Are you all ready for the next one?
Just to remind everyone that I havent got a beta and all mistakes are my own. I do try my best to catch them all but I'm sure some have slipped through.
EnJoy...
Chapter 14.
The room was deathly silent as they walked in, first Hermione then Bellatrix and bringing up the rear Harry. As the younger woman turned to face the crowd she noticed not one set of eyes was on her. Everybody in the room was staring at the dark woman who stood by her side.
"Ladies and Gentleman, it's good to see you all. I would like to start by introducing Miss Bellatrix Black, she will be working alongside most of you through out her time on the program. I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that any physical, verbal or mental abuse made against any member of staff will not be tolerated. Those found responsible for any of these will face the harshest punishment available." Every eye now focused on her she continued.
"As I'm sure you are all aware by now, we are sharing space with the aurors department. This means that it will mostly be two to an office. You will each find your name on the doors of your allocated space. All of you have been sent a starter pack and your individual cases and assignments, I expect nothing but the best from my team. I trust you will all dedicate the necessary time and effort it takes to make this department a success." Stopping for a moment to allow her words to sink in.
"Are there any questions?" she asked sweeping her eyes across the room.
"Yeh I got a question, What work is Lestrange doing?" Hermione couldn't see the face of the man whose voice was just a little to sharp for her liking, he was right at the back.
"Step forward please." she said. She wanted to see the owner of the harsh voice, he could potentially be trouble.
There was a moment of shuffling amount the people, until a short middle-aged man wearing a bright blue wizards robes stood in front of her.
"Mr Gerard, I believe I made it clear that her name was Black and please remember to address her as Miss. And in answer to your question, Miss Black will be working in almost every sub division of this department. Apart from yours of course Mr Gerard, she will have no need for admin skills, so you need not worry." She finished giving him a slightly sarcastic smile. She knew that she really should not provoke any of her staff in such away, but Daniel Gerard had not been one of her choices. He had been sent through by the ministry "a spy" as Bellatrix had said. She had worked with the man before and had found him difficult and rude.
"Any more questions?" she said looking over his head to address the rest of her staff, ignoring his outraged puffs. She was happy with her decision to give him the smallest office available, it was little more than a broom closet.
"Miss Granger, will we be given time to organise our area's or do you want us to start on our cases straight away?" asked a young woman Hermione recognised from Hogwarts she had been a couple of years below her in Ravenclaw. She was one of Bellatrix's recommendations.
"No Miss Ashback, you will be given today to sort your offices and such and I expect work to begin properly tomorrow." She answered giving the girl a smile. Trust a Ravenclaw to ask such a thing.
Questions like that went on for a further twenty minutes or so, until a familiar voice broke through from the side of the room.
"Miss Black, which area will you be working in first?" The woman said as she stepped out from behind Neville. Hermione would recognise that fair skin and dark hair anywhere. It was none other than Pansy Parkinson.
Bellatrix hadn't been facing the crowd opting instead to focus on other things like a spider in the corner of the ceiling or her nails. But at the sound of her name she turned to look at her fellow slytherin.
"I believe I'll be starting in research." was the short, straight to the point answer.
Pansy's grin was one that could rival the Cheshire cat himself.
"That's my department." she said quietly.
"I am aware of that." Bellatrix answered an eyebrow ached.
"Well then Miss Black, I look forward to working very closely with you." she said with an odd look on her face, Hermione would have sworn she had just leered at the dark witch. Clearing her throat she focused on the rest of her staff once more.
"Thats enough questions for today. If you have anymore or should any problems arise feel free to come to my office, if I am unavailable you can see Harry. Please find your allocated space and organise it as soon as possible. The hard work starts first thing tomorrow."
Everyone made their way past the trio and out the door. When the last person had left Harry excused himself to do a patrol, leaving Hermione and Bellatrix alone.
"That went better than I planned." the young woman said with a sigh of relief.
"Mmm, I must admit, I half expected a lynch mob when we walked in." Bellatrix said following Hermione out the door and into their office.
"There's still time for it yet." she smiled looking over her shoulder at the dark woman. "Which side would you prefer?" pointing between the desks.
Bellatrix moved to the far side of the room, picking the space furthest from the door.
"Right, let's get started" the brunette said pulling out her wand her other hand full of shrunken boxes and files.
The day had progressed slowly for all in the new department. It was four o clock in the afternoon and everyone was almost finish setting up. Hermione had told them that as soon as they were done and she had done a quick inspection they could leave.
Just as Bellatrix passed the brunette the last of the boxes to empty there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Hermione said not turning around from emptying it on to her desk.
"Miss Granger, Miss Black, the research lab is ready for your inspection."
"Thank you Miss Parkinson. We will be along shortly." she said still not turning to face the woman.
"Was there something else Parkinson." Bellatrix snapped when she hadn't left. Pansy was stood in the doorway staring at the older woman.
"As a matter of fact there was Miss Black, my uncle says to say hello to you and that he hopes he will get to see you soon." she said smirking.
At her words Hermione spun round. "And who is your uncle?" she snapped, frowning at her old enemy.
"Gilbert Hugh of course he and Bella..I mean, Miss Black go way back." she said smirking as she turned and walked away.
"Old friend of yours?" Hermione asked surprised at the jealousy she felt rising.
"Not exactly, the man my husband was in love with. After all this time, he still thinks it bothers me. Idiot." she answered staring after the woman who just left.
"Oh, well, try not to let it wind you up. Lets get this inspection done then we can go home, they are the last one." she said gently rubbing the dark womans arm as she passed.
"Thank God." she said quietly.
After a quick inspection Hermione declared the research lab ready for use the next day.
"Thank you everybody, enjoy your evening. Get a good nights rest, tomorrow we begin." with that said all the research staff said their goodbyes and left.
Not wanting to hang around the Ministry longer than they needed to Harry apperated them from his office straight to Hermione's house.
"Ahh it's good to be home." said Harry as they walked thorough the front door.
"Drink?" Hermione asked the other two as she walked towards the library.
Neither answered but both followed, Bellatrix sat down on the sofa and Harry took a seat in the arm-chair opposite her. The younger woman passed out glasses of firewhiskey and sat next to the dark-haired witch.
After a moment of quiet Harry looked at his friend. "Not a bad start was it?" he said it was more a statement and not a question.
"No, a few hiccups here and there but they were easily sorted." the brunette replied.
"How was your first day Bellatrix?" he asked leaning back in his chair.
"As well as can expected I suppose. Fine." she said taking a sip of the amber liquid.
"Stop me if I'm wrong, but did you think there was something a little... odd about Pansy Parkinsons behaviour towards you at all." Hermione asked turning towards the dark woman.
"Nothing other than the usual pure blood, slytherin traits no."
"Did you?" she turned to Harry.
"A little." he said hesitantly.
"Whatever it was, I'm sure it will stop when she's distracted by the real work." he answered not looking at her. He knew he should tell them about the conversation he had over heard between her and a friend from another department. But he did actually believe that she wouldn't go through with her plan once she was busy. Besides he wasnt one hundred percent sure if she was being completely serious.
"I've got a few things to take care of, I'll see you both later." he said finishing his drink and standing to leave.
"See you later." Hermione said watching him walk out the door. Turning her attention back to Bellatrix she decided it was time to find out what exactly had the woman vexed about today. She had spent enough time with the older woman to know that "fine" meant something completely different to her.
"So how was your first day, real answer this time." she said offering the older woman a knowing smile.
Sighing Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Alright, I hate people staring for no reason. And it seems that most of the idiots that you have employed have that particular problem." she said, standing up and pacing the floor. It wouldn't bother her so much if she had actually given the morons an excuse to keep slowly walking past their open door just to catch a glimpse of her, but all she had been doing was helping Granger unpack.
"Bellatrix, try to understand that seeing you inside the ministry calm, not throwing curses at people or hexing anyone, is really out of the ordinary for most of them. They are afraid and just waiting for you to be...your old self. But they don't know you, they havent seen the changes that Harry and I have. Give them a chance, in a few days everyone will be so used to you being there, they will basically ignore you." While she had talked she had stood up and stopped the dark womans pacing by placing her hands on her shoulders.
"We shall see Granger." She said. Very aware of the proximity of the girl Bellatrix took a step back.
"Shouldn't we be brewing a certain antidote now." she said looking at the girl through hooded eyes. The dark womans body had reacted to the girl again reminding her of their earlier agreement.
Sighing Hermione turned towards the door. "Can I at least go change my clothes first?" she asked sarcastically.
"If you really must, but only because I don't want to be left with Potter babysitting again while you go traipsing around London looking for new ones." she replied with her usual air of arrogance. She couldn't help watching the girl leave the room. Surveying her body as she left, her rear end in particular.
Shaking her head, she knocked her drink back and left the library. She decided that she had better change her clothes too if she was assisting the girl. Before that though she needed to give Narcissa her promised update. Walking into her room she grabbed her copy of dark magical creatures.
Cissy,
I start in the research lab tomorrow. I should be able to get access to the archives through there. I'll tell Granger I need to check some past experiments or some nonsense. Tell those two I will have the required information with in a week. Then they are to return what is yours.
Bella.
Placing it back on shelf, she changed her clothes and went to knock on Hermione's door.
Hermione opened the door and stepped out.
"I don't need an escort, I know the way to my kitchen." she snapped. It had upset her more than she cared to admit that Bellatrix could think that she would do what she was accusing her of.
"You were taking your time, the sooner we get this done the sooner things can get back to normal. No more distractions." she replied choosing to ignore Hermione's tone.
"If you say so."
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Once in the kitchen Hermione gathered all the equipment needed.
"I presume you know which ingredients go into this?" she asked placing a cauldron on the stove.
Bellatrix nodded.
"You will find them all in the pantry, through that door there." She said pointing to the other side of the kitchen.
It took the dark-haired woman a few minutes to gather all that they would need, by the time she returned the younger witch had set up their work station and immediately set Bellatrix to chopping and crushing the ingredients.
They worked in silence until all that was left to do was let the potion simmer, stirring it anti-clock wise every three minutes.
Leaning against the counter Bellatrix watched as Hermione cleaned up.
"Are you giving me the silent treatment?" she asked smirking a little.
"No, just busy. I needed to concentrate." she replied as she put the knives and chopping boards in the sink.
"This potion is remedial, your elf could have brewed it in his sleep."
"Fine, I just have nothing to say that won't cause an argument ok, so just drop it." she snapped.
"Why would we argue. You admitted to tampering with my medication and you are remedying it." the dark woman said standing up straight.
"I admitted nothing, the only reason I offered to brew the damn thing was to shut you up and to make you see there was nothing in your potions." Hermione replied her voice slightly raised.
"Careful Granger, I won't tolerate another one of your outbursts. It no longer matters what you say or I believe, I shall be back to normal in a few hours, once this takes affect." she said pointing towards the stove.
"Tell me Bellatrix, why the hell would I slip you a lust potion? It would be no benefit to me at all. You are not the only one that needed no distractions through this project. It's been hard enough having to deal with setting the rehab department up without having to deal with a horny deatheater. Why the fuck would I put myself through all that?" she hissed at her house mate starting to get angry at her.
"How do I know how your brain works. Maybe you felt that was the only way of staying in control. Or perhaps it's a sabotage. Your best idea to distract me and in turn I fail at completing the program." she snapped back. Taking a step towards the girl, forcing her back against the sink.
"Is it so hard to think that maybe you actually just like me? That maybe you feel something towards me?" she asked looking up at the woman in front of her.
"Not possible, I've never had any wish to be intimate with a female, or someone as young as you. Not to mention some one of your blood status. So why now Granger? A potion is the only plausible explanations. And as you are the only one with access to them..." she didn't finish her sentence, but the accusation and insult was there plain as day.
Hermione's face fell, the last comment hurt. She had thought Bellatrix had changed. She had spent weeks with this woman. She had hoped that her stand point on blood purity had changed. Believed that by working closely with her that she had shown her that they weren't ultimately any different.
"I'm sorry you feel that way." she replied quietly. She couldn't bring herself to look at the dark witch. She turned away n walked to the door.
"Where are you going?" Bellatrix asked surprised at the girls sudden change of mood. She didn't think she had said anything wrong or particularly harsh.
"You are able to finish the antidote, it will be ready in five minutes." she said as she left. "Shilo!" she shouted in the foyer.
With a pop the little elf appeared by her side. "Yes Miss Hermione" he said smiling at his mistress.
"Can you prepare dinner for Mr Potter and Miss black please." she asked looking down at him.
"Yes Miss, is you wanting Shilo to bring you some to your room miss?"
"No thank you, I've lost my appetite." she said as she walked towards the stairs, making her way to her bedroom. She suddenly felt exhausted. Bellatrix had made feel as though she had failed at this entire thing. And that was a feeling that didn't sit well with her. Stripping off her clothes she got into bed.
"What did you honestly think would happen Hermione? That she would shed a life time of beliefs in a few weeks. How stupid are you." she said to herself as she lay staring at the ceiling. At the start of this, you wanted someone who would shut up, do as they were told and get the job done fast, she thought. "Be careful what you wish for Hermione" she said softly. Closing her eyes, thoughts rushing round her head she fell into a restless sleep
A few hours later Harry walked into the kitchen to find Bellatrix eating alone. He sat down opposite her and a plate of food appeared in front of him.
"Where's Hermione?" he asked as he tucked in to his dinner.
Bellatrix shrugged and continued eating.
"Have you two fallen out again?" he said putting down the knife and fork and picking up his drink.
"No." came the snapped reply.
"Oookaay, so did she have work to do or something?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
"I am not her keeper, nor am I attached to her hip Potter. I already told you I don't know where Granger is." she snapped and let her cutlery fall to the plate with a clatter.
"Ok, sorry. I just thought she might have told you." he said raising his hands in surrender. He knew she was still in the house, she wouldn't leave Bellatrix there alone.
The dark woman stood up and left the kitchen. She wanted a bath and to go to bed, she had taken the antidote they had brewed earlier and one of the side effects was drowsiness. A fact she had forgotten that morning when she had insisted Hermione fetch one for her.
A moment later she heard Harry climbing the stairs behind her.
"Why are you following me?" she snapped as she spun around to face him.
"Calm down, I wasnt following you. I'm coming to find Hermione I really need to speak to her." he said a look of shock on his face. He had decided while he was out to warn his friend about Pansy Parkinson's plan.
"Oh, is it important?" she asked knowing that as soon as he got within a few feet from her room, he would be affected by the charms placed on it.
"Yeh pretty important." he answered frowning slightly.
"I'll look in her room, you go look in that one she runs in." she said pointing down the opposite hallway.
He would never understand Bellatrix Black, one minute she was snapping your head off and the next she was offering her help. She was so different than he ever imagined. But then again all women were a mystery to him, he never would understand a females mind.
"Thanks if you find her can you send her to the library please?" he said turning to walk in the opposite direction. Bellatrix nodded, walked to the young woman's door and knocked.
When no answer came a moment later, she opened the door and let herself in. The room was dark, unable to see if the girl was in her bed, she moved closer. She saw her laying there fast asleep.
"lumos" she whispered quietly as not to frighten the woman awake. Sitting on the edge she could make out the tense expression on her face, even in sleep she worries Bellatrix thought.
"Granger, wake up" she said softly. She felt a bit uneasy, she had never been this gentle with anyone, the antidote obviously isnt working yet she thought. Hermione didn't stir. Rolling her eyes she tried again.
"Granger, Potter needs to see you." she said a little louder this time. The young woman still showed no sign at opening her eyes.
"Hermione." she said gently shaking the sleeping woman's shoulder.
Hermione groaned and turned onto her back. Opening her eyes and realising who had woke her she shot up.
"What are you doing?" she snapped.
"Potter needs to see you." Bellatrix answered, distracted by the fallen blanket that had left the woman's near naked form exposed to her.
Hermione looked down at herself and smirked.
"Antidote not working yet?" she said sitting back against the headboard exposing more flesh. The only thing keeping her modest was a red lace bra and matching pants.
"It would seem not." the dark witch replied now raking her eyes over the toned muscles of the woman's abdomen.
"See some thing you like?" she asked sarcastically, crossing her arms causing her cleavage to become more pronounced.
Bellatrix reached a hand out and slowly slid it across Hermione's stomach.
Holding in a groan, the young woman grabbed the hand slowly moving its way up her body and pushed it away.
"Remember Bellatrix, I'm still just a mudblood." she said harshly. Slipping her legs out of the bed she stood and walked to the wardrobe. Wrapping a robe around her frame she turned back to the stunned dark beauty still sat on her bed.
"Did Harry say what he wanted?" she asked casually as if nothing had happened and she hadn't been laid near enough naked next to Bellatrix.
"No, what do you mean your still just a mudblood?" she said standing up and walking over to the woman.
"One of your reasons as to why you would not be attracted to me, remember" she replied looking the woman straight im the eye.
"You misunderstood, if you hadn't run out before you would know what I meant. I..."
"I don't have time for this now. I need to speak to Harry, where is he?" she interrupted the older woman. She wasnt interested in her excuses.
"Fine, can we speak when you are done with him?" she asked. She couldn't explain why she felt the need to justify her words to this woman. But she wanted too.
"Wait here I'll be back as soon as I can." Hermione replied, softening a little at the confused look on the other woman's face.
Bellatrix nodded once. "He is waiting for you in the library."
"Thank you, I'll be back in a few minutes." she said turning and leaving the room.
"Harry, what's happened?" she said as she walked in to the room and saw her friend sat on the sofa head testing against the back.
"Hey 'Mione. Nothing yet. Come sit down for a sec I'll tell you all about it." he said patting the seat next to him.
Sitting on the edge of the chair she faced her best friend. "Whats going on?"
"Today at work I happened to take by lunch break at the same time as Pansy Parkinson, and I over heard her and a friend talking about Bellatrix." he started.
"Ok, but everyone has discusd her in one way or another." she replied frowning. It was true when ever her and Bellatrix left their office the dark woman's name was on everyone's lips.
"Yes but not in the same way. I heard her making plans." he said raising his eyebrows and tilting his head forward.
"Right, well what plans?" she said impatiently,
"Um well, you see I can't be sure she was serious, I mean she could have been joking around, but you should know. Because if something negative where to happen, well..."
"Harry, your rambling. Just spit it out." she was getting frustrated with her friend. He only ever got like this if it was something really bad or really embarrassing.
"She's planning on seducing Bellatrix." he said quickly. Breathing a sigh of relief now that he had said it.
"Really?" she said disbelieving.
He just nodded.
Hermione burst out laughing. "Wait till I tell her.
"What's funny Mione, this could be serious. If Parkinson actually goes through with it the consequences could be terrible for Bellatrix. They could be setting her up. It's sabotaging her success." he said staring at his friend as if she had gone mad.
"I'm sorry, your absolutely right Harry. Why don't you tell me exactly what she said so that I can warn Bellatrix." she said, still smiling a little.
"Well I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I heard her say that she would do anything to be part of the black family, that "Bella" is hot and she would soon be working close enough with her that she could make her move without you interfering." he said in a rush, clearly he was a little embarrassed talking about sex and Bellatrix in the same convesation.
"Ok Harry, thank you for letting me know. I'll tell Bellatrix to be on her guard for a while." she said standing up and walking out the door. She made her way back to her room.
"I bet you'll never guess what that conversation was about." she said walking over to the bed, from across the room it looked as though Bellatrix was awake sat up leaning against the headboard as she was. Looking closer at the dark woman Hermione noticed she was fast asleep. It can wait till morning she thought.
Instead of waking the sleeping woman to get into her own bed, Hermione covered her with the duvet. sliding in gently next to her she fell asleep.
At some point during the night the pair had moved, the younger woman was laid facing the door and Bellatrix had moved up behind her almost spooning her their legs had entwined and the dark womans hand was resting gently on Hermione's left breast.
There you have it. I feel as though this story has become boring or stale.
I'm trying my best to keep it interesting for everyone. please let me know what you think...
more to come soon. xx