Twin Dragon Heartstrings.

Author: Ladyfun9

Pairing: Bellatrix/Hermione

Rating: Generally M, with occasional mainstream chapters.

Disclaimers: All of this (Ladyfun9 gesturing big wide circles over the computer with her hand) belongs to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing, and this is all for non-profit fun.

SUMMARY: After the Battle of Hogwarts, the Golden Trio's messiah-like status changes their lives forever; only Hermione remains skeptical about their new fame. When it becomes obvious who the real leader was of the group, Hermione feels chocked by her own fame and inexorably is drawn toward the last person expected: Bellatrix Black. Hermione loses herself….body, mind, and soul… to the dark mistress. Fortunately, things have a way of working themselves out. Endgame: Bellamione.

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read. So, I promise, the identity of the poisoner will be revealed; just not right now. Our ladies have some bidness to do, first... This is my personal fav.. I love how vulnerable love makes them! Don't worry though... We haven't lost the dominatrix Bellatrix Black entirely. Like a bad penny, she'll always turn up...

As always, eternal thanks to the tireless HP fact checker/ Beta chrisdevl- who, despite having an actual life, still makes time to insure this isn't totally implausable for you people...

Now, sorry, but I'm going to foray into the arena of responding to a few reviews. While it generally gives me the heebie jeebies normally, when this occurs, I also realize that this is SACRED ground for many of you, and fully acknowledge I am a novice in the HP world. It's just that Bella/Hermione are so damn hawt, I had to give it a go. So, to wit: Elan101: Thanks for enjoying it. Nuff said. Singahappysong13: I'm glad you liked Chapt 4. Wait though...I will tell you, 5 & 6 are my personal favorites of the entire story, however. MrsHBCLestrange-your moniker is just damn cool so I had it mention it. Thanks for R&R. Sarronxo & Yurihentai64: your enthuasiuam blows me away. Thanks. dsrtchck-I appreciate your attention to detail. You're doing to have to take a willing suspicion of disbelief on the thanksgiving issue, however. Hermione has to go to Malfoy Manor in November. I'm well aware of the holiday as in RL my relatives participated in the craziness of taking this country away from the people that actually lived here, so I get it. I know when thanksgiving is, and that it's American... painfully so! . Remember...willing suspension. Call it "Fall Break" instead...it will help you not go nuts. Say it with me: "willing suspension..." Ahhhh. On a serous note, thanks for your insight, though, and please keep reading. You should see what it looks like before chrisdevl proofs it! Dragoncila: Patience, Grasshopper! It's here! (PS Next chapter is BETTER. Much, IMHO. Mostly because..."stuff" happens...) Justine: IMHO you need to just register for an account. You're more regular than, well, taxes or menstrual cycles, I guess... Thank you for always giving me your thoughts each chapter. Finally, Knights of the Round Table...Cuccino2002, Laylarei, AnonBiggie: Thanks for migrating to this story. It means a lot to me. Thank you.

CHAPTER SIX: Into the Pensieve

Hermione started walking up the very familiar steps to the Headmistress' Office. The long winding tower afforded her the opportunity to clear her thoughts, somewhat.

Until a "certain" voice entered her head, cluttering them all up again.

I see you're finally headed up to do what I asked you to do….two and a half months ago!

Hermione sighed. "I know…..I know."

The two witches had communicated daily, but as the days wore on, Bella understandably became more terse. Finally, the dark mistress approached the end of her rope, having it out with Hermione, one day prior.

Hermione recalled the painful exchange from yesterday, and winced...

XOXOXOXOXO

Hermione! What am I supposed to think, with you dragging your heels?

"I don't know…. perhaps that I've got a lot on my mind?"

I've seen in your mind.

Hermione became a little annoyed. "Why don't you tell me then….what's on my mind, Bella? What did you see?"

Honestly? Fear. I saw fear.

"Of course you did!" Said an exasperated Hermione. "You saw fear, because I have fear! I am afraid! I'm overwhelmed, and afraid! Very uncharacteristic, I know, of the Gryffindor Golden Girl."

Are you afraid…of me?

" I'm not afraid of you, per se…well, maybe I am, a little, but that's not it!"

Why don't you tell me then, what is it? What are you afraid of?

Hermione took a breath and spoke boldly. "Us. I'm afraid of us. The idea of "us." It's so much….it's too much, I think, sometimes."

Bella was silent inside the girl's head.

"Bella, stop thinking the worst. I can feel you doing it! Let me explain myself. Being with you, and how I feel when I'm with you, it's…it's so intense. I get completely consumed by you. By my need, my desire, my craving...for you. I've…never felt that. I've never been like that, not with anyone. "

Hermione, this is the first time I've felt those things you mention, as well. This is hard for me, too. However, sometimes you just need faith.

"Faith? I don't believe in faith. I believe in things that have explanations to them."

Well, then, you could go upstairs and actually fucking see Minerva, and get your explanation. Yet, you don't. What are you really afraid of?"

Hermione sighed. It was so complicated.

"Hear me out, Bella. I'm not going to explain this well. What if…what if the things you have chosen and you have decided to show me, are so bad, and horrifying, that they disgust me? What if this somehow turns me away from you? Stops me from feeling the way I do feel about you?"

Bella was silent.

Hermione continued, in a broken voice. "Because as scared as I am to actually feel these things, it's far more scary to think of NOT feeling these things! Bella…I…I don't think I can live without you. I feel a little incomplete without you, but I console myself it's only a matter of time.". She took a breath. But what if this makes it untenable for me to be with you? That would be too much for me to bear, Bella..."

I don't know what to say.

"You don't have to say anything. I just..don't have this kind of experience. I've never been the girl that hung on someone's arm, before. The girl that was so…needy."

Bella snorted. I can relate to that!

"So then, you can see...It's really unfamiliar for me, and I have to work this through. Myself." Hermione sighed. "You know, it's scary for me to lose so much control. It's scary to be so completely overwhelmed by need, for someone…"

And what makes you think it's not the same for me?

"Why would it be?"

Because I feel the same way about you, Hermione! That's why!

"How can you? You don't even know me!"

And you think you know me? Look, I know what I'm supposedto know. The rest are merely details.

"See? You say that, but real life is just different! What if you don't like muggle coffee? What if you hate my friends? What if you don't want to have babies with me?"

What?

Hermione felt horrified. "Um, scratch that last part. Just, never mind."

Hermione…

"I said, forget it."

I'll never know you if you don't talk. And I love the idea of making babies and raising them…with you.

Hermione paused. "You do?"

I do. I've always wanted children of my own.

Hermione laughed.

I beg your pardon! Rude!

"Excuse me, ma'am, um, do you-know who you are?"

Bella huffed. So what? Besides, I'm filthy rich. I need an heir. And how can I let these superior genes of mine go to waste?

Hermione rolled her eyes.

I feel you rolling your eyes. Am I right?

"You are correct."

Hermione…you know I'm only, oh, roughly 37% serious.

Hermione chuckled.

I want children because I want a life…with you. That's why I want them, now.

Hermione started tearing up, a bit. "Wow. That's …. Big."

Indeed. Listen, you're scared….I'm scared. But at some point, one has to decide to move ahead despite their fears. Because if we don't, we will waste our lives away ...being scared. You and I have faced and done things that would make normal wizards paralized! So why, my love, can't we do something that normal wizards do, every day?

Hermione sighed. "Because this isn't a 'normal' love, Bella, and you know that. It's bigger than that."

Fine. Regardless, I choose, instead of fear, to grab the brass ring and enjoy the fact we are two of the very few lucky ones that had an opportunity to have this. This! Love, Puppy. Real love.

"That is very insightful, Bella."

Well, I've had 28 years more than you to think about it, Puppy.

"Oh, my! 28 …years?" Hermione coughed. "I hadn't realized! Bella, you're such a cougar!"

Cougar?

"Nothing…just a stupid muggle saying. I'm sorry, I just…"

Yes, 28 years. Then eighteen more. Hermione, I've had to sit back, and wait. And wait, and wait some more….for you to appear. All that waiting! And it's not like my life was easy, during that time. Now that you have arrived, and I know you're the one, its so very frustrating to me that you're squandering our time!

"I'm sorry, Bella…" Hermione whispered.

You've said that.

They both paused.

I understand. But now, Hermione, I need you put on your dress robes, belly up, and stop being sorry! I need you to get your arse upstairs and meet with Professor McGonagall.

"I…." Hermione stopped, chocked up.

Hermione, listen to me. If you love me at all, I need you to take a step forward, for us. My heart can't take much more. If not for you, then for me! Do it.

One tear, one solitary tear, fell from the Gryffindor's eye. She knew that she couldn't hurt this woman any more, regardless of her own personal fear and anxiety.

She sent a message to the Headmistress, that night.

XOXOXO

That was the "final push." No threats. Just a simple request. Now, Hermione found herself here, at the base of the long stairwell that led to the Headmistress' office.

"The most important step of a long journey is the first one." Hermione sighed. "This one's for you, Bella."

She froze.

But then, she conjured up the face of the beautiful witch, and how she looked when they kissed, at their meeting at the beach. And she willed herself to take the first step. She thought of their first kiss….and she continued up the stairwell. She thought of how she felt, under her, how her hands felt on top of her; a few more steps. Hermione thought of all the many conversations they exchanged since, some deep, some silly… Bella made her laugh, teased her when she needed it, and obviously cared about her.

But, love?

Forever love?

She stopped in her tracks. Was Hermione ready for that?

Hermione put her hand of the rail to support herself. Noticing her arm as the robe slid down, she gasped. Startled, she looked at her arm. Her thoughts immediately raced to one person.

"Bella!" She whispered softly.

Yes?

"Are you awake?"

Sort of.

"Well, kick those floozies out of your bed! Listen, Bella, it changed!"

Ha Ha. You're a funny girl. What are you talking about? What changed?

"My scar! My bloody scar! It changed, again!"

What? On your arm? When did it change, the first time?

With horror, she realized she hadn't told Bella. "Ohmygosh, I'm so sorry! It started changing when I first came back from the island, with you! It's just that was right after we kissed, and my mind was freaking out about that, and I forgot to tell you…."

Calm down. It's fine. Can you tell me? What did it say, the first time? Bella asked.

"It dropped two letters. It said, MUDBLOO"

Oh, thank Merlin! Bella sounded like she was exhaling. What does it say now?

"Well, um, it doesn't make sense. It says MULLOO."

That's promising.

"Promising? Bella, Its incredible. How are you changing it? No one has been able to remove it. Everyone has tried!"

That's just it. I'm not changing it…you are.

"What?"

Yes. I know. It's a very powerful spell, taught to me by the most powerful wizard I've known.

Hermione's stomach sank, fearing the worst.

No, Puppy, not him. Dumbledore! Albus taught me how to do that.

"What? This wasn't just some sick deranged graffiti?"

I resent that, and no, its not….graffiti. It's actually part of the reason we are connected, among other things.

"You didn't , like, make me a horcrux or something, did you?"

No, Puppy. Oh, and one other thing…

"Yes?"

When you get upstairs, after you see what you are supposed to see, it's going to be a lot to take in. You're going to have a lot of …feelings.

"Probably."

I want to let you know, I'm making your brain is off limits to me. After our chat right now, I'm going to leave you alone, until you reach out to me. You need to let me know everything's okay. You can feel free to have your "feelings." I will respect that. I won't contact you at all…you'll have to contact me."

"Wow…thank you, Bella."

You're welcome. Good luck, Puppy…and remember, of course, I love you.

And like that, she was gone. She had vanished out of Hermione's brain before the younger witch could even respond.

However, she responded, anyway.

"I think I love you, too, Bellatrix Black." The brunette said, softly.

Then she walked the rest of the way up the stairs.

XOXOXOXOXO

"Well, Hermione," Professor McGonagall said, "I won't say that's the slowest recorded time for a student to traverse the stairwell, but I dare say, it's close."

"I'm sorry Professor. This is just a lot for me to handle, all at once."

"Understandably. That goes without saying, my poor dear. We shall try to make this as painless as possible. Shall we get started?"

"Yes."

McGonagall brought them over to her desk, where the Pensieve rested. Hermione regarded it with great interest, reviewing the stone runes, and bizarre symbols that adorned the sides of the birdbath looking object. She gasped when she saw the silvery liquid swirling within.

"Whoa!"

The Headmistress smiled. I keep forgetting that it was primarily your Partner-In-Crime, Mr. Potter, who used this. Are you familiar with how this works?"

"I am. Will you be observing with me? "

"Of course. Shall we begin?"

"Yes, let's do this."

Minerva smiled fondly at her star pupil.

"Good luck, Hermione, brightest witch of your generation."

A few words of encouragement were heard from the former Headmaster, from his portrait above.

She smiled back at Dumbledore.

The silvery mass was bubbling. "You have a great number of collected memories of people who have siphoned their recollections into the pensive, for your review, Hermione. As you probably know, you will observe these memories as a non-participant, from a third-person point of view, so to speak."

Hermione nodded.

"So, most are Bella's, but some of them are mine, Sirus', and Albus Dumbledore's-among others."

As they saddled up to the Pensive, Hermione put her hand on her former Head of House's shoulder.

"Professor…"

"Yes, dear?"

"Do you trust her? Bellatrix?"

The Headmistress, who had aged so much in the past four years, clasped Hermione by the shoulders, looking earnestly into her eyes.

"Hermione Granger, I trust Bellatrix Black with my life. In fact... I have trusted her with my life, in fact. Albus did the same. In fact, he entrusted her with, I dare say, every life within England."

Hermione cocked her head, curious.

"The thing I hope you walk away from this experience, my dear Gryffindor, is that Bella should have been sorted into our house."

Hermione laughed. "Bella? A Gryffindor?"

"Yes," the Headmistress said, sincerely. "It was the longest debate I ever saw, when the sorting hat came to her. It had to sort her in her first year here...you could actually hear it murmuring... Gryffindor versus Slytheryn. It was double the time it took for you, wrestling between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw!"

"Merlin's beard! That was painful…..that must have taken forever!"

"Indeed. I still think, to this day, that that was the one time the hat got it wrong."

"Why?"

"Because, my dear girl, I have never met anyone….anyone, not even yourself, Mr. Shacklebolt, Mr. Potter, the Longbottoms, or even Lily Potter, who had the courage equal to that within Bella Black."

Hermione looked astonished.

"She is, by far, the bravest person I have ever had the privilege to know. The courage that would have made Godrick Griffyndor himself, proud."

Hermione was stunned by this admission.

"Close your mouth, Hermione. Do I trust her? Yes. With everything I am, and on every student's life in this castle." She was tearing up, a bit. "She has borne so much, for all of us. Enough of this nonsense…moving on. Let's begin! We will start , first, with a memory of Albus Dumbledore's, the one that kicked this entire thing off."

XOXOXOXOXO

It was a cold and rainy night, and Professor Dumbledore was interviewing Sybill Trelawney for the post of Divination teacher, a subject he was skeptical about keeping at Hogwart's in the first place. They were in her room above the Hog's Head Inn, and he was muttering how he was utterly convinced the woman had no talent, whatsoever. As he headed towards the door, after a disappointing interview, he paused when he heard an unfamiliar moan.

He turned around, to see Ms. Trelawney stiffening. She looked possessed! This was the moment, "the moment" in which the odd woman would utter the words that would later become so famous amongst the Golden Trio. The words of The First Prophecy.

In a strange voice, she spoke mechanically.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..."

She knew this.. Hermione could have recited it in her sleep. However what happened next was totally unexpected…

She kept talking.

The mechanical voice startled the young Griffyndor observing through the pensive. Sybill Trelawney had a longer prophecy! The odd woman continued with the prophecy, the content of which Hermione had never heard about...nor had anyone else, as far as she knew. Certainly not Harry.

"Heed closely: it will be the betrayal of his most trusted servant that causes the downfall of the Dark Lord. The servant, born in the 51st year of the century, will bond eternally with the child born during the passing of the ninth month, possessing the most gifted magic yet born unto a non-magical family. Once the servant and the child realize true love, the twin dragons will become the greatest protectors the world has known. However, without the fidelity of the servant and the child, the one with the power born as the seventh month dies, will not survive."

That was the end of the first memory.

The second began shortly afterwards. Hermione watched, as Dumbledore made a copy of the memory for the Department of Mysteries, oddly splitting it into two parts.

His trusted ally, Minerva McGonagall, looked on, as she assisting in the transfer. She regarded the Headmaster with curiosity.

"Why are you splitting it in two, Albus?"

"My dear Minerva…without question, this Dark Lord will come looking for this prophecy. He will find it. He will find this…" He held up the red ball, containing the first part, "and be satisfied. However, I do not want him to suspect this," he held up a green ball. "Exists. The second half. If this "Dark Lord" knows his "most trusted servant" will betray him, I dare say he will be looking with a keen eye. It could potentially cost this trusted servant…. their life."

He gave the second one to Minerva.

"Listen closely, Minerva. File this three days after I file the first. House it in the 'Romance' Section. I dare say, that should keep it safe."

"It will be done, Albus."

"Whomever this "trusted servant" is, my heart goes out to them." The Headmaster said, shaking his head. "It will not be easy."

XOXOXOXOXOX

TBC!