Hermione ran, hair soaking wet behind her, down the stairs to the first floor of the manor. She found her way to the kitchen and saw Bellatrix. She smiled. Bellatrix returned the smile and walked towards her, hugging her tightly and kissed her forehead. "I missed you sweetie!" Bellatrix spoke into Hermione's head.
"Missed you too. " Hermione replied. It was kind of true. They stood there together for a few moments before Bella gently pushed Hermione away with a smile. "You're getting your wet hair all over my shoulder!" She teased.
"Sorry." Hermione replied with a grin. She wasn't sorry at all, and Bella knew it. Their hands clasped together and they walked to the living room. With a flick of her wand, Bella lit the fireplace and together they snuggled up on the sofa. "This is always my favourite part of the day." Soothed Hermione.
"What is?" said Bella.
"Just being here with you. It seems like only yesterday we were sworn enemies, fighting each other. The Daily Prophet, Potter, everyone seemed to think you were a monster. I'm glad I got to know different."
Bella stared into the fireplace, contemplating what Hermione had just said to her. "Hermione..." She started, cautiously. "The papers, everything, they're all true. You know they are, I know they are. There's no denying my past. Since The Dark Lo- Voldemort was killed, I've seen sense. But that side of me, it will always be a part of me. I did all of those things. And I still have the capability to do it all over again..."
Silence. Neither of the women spoke for a short while. Hermione sighed, her head rested softly on Bella's chest. "I don't care. To me, you're perfect." Guilt ran through her mind. She pushed what she had just done to the back of her mind and closed her eyes, falling asleep in the warmth of Bella's arms. Bella did the same, and neither woke til morning.
Hermione awoke before Bellatrix, and slid off the sofa and walked to the kitchen. She flicked her wand and two bowls, two spoons, and two glasses sped from the cupboards. She flicked it again and cereal came from the cupboard above the sink, and milk from the fridge. It poured itself into the bowls. Hermione got the orange juice from the fridge herself and poured two glasses. She took the breakfast into the living room on a tray and placed it on the floor. "Bella, sweetheart?" She gently pressed her hand to Bella's shoulder in a bid to wake her.
She opened her eyes and looked up at Hermione. A smile spread across her face. "Good morning Beautiful, she croaked. Embarrassed, she cleared her throat. 'Damn first words of the day.' She thought, annoyed. She hated to be embarrassed, even by something so trivial.
Hermione kneeled down to Bella's level and kissed her on the forehead. "I made breakfast."
"Shit, what time is it?" Bella sat upright on the sofa, her neck clicking from the odd angle she'd been lying at all night. "Ouch." She screwed her face up as she felt the twinge at the top of her neck. Hermione placed a hand on the tender spot and started massaging it to take the pain away.
"It's Sunday, Bella. You don't have work today." Soothed Hermione. "Oh darling, they work you too hard at the ministry. I was always under the impression that in between danger Aurors had some time off and rest. Apparently not. Don't overdo it."
"I knew it wouldn't be easy." Spoke Bella. "Then that's what you get for trying to prove yourself as a changed woman. Not that anyone really trusts me still. It's only been 6 months since Voldemort was killed. I suppose I can't blame them."
Hermione's eyes rested on Bella's. She could sense the regret in her voice, and when she looked into her eyes, she saw that she was hurting. She was truly sorry for her past. Hermione could tell.
"I love you, Bella. You know I do, right?"
"Of course Mione, you never fail to tell me. I love you too." She closed her chocolate brown eyes sighed into Hermione's hand, which was now placed on Bella's cheek.
Hermione brushed a dark curl away from Bella's face. She kissed her on the lips softly and pulled away. Bella kissed her back, more passionately, pulling her into the kiss. Hermione climbed on top of Bella, her hands tangled in her messy black hair.
Bella's hands ran over Hermione's waist. Both girls pressed together on the sofa, a messy tangle of limbs and heavy breathing.
The door creaked behind them and Narcissa walked in, expecting the room to be empty. She stopped still, taken aback. She closed her eyes and made a little noise telling the girls of her presence. Hermione stopped and looked up over the top of the sofa. Her eyes met Narcissa's and a wave of guilt and nausea washed over her. She jumped up from Bella and apologised. "I'm sorry, Cissy. We thought you'd still be asleep." She could barely look at the youngest of the Black sisters.
"It's fine, Hermione. I'm sorry for interrupting." She walked from the room, the door slamming behind her. Footsteps were heard running up the stairs.
"What's gotten into her?" Asked Bella. Oblivious to the tension between her sister and Hermione.
"I don't know." Lied Hermione. "I'm going for a shower, okay?"
"Okay sweetie, I suppose I should too." Hermione left the room and climbed the stairs, no intention of going for a shower. She went straight to Narcissa's bedroom and opened the door without knocking. Narcissa was sitting in a big emerald green armchair by the windowsill. She was crying softly to herself.
"I'm so sorry Cissy, if I knew you were around... I wouldn't have even..." She was lost for words.
Narcissa turned to look at her. Hermione was the last person she wanted to see right now. She'd already seen enough of her this morning.
"What do you WANT, Hermione?" Her voice grew louder as she spoke. She stopped and the room fell silent. Hermione looked shocked at her outburst.
"I..."
"What, Hermione? You've come to tell me how fucking sorry you are? What do you want from me? You can't just jump into bed with me on a whim and then as soon as Bellatrix comes back, drop me like I'm worth nothing to you. It doesn't work like that." Narcissa was angry. Hermione had never seen her like this before, and she only had herself to blame.
"Look, Cissy..."
"Don't call me that." Barked Narcissa.
"Narcissa... I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was a huge mistake. I just knew that you wanted me, and I couldn't resist. I thought that was it, just sex. Isn't that what it was to you?" Hermione grasped at straws.
"Of course it wasn't! Yes I wanted you, of course I did! I meant the same way as Bella has you. A relationship. But I know I can't have you like that. I would never do that to my sister. "
"But you can easily jump into bed with her girlfriend." Snorted Hermione. She instantly regretted it. Narcissa looked at her with her ice blue eyes.
"Get out, Hermione. It's probably best we don't speak for a while. Let everything settle down. I won't be telling Bellatrix. If you do, you could mess up everything. I advise you to keep your mouth shut. It won't happen again."
Hermione nodded in silent agreement and left the room, closing the door behind her. This time, she really did need a shower. She felt dirty.