The Secrets Women Keep

Ch. 8

“Bella”

“Yes, my Lord?”

“Hermione Granger is pregnant with a girl, I want you to spend some time at the manor with her and the other wives. I want my son’s future wife to be well educated, and I want you to keep an eye on the mudblood.”

Tonks nodded in his direction. She could not believe her ears, she would be able to see Hermione, Ginny, and Molly again. “Permission to leave, my Lord.” He looked up at her.

“Of course, Bella.”

Hermione was currently enjoying a walk around the gardens that encircled the Manor. Narcissa had loved nature and had built them as her personal retreat. She didn’t blame her, now that she was allowed to move around the house this was where she spent much of her time.

Abraxas was sitting with her on a blanket. She was currently playing with some blocks and trying to teach him how to sound out his words better. From time to time, she would chase after her son when he caught sight of a butterfly or anything else that caught his attention.

“Mama!” Abraxas moved his arms up and down rapidly when he saw a brightly colored butterfly land on the rose beds.

“His speech is getting better.”

Hermione was stunned to see Lucius standing so close to her, while both Lucius and Draco gave her more space now, they often crept up on her. She knew that they watched her silently from time to time.

“Yes, he is a very bright child, but you wouldn’t expect any less of him would you.” Stated Hermione.

“No, being your child has certain perks.”

She did a double take, Lucius was never very complementary.

“You will be having a less than favorable visitor, but since the Dark Lord was informed of the upcoming birth of your daughter, he wishes that his wife should spend some time with their future inlaws.”

“Voldemort is married?” She was in shock, she could not picture anyone being with him, unless it was…

“Yes, it is Bella. She will be here in a few moments to spend some time in the garden with you.”

Hermione nodded, she really could not say anything. She loved her children, but the thought of having condemmed her daughter to a lifetime of being bound to Voldemort’s son was upsetting her. She was however going to put a brave face on, and figure out a way to deal with this. At the moment her daughter was safe in her mother’s belly, and it would be time before she could be wed. Horrible ideas of child brides tried to enter her brain but she would not let them take root. Face down Bellatrix and then figure something out.

Lucius and Hermione both looked up to Bella walking thru the garden path, holding hands with a small boy. He seemed delighted to be out in the sun, while his mother seemed out of place in the bright, sunny background.

“Good afternoon Lucius, would you excuse us.” She stared down at Lucius, all her old demeanors and coldness hit Hermione. She could not believe that she was standing next to Ron’s murderer.

“Of course, Lady Bella.” He retreated, but gave Hermione a look that was both warning her to not say anything that would displease Bella, and frustrated that he had to leave her with Bella.

Once Lucius was inside the Manor, Bella turned to Hermione. They both watched their children play. Neither Abraxas nor Camus had much of a chance to indulge in playmates, and had taken to each other right away.

“Camus, come here. Why don’t you and Abraxas play with this ball over there.” Bella had produced a small rubber ball about the size of a tennis ball for them to play with.

Bella thought that it was now or never, she could not believe that she had held out this long.

“Wotcher, Hermione.” She whispered, while turning her face to hers and transfiguring before her eyes.

“Tonks?!” Hermione whispered

“Is this some sick joke Bella? Are you going to torture me with images of dead friends.”
“I am Nymphadora Tonks, Auror, taught under Mad Eye Moody, cousin of Sirius Black, and once I was with Remus.” She cried

“Oh my God, Tonks” Hermione rushed to hug her.

“Not out here I don’t know if they are watching. I just could not hold it in anymore. It has been so long since I seen anyone. And I have been playing wife to that piece of shit egomaniac. The only saving grace has been Camus.” She looked at her folded legs, and changed her face back to Bella’s.

“Let’s go inside where we can talk.”

“ It can wait, I rather tell my story just once, when Ginny and Molly get here. Have you seen them?” She asked, her eyes soft and wet with tears.

“Yes, they are great. Ginny married Severus and they are very happy together.”

“At least one of us, found some happiness.”

They inched closer together, and so that no one saw them, held hands in order to support each other.

Ginny and Molly arrived a few hours later. After being shocked and amazed at Tonks, and learning how she had come to take Bella’s place they held each other. Inside her parlor Hermione knew that no one would dare bother her, or her friends. The children were all upstairs taking a nap. While the women enjoyed each other’s company.

For the first time Hermione thought that not all was lost.

“Tonks are you allright?” Asked Molly, her mother’s intuition was still sharp as ever.

“No, I am pregnant. Voldemort is bound to find out that I am not Bella once the child is born. Metamorphagus start changing at birth.”

Hermione had been optimistic too soon…………………………..


Hey guys. sorry for the delay but classes tend to get in the way of the creative process.