A/N: So long time no see! This chapter has been a long time coming, and I do apologise for not updating sooner, but you wouldn't believe the rubbish month I've had. Seriously I have a list of things that have gone wrong this month it's like Karma's had a backed up list with my name on it. Oh she's been getting it too easy lets send some crap her way.
So not only do I have to work Bank holiday (i'm moody on sunday's so not happy to have to work both sunday and monday.) Then some idiot runs into my car! Been without a car for a month, which at first I didn't think would be too bad but boy I was wrong. Got a tattoo which is awesome. Struggled with uni, had really bad time at work due to an asshole and basically a crappy job. Had a panic attack, resigned from my job, crap score for assignment and still struggling to get my car back (Got it back to day thank god!) Plus on top of all that I had to pay insurance, which sucks in general. To top it off my microsoft word has died! It's like the end of the world people! (I've nicked my dads laptop.)
So yeah... Crappy month.
On the bright side, been introduced to amazing Anime! (I'm still watching the video, I'm nearly done!). So loads of inspiration mind you not in the right shipping, but inspiration is muse, regardless of who the characters are. I am thankful for all the amazing reviews! I haven't really been on Bella/Hermione shippings lately so I'm backed up on stories to read. I'm amazed how many reviews, favourites and followers I have seriously new record for me. We should throw a party or I could give you a really challenging chapter I've been dying to write for ages.
My grammar is crap not going to lie plus my tutor keeps pointing it out. I have cheated and got an online thingy to check for me, not sure if it's any good. If you are interested in being a Beta and can withstand a impatient author who has the patience of a four year old when it comes to writing. Then you're as good as hired (you won't make any money but it's the thought that counts) just drop me a pm or rant in a review.
Disclaimer, If I owned this do you not think the Harry Potter story would have ended differently? No I don't own any characters and no money has been made from this.
It's really late so I do apologise if there are any unusual errors, I've been checking for the last four hours, plus two hours of course work. (i'm pretty sure I'm meant to spend more time on coursework) Trust me, I am really bad when it comes to checking I start to fall asleep. So I'm going to sleep if there are any errors, I will come back tomorrow to fix, just quietly fume as you read.
By the way this chapter is laid out differently to the rest of the story, I wanted to try a different approach, another way of telling the story. So you still get all the important bits, I think it works but I'm biased.
Enjoy..
Keep Up
"Keep up!" the biting words lost their intended sting when they reached the wandering teen.
Hermione spares the dark witch a simple glance before jogging to catch up. Her legs are slowly becoming numb from constant walking, her feet beg for forgiveness. What had they done to deserve disrespect? Despite her bodies, protests Hermione had trouble wiping the smirk from her face. Bella sent her several glares every time she caught sight of the smirk, but it did nothing to stop it.
Ignoring the horrendous cold and chilling wind, Hermione kept herself warm with her memories.
"Stop it." Bella hisses, as they begin their descent down the side of a hill.
"Stop what?" Asks a clueless teen.
Eyeing the girl next to her, Bella grits her teeth she was not going to be played by someone younger than her. If the girl was going to act innocently then, she would deny all knowledge.
As though seeing the older woman's internal thoughts, Hermione's smile grew. She knew she was being unfair to the older witch, but this was the only leverage she had gained the entire time they spent in each other's company. Knowing they were at current safe, her mind wandered to her morning.
Warmth. Warmth cocooned her wrapping her in a safe bubble. As her groggy mind tries to catch up with her current condition, her eyes begin to slide open. There is no light in the dark room, but her eyes are finely adjusted by the time she goes to move. Her body halted by an immovable object. Tilting her head she stares incredulously at the arm holding. The taunt limb pulls her closer moulding her body firmly against the one resting behind her. She instantly freezes at the compromising situation. Swallowing, she peeks behind to find herself face to face with one Bellatrix Lestrange. The most feared death eater of the century, who is currently sucking... her... thumb...
Snorting, she covers her mouth with her hand to stop herself from bursting out laughing. Eyes bulging she quickly turns away afraid the witch may wake due to her stare. Her body shakes in repressed laughter. Despite the obviously affectionate embrace, it was spoilt by, Hermione's urge to roll around shrieking in hysterics. As though sensing the younger witch to be awake Bella tightens her hold.
Calming her thoughts, Hermione lies still taking the opportunity to feel safe. The thought is the only one to pass through her mind before the warm body behind her goes ridged. Hot breath against the skin of her neck turns to ice, as the hand on her body tightens before relaxing. Hermione doesn't move for fear of startling the waking witch.
Pop!
The sound of Bella releasing her thumb breaks the tense silence. Laughter soon fills the room, as Hermione buckles over. She gasps in pain as stitches poke their unwanted head in protest to her laughter. A disgruntled Bellatrix rolls of the bed scowling. She glares at the gasping form of Hermione, which makes the girl laugh even harder. A hex is sent the girls way before the older witch vanishes with a blush to her face. Twitching from the weak spell, Hermione brushes tears from her eyes ignoring the probing pain.
Sitting up, she manages to control her breathing. "I deserved that."
Bella shoots the girl walking next to her several glances, she was too quiet for her liking. Catching sight of the smile she groans. A part of her is slightly relieved that she didn't have wandering hands. She smirked herself, knowing from experience just what she was capable of when sleeping.
Hermione notices the smirk on the older witch's face, she frowns. Why is Bella smiling?
...
That night they had to break camp. Much like their first night in the forest except this time there was no tension, well no fear. There still was tension, sexual tension sparked between them like invisible lightning. Hermione fought with her inner ambitions, the urges that told her to throw her food away and pounce. However, this was just a small part of her mind, thankfully the sensible part was too concerned about keeping her toes warm. Bella was slouched next to her unfazed by the cold, Azkaban was good for building resistance to the cold. She poked the funny looking food in her tray wondering just how many supplies they had left. She had stolen most of their food from a Muggle town. She could have just brought food, but where was fun in that. She was glad she hadn't told the mudblood that the Muggle clothes she was currently wearing were the clothes of a dead person. She had feeling the girl wouldn't find the information reassuring.
Personally Bella would be flattered if someone went out, their way to supply clothes for free, but she wasn't going to start an argument over it. She wondered briefly what the girl would say if she knew that the previous woman who wore the coat Hermione was wearing died in a flash of light. Was it perverse that Bella intentionally took the clothes of a dead woman while she was still wearing them. The girl took that moment to look at her and Bella smiled, although the girl probably mistook the smile as reassurance when, in fact, she was remembering the deaths of the two women she killed.
The girl blushes and turns back to her meal, Bella's smile grew wider. Yes, this would most certainly be an interesting finale to their journey. Bella could sense they were getting closer to the end, the trials were becoming few and far between. They were no longer physically demanding, despite what the girl thought about being attacked by a werewolf, Bella knew the scar left mentally was a trial of its own. There were more similar trials to come, more mentally challenging she just hoped the girl was prepared for it. Because Bella feared that she wasn't strong enough to survive such trials.
If she has faith in me, there's a chance we can win this.
As the fire began to die down, Bella chose the moment to wrap the girl in an embrace. She stared intently at the fire watching the dying embers, her mind drifting to her sister. Just how far would Voldemort go to get information about her?
...
Sighing for the fourth time Hermione grumbled underneath her breath. They had run out of supplies yesterday, and there was nothing worse than a grouchy Bellatrix who hadn't been fed. Sighing in annoyance she sent a glare at the witch who was currently casting various curses at unsuspecting shrubbery.
"It's not the shrubs fault with got no food." Hermione finally spoke up.
A death glare greeted her, and for a moment she thought she would be the next unsuspecting victim.
"You know I hear mud is good to eat." The witch shot back before pushing her way through the forest.
"Really?" Came the sarcastic reply. "Because I'm pretty sure I remember someone saying there was nothing filthier than me."
"Wise words." Bella snarls.
"You just contradicted yourself." Hermione frowns in response.
"You just contradicted yourself..." Bella mimics. "Do you ever get bored of being a know it all?"
"Do you ever get bored of being a psychopath?"
Bella turns and for the third time that day Hermione wonders if she'll be joining the forest in misery. Black orbs drill holes into brown as Hermione stands her ground. They stare at one another, waiting for the right moment to strike. A vein pulses on the side of Bella's neck and Hermione swallows. Oh crap.
Crack.
"Ow!" Bella shouts rubbing her sore head, staring numbly Hermione replays the scene in her head to try to catch up.
Something had fallen from the tree striking the older witch on the head before landing on the ground with a sickening crack. Both witch's look down at the thing that had hit Bella. Lying on the floor is a fluffy squirrel it spasms before lying still. Staring in opened mouth shock, Hermione looks up to see where the squirrel had come from. Above them is a broken branch one that could not support the weight of the flying squirrel. We're going to have to bury it. She thinks to herself before looking back at the dead creature.
Bella kneels over the creature poking it with her wand, before looking at Hermione with a smile.
Oh hell no...
...
Huddled under her blanket Hermione shoots daggers over the burning fire. A smug Bella sits eating the remnants of the squirrel.
"Stop glaring I offered you some." Bella chirps happily smiling like a cat that caught the canary.
"I'm not eating a squirrel." Hermione growls turning away from the witch.
"More for me."
She had to admit it did smell good.
...
Hermione was hungry, she shouldn't have passed upon the meal, but she couldn't eat a squirrel. There was just no way she would eat it. Now she was inspecting some berries that could, possibly not be poisonous. She was sure she had read enough about wild plants to know enough, plus she knew the spells to cast to check. She thinks.
Plucking the berries from the bush she hears the witch scoff behind her.
"You don't have to eat them you know." Hermione grumbles.
"They're poisonous."
"I know what I'm doing." Hermione replies indignantly.
...
Hot liquid spilt from her throat. She was hunched over in the bushes, puking her guts up. The sniggering of her companion adding further insult to injury. Clutching a tree for support in one hand and holding her hair back with the other she spewed her dinner.
"I guess the squirrel didn't agree with you." Came the smarmy voice from their camp.
Bella shoots a warning to the girl watching her before puking. "Shut up," She hisses before wiping her mouth.
A bottle of water is placed next to her, and she looks up surprised to find the girl offering some help.
"You might want this."
Snatching the bottle up, she gulps down half the contents before wiping her mouth once more. Yes, tonight was a horrible night.
"Oh god," Hermione whispers. Bella glances at the girl who is turning green.
"What's wrong with you?" Bella grumbles.
"I'm going..." She turns quickly disappearing behind a tree.
Staring in wonder Bella wonders what's got into the younger witch before she hears the sound of the girl puking. She shrieks in laughter collapsing against the tree.
"I told you those berries were poisonous!" She cries in laughter wiping the tears from her eyes.
She's about to shout again when she once again throws up. The sniggering from Hermione continues followed by a told you so.
"You're in no place to criticise!" Bella shouts back.
...
Bella always had trouble understanding what it meant to share. No one had truly told her the rules, sure when she was at Hogwarts they tried. Her father tried to beat it into her. Voldemort liked the fact she couldn't share and her husband, was always too keen to share. Especially their bed. They were complete opposites in some ways where she refused to share anything, he would always willingly share. One thing she did manage to share though was her husband. She never thought it worth keeping him by her side. That was always her problem once she found something worth keeping she would keep it, wear it out until it was broken. That's when she would throw them away, when they became boring.
She understood she couldn't share, but she never understood why others also couldn't. If she wanted something she took it, regardless of who it belonged to. That's why she had much trouble when she was younger. She would take possessions that belonged to other people, students, family. She was like a magpie, she liked shiny things. It wasn't until she was older she started taking people as well as possessions.
One thing she knew though was people tended to get mad. If she took something that belonged to another they would be mad at her. She couldn't understand why, she had spent time in Azkaban they had taken years of her life, but she didn't mind. Perhaps she was good at sharing, maybe she just didn't like sharing other people's possessions. The ones she stole, perhaps that was Bella's problem.
She pondered these thoughts as she ran. Well to be correct they ran. The mudblood, was yelling abuse at her for being so careless, while clutching to her hand. The actions confused Bella because they did not add up with the words. If she was angry then why was she holding her hand? A bullet grazed the tree next to them causing Bella to laugh. Muggles were shooting at them with guns, and they were running away from them.
"Why are we running?" Bella shouts over the noise of the men chasing them.
"Because," Hermione puffs. "You stole their food."
True she had stolen the food from the hunters, but it didn't explain why they were running.
"Yes but why are we running?"
"I don't want... any more to... die!" She shouts back.
Oh that made more sense. Yes, now she understood why they were running also explained why the girl was holding her hand. She was stopping Bella for hurting the hunters. Well she would kill them but she sure as hell wouldn't run from them. She stops dead. Hermione's hand still clutched in hers. The sudden stop sends the girl spiralling to the floor.
By the time the girl is on her feet, it's over. She sees the fire elemental chasing the hunters.
"Why were we running?" Bella asks again listening to the shrieks of the men.
"Because..." Hermione trails off. "Because I'm hungry..." She sighs before grabbing the bag of goodies and searching through it for food.
Smiling brightly, Bella waits like an expected child, waiting for Hermione to give some food. She had been good and not killed anyone at least.
...
She couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she could feel the hands of the creature Greyback. She shivers beneath her blanket. Tears streak and make a river leading from her eyes. The remnants of the fire long since dead.
She felt cold inside. Every shadow haunted her. They looked like eyes watching her.
Smooth hands slip beneath Hermione's blanket causing her to jump. She turns to see beautiful black eyes staring deep into her soul. A searing kiss is pressed against her lips, she gasps. Hands pull her close. Tucking her away from the world.
"You're safe."
...
They spent days trekking through the woods. Hermione doubted they even knew where they were anymore. The woods or forest she didn't know where they were was void of any civilised life, which was to be expected except she had hoped to come across a town of some sort.
Some days they spent travelling in silence barely a word passed between them. When other days they would argue over the stupidest of things. It always ended the same way. Wrapped tightly in blankets. They would wake to find the other slumped against them. They had made a routine in the most unlikely of places.
...
On the second week, they came across a small town. The locals stared at them as they entered. For Hermione, it was uncomfortable. She had her wand drawn and stayed as close to the dark witch as possible. Bella too seemed wary of the attention, but it didn't deter her. There was a small B&B sitting on the edge of a road.
As casually as two strangers walking through a local village could they made their way to the small building. Glancing around Hermione could tell that this little place was a tourist attraction. Why would anyone want to... oh... Stopping Hermione grabs Bella's wrist. Before the woman can berate her, she points towards the Alps in the distance.
"We're in Switzerland?" Hermione breathes admiring the beauty in the distance.
"Didn't I tell you?" Bella enquires.
"No." Hermione grumbles, she doubted she would forget something like that.
"Yes well, there's nothing to admire we've been wandering around here for that last week, so get over it."
Dragging the girl behind her, Bella enters the small B&B to be greeted with smiling patrons.
Oh god, not again.
...
Bella was sleeping in the bed next to her. Sitting crossed legged Hermione played with the cover. It wasn't late they had just wanted to relax. Hermione had taken a shower, and when she was done, she came out to find Bella fast asleep. Unconsciously Hermione draped a blanket over the sleeping witch.
She wanted a drink, knowing the witch wouldn't mind she grabbed some Muggle money from the bag before exiting the room quietly. Earlier the B&B owner had showed them around before showing them to their joint room. Heading towards the small dining room where the bar was, Hermione took a seat. The owner was a lady in her mid forties. No more than five foot, she smiled continuously while chattering aimlessly. Her husband a chubby man, with a gentle smile offered polite responses during their tour, to fixated on drinking to join in.
"Hot chocolate?" A sweet voice interrupted.
Looking into the hazel eyes of the small woman Hermione smiled. "That would be nice."
"I'll add a flake and cream on the house." The lady says scurrying away.
Hermione couldn't remember the last time she had felt so welcome since beginning this trip. Relaxing she rests her head on arms, pulling a magazine to her. She didn't normally read magazine especially gossip ones, but these weren't normal circumstances. After a few minutes, the words became a blur as Hermoine fell into the depths of her own mind. She didn't understand. Well she didn't understand a lot of things, but she didn't understand Bella. Her feelings confused her. Bella's actions confused her.
"One hot chocolate," the woman says placing the steaming mug down in front of Hermione.
The sight of whipped cream and a chocolate flake floating in the hot chocolate made her water at the mouth.
"Thanks," Hermione whispers hugging the warmth of the drink close.
"Do you mind if I join you?" The lady asks smiling.
"Sure," Hermione answers throwing the magazine back to it's original spot. Pulling the flake from the hot liquid Hermione turned her attention to the older woman.
"Thank you, Alfred's not much company." The lady chuckles glancing lovingly at the man in the corner.
"It's okay, how long have you run this B&B?"
"Oh my dear that is a long story!" The woman laughed before reclining. "Where to begin?"
Time flew, and two hot chocolates and a coffee later, Hermione was sat comfortably chatting to both of Robinson's. They told her stories of how they came to own the small B&B how they met as child hood sweet hearts. It really was touching, but Hermione couldn't bring herself to swoon over the story. It was so stereotypical that it made her insides churn. She didn't know why. Wasn't this what she wanted with a husband in the future.
"So you're travelling with your sister?" Geraldine asks again diverting the topic from her husbands talk of fishing.
"Yeah little while now." Hermione answers automatically, it was surprisingly easy to learn that lie. She swirled the contents of her coffee, unsure whether she could stomach anymore.
"Quite an age difference."
Yes, there was. "I suppose, but doesn't honestly matter."
"You must really love her."
Hermione spluttered, "What!"
"Your sister," The woman replies confused.
"Oh right yeah of course." Hermione says fighting the flush spreading across her cheeks. Did she love Bella? "Very much..." Wait, where did that come from she could not love Bella?
"How did you meet?"
How did we meet? "She kidnapped me."
Why is she asking how they met after all Hermione had told her they were sisters.
"What school did you go to?" The woman presses.
Frowning Hermione repeats the sentence in her head. Did? "Hogwarts."
"Oh lovely school. So you were kidnapped."
Wait what? "Yeah, she wanted Tonks I just got in the way." What am I saying?
Shaking her head, Hermione looks up panicked from her cup. Something was seriously wrong, why was she answering?
"Why do you want to know?" Hermione demands rising to her feet.
"It's our turn to ask questions." Geraldine replies threading her fingers together and leaning against the table.
"Well I'm not answering them anymore." That was the truth.
"Is your name Hermione Granger?"
"Yes." No, wait what was she saying? You idiot what are you saying?
"You're currently travelling with Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Yes," NO!
"Well this is excellent my dear." The woman glides to her feet, her husband following. "You're safe now." She promises, it sounded hollow.
"I'm already safe."
The woman blinks repeatedly before smiling again it reminded her of Professor Umbridge. How had she not noticed this before?
"You can't be safe when travelling with that wicked woman you will never be safe." The woman spits.
Anger vibrates through her whole body setting it alight. How dare this woman tell her Bella wasn't safe. Granted Bella was unpredictable but she wouldn't hurt her. Not anymore. Bella was there for her, she held her when she cried, she protected her. Who were these to tell her Bella was not safe. She knew what they were doing was dangerous, knew what trouble they would be in if they lost thee trial. But none off that mattered if she had Bella. Sure everything they've done in this trial would go to waste if Bella made her wish. This didn't mean that Hermione could not make her own and she would rather go to hell that let Bella get her way.
Looking at the two vultures staring at her with hungry eyes, realisation dawned on her. They were going to take Bella away, they had slipped truth Veritaserum in her drink. She had drank three cups who knew how much they had given her. A part of her wondered if they had given something to Bella. Had they drugged her, was Bella even alive? Was there someone else in this building?
Too many questions swarmed her mind, she panics, before finding her composer. If she let these people have their way, Hermione would be handed over to either Voldemort or sent back to Hogwarts. Bella would either land back in Azkaban or handed to Voldemort that would mean only one thing - torture. Possibly death. She couldn't allow that. Even if they sent her home there was no telling how the trial would react. Would it let her leave if someone else intervened or would it drag her back to the beginning. Would she forever be trapped having to relive the trial over and over again, with no way of winning. She shudders at the thought. She couldn't let that happen.
Raising her wand, she scowls at the couple.
"What will become of Bella?"
"He who must not be named will pay handsomely for her."
"And me?"
"The order is looking for you, you can return back to your friends."
"I can't let that happen." Hermione answers truthfully.
"You do not have a choice in the matter." The lady says, glancing over at her husband.
Hermione notices the shotgun in the man's hands. It is leveled on her chest. One wrong move and there would be nothing left.
"Your muggles?"
"Of course what do you think we were?" The woman laughs bitterly. "My daughter is a witch, she sent word that there was a sighting of the two of you. We would have never of guessed you would walk in through the front door."
Hermione doesn't waste a second. She's moving just as her wand glows brightly blinding the two Muggles. They stumble backwards as Hermione grabs the gun from the man. She hears the two bodies hit the ground with a thump, but she doesn't turn to look. Instead she places the gun behind the counter before looking down at the couple slumped on the floor. She had used oblivate on them, wiping all memory of their conversation from their minds and the tour. All they knew, was two new guests have arrived.
She levitates the two to seat at the table. Organising the cups, she erases any presence of herself from the room. They will wake up believing they had fallen asleep talking. Taking one last look at the couple, Hermione slips from the room. She was angry, they had fallen right into another trap. How could she fall for such a trap. Entering their dark room, she sets to making their charms to protect them for the night. Sighing when the charms are in place she turns to the sleeping form. Bella is still fast asleep on her bed. Edging towards the bed, Hermione perches on the corner, before gently taking the pulse of the sleeping form .
"Still alive," Bella's husky voice fills the room.
"Just checking," Hermione murmurs pulling her hand away.
"Did you have a nice chat with Mr and Mrs fake?"
"You knew they were up to something?"
"I had a feeling," Bella replies rolling on her side to look at Hermione. "Wasn't sure what though. Did you have nice tea?"
"Hot chocolate," Hermione answers - damn her truthful answers.
"Hmm." Bella sighs sitting up, smiling triumphantly she trails her finger across Hermione's cheek. "Veritaserum, you can't lie. This can be very interesting."
Oh god.
...
A/N: I've never been Switzerland, so if the details were wrong lets just gloss over that. Secondly I have nothing against squirrels, in fact I love them, we have one that sits just outside my window and I've had one sit on my lap on holiday when I fed it. However the whole falling from the tree thing did happen except it didn't hit me on the head, I was sat at a park with a friend and next thing we know there's a dead squirrel next to me. It was funny I'm not going to lie, cruel but in a situation like that you either laugh or cry and I'm afraid I laughed. Not proud, but it was so out of the blue that it just startled me. I did consider giving it CPR but I doubt that would do much for a broken neck.
