I
Hermione Granger sighed as she completed her rounds of the Hogwarts school grounds for the evening. It had been a long day, the new school session had just begun and her workload was just as full as if she had been a student. Secretly, she loved it, she always loved learning and to teach at her beloved Hogwarts was her life's dream. After five years at the school she was the happiest she'd been since graduating.
As she rounded the corner to the teachers towers her breath caught. Walking toward her was none other than Professor Black the DADA teacher and the woman who claimed her thoughts constantly. Hermione blushed slightly at the sight of her and smiled. "Good evening Professor Black" she smiled back "And to you as well Professor Granger" she responded as she passed her.
Hermione felt her whole body flush at her response and tried to still her nerves. She nursed a quiet crush on the Professor for over 3 years now when the professor joined Hogwarts after the death of her husband. Hermione cursed herself for never getting up the courage to engage in more than just light small talk at the Professors table during meals in the great hall or in the teachers' lounge. She had no idea if Bellatrix Black fancied women as she herself only recently admitted to being a lesbian.
Homosexuality was quite common in the wizarding world, but Hermione was never the outgoing type preferring the company of her books and the library. She knew she was labeled quite the prude but didn't mind, she was happy with who she was. Despite that she knew she could no longer deny what she felt for the woman.
She entered her rooms and prepared for bed still thinking about Bellatrix. There was something so raw about the woman yet she exuded such a softness and vulnerability that was endearing. For Hermione, Bellatrix's outwardly aggressive and confidant personality matched her own quitter more introspective one. In her opinion, they complemented one another quite well. If only she had the courage to approach Bellatrix on less of a professional level and more of a personal one.
She often imagined what their conversations would be like on a date, perhaps over dinner. There would likely be the usual awkward small talk over drinks in the beginning. Eventually as the two relaxed, conversation would flow easily and they would share stories and laugh together. It would be light and easy with just a hint of underlying sexual tension that would have built between them as the date approached. They would enjoy the others company so much that the restaurant would be closing around them. They would apparaate back to Hogwarts grounds and huddle against the cold weather in their cloaks sharing glances and smiles as they may their way through the castle. Bellatrix would walk her to her door as she would be the more protective one and insist like the gentlewoman Hermione imagined her to be. She would long for a kiss from Bellatrix but would be too nervous to initiate. Hermione would look into Bellatrix's eyes hoping that the dark-haired beauty would just lean towards her and put her out of her sweet misery. She promised herself that tomorrow morning she would attempt a conversation not around lesson plans and students.
Bellatrix Black inhaled as professor Granger passed her in the hall. She could still smell the witches scent lingering; a touch of honey, oatmeal, and parchment that always accompanied her. As she exhaled, Bellatrix could not recall a time when she had ever been so utterly transfixed by anyone before arriving at Hogwarts.
Surely there were the occasional dates with both witches and wizards after her husband's death, but not until years afterward. Though rocky at first, she and Rod shared a cordial relationship that was pleasant for the arranged marriage that it was. They did not fall in love in the idealistic sense, but eventually they cared for each other very deeply and respected one another as partners. They never had children though as sex was not something they indulged in frequently although married. They both understood it was a marriage of convenience and nothing more. His death hurt her deeply because while they were not passionate lovers, they were lifelong friends and her heart would always ache for him for that reason alone.
Now she found herself transfixed by the brown-haired witch. Hermione was intelligent, beautiful, and showed such strength of character. She carried herself with such a poise that Bellatrix found herself wanting to be in her presence longer than usual. She looked forward to her smile in the morning during breakfast in the Great Hall and enjoyed the occasional small talk that mostly centered on the students. Not usually so timid, Bellatrix found herself in unfamiliar territory since she never knew any other romantic relationships outside of Rod.
While her relationship with Rod was not romantic and she was not overly attracted to him, she was to Hermione. Very much so, Hermione Granger awoke feelings inside her that she hadn't felt in years. Even if the witch had no idea the effect her mere presence had on Bellatrix it was not something she cared to ignore any longer. She noticed the witch on her first day at Hogwarts; she had just been introduced to the staff in the professor's lounge by Headmistress McGonagall.
The door to the lounge burst open and a woman quickly walked in apparently late and very flustered. She began apologizing profusely to everyone for her tardiness, as her eye came to rest on Bellatrix she held her gaze longer than necessary. She recovered quickly and introduced herself as Professor Granger teacher of Transfiguration. Bellatrix was entranced from that moment on.
However, fear of the unknown and inexperience in romance and the ways of courtship gave her pause every day for the past 3 years. It kept her from gathering her nerve and being the confidant woman she always had been. But no, too much time had gone by and rather than regret missing her chance, Bellatrix decided that it was time to act. She would have to channel the courage of the DADA teacher she was known to be and simply dive in headfirst. She may not know where this would lead, if it even went anywhere, but she would try. Fear would not get in the way of Bellatrix wanting to see that smile directed at her or hear her laugh. She would not let fear deny her the chance to drown helplessly in those chocolate brown eyes.
A/N-I hope you all enjoyed this so far. Another chapter to come very soon. I'm thinking a slow burn here...comments welcome! Thank you!