AN: I would like to thank everyone for their support, whether that's a review, follow, favourite or silently reading. It means a lot! This chapter sort of explains a bit about the situation and the plot pokes in a bit. I don't own Harry Potter, all right to the fabulous J.K. Sorry for any mistakes, I hope you all enjoy! :)

Harry Potter sat opposite his best friend and sister figure as he pushed a hot cup of tea towards her. It had become a regular occurrence for him to visit in the mornings, never giving up hope of getting Hermione back. He couldn't comprehend the pain she must be going through and couldn't help but feel somewhat responsible. While at first he wasn't Bellatrix's biggest fan he had accepted her as Hermione's wife and there was some form of friendship between the two. Mostly he was just happy Hermione had the love he had for Ginny. While Bellatrix and Hermione were married the dark witch was his family.
He glanced up at the girl in front of him with only one word in mind; broken. Her hair once full of life now dull and greasy. Her eyes void of their usual passion. The warm hazel colour now seemed boring and lifeless. Dark bags lay underneath almost obscuring the red skin were she cried for long periods of time. Reaching out he gently took her hand in his, searching for something to say.
'Dont Harry. You can't blame yourself, there was nothing you could have done.'
Despite her assurances Harry Potter couldn't help but feel blame for what happened to Bellatrix Black.

Crashes. Flashes. Cries. Their informant had been wrong. They weren't going to a small flat with a few unaware death eaters. No, they ended up in the ruins of a castle, outnumbered with the majority of those who had escaped death or Azkaban. A trap. A trap that meant the auror team were disorientated and had to adapt quickly. Harry shot curse after curse at any enemy he saw. All the while keeping an eye out for his best friends wife. He made a promise he would watch her back and being the true Gryffindor he was meant there was no going back on that. It wasn't too hard to find her, he followed the mass of fallen bodies and sound of extreme curses. Wherever there was chaos and destruction there seemed to be one Bellatrix Black. He had expected to find her in control of the situation and ready to kill or arrest. Instead he found her encircled by those her betrayal had hit hardest. Her ex-husband stood with his brother in front of her, there were three or more other men around her who Harry didn't recognise. He didn't have time to look closely, the only thought he had was to help her. Momentarily losing concentration on the battle around him he missed the slicing hex that caught his leg, bringing him down. Looking ahead once more he felt his heart shatter. Tears sprung to his eyes as she fell. Two words fell from Rodolphus Lestranges' mouth.
'Avada Kedavra!'
A flash of green and Bellatrix Black was no more. A hoarse scream erupted from deep within as he saw her limp body fall. Deep and dark eyes still open, her signature smirk still etched on her face.

Tears laid new tracks down his cheeks as he moved across and held the frail girl to his chest.
'I would do anything to see you happy again 'Mione.'
'I know Harry.' Forcing a smile Hermione looked up at the man who held her.
'You should go to work, I'll be okay. Andy and Cissy are coming over at lunch time.'
'Give them my love and take it easy this morning okay?'
'Of course Harry. Now go, you'll be late otherwise.'
A quick kiss to her head and Harry left the kitchen. Much more aware of how his footsteps echoed in the halls of the manor. The building seemed desolate without the dark witch strutting around. One last glance in the direction of strangled sobs and a heartbreaking sigh later Harry and disapparated and stood outside the office for Head Auror. The name Bellatrix Black still in capital gold letters on the door. No one had the heart to change it yet. Deep down they also knew she could never be replaced.

'Cissy are you ready to head over to the manor?' Andromeda gently knocked on her younger sisters bedroom door. She did not expect to see her sister open it with puffy red eyes. Clear evidence she had been crying. Silently she wrapped her arms tightly around the blonde as she felt her own tears start to fall.
'I can't do it Andy. Every time I go there it's just a horrible reminder that she's never coming back.'
Not sure of how to reply Andromeda gently rubbed her sister's back in an attempt to soothe her.
'Then to see Hermione like that... What if she never moves on Andy? Bella was her everything, all she does is cry now.'
'Things will get better Cissy. It will just take time. Things are still fresh and it still hurts now but in time things will get better.'
'How do you know?'
'Honestly I don't. I just remember when father and mother ordered me to leave Bella told me that things have a habit of sorting themselves out in the end. If they don't then it's really not the end.' A soft chuckle escaped the blonde witch's lips.
'She always thought she was some majorly wise philosopher when she spouted that rubbish.'
For a moment the sadness of losing their big sister left to be replaced with laughter and happy memories.

Glancing up from the letter on her desk Minerva McGonagall looked at the photo of the closest thing she had to family. It was a wizarding photo of Hermione and Bellatrix Black dancing on their wedding day. Several words came to mind when looking at that photo previously; happiness, love, bliss, harmony. Now those words had changed. While it still reminded her of love it now reminded of heartbreak and pain. When the news reached of Bellatrix's death Minerva had become withdrawn. Hermione was the closest thing to a daughter she had and Bellatrix had become her family through that. The two would always invite her for dinner or visit her at Hogwarts. Bellatrix's death left Minerva with an empty feeling, her heart ached for her own loss but more so for Hermione's.
The parchment on her desk was a bludger to the stomach. Ronald Weasley had owled to keep her up to date on how Hermione was coping. She had been to visit her former student turned close friend as often as she could but knew first hand the pain of losing a loved one and respected that Hermione would want some alone time. When she couldn't make it she had asked to be informed of how the young witch was doing.
She had drawn some conclusions from her own visits and from the information provided by the others. Hermione was distraught. Rapidly on a downwards spiral and would do anything to have Bellatrix back. Her fingers traced the chain around her neck and carefully held the small hourglass pendant. She knew it was strictly forbidden and against the law but her ethical mind was long gone. Surely it was also terrible for her to sit back and let someone she loved drive themselves insane or worse when she had a solution. Rules aside. Minerva McGonagall was going to do something stupidly Gryffindor. Summoning her cloak she grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and stated her destination clearly.
'Black Manor.'

The last person Hermione Black expected to see emerging from her fireplace that day was Minerva McGonagall. She melted into the embrace of the older witch and allowed herself to be soothed by the Scottish woman. Pulling away the elderly witch rested her hands on the brunette's shoulders. Her green eyes piercing into lifeless hazel.
'Im going to do everything in my power to help you Hermione.'
'Nothing will bring her back Minerva. You of all people should know that.' Hermione's eyes once again began to fill as tears threatened to spill and show her heartbreak.
'Actually... There is something I can do.'
Hazel eyes widened as Hermione watched her former mentor remove her golden necklace and place it in her hand.
'Your time turner.' For the first time since the death of her wife Hermione felt hope. Her heart lifted and her smile managed to reach her eyes.
'Do what you have to Hermione.'