"My Lord," Bellatrix knelt bowing her head only inches from the floor. Voldemort stood in front of Bellatrix, "rise Bellatrix." Slowly she stood keeping her gaze cast downward.
"I have another mission for you Bellatrix. But before the details are discussed, I heard about your husband."
Bellatrix slightly flinched at mention of Rhodolphus. This did not go unnoticed by the Dark Lord.
"I see you are not in bereavement." Voldemort slowly made a circle around Bellatrix, "Although you may not be affected by his absence, however, he was in my service and he was a fairly competent and loyal death eater, not so much unlike yourself, Bellatrix."
"As one of the few death eaters in my inner circle I would like to know those responsible for his death," Voldemort stopped in front of Bellatrix, "you wouldn't happen to know what happened to your husband."
"My lord, I… Rhodolphus and I had…a disagreement."
"A disagreement," Voldemort sounded amused, "whatever about?"
"A personal matter, my lord, I would prefer not to say."
"Too personal even for me?" he asked stroking his wand.
Bellatrix hesitated before whispering "yes."
"Hmm, very well then," Bellatrix was on the floor withering in pain before she had realized the Dark Lord had even cast a spell.
"I don't take to well to being denied a response Bellatrix. You should know that."
The cursed was lifted and Voldemort began to pace the room, "now onto our next order of business."
Hermione paced as she checked her watch once again. It was half past midnight and she was starting to grow uneasy with the eerily silent night around her. Suddenly behind her, Hermione heard twigs snapping and immediately grabbed her wand. Slowly emerging from behind a tree was Bellatrix paler than usual and holding her side.
"Bella!" Hermione ran, reaching Bellatrix just in time before she fell to the ground.
"Bella, what happened? Please…tell me what happened?" Hermione pulled Bellatrix into her arms and began to brush the dark curls from her face with her free hand.
Bellatrix made a motion to sit up but was retrained by Hermione, "no, please listen Hermione." Bellatrix now up on her knees turned to face her. "Things are changing…it's not safe. It's not safe for us anymore."
Bellatrix stood and began to pace.
"Please Bella, not again. I thought we were past this. I thought we agreed…"
"Agreed to what?"
Hermione was now standing; facing the woman she loved fighting back tears. Not again. Hermione thought, not again.
In the midst of pacing, Bellatrix saw the pained expression on her face and immediately stopped.
Bellatrix closed in the distance and gently cupped Hermione's face in both hands. Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix's waist and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Not again, please," Hermione began to sob, "not again. You said we could be together…if we were careful. I have been careful, we have been careful please."
Now running her hands through Hermione's hair, she closed her eyes.
"Hermione?"
Hermione didn't respond but continued to sob silently her grip tightening around Bellatrix's waist.
"Hermione, please listen. Things are changing. The…the Dark Lord is changing. He is becoming more paranoid and vicious each day."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked through sniffles.
"Hermione," Bellatrix pulled out of the embrace and held her at arm's length, "there is something happening. We can't see each other anymore and no more letters. Something is about to happen and I want you to be safe. In order for you to be safe I need to put distance between you and me."
"When I am with you, I am safe Bella," Hermione whispered tears rolling down her cheeks.
Bellatrix pulled her into another embrace, their bodies pressed flat against one another.
Hermione pushed away from Bellatrix slightly bringing her gaze up to meet the dark witch's.
"Make love to me Bella, please," Hermione whispered her voice pleading.
Bellatrix sighed, "We don't have time for this."
Hermione took a moment to rein in her tears and stood straighter, "make love to me now!"
Bellatrix crossed her arms, "where? I am in no condition to make love to you on the hard, cold ground."
Hermione stepped closer and took both of Bellatrix's hands into her own, "come, I know a place in the castle."
Bellatrix tensed at the mention of Hogwarts. "Don't worry, I'll protect you," Hermione said winking and pulling her into a kiss.
Gently pulling her by the hand, Hermione led her slowly through the forest toward the imposing castle, but veered off into some sort of thicket and knelt.
Bellatrix heard the scrapping of metal, "what are you doing?"
"There is a tunnel that leads into the castle, now come on," Bellatrix rolled her eyes and followed. Once inside the castle, Hermione led her down a dark and, from what Bellatrix could tell, rarely used corridor.
Reaching the end of the corridor, Hermione closed her eyes.
"The Room of Requirement," Bellatrix whispered in shock as a small door appeared. She was surprised that the castle would allow someone like her to enter.
Taking a look around they both quickly entered and gasped at the sight that was before them. The room was illuminated by what seemed to be thousands of white floating candles. The fireplace in the room was lit and made the room feel cozy and inviting, but nothing was more inviting than the large bed that stood in the room's center.
Hermione turned to Bellatrix, "make love to me."
Bellatrix's lips came crashing down onto Hermione's and their tongues battled for dominance. The two women began to tear at each other's clothing as Bellatrix guided them to the bed.
Bellatrix took her time savoring the taste of the young woman beneath her. Hermione continuously ran her fingers through Bellatrix's curls relishing in their softness. As Bellatrix kissed a path down to Hermione's center, she tried to imprint every curve and moan into her memory. Although she would never speak it to anyone and would only admit it to herself just this once she loved and would miss Hermione. She would remember this night as long as she lived.
After making love, Bellatrix held Hermione while the young woman cried and then they made love again. Exhausted, Hermione had long fallen asleep and Bellatrix lay awake watching Hermione's sleeping form. For the first time since she was 18 Bellatrix felt hatred toward the one person she had sworn her love, life and loyalty. She had sworn her very soul to him and now she regretted it. She hated the Dark Lord. She hated herself. Because of who she was and what she had done she would never, could never be with Hermione. In the end it was all her fault. It would always be her fault. Bellatrix dressed slowly dreading her departure.
She gently brushed a stray curl from Hermione's forehead and placed a light but firm kiss to her lips. Bellatrix gently laid the letter she had written prior to their meeting on the pillow next to Hermione before quietly making her way to the door. Casting one last glance upon her, Bellatrix slipped into the darkness of the corridor, into the tunnel and out into the dawn.
Hermione awoke unware of time and happy. She thought about Bellatrix and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Reaching to her side, she felt the empty space and quickly sat up. Hermione snatched up the letter and brought it to her lips before ripping open the envelope.
Hermione,
I have no words to express the depths of my love, nor do I have any to express how my heart will ache after we have said our goodbyes. Over these past months, you have been my world, my salvation. You are the light in this dark, desolate abyss I call a life. You are the only thing I have that has made me human. Loving you has made me human and whole again. After tonight, when I can never see you again, I will cease to be human.
I will once again be the Dark Lord's most faithful servant, vicious and unmerciful. I will not promise that some members of the Order won't fall at my hands. Just know that I would and will never hurt you. I will do all I can to protect you. I love you, I will love always love you.
Yours eternally,
B.D.B
Hermione let the letter fall into her lap and began to sob loudly her shoulders shaking violently.
