe we'll go lie down in the observatory, hm?"

Hermione sniffled and wiped fat tears from her eyes. "Leaf?"

That was not the correct word, but Bellatrix understood. "Never, darling," she assured. "I'm right here. Cissa and Andy are here." She had no idea how Andy was faring at the moment, but that could be determined later. "We're here. We're not going anywhere."

Hermione nodded, and she finally loosened her grip on Bella's neck. She let the woman lay her onto the mattress and move away.

"Hm, I think tonight might require a special nappy," Bellatrix murmured as she summoned some things. 

"No baby."

Bellatrix chuckled softly at the argument. Hermione was quite clearly deep in headspace, but it wouldn't stop her from arguing otherwise. Good thing she had a few tricks up her sleeve. "Ah, but these are special big girl nappies." She held up a nappy, and with a wiggling of her fingers, she made little pictures of otters appear.