I just want to say think you to everyone who has reviewed by other stores. Thanks to Tlcatlady who I think has commented on like all my stores. Thanks to t.y.u.i.t.y.u.i, Red September91, The Blind Apprentice, sneaky lunitic spy, Kitten Meru , FallenAngelFromAbove, Murasaki Tsuki, Tamikolee, Shadow Kitsune67, LIGHTNSHADOWS, You guys always have something thoughtful to write. I'm soo sorry if I left anyone out. But thanks again guys for all your reviews for my other stories.

Plot Note: I'm aware that Bella is supremely evil; unlike Snape who was really a good guy. It would be too easy to simply let her evils be forgiven.. as if Hermione would be like; "oh well you're hot so I'll forget about it and just fuck you." You can relax though dear readers, A little plot bunny has given me a work-around for this so it won't be sooo cliché.

.

.

.

Now on with the show….

.

.

.

"You can't possibly be serious?" A very angry Hermione said as she paced back and forth in Shacklebolt's office.

"I am. And if you don't she'll be sent to Azkaban to await her execution." The stoic man answered patiently.

"Then let the bitch die for all I care!." Hermione answered in a flash of anger. She paused and took a deep breath, her hands clenched to her sides. No, I can't have another person's blood on my hands. "Isn't there another way?" She asked.

"No there isn't. As I said before the Ministry has decided that those death eaters that can't be placed in a home will be executed." He answered.

"But indentured servitude is wrong. It goes against everything I believe in. It would make me a hypocrite."

"No, it would make you a hero, again. It's a huge responsibility to have someone so dependent on you and you're keeping her from her death."

"But Lastrange hates me! She'll make my life a living hell! Not to mention she'll just as soon kill me than obey me." She stated worried.

"The collar will keep that from happening."

"Excuse me?"

"Each slave will be given a collar that prevents them from hurting anyone else. Not only can you punish her for disobeying you but you will be required to do so."

"Required?" Hermione who usually had more to say than one word responses were too flustered for anything else.

"It's a part of her rehabilitation. If you don't punish her for stepping out of line the ministry will know and will come to collect her. In which case she will not be given another chance to place again and will be sent directly to Azkaban." Kingsley answered rather matter-of-factly.

"Isn't there anyone else?" Hermione asked slumping down in the seat across from Kingsley's desk.

"There are few that the ministry have deemed appropriate to take a slave. The adoptee must not be married with children and must be of sound heart and mind. They don't want to be responsible for sending a slave to a home that will torture the slave."

"But you're willing to execute them instead!"

"And Potter has already accepted Snape as a slave. " Kingsley responded as if not hearing Hermione's question.

"You're kidding me?" Hermione asked awestruck. "How could he do such a thing?"

"I imagine, like you, he doesn't want more do die than is necessary. He actually put up less a fight than you have."

"I don't know if that's a comfort or if that worries me more." Hermione answered defeated.

.

.

HG_BL_HG_BL

.

.

Hermione sat on the couch in London flat with her face buried in her hands. She sat awaiting the delivery of her slave. 'Delivery of her slave' oh dear merlin that statement alone had so much wrong with it. Checking the time and seeing that it was already half past five, she was about to floo call Shacklebolt when she heard a knock at her door. Approaching with fear and dread she answered it.

Standing in her door were two aurors in full uniform. Standing between them was a very quiet, pitiful looking Bellatrix. "Hermione Granger, with the power vested in us by the ministry of magic will hereby deliver to you for your care and punishment one Belatrix Lastrange." The one auror announced before pushing the woman into Hermione's home. Without another word theyapparated away. Leaving a rather befuddled Hermione standing not three feet away from her new slave.

"Please have a seat." She said awkwardly. Bella walked to the couch and sat down without a word. Hermione sat in the loveseat across from her.

"Um.. " Hermione started to say, again loss for words. She looked at the disheveled woman. Her hair was stringy and hung down in front of her face in a tattered mess. Her black dress was ripped and caked with bits of mud and other debris. "You're filthy." Hermione said. Wondering if she had said that out loud.

"Well there isn't exactly a shower the cells now is there?" The woman answered begrudgingly. "Where did you think they put us? A four star resort? Though that makes you rather happy now doesn't it?"

"You caused a lot of pain during the war. " Hermione answered jumping to her feet and shouting. "You tortured others. You got off on other peoples pain. Don't expect me to feel sorry for you." Though seeing the woman in this state did cause her to feel sorry for her.

"Go take a shower! Please don't hesitate to use the shampoo and combs that are in there. The blue bottle is regular shampoo. Please do not touch the green bottle it's a potion based shampoo just for my hair." Hermione stated trying to hold in her anger.

"The only thing that came tame that bushy mess I bet?" Bella said with a smirk but the smirk soon went away as a collar delivered a small shock.

"Seems as though you won't' be allowed to hurt me emotionally as well as physically." Hermione said with conflicting emotions. Now do as I said or I'll have to punish you." Hermione answered. Trying to remain firm and hoping it wouldn't come to that.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Bella answered.

"Unlike you I'm not a sadistic bitch. Now go!" Bella did as she was told. Leaving Hermione to sit there and take several deep breaths to calm her nerves. "There are bath robes in the closet in there." She screamed through the door. "I think there's even a black one." She said before going to the kitchen to make dinner.

She was just sitting down at the table with a bowl in hand when she heard the bathroom door open. "I've made dinner." Hermione yelled. A few moments Bella entered the kitchen. Her hair was clean but wet so as to still obscure her face. However, what Hermione noticed was that the rest of Bella was not so obscured. The woman usually wore so many layers obscuring her delicate frame. Hermione noticed the length of creamy pale skin of the woman's arms and legs. She mentally slapped herself. 'This is Bella; queen of evil; queen of evil!' she told herself.

"Uh, um, Bowls are in the left cabinet. It's stew." Hermione responded referring to the pot on the stove. Bella just stood there staring at her.

"Great you're stupid and evil." Hermione said when the Bella just continued to stare at her. She sat her spoon down and stared at her lap. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. Please eat."

Bella still didn't say a word but did fill herself a small bowl of the stew and sat in the chair as far away from Hermione as possible. She picked up the spoon and idly stirred through the substance.

"It's not poisoned. I promise." Hermione huffed.

In response Bella picked up a chuck of tofu from her bowl with her spoon, holding it up for Hermione's view. "What is this?" She asked briskly.

"Oh!" Hermione said with a slight laugh. "It's tofu. It's made from soybeans. The beef broth isn't really beef broth either. It's a vegetarian formula. There are no animal substances in the stew."

"And why not?" Bella asked. "Is this how you torture your guests? By forcing them to each squares of white mush? I always knew you were a strange one." Again the usual sneer was quickly replaced by a short shock of her collar.

"No. It's not torture. As you can clearly see I myself am eating it. The point is that no animals where harmed to make stew. "

"And what is so wrong with that?" Bella responded with a look of utter confusion.

'Dear god, merlin and buddah…help me.' Hermione thought to herself refusing to respond to Bella's question. She would have to check in with Harry tomorrow and see how he's coping.

HG_LB_HG_LB