Thank you all so much for reading. I loved getting you reviews they encourage me to keep writing.
yamiperv: they are all sixth years, I wanted to start them there so I could make the story longer. I haven't put much thought into Hermione's class schedule though, I'll work on that for you. And no they don't know she isn't a pure blood, but it may make for an interesting twist later on.
The days went on and Hermione thought about her friends, from her time period, less and less. She became entranced by a young witch named Bellatrix. Hermione woke up every morning and looked over at the dark beauty first thing. They were growing a rather strong bond. Hermione would now consider her to be one of her best friends. Hermione felt completely safe around her. She also felt empowered. A lot of people feared and respected the young miss Black, and Hermione received the same respect by association.
The final bell rang and Hermione made her way to the dungeon to change out of her school robes. She didn't have much planned for the day. When she arrived in her room Bella was already there changing into more casual attire. Hermione couldn't help but blush at the girls nakedness and she quickly stared at the ground. She hoped Bella hadn't noticed. Hermione retrieved some clothes from her trunk and put them on. There was no sign of Rita, thank goodness, she could be so invasive some times. Hermione didn't always mind, she knew Rita didn't mean harm. But the young blonde had a funny way about her and Hermione knew what she would become one day.
"I want you to come with me," Bella said suddenly.
"Where?" Hermione asked.
"Anywhere. It doesn't matter. I just want some fresh air." Bellatrix would often get whims to get some fresh air, and she often dragged hermione along for company.
Hermione was leery but not wanting to miss an opportunity to hang out with Bellatrix she reluctantly agreed. Hermione grabbed a sweater before Bellatrix grabbed her hand and they were on their way. Bella walked at an incredibly fast pace. Hermione was nearly out of breath by the time they exited the dungeon. " Do you know where you are headed yet?" Hermione asked. But Bellatrix shrugged her shoulders. Eventually they made their way to the astronomy tower. Bellatrix took a seat on the cold stone floor and Hermione followed. A cold chill ran up her spine. The air was crisp and smelled like fall leaves. The sky was a brilliant blue with hardly a cloud in sight.
Bellatrix was silent for a while. She found a piece of rock on the floor and dragged it around with her finger. Hermione watched quietly, not sure what to say. "I love coming up here and getting some fresh air," Bella said abruptly. Hermione nodded her agreement. It wasn't long till they were on to talking about life and things that didn't really matter.
"Do you like anyone?" Bella interjected. Hermione reddened at the blunt question. She had her eye on a few guys in their year. But no one really had the extreme draw that Bellatrix had on her. Hermione wasn't even aware that she was interested in Bellatrix that way. She just knew there was some type of attraction.
Hermione reluctantly divulged her crush. Bellatrix eyes got huge with interest. Hermione continued to blush. Bellatrix decided to make it her personal mission to set her up on a date with this particular boy.
The sun fell and it was getting close to dinner time. Hermione and Bellatrix stood and and walked back down to the dungeon. Rita was sitting at her desk writing in one of her many notebooks. By this time Hermione had learned not to tell her anything she didn't want repeated. The three young witches got dressed for dinner and made their way to the great hall.
They took their seats at the Slytherin table. Bella was seated to the left of Hermione and across from them was the boy Hermione had previously mentioned she had a crush on. His name was Topher. Bellatrix grinned from ear to ear and started chafing up the handsome Slytherin. He came from a well off pure blood family. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and muscles for days. It was obvious why any young girl would be attracted to him. Bellatrix promptly introduced the young man to Hermione. A small blush spread to her cheeks.
Not wanting to appear rude Hermione struck up small talk. They talked about quidditch and classes. Dinner passed by alarmingly fast. And Hermione, Bella, and Topher retired to the Slytherin common room to continue conversing. They sat on the couch next to the fire place. Not long after Bellatrix let out a big yawn and claimed she was tired. After spending the better half of a month with Bella Hermione knew that Bella wasn't tired in the least. She knew that she was trying to get Topher and Hermione alone together. Hermione giggled and bid her good night.
The next time Hermione looked up at the clock it was getting rather late. Hermione expressed her intentions to go to bed. Topher set up an unofficial date with her the following weekend. He walked her to her dorm room. As Hermione put her hand on the door, Topher put an arm around her waists and pulled her in. He planted a form kiss on her lips. Hermione didn't know what to do. She quickly pulled away. She thanked him for a lovely evening and entered her room.
Hermione quickly shut the door tight behind her. Thank goodness Rita was fast asleep, or she would be all over her with questions. Bellatrix was perched on the edge of her bed waiting to pounce all over Hermione. "So how was it? Tell me all about it."
"It was nice. We talked a lot and were going to have a date next weekend. And then he kissed me," Hermione whispered the last part.
Hermione was now sitting on her bed opposite Bellatrix, who was as giddy as a school girl at the recent revelation. She quickly got up and sat on the floor by Hermione's feet. She put a hand on her knee and asked a dozen different questions about the kiss.
Hermione answered each of them, not because she wanted to, but because she knew Bellatrix would hound her until she told her every last detail. It was even later in the night when the two decided they should go to bed. At this point they might as well have stayed up all night. Morning was approaching rapidly. They crawled into their beds. Hermione wrapped the green and silver bedding around her body, letting the warmth envelop her. They said theirs goodnights and soon Hermione was fast asleep.
That night she dreamt about Topher. About hanging out with him. Going to quidditch games with him. And doing normal young wizard things with him. But every time they were doing an activity Bellatrix was right there with them. It was an odd thing to dream about, Hermione thought when she woke up the next morning.
She was incredibly tired and almost regretted having stayed up so late into the night with her best friend. Hermione got out of bed and put on her school robes. She sauntered across the room. Bellatrix was still fast asleep, quiet snores coming out of her mouth. Hermione gave her a gentle shake to wake her up. The witch pawed at the intruder and Hermione had to quickly duck as to get out of the line of fire. After a few attempts she had finally woke Bellatrix up.
The two went down to the great hall for breakfast. There waiting for her sat Topher. Hermione wasn't exactly thrilled to see him, but she didn't know why. He was a perfectly nice gentleman and she should be delighted. Hermione plastered on a fake smile and sat down with Bella across from Topher. Breakfast went by awfully slow, Hermione didn't have much of an appetite. She just had too many things on her mind, and she really just wanted to be alone to sort them out.
Bellatrix ended breakfast early for them. Bellatrix excused them by saying they had homework to do before class, while she dragged Hermione out of the great hall by her arm.
"Ow, what was that for?" Hermione shrieked.
"What is wrong with you" was Bellatrix's reply. "You are forcing yourself to tolerate him. I thought you liked him? Did something happen that you're not telling me about?"
Hermione honestly didn't know. She thought she liked him, but the thought of having a boy friend didn't much interest her, and she knew that was where it would eventually lead. Hermione shrugged her friend off. But by the look in Bellatrix's eyes this wouldn't be the end of this conversation. Luckily the first bell rang and the two young witches scurried off to class.
Hermione had a hard time paying attention in class that day, it was very unlike her. One of the professors had called on her and she had no answer to give. It was such unusual behavior that she was beginning to worry herself. Luckily the final bell rang and Hermione headed straight outside. She knew that if she went back to the dorm room Bellatrix would be waiting for her, and would want to continue their conversation, but Hermione didn't have any answers for her yet.
It was cold outside. There was a small layer of snow covering the grounds. The sight was breathtaking. Hermione started walking around the grounds. She had no destination in mind she just wanted to keep moving so she could stay warm. Hermione thought about Topher. She loved his smile. He was quite handsome. He also was respectful and kind, she had no idea why she didn't have stronger feelings towards him. Hermione contemplated this for a long time, but never came to a reasonable conclusion.
It was then that Hermione spotted a dark figure off in the distance. As the figure approached her she recognized it as Bellatrix, and her heart skipped a beat. She smiled ear to ear and was excitedly awaiting for the young witch to reach her. The realization hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. This was how she was suppose to feel about Topher, not Bellatrix. But Hermione didn't have time to think about her current situation because Bellatrix had finally caught up with her. Hermione could feel her heart racing, she took a few steps away from Bellatrix, for fear that her friend would notice.