Chapter II: Keep Your Enemies Closer
Hermione woke with a start. It was pitch black and freezing cold. She could just about make out the shape of someone sitting with their back to the door.
"Bad dream?" It sneered. Hermione shivered at the coldness of its voice. Hermione swung her legs out from under her and dangled them over the bed.
"I suggest you get some sleep. Ginny and Mrs Weasley plan on dragging you round Diagon Alley tomorrow." It said before adjusting its position against the door. Hermione scowled.
"First of all, you can't tell me what to do. And secondly, you will be following me round Diagon Alley tomorrow, and yet you haven't eaten or slept at all." The shadow against the door shook its head.
"But you haven't been trained all your life to go without food or sleep for months. You never had to suffer." Hermione paled.
"Look, I'm sorry you had to go through all that. And I know you must really resent me for being the reason you had to undergo all of that. But I really appreciate you protecting me. Even if you are forced to do it." Hermione said, trying to start a friendship between her and her bodyguard.
"That's all well and good. But sorry doesn't give me back my childhood and free will." It said coldly before standing up and walking out of the room. Hermione sat there dumbstruck. 'Why do you care about her feelings so much? She's your cold hearted bodyguard! She's bitter and twisted to the point that she could be considered as evil! Stop apologising for something you never knew about and never had any control over!' Her brain said.
Diagon Alley
"Come on Hermione! I want to go to Madam Milkins!" Ginny winged. Loki chuckled from behind her book.
"Ginny, we have been to every shop you wanted to go to bar one! Now just give me twenty minutes in here then we can go!" Hermione said exasperated. Ginny huffed and went and sat down in a worn out armchair.
After another ten minutes in the book shop Ginny was getting restless.
"Loki, could you do me a favour and take Ginny to Madam Milkins?" Hermione pleaded. Loki looked up from her book and smirked.
"No can do." Hermione glared.
"Why not! I don't see any death eaters in here! Do you!" she yelled. Loki grinned and then leapt forwards. She threw Hermione to the ground and fired several spells at a man who had been standing in the corner of the room under an invisibility cloak.
"As a matter of fact. I do see a death eater." Loki sneered as she disarmed him. Hermione stood up shakily.
"Ok, w-we'll go t-to Madam M-Milkins now." She stuttered, trying to gather her books. Loki frowned and stooped down to help her. Hermione's hands were shaking too much to carry them so Loki paid for them and stuck them in a rucksack she conjured up.
The Burrow
Hermione dashed upstairs as soon as they got back to the burrow. She was still shaking and had gone very pale. Loki sprinted after her. She found her sobbing in the bathroom. The second Loki stepped through the door Hermione threw herself at her. Loki wanted to dodge her and let her fall flat on her face, but she doubted that would do much good. Hermione threw her arms around Loki's neck and buried herself in the girls shoulder. Loki stood still, waiting for Hermione to release her from the considerably wet hug.
"T-T-Thank y-you." Hermione sobbed into Loki's black shirt. Loki frowned at the words. 'Why is she thanking me? She was in no imminent danger. Why is she overreacting like this?' Loki thought.
After ten minutes of sobbing into Loki's shirt Hermione finally released the taller girl.
"You know, you were in no immediate danger. I knew he was there, he couldn't have done anything without me knowing. And yet you insist on thanking me and soaking my shirt with tears." Loki remarked, but her voice lacked the usual cold air.
"But, he was right there, barely ten feet from me, he could have shot the killing curse at me and you wouldn't have been able to do anything." She sniffed. Loki scowled.
"You underestimate me Granger." Hermione smiled a little.
"Are you sure your not Professor Snape's daughter?" Hermione laughed.
"You wound me." Loki clutched her heart in a dramatic manner. Hermione chuckled.
"So you do have a sense of humour." Loki bowed.
"Thank you, thank you. Have a lovely day, I'm here till Thursday." Hermione smiled 'Wow, that top was a little lower cut than I was expecting. Nice view though.' A voice popped up in Hermione's head, she went to agree with it before realising what it was implying. She mentally kicked herself.
Later That Week
"Loki? Loki I give up now! You can come out!" Hermione yelled from the middle of the woods. There was a muffled sound chuckle from a tree behind her. Hermione whipped around, no one was there.
"Loki, this isn't funny." Hermione yelled in a shaky voice. Suddenly there was a sound from behind her, she reached for her wand. It wasn't there. Hermione panicked, she started running back to the Burrow.
"Loki!" Hermione yelled, there was no reply. 'Where is she? She's supposed to be protecting me!'
"You really need to learn how to conceal your wand better Granger." Someone sneered from behind her. Before she knew what was happening she was thrown against a nearby tree.
"Get off me! Let me go!" Hermione screamed. The hooded figure that held her captive laughed.
"You know, with a real death eater that wouldn't have worked very well." The cloaked figure sneered. They pulled back their hood.
"Loki you bitch!" Hermione yelled, going to punch the taller girl. Loki dodged it. Hermione stumbled on a tree root and went flying.
"You also need to learn how to walk and throw an accurate punch." Said Loki. Hermione felt a strong pair of arms catch her around her waist just before she hit the ground. Loki pulled Hermione to her feet and held her there until Hermione had steadied herself.
"Hermione, as much as I love your company, could you let go of my arms. I don't really like hugging people." Loki said, humouring the petite witch. Hermione blushed and released Loki's arms.
"Sorry, I just…er…" she failed to finish her sentence. Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, I understand, your infatuated with me and want my arms around you constantly." Loki teased. Hermione's blush deepened as she tried to glare. Suddenly Loki was on one knee in front of her holding her left hand.
"I'm sorry love, it won't work between us, and I need a strong woman. And to be honest, you're kinda weak." Loki pretended to be sincere. Hermione yanked her hand away from the pale girl.
"Wait. Woman? You're gay? Why didn't you tell me this?" Hermione mocked anger.
"Well, you never asked. And I never said I was gay, to be honest though I hate men. Their so immature and uncomplicated. I like a challenge." Loki laughed, getting to her feet and walking back towards the Burrow. Hermione stood there pondering what Loki had said.
"You coming or what? It's getting dark out and if I am not mistaken, you do not possess the luxury of seeing in the dark." Loki shouted through the trees. Hermione snapped back to reality and followed.
The next day
"So what exactly do you do at night?" Hermione asked Loki. They were sitting outside under a large oak tree watching the boys play quidditch.
"I sketch, and I listen for unusual sounds." She said truthfully.
"Ooh, what do you sketch?" Hermione asked enthusiastically. Loki frowned.
"Whatever I feel like."
"Can I see them?" Hermione pleaded.
"No." Loki said angrily.
"Why?" Hermione asked, a little hurt.
"Because it's none of your business that's why!" Loki glared. Hermione was about to say something else when the oldest Weasley Bill flew down to the two girls.
"Either of you want to join Fred and George's team? I've got to go and they need another player." Bill asked. Hermione refused politely but Loki nodded. She summoned her broom wordlessly and took off.
"Wait! That's Harry's broom!" Ron yelled, going to tackle Loki.
"No, we have the same broom, my father sent us each one when he was released from prison." Loki said calmly. Ron frowned for a second before remembering who Loki's dad was.
"Oh, sorry, it's just Harry had a Firebolt and…I didn't think many other people had one." Ron said, his ears going a deep shade of red.
"I understand." Loki said before speeding off to Fred and George.
"You can be seeker, seeing as you're the one with the fastest broom." Fred smiled. Loki nodded and flew off in search of the snitch.
After two minutes she soured back to Fred, snitch in hand.
"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled, noticing the golden ball in Loki's palm.
"You have to be on the team when we get back! Your even better than Harry!" Ginny glared at Ron from across the pitch.
After another ten minutes Loki had caught the snitch six times.
"How good a keeper are you? You could probably replace Ron and be a seeker at the same time. That would save Gryffindor a lot of points." George laughed. Ron threw the quaffle at him but missed.
"Fuck off!" He scowled, ears turning bright red. George snorted and threw the quaffle at one of the make-shift hoops. Ron dived for it but missed it by miles and ended up with his head stuck through the tallest goal post.
"Er, a little help." He yelled, trying to break free.
"Not until you admit your undying love for McGonagall." Ginny sniggered.
"You bastards! Let me out or so help me I'll..!" he screamed.
"You'll what Ronald? Fart in our direction? Scream at us until you throat hurts?" Fred teased.
"Come on guys, let him down now. You've had your fun." Hermione yelled from the ground. Loki smiled as an idea popped into er head.
"Hey Fred, is Hermione afraid of flying?" She asked mischievously.
"Why yes I believe she is." Fred replied, noticing the glint in Loki's eye. He winked at her, giving her the go ahead and turned back to taunting Ron. Loki flew off, unnoticed by the others. She flew round the trees until she was exactly behind Hermione. Then, she accelerated. Hermione whipped round at the last moment and screeched before Loki caught her round the waist and pulled her onto her broom.
"Put me down!" Hermione screamed, clinging onto Loki for dear life.
"Ok." Loki sniggered before nose diving towards the ground.
"Pull up! PULL UP!!" Hermione yelled, shutting her eyes and burying her face in Loki's shoulder. Loki did as she was commanded and pulled upwards at the last moment.
"You said to put you down." Loki laughed through Hermione's bushy hair.
After ten minutes of screaming and laughing Loki decided that Hermione had had enough for one day. She lowered the broom down. Hermione still had her face buried in Loki's shoulder. It sounded and felt like she was sobbing lightly.
"You can look now." Loki sighed. Hermione poked her tear streaked face up from Loki's shoulder. She was relieved to find they were on the ground again.
"Please, don't ever do that again." Hermione sniffed. Loki nodded and touched down. Hermione immediately jumped off, for fear that this was just a trick and she was going to take off again.
"You definitely overreact." Loki frowned. Hermione glared.
"How would you like it if I made you do something your terrified of!" She yelled. Loki looked down.
"That is impossible." Hermione raised her eyebrow.
"Really? Don't give me that bullshit that your not afraid of anything!" She sneered. Loki dismounted her broom and kicked the dirt.
"Oh, did I stop you from giving your little speech about being bold and fearless?" Hermione hissed. Loki looked up, her eyes had gone dark and only depicted anger and sorrow.
"No, what I meant was that I am incapable of feeling what I am afraid of. Therefore I am afraid that if I feel it, it means that I am weak and must be disposed of." Loki growled. Hermione's anger ebbed away.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I am afraid of feeling any kind of love for someone. Because if I do it will cloud my judgement, making me inefficient and a failure. Which means that I will be..'disposed' of." Loki glared before walking back to the Burrow.
"Loki? Are you out here?" Hermione shouted from the edge of the woods.
"Who wants to know?" Sneered Loki, she had renewed her dislike for the Granger girl and her hatred for the world.
"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I was just angry that's all. I didn't mean to hurt you. Didn't mean to make you bitter again." Hermione said nervously, although she couldn't see Loki she knew she was listening and watching her like a cat stalking its prey.
"Bitter? You think that I'm bitter?" Loki growled. Hermione paled slightly.
"N-No, I didn't mean that…I just meant that…"
"Get out of my sight. I may have to protect you, but it doesn't mean I have to see you, speak to you or even like you. Mudblood." Loki hissed, jumping out her tree and landing barely a foot from Hermione. Tears welled in the bushy haired girls eyes.
"Fine, I thought we could have been friends. But you obviously don't want that!" Hermione cried before storming back into the house. Loki felt a layer of ice form around her already stone cold heart.
"Oh Hermione, if only you knew." She growled before stalking off into the woods.
Hermione slammed the door to her room and threw herself onto her bed.
"Hermione? What's the matter?" Ginny asked, opening the door.
"Oh, noting Gin." Hermione lied, wiping away her tears. Ginny frowned and went over to hug the older girl.
"Come on Mione, you can tell me anything, you know that. Is it that Loki girl?" Hermione looked at Ginny perplexed.
"Come on Mione, I've seen how much time you spend with her. It's obvious you like her." Ginny smiled.
"What! I do not like her! She's just…well she was just a friend. That's all!" Hermione said exasperated.
"Aw come on Mione, stop lying to yourself, you have a crush on her." Ginny grinned. Hermione was about to say something back when it dawned on her. She did like Loki, she liked the way she was always witty. She liked the sense of security she had when she was around Loki. But she hated the bitter and angry side of the girl.
"So what if I do. She hates me. She resents me and she finds me weak and thinks I overreact." Hermione sniffed, tears welling in her eyes again.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate or resent you. And the only reason she would find you weak is because she has been trained to be strong and almost machine like with her emotions." Ginny reasoned. Hermione nodded.
"Your right, she's probably just a little mad, she'll come to in the morning." Hermione convinced herself out loud.
"Right, now come and have dinner, I'm starving and no doubt you are as well." Ginny said, pulling Hermione towards the door.
Some Castle In The South Of England
"My Lord, you have a visitor." Bellatrix Lestrange smirked.
"Show her in Bella." Voldemort smiled. He knew who the child was already. She stank of pureblood and dark magic. Not to mention hatred.
Loki walked into the throne room, eyes studying the floor. She knelt down before the dark lord.
"Look at how she bows to me Bella, such respect, such loyalty, and she hasn't even been branded yet." Voldemort smirked.
"Indeed my lord." Bellatrix agreed, studying the pale girl. 'My look how beautifully her anger plays in her eyes. She would make a good match.' Bella thought.
"What is your name child?" Voldemort asked, getting up off his throne and walking towards Loki.
"Loki, my lord, Loki Black." She replied. Voldemort smiled.
"A Black? Why, who are your parents?" Voldemort smiled. Bellatrix frowned 'Damn! Unless her parents have been disowned then it's classed as incest!' Bellatrix thought, disappointed.
"I do not know my mother sir; she died when I was born. But my father is Sirius Black." Loki replied truthfully.
"Ah, the blood traitor." Voldemort smirked, winking at Bella. Loki stiffened at the insult, but quickly banished all traces of anger from her mind.
"So, Loki, why are you here?" Voldemort asked, sitting back on his throne.
"I'm here to offer you my services as a spy." Loki smirked a little.
"I'm afraid I already have one of those at Hogwarts." Voldermort smiled.
"Not one that knows where Hermione Granger will be every minute of every day. I am her personal bodyguard, trained by Dumbledore for sixteen years I've been trained to be the best protection there is. I have easy access to her and her friends, and Dumbledore if I wished. I'm also a member of the order so I can tell you what is going on in there." Loki said almost proudly. Voldemort pondered the proposition for a moment.
"So you are with Granger twenty four hours a day? How are you supposed to get information to me?" Voldemort asked.
"Unless I am standing right in front of her she doesn't know when I'm there or not. So I can easily slip away to pass on information to you. When I'm gone she'll probably think I'm watching her from a distance or stalking the perimeter." Loki smirked. Voldemort nodded
"Good, I shall not give you the mark, because if Dumbledore or Granger see it then you are out of a job. But, I will cast a spell that means when ever I need you by my side or when ever you have urgent information you have means of getting to me." Voldemort explained coolly before leaping forwards and grabbing her face between his hands. He put his wand to Loki's temple and started muttering something. Blinding pain surged through Loki's brain. She wanted to scream, but held it in. she didn't want to appear weak.
After a few minutes of extreme pain, it was over. Loki felt slightly dizzy and a little sick, but manage to keep her balance.
"Bellatrix, take Loki to your room, she will need some sleep. Then when she is awake, alert me before letting her go." Voldemort said.
"Yes my lord." Bellatrix smiled. She helped the black haired witch to her feet and led her out of the Throne room.
When Loki had shaken most of the dizziness off she started to study the older witch in front of her. Bellatrix Lestrange had dark brown, almost black, uncontrollable hair, pale skin, oddly reddish lips and a body to die for. Loki couldn't stop staring at the beautiful witch.
"See something you like?" Bellatrix smirked, snapping Loki out of her trance.
"I..er..um…" Loki stuttered. Bellatrix smiled and stroked Loki's cheek with the back of her hand.
"I like it when they stutter." Bellatrix whispered seductively. Loki raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Who said I was stuttering?" Bellatrix chuckled.
"Well if that's how you normally talk then you need to get yourself a dictionary." She smiled, pecking Loki quickly on the cheek. Loki smiled.
"so, you seeing anyone?" Loki joked. Bellatrix laughed.
"If several prostitutes count then yes."
"Wow, lots of energy then." Loki quipped. Bellatrix's eyebrows disappeared under her hairline.
"Not all at the same time, dirty minded witch." Loki pretended to look shocked. Bellatrix smiled and continued up the stone stairs.
The Next Day
"Do you really have to leave so soon, I'm only this far away from snogging you senseless." Bellatrix pouted. Loki smiled as Bellatrix indicated half a millimetre with her thumb and index finger.
"If I don't the infatuated mudblood will begin to wonder where her bodyguard has gotten to." Loki sneered.
"Infatuated? She has a crush on you? Oh how delightfully funny. I love a good cat fight." Bellatrix laughed. Loki smirked and leant over Bella, who was lying on her double bed.
"How far away are you now?" Loki grinned. Bellatrix smirked and closed the distance between them. Their lips met and Bellatrix immediately took control. Loki smiled into the kiss as Bellatrix rolled her over.
After a few minutes the need for oxygen raised its ugly head. They broke apart, breathless and panting.
"Promise me you'll be back soon." Bellatrix panted.
"Is tonight ok?" Loki said breathlessly. Bellatrix nodded and leant over to kiss her again.
"We'll continue this later then." Bellatrix smiled after kissing Loki a couple more times. Loki nodded and rolled off the bed.
"I have to go and alert Tom to you leaving, but after that you're free to go." She smirked, getting up and straightening her dress.
"I'll come with you then." Loki smiled, flattening her hair and following Bella out of the room.
The Burrow
"Loki? Where have you been? I haven't seen you since last night." Hermione sighed, finally finding Loki in the shared bedroom. Loki grunted and pulled off her shirt. Hermione blushed and went to turn away before she spotted something.
"W-Wait a second, is that lipstick?" Hermione asked, spotting a small smudge of red on Loki's top lip.
"Now why the hell would I have lipstick on me? It's blood, I bit my lip and tried to lick the blood off." Loki lied.
"Oh, sorry." Hermione said, cursing herself for being so jealous. 'Can you blame her though. Look at that perfectly toned body, the pale skin, the scars…wait! Scars!'
"Loki! Where the hell did you get all of these from?!" running over to Loki and studying the painful looking scars on her back. Loki went rigid. Her fists clenched so tight that her knuckles were white and her nails were puncturing her skin.
"Oh my god, they look so painful. Are you ok?" Hermione asked, tracing the largest one. It looked like someone had hit her with a powerful slashing spell.
"Get out." Loki hissed. Hermione frowned.
"What? Wh…"
"GET OUT!" Loki yelled. Hermione jumped and scrambled out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Loki knelt down and held her head in her hands.
A.N: What Did You Think? Did You Like Bellatrix? I Couldn't Write A Story Without Including Her In Some Way.