Castle Black was a truly an amazing place. Even after Cissy, Andromeda, Ted--a man who, despite their changing thoughts on blood purity, Bella and Cissy detested--and Nym had arrived it felt spacious and safe. It was a strange feeling for Hermione. She knew what safe felt like--she’d felt it every time Bella held her and on occasion when she was alone with Cissy--but she never imagined she could feel safe around so many people. Or that she could feel safe when alone. It was confusing, a thought she’d voiced to Bella and had echoed back to her.