Chapter 4

Madam Malkin's

Two days had gone by since Hermione's encounter with the fearful Death Eater and she was restless. She went for walks around the property of the Burrow where the Ministry of Magic has provided the utmost security for Harry. Although the walks were nice, they didn't stop Hermione's mind from wandering after Bellatrix.

Hermione walked down the Burrow staircase at eight o'clock and into the dining room and saw that their Hogwarts letters had arrived.

Excitement filled the air with anticipation for the new school year, although Hermione had a different reason for her excitement. This was her way out. She knew that if she was going to find Bellatrix, it was now. Not finding her was not an option.

Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands, pulling Hermione out of her thoughts. "Okay, so today we go to Diagon Alley for books and things. Ginny, Ron, and Harry will need new robes. And Ron, don't go breaking your wand during the school year. You know we can't afford it," she said in a stern motherly voice.

"Yes mum," he answered with his mouth full of toast and eggs. Just watching him eat made Hermione want to barf.

"And Hermione," started Mrs. Weasley. "Stay with Harry and Ron at all times."

Hermione nodded her head. "Of course Mrs. Weasley," she lied. She did not want the Weasley's or Harry to get suspicious of her and then not let her go.

"Now, I suggest we go in groups to Madam Malkin's, so that she doesn't yell at us for crowding up her store," the eldest witch said while giving Harry another generous helping of eggs.

"Can we go now mum?" Ginny asked, excitement brewing in her eyes.

"Eat first, then we'll go."

Hermione ate quickly then excused herself from the table(though no one heard her over the noise) to prepare for the day. She ran up the stairs into Ginny's room and dug through her clothes. She wanted something where she could easily blend in to get away from the boys, but at the same time catch Bellatrix's attention. After minutes of vigorous deliberation, she finally chose a pair of black jeans, a black tank top, and black flats.

Upon entering her room, Ginny gasped at Hermione's choice of clothes.

"Who are you? Since when don't you have colour on you?" Ginny asked, a little worried for her friend. She knew she had been acting a bit odd recently but this seemed to be going to far. "Are you going...er, what do the Muggles say...Goth?" Hermione laughed.

"Goodness, no. I just figured that I'd be less noticeable like this, so that if Bellatrix is there she won't see me," she said, lying through her teeth. She knew that if Bellatrix was there that she'd see her.

Ginny let out a sigh of relief. "Well good. Oh, right. I came up here to tell you that we're leaving now." Hermione quickly grabbed her satchel and followed her friend down the stairs.

"Come on," Mrs. Weasley said hurriedly when the two girls came into view. "The others are already waiting for us."

One by one they went into the fireplace until they were all standing with Harry and Ron in Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley told Harry, Ron, and Hermione to go to Madam Malkin's first and that they would all meet up at Fred and George's joke shop in three hours.

The trio walked down the cobblestone road through the depressing state of Diagon Alley. A lot of shops were boarded up and abandoned giving the alley an eerie look.

As they walked, the boys were discussing Quidditch yet again and Hermione found herself searching for a certain dark haired witch. Although she didn't see her, she wasn't discouraged. She had only just begun searching after all.

They entered the shop and saw a blond haired boy fitting on robes, and much to their surprise, it was Draco Malfoy.

"Well well. Look who we have here. Potter. The Weasel. And the Mudblood," Draco sneered. Harry and Ron immediately pointed their wands at Draco.

"Boys, put those away!" Hermione hissed.

"Yes," said a cool and taunting voice. "Put the wands away boys." Hermione's eyes widen. She had really not expected to see Bellatrix here.

Upon noticing the witch, the boys pointed their wands at her instead.

"No!" Hermione said, stepping in front of their wands. "Put them away! Will you listen?" But they weren't listening, so Hermione grabbed her wands and put them out of their reach.

"Hermione are you bloody mad?" Ron asked, looking worried without his wand. "Give them back!" he demanded.

"If you all would please take this else where,: Madam Malkin said angrily. "You are scaring away customers."

"No matter, now that I know that scum come here we won't be buying anything anyways," Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, said with annoyance dripping from every word. "Come Draco. Bella, we're leaving," she said as Draco took off the robes and followed his mother out of the store.

'Meet me in Knockturn Alley in 10 minutes,' a voice said inside Hermione's head, causing her to jump a little. Startled, she looked around and saw the smirk on Bellatrix's lips and knew that it was her voice. Hermione nodded slightly and gave the boys their wands once Bellatrix had left.

"Hermione, what the hell is wrong with you? You're absolutely mad! You're more insane than Bellatrix is!" Ron and Harry berated her until she held up her hand.

"Go buy your new robes and we can discuss this later. I'll wait for you here, but hurry up because I want to go to Flourish and Blotts," they groaned and went off to find new school robes. Hermione knew that she now had lots of time because the boys would dilly dally, not wanting to go to the wizarding bookstore.

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Bellatrix ditched her sister and nephew immediately after leaving Madam Malkins and went to Knockturn Alley. Once there, she situated herself against a door hidden within the shadows.

She didn't have to wait long, as she soon heard soft, careful footsteps making their way through the dark alleyway. Hermione passed Bellatrix, not seeing her through the darkness. This made the Death Eater smirk. She walked up behind the other witch silently.

"Boo," she said calmly. Hermione jumped around and pulled out her wand. Upon seeing Bellatrix she put it away.

"Thanks for that," Hermione said sarcastically. Bellatrix's smirk became larger but no more words were said. Silence is what followed in the alley. Each unsure of how to proceed.

"So um...what did you want?" Hermione asked sheepishly, looking down at her flats.

"We didn't get to finished our conversation from the other day and," Hermione looked up. "You...intrigue me," Bellatrix said with an air of confidence and mystery.

Hermione looked at the woman in front of her stunned. Without waiting for a response Bellatrix continued. "So what were you doing alone in Knockturn Alley with that book? It seems rather reckless, especially in these times."

Hermione's eyes suddenly grew darker. "I'm not reckless!" she snapped. Bellatrix let out a small chuckle and walked slowly behind Hermione.

"No? Would you call it bravery? What about foolish, or senseless?" she taunted.

The young witch's cheeks reddened. "Shut up," she murmured.

"Face the facts Granger. You're in a dark deserted alley with the most feared Death Eater. I'd say you're reckless."

Hermione tried to turn around to be face to face with Bellatrix but Bellatrix wouldn't have it. She placed her hands on the frizzy haired witch's shoulders and made her stay where she was. Hermione sighed, giving up rather easily.

"Recklessness is going into something without thinking about it first, and I..." she trailed off. Bellatrix stepped closer to Hermione, as if silently urging her to continue. "I thought a lot about this," she finally mumbled.

"Oh?" Bellatrix said cocking an eyebrow and started to play with a strand of the other girls hair. "And why would you do that?"

"Because you intrigue me too," she answered in a whisper that was just loud enough for Bellatrix to hear. Hearing this excited Bellatrix and was about to speak with they heard another pair of footsteps coming their way. Bellatrix pulled Hermione with her into her earlier hiding place so that they would not be seen.

Bellatrix held Hermione tightly and had to put her hand around her mouth so that Hermione would not make a sound. They waited several moments until the owner of the footsteps arrived. It was Draco. Hermione started to shift uncomfortably and that's when Bellatrix noticed that she was also blocking Hermione's nose so that she couldn't breathe. She quickly removed her hand and allowed her to breathe. Bellatrix's hand soon joined her other hand in holding Hermione close and pulled her in closer when Draco started to look around, as if making sure that no one was watching him.

Draco made his way into Borgin and Burkes, making the bell at the top of the door jingle. This surprised Bellatrix, because she never remembered there being a bell before. 'Perhaps he's trying to make the place more cheery.' She mused to herself.

Hermione sighed but didn't move from Bellatrix's grasp, instead she seemed to lean back a bit. Bellatrix smiled at this but said nothing. She knew that until Draco left that they still couldn't leave. Unless...

"Hermione," Bellatrix started. "I'd like to show you something," she said sweetly. Surprised at the sweetness that hung on to her words, Hermione turned around to face Bellatrix, still within the circle that the dark witch had created with her arms.

"What is it?" Hermione asked curiously and cautiously.

"Come with me and you can find out," the witch offered. Hermione seemed to be thinking this over in her head, but was interrupted when two voices sounded from not to far away.

"I'm telling you it's suspicious Ron!" Harry said very loudly. Walking quickly down the alley.

"Yes I know! But we need to find 'mione! That bitch might have her, and she's more important than something that Draco is up too!" Ron made his argument.

"Well maybe she's here then," Harry said hurrying through the streets. "Come on, we have to at least check to see what he's doing. And besides, Hermione's smart enough that she'll be fine," he said. Although he was thinking at all about his friend, he'd be saying something completely different. But no, his mind seemed set on Draco.

Hermione's eyes widen. And Bellatrix could see the wheels turning inside her mind.

"Okay, let's go," she said quickly and held onto Bellatrix who already had her wand out and they disapparated from their corner, leaving with a pop.