One night, Bellatrix awoke abruptly around two in the morning, unsure at first of what had cause her sudden, complete return to consciousness. She laid still for a moment, eyes still closed, listening to the room. It was then that she heard Hermione's muffled sobbing, the heartbreaking sound making Bella's chest ache. Dealing with emotions were still relatively new to Bellatrix, let alone talking about them. She had no idea what to do, and started to panic, entirely bewildered. Come on, Bella. Think. She's crying...Maybe she had a nightmare? Or maybe she's upset about something you did...Shit. Just comfort her, you dunce, she commanded herself.
Bellatrix shifted, rolling over in bed to shape her small body to Hermione's. The younger woman jumped, startled by her lover's touch, but she didn't pull away. That's a good sign, Bellatrix thought to herself hopefully. Still uncertain about what to do and doubting herself, Bella clumsily stroked Hermione's head. Her bony fingers ran through soft fawn colored hair as she wrapped her other arm around Hermione, draping her arm over the girl's waist. Bellatrix didn't speak, not trusting herself to say the right thing. Instead, she simply held her crying inamorata for the remainder of the night. As the star strewn, inky night sky gave way to the gentle dawn, Bellatrix stilled her soothing caresses and Hermione's wrenching sobs quieted. When at last the brilliant sun peered over the horizon, it was to find both women sleeping peacefully once again, the older witch curled around her young love.