Ours to Catch Chapter 9

Hermione was brought to a cozy looking living, if not a bit on the gothic side of decorations. Just from the furniture and decorations alone she knew she was in a very opulent place. It made her feel self-conscious in a way she hadn’t felt before. Hermione’s parent’s weren’t lacking in their bank accounts; they did own their own practice after all. But while Hermione had never been left wanting, the pure wealth that was practically leaking from just the decorations alone made her feel as if she couldn’t afford to step foot in the mansion much less talk to the people who lived there.

Hermione swallowed her unease and walked after the auror who was walking with purposeful strides across the room. If Tonks felt she was safe in the mansion, no matter who may live there, then she would trust the older woman. She was a Gryffindor and if there was one thing they were good at, it was ignoring their fear and pushing forward out of pure stubbornness.

“Where are we?” Hermione asked, mentally making herself a note to send an owl to both Ginny and Luna so they knew she either wasn’t going over to Luna’s house right away like they thought or possibly not at all, depending on how this visit went.

The more they walked through the room and into a dark hall, Hermione was starting to get worried Tonks was taking to her to not only her mum but also her aunts. She didn’t think she was quite prepared to come face to face with a Death Eater and supporter. She may have wanted answers and knew those people would easily have those answers, but she wanted to stay cautious and avoid a confrontation until she had more information.

“I told you, Black Manor.” Tonks answered, slowing her pace as she sensed Hermione was likely thinking the worst about where they were. Tonks had to stop herself from huffing, her family were way too into riddles and keeping people in the dark for her liking. She would have much preferred the three sisters just come out and tell her everything about what was happening so she could Hermione and the brunette may not be on her way to a small panic attack. “My mom tends to hang out around the kitchen since she likes cooking, she likes to supervise the elves in there.”

Hermione felt her hackles rise at the reminder of the type of people the Black sisters and how they were raises. She could only imagine elves like poor Dobby and Kreacher and all the mistreatment and abuse they suffered from for just existing. She may want her answers, quite desperately if she were to be honest with herself, but she wouldn’t be a part of the system that enslaved other races and literally beat them into submission.

“You mean she makes sure all the elves do what their commanded to do.” Hermione corrected, trying her best to keep her frustration out of her tone. She failed. She definitely failed but at least she tried.

Tonks couldn’t help but chuckle at her younger friend. She quickly sobered when she saw the frown and almost glare her friend was giving her thought. But she couldn’t keep the smirk off of her face or from her tone.

“I hate to break it to you ‘Mione, but the elves we have here aren’t treated like Lucious likes to treat his.” Tonks explained, she knew Hermione still wouldn’t like the answer but she could at least paint her mum and aunts in a better light. It helped she was also telling the truth.

“I’m sure.” Hermione said, not wanting to break into a tangent about what she thought about owning another sentient creature. Tonks had already heard several of her speeches about the unjust treatment of house elves and other creatures and now wasn’t the time anyways. She could always remind Tonks of her thoughts later.

“’Mione, you don’t get it.” Tonks said, her smirk still in place. “The house elves we have here, while technically they are owned as you say, they consider it a big disgrace to become unowned, they have proper clothes, they have an allowance. Well, they don’t necessarily have an allowance because they would never accept it, it’s more like they are given money to buy things for the household and then told to keep the large change.”

Hermione gave her friend a skeptical look, not believing a word she said. She had seen other purebloods and how they treat their house elves, not just Lucious. They were all the same. Plus, it didn’t matter if they were ‘paid’ or given some type of clothes, they were still considered slaves and Hermione didn’t agree with that. Hermione didn’t get a chance to question, or argue depending on who you asked, before they walked into a kitchen any professional chef would envy.

“What are you going on about now?” Andromeda asked as she leaned over a large island in the kitchen with books completely covering the surface. From what Hermione could tell, the books were a cross between muggle cookbooks and potion books. Hermione couldn’t begin to understand what the middle Black sister, someone she had gotten along with when she saw her occasionally at the Weasley’s house.

Andromeda put her quill down she was taking notes with as her daughter and Hermione walked into the room. A small part of her was absolutely honored Hermione and her daughter would go to her for the answers everyone knew Hermione wanted, but most her was happy Hermione came to her and not her sisters so she could shove it in her sister’s face. It would piss both of them off and it made it all worth it.

“Hermione thinks we beat up our elves.” Tonks answered as she moved to the fridge to grab a drink. The plus side of having a muggleborn father was being able to mix the best of both worlds; must to the annoyance of her aunts. Her aunts may be a lot more tolerant than anyone gave them credit for but they were stuck in the Middle Ages sometimes. “I told her we don’t.”

Andromeda turned her attention back towards Hermione, a smile growing on her face.

“Well, there is a lot more to our family than how nice we treat our house elves.” Andromeda said with a smile, “Why don’t you get put Hermione’s things away in the room we have for her and she and I can talk a little before we get lunch.” Tonks knew it wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command. Whatever secret was about to be discussed, she wasn’t invited to hear it. Oh well, she’ll just go get a friend to hang out and plot with; or just hang around her aunts since her friend tended to royally piss her Aunt Bellatrix off and the older woman couldn’t do a thing about it.

“Sure, I’ll get Fleur to hang out with me then while you chat it up.” Tonks said with a smirk, ignoring the look her mother was sending her. Both women knew the fights that were likely to break out later with Fleur there.

“Well, at least we know dinner won’t be boring.” Andromeda muttered as she watched her daughter run off with a grin that matched her aunt’s when she was plotting something as well. “Well, since it’s just us, why don’t we talk, hmm?” Andromeda asked as she rounded the island to get closer to the girl. “We can go to my study and you can ask me as many questions you want.”

“Will you actually answer them?” Hermione decided to focus on the possibility of getting the answers she had been wanting, she would figure out how Tonks and Fleur became friends later. Last she heard Fleur was off dating Bill Weasley and working at Gringotts; Ron couldn’t stop gushing about being able to see Fleur at every family event. “Truthfully?” She added when she remembered she was talking to a Slytherin, a Slytherin that could likely talk her way out of having to tell the truth.

“Of course, dear.” Andromeda said with a smile, a smile Hermione didn’t trust one bit.

Andromeda held her hand out in the direction for Hermione to start walking. As Hermione walked past, Andromeda eyed the door the two girls had entered and smirked at the coal black eyes that were piercing her through the door. Hermione would have to learn to ward any room she walked into if she expected privacy in this house and Bellatrix would need to learn patience if she expected to get on Hermione’s good side.

“Don’t be too jealous.” Andromeda whispered just loud enough for her sister to hear before moving to catch up with the Gryffindor. “Now, what’s your first question dear?” Andromeda asked, sending a spell to lock the door behind her to keep her nosy sisters from trying to eavesdrop or even interrupting before Hermione was ready.