Off we go!

~ Chapter 22 ~

You and I must make a pact

We must bring salvation back

Where there is love

I'll be there

I'll reach out my hand to you

I'll have faith in all you do

Just call my name and I'll be there

I'll be there by Mariah Carey

(Last Time...)

"Go explore ladies. Dinner will be served in a few hours. I'll be out in the garden if anyone needs me."

Everyone went their own ways, but they were still in the Library looking at all the books. I smiled. Women after my own heart.

I exited the Library to leave them to their devices and went in search of my parents before I went out to the garden. I'm sure they wanted to speak to me. And I needed to have my own words with them. They promised me that they wouldn't show up at Fleur's wedding! Though it turned out for the better and Fleur was back with me, they promised to not come. I hadn't wanted them to get in the way of Fleur happiness. Some scolding was in order.

[Hermione]

I found them sitting at the informal dining room, happily sipping some tea.

"Hermione, my dear. How'd it go after we left? I already gave my contact a Floo and have an appointment tomorrow. Too bad for all his other appointments, but me first." Mom smiled cheekily at me. Don't distract me.

"That's great Mom, Thank you. But there's something i need to take to you guys about." I sat down across from them at the table.

"Why did you come? I told you not too. You promised."

"We know dear but you're our only daughter. We respect your decisions but we needed to do something. I know you wanted Fleur to be happy even if it wasn't with you but our daughter was dying. We know you resigned yourself to it but I needed to at least speak to the person that was killing you."

"Mom, Mother, I love you guys and I love that you would protect me but she was my Mate and I wanted her to not know she was the cause of my death. Though that isn't the case now, you need to respect my decision as all decisions having to do with Mates are sacred and need to be followed as stated in our laws."

"Pffft, I know this dear but we are your mothers. Mothers are strong willed and stubborn when our children are concerned. Though we apologize for going against your decision, we are not sorry for being a mother and trying to at least see for ourselves that your Mate was indeed happy and wouldn't regret their decision before it was too late, that your sacrifice was not in vain."

"I understand. Thank you but please try to follow my decisions in the future." I smiled, there was nothing I could really do but I've said my peace. I loved my parents.

"Of course dear, no promises but we'll try our best."

"Good. Now i think i'll head off to the Garden. The lilies are sure to be in blume by now."

"Very well. Have fun dear."

(The Garden)

I walked the garden and admired its beauty. I've always loved the Garden. It was so tranquil and relaxing to walk among the flowers and enjoy nature. Fresh air can do a person good. I walked until i made it to a covered gazebo. I would sometimes come here to read or to have a nap. I sat down and gazed out into the fields of many different species of flowers. I closed my eyes and listened to the mellow chirping of birds going about their day. It was maybe five minutes before I heard a figure sit beside me.

"Minerva." I acknowledged as I opened my eyes.

"Hello my dear. It's quite peaceful out here. The cat in me would love to lay out here in the sun and have a nice nap."

"It is a perfect spot for a nap."

A silence fell upon us as we continued to gaze into the garden. It was peaceful. Something we hadn't experienced since I started to deteriorate.

"I almost lost you again."

"I know."

"Will it ever stop?"

"I can't promise that. Our lives are never certain. Especially mine."

"It doesn't seem to be getting any easier."

"I know. I'll try to make this easier for you. A Meniscus is hard to kill." Minerva scooted closer to me on the bench and placed her head on my lap. I started to rake my hand through her hair on instinct. The silence and the warmth of her presence lulled me to sleep. We enjoyed a peaceful nap in the garden, the birds and the flowers our only witness.

(Later...)

A glowing Lynx Patronus wakes us from our sleep.

"Hermione, Narcissa has returned with her son. I thought you'd like to greet them." My Mom's voice echoes from the wisp before it disappears.

"We should continue this nap another time."

"We will dear. Let's go back."

Minerva and I make it back to the Castle and weave through the halls to the entrance.

"Narcissa, welcome back. Safe and unhurt i hope?"

"Yes, we made it back as quickly as we could before Lucius returned from his trip to the Ministry."

"Very good." I turned to look at Draco. He never troubled me at Hogwarts but never deterred his housemates from harassing me. With Lucius as a Father, I never really blamed him.

"I know we weren't friends, but not exactly enemies. I hope we can get along now that we will be living in the same house."

Draco rushed over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"Thank you for saving my Mom. I never could." His words sparked worry in me but i brushed it aside for now.

"Of course Draco. You and your Mom are save here. Nothing will ever hurt you again." Draco brought up something that i've been to busy to really think about. Everything has been happening so fast that I've never really thought about how much the Black sisters have had to go through. Bellatrix had hinted at some of it but how much has scarred these women that are now my Mates? Bellatrix and Narcissa had been around Death Eaters for most of their lives and been married to men that they didn't love and were basically sold to the Dark Lord. I needed to know but now wasn't the time.

I snapped my fingers and a elf popped next to me.

"What can Vali do for you, Highness?" I shook my head a little. I've been trying to get Vali to stop referring to me as such.

"Vali, I need you to show Draco here to his room."

"Of course. Off we go sirs." I smiled as Vali grasped Draco's hand and led him off toward the East Wing. I loved that elf. Vali had taken care of me since I was born. Vali was my Nanny of sorts.

I was pulled from my thoughts as a loud echoing chime filled the halls.

"Seems it's time for supper. Shall we make our way to the dining hall? I'm starved." I said as I followed my stomach and made my way to the food.

(Few days later...)

Over the past few days I've had some time to get to know my new Mates, sans Andromeda. Bella was amazing and could put me to shame with her smarts. She lived up to her name of the Smartest of her generation. I spend many an hour with Bella in the Library and we got into long winded debates of subjects that I couldn't talk about with anyone else. Minerva was smart but she focused mostly on Transfiguration, as is her passion. Bella was an academic and loved to learn. Then there was Narcissa. Narcissa love politics. She loved to learn about the inner workings of policies and how our laws make our society run smoothly. Narcissa asked me many questions of our Clans history and its progression. She read case files and the full length manifest of our laws. I'm almost sure she knew more about it then I did. These women were strong willed and passionate.

Fleur and Minerva were getting along great with the sisters. Fleur loved talking to Cissa about fashion and Bella talked to Minerva for hours about Animagus and reminisced about Bella's school days. Apparently Minerva was Bella's favorite Professor. Bella even confided in me about her crush on Minerva in school. Hm. I'll file that away for later.

I was currently sitting in the Library reading a book by the fire while Bella and Cissa read from theirs. It was quiet until a surprising figure filled the doorway.

"Andromeda? You're back. Are you alright?" I asked. I knew that divorcing a person you've been with for longer than I've been alive would be hard. Especially when they share a child.

"I will be. Ted was very understanding and it made it harder that he didn't even put up a fight. But it's done and I can start anew." I smiled sadly at her and wrapped my arms around her in a hug, Bella and Cissa joined me in comforting her.

We let go and I waved my arm to showcase the Library.

"Would you like to join us?"

"Sounds great."

We read comfortably for a few hours, Fleur and Minerva even came to join us. It was nice, having all my Mates in the same room.

"How about we go out to diner? All my Ladies are here together and I'd like to celebrate." A round of approval was heard and it was settled.

"Excellent! How about we get ready and meet in the entrance hall? My treat ladies, don't bring anything but yourselves. Muggle clothes ladies. If you don't have any, I'll transfigure. Let's meet in about two hours."

(Later...)

"Ok ladies, Hold on to me. We're side-along apparating."

With a soft crack, we were off.

I apparated us into my suite that I bought about a year ago. It's a nice place to come to if you wanna get away.

"Alright, downstairs we go! My favorite place to eat is close by."

The ladies were looking around in awe. I'm sure they haven't been to Vegas before. The lights and glamour were completely different from the Magical world.

We made it to the front of the restaurant that I was taking us to. I stood in the VIP line and waited my turn. While we waited I noticed all the eyes that were on us. I couldn't blame them. A group of gorgeous ladies in one place is intimidating.

I made it to the front and noticed someone I haven't seen before. I come here a lot, I love this place. Must be new.

"Hello there. You must be new, can i speak to your supervisor? I don't have a reservation but I never need one."

"Is that right?" The man looked me up and down and then to my company.

"I would be inclined to let you in if I could join your little party." My eye was twitching in anger. I was about to yell at the tiny man for looking at my Mates that way but someone got to him first.

"KRAIGGGG!!!" Someone almost bowled him over to get him aside. I focused on the new addition to this conversation. Ah. Margaret.

"Hermione, my dear. Please forgive him he's new. He'll be fired immediately. Fools won't be allowed in my establishment."

"It's quite alright. A table for six would be great."

"Of course, of course. Your meals will be free."

"Nonsense Margaret. You work very hard. I will pay."

"Thank you Hermione. You're my most valued customer. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

Margaret led us to the back and set us up with the best table. She bowed and left us to continue her work.

"Thank you for choosing Mon Ami Gabi. Have a great meal."

"Thank you Margaret."

I turned to the girls and noticed they were a little shocked at what just happened. Everything did happen very quickly.

"Have anything you like! This is my favorite establishment." I smiled at them as a waitress poured us each a glass of the house wine.

(Later...)

Our dinner was fabulous and I showed the girls around. None had seen a gambling machine before and before the night was done, the girls were having fun as they seemed to be unnaturally lucky. Bella was laughing wholeheartedly as Cissa helped to lead her back to my Suite. Bella had found out that you got free drinks when you were playing, she took full advantage. We had our fun and we were heading back to my suite. Everyone was a little tipsy and it wouldn't be a good idea to apparate back. Guess we were staying here tonight.

I smiled as I led each of my Mates to a room and they instantly gravitated to the bed. I made my way over to my room and let sleep take me.

(The next morning...)

"Urg, how much did I drink!?" I handed Bella a potion to help her with her headache.

"A lot" Cissa said with a shake of her head.

"Hm." Was all she said as we got ready to get back. We were all in need of a shower.

With a soft crack we were back in the entrance hall of the Castle.

"YOU'RE BACK!"

Uh oh.

I was tackled to the floor and lips assaulted mine. Very familiar lips.

The weight was lifted off of me soon after.

"Who is this little shit?!" Bella was holding her by the scruff of her clothes.

"Who are you?" She said back.

"Eva, these are my Mates. Ladies, this is my best friend Evangeline."

There was silence for a little while. Eva wiggled out of Bella's grasp.

"Oh man, I was looking forward to some private time to. I doubt I'll have anyone like you ever again." Eva dusted herself off. "We did agree to cut this off if either of us found our Mate. Back to friends it is then. Let's catch up one day, I'm here for a week." Eva just walked away like nothing happened.

Dammit Evangeline! At least help me! You caused this!

I felt eyes boring into me waiting for my explanation.

Crap!

A/N: Haha poor Hermione.

Thanks for sticking with me through all this. Another chapter is finally done. See you next time! Let me know your thoughts!

All mistakes are my own. Mostly because I'm too lazy to read it over.