The Secrets Women Keep

Ch. 6

“You and I have been very selfish with Hermione, and I think we should let her decide who she would like to marry. If she wants to at all. I know that we are trying to protect her, but I think we have to let her choose. She is a person, and the brightest witch.” Lucius looked at his son and knew that this was not going to be well received.

“I love her father, and if you think you can use your tactics, to convince her to marry your sorry old ass, you are wrong. I know she loves me.” Draco was turning an angry shade of red. His knuckles were white from holding his fists so tightly

“She needs to feel like she has some control over her life. True love is letting the person you love have freedom, otherwise she will never truly love you.” He finished. He knew that Hermione was a bright witch, and was confident that she would choose him over Draco.

“I will speak to Hermione and you are not to touch her.” He turned to go and see her.

“Neither are you, she is recovering from almost losing your child, you cannot possibly try to be with her right now.” Lucius reached the door trying to stop Draco.

“Promise me that you will let her make the first move. Her body cannot take any abuse at the moment.” Lucius gripped his son’s shoulders, hoping that Draco would not hurt her.

“I am going to see her, now let me go.”

Lucius was let standing there, hoping that he could at least convince the Dark Lord that he was right.


Hermione was clinging to Ginny at the moment. They were chatting about their lives, and their children. She was happily surprised that Ginny had found some happiness with her husband, and even more excited knowing that Molly was alive and well.

Abraxas was currently being held by both Hermione and Ginny.

The peace was shattered when Draco came bursting in, trailed by an angry looking Severus.

Hermione held onto Ginny’s hand, he looked angry, and she knew she had no strength left to take any of his advances.

“She needs to rest Draco, she is pregnant with your child.” Severus told him as calmly as possible.

“I just want a few seconds with her.” He had never stopped looking at her.

Severus motioned to Ginny to come to him, usually she obeyed, but right now she hesitated, but Hermione squeezed her hand and gave Ginny Abraxas. Ginny gave Hermione an apologetic look and walked outside of the room with her husband.

“Hermione….” She cringed when she spoke to him, and then to her surprise crawled into bed with her, wrapped her in his arms and started sobbing.

“Please you can’t leave me. Please…..” He begged between sobs.

He started kissing her hands, each of her fingers. He looked so lost and lonely, her heart almost broke, but she was still petrified of him.

“Please don’t look at me like that. I can support everyone else thinking I am a monster but not you.”

“Draco, I don’t think you are a monster.” Hermione stated, she really didn’t. A product of bad parenting, a victim of prejudice and bigotry, but a monster he was not.

He hugged her harder.


Voldemort was currently making his way home, days like this made him look forward to a quiet evening with his wife.

Camus would often delight him with all his progress, he was truthfully glad to have had Bellatrix at his side.

Part of his relaxation was that after Camus birth Bellatrix had calmed down, she was a very caring mother, even if she was still a terrifying witch. When he was younger he often wished that his mother had been half as strong. However if that had happened he would never had taken over the wizarding world, and have evenings like this.

Dinner would be followed by him sitting in front of the fireplace with his lovely wife, playing some intellectually stimulating game with his son. While Hermione’s disappearance had caused him a very stressing day he was happy to know that at least there would be an appropriate witch for his son to marry. Granted she was a mudblood, but a powerful one at that. His mind drifted back to the thought of Bellatrix giving him a good scalp massage, followed by a nice footrub. Another thing that had changed after she had given birth, while she had always been a very satisfying lover, she was often distant outside of the bedroom. After the birth of their son, she became more affectionate. He thought that it was strange at first, but then he started liking it. Draco was not the only one with an affection starved childhood.

If the Dark Lord had ever bothered to look closer he would have seen that the reason Bellatrix was so different was that Bellatrix was not really Bellatrix.

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At the end of Bellatrix pregnancy. About 3 yearss ago.

Bellatrix was walking thru her dead cousin’s house. She wanted to fix it up and have it ready for use. It was pretty late and she was walking thru, slowly because of her protruding belly. How in the hell women had more than one child was beyond her. Her cold nature was only increased by her discomfort, she had taken to long walks to get away from her dear lover and Lord. He was driving her crazy.

She was about ready to head back to Riddle Manor when she heard the popping sound of apparition.

She cast a silencing charm and made her ways towards the noise. It was strange that it should be coming from Sirius old room. A loud crash followed, and she knew who it was inside, she had been waiting for her chance to punish the little traitor.

“My dear cousin, how nice…..” was all Bellatrix got to say, as she was stunned by Tonks wand. Being in the war had made her more confident and quick.

But the sight of a very pregnant Bellatrix was enough to make anyone hesitate.

Tonks stepped carefully out of the room with her wand raised, and saw Bellatrix at the bottom of the stairs . Her wand was just outside of Sirius room.

She approached Bellatrix carefully, she was a very dangerous adversary, pregnant or not. Then Tonks eye caught movement on her belly, a petrificus totalus was not enough to stop a birth.

“I am going to help you, but if you tried anything I will leave you here, Aunt Bella.”

She waved her wand to release Bellatrix, and her scream of agony filled the room. She had also hit her head on the stairs.

“Do something!” Hissed Bellatrix

“Don’t worry every auror receives training on how to handle this. Let’s just see how you are coming along.”

She Transfigure Bella’s clothes into something like a muggle hospital gown, and took a look. The fall had cause some pretty strong contractions, and this baby was going to be born.

“It looks like Rodolphus will be meeting his kid today.” Said Tonks

“It is the Dark Lord’s son and heir.” Seethed Bella.

“I know I am going to regret helping you, but I can’t allow any child to die, even if it the spawn of the evil incarnate like you and him!” Spat Tonks, really who the hell would take him as a lover.
Labor was difficult for Bella, even someone who could withstand the crucio would feel a lot more pain over a long a drawn out labor. Finally her son came screaming and healthy into the world.

“Look at him, he is beautiful, not what I expected to come out of you. I at least expected some horns or something.” Tonks stopped, life was leaving Bellatrix eyes, with her last effort she touched the Dark Mark and called for her Lord.

Tonks made a quick choice, she changed her appearance to match Bella’s, including the Dark Mark and the bang to her head. She transfigured Bella into a replica of the troll leg umbrella stand and laid down and waited for the Dark Lord to come.

He did come and took her straight to a healer, who checked her over, and said that her labor had gone beautifully. Bella had always been allowed a wand so it was easy to confound him, and have him inform the Dark Lord that Bella had suffered some mild memory loss due to her fall, but that the baby was fine.

The Dark Lord did not see any reason not to believe him, and thought that it explained, why it took so long for her to contact him via the Dark Mark.

Nymphadora Tonks had been impersonating Bellatrix Lestrange for the past 3 years, and while she hated playing the part of dutiful wife to this murdering egomaniac. She loved Camus as if he was her own, and truthfully he was the last link to her real family.

“What secrets women keep” She thought as she saw Voldemort walk in and embrace her as if they were a normal family.


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