A/N: Hey all so like I said the story is coming to an end so I give you a necessary chapter and added bonus of fluff for all you to enjoy. I think two more chapters and that will be the end of this story... maybe. Love to hear your thoughts guys, your reviews for the last chapter were incredible so thank you, all of you.
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable characters and no money has been made from this.
Enjoy...
Potion
A potion puffs out green smoke like a sizzling dragon as a spoon does one last stir. Notes jot in notebook and fingers tap restlessly in thought. The library a place of usual activity now a gentle hum of silence. The books offering wisdom and thought to the lonely individual stirring a storm. Her meticulous reading of notes complete, Hermione finally releases the spoon.
Her nerves dance like the shadows of the room, flickering to the beat of the candle and forever changing tune. She ponders her next actions aware she has re-read her notes three times. She finally slaps herself – mentally of course – and relaxes into her chair. Waiting, forever waiting, for a dark haired witch to join her.
The mumbling of words reach her ears announcing the approaching serpents into the lion's den, except she is no lion. Not at the moment. An intense argument makes itself known and she smiles to herself, only two witches could pass through Hogwarts in the dead of night and argue without fear of Professor's.
Two almost identical girls step into the room, completely immersed in their conversation they leave room for Hermione to study without reproach. Bellatrix is slightly taller than Andy due to her heels that click with power on the stone floor. Her hair longer by a few inches and her temper something to fear. Both girls possess an air of authority that comes with pure confidence and experience, but Andy's more relaxed face helps to disarm her strong presence.
"If there's no danger then why am I here?" Andy huffs, squatting down next to the potion.
"I've told you." Bellatrix growls her patience running thin. "We need a controlled environment, and we need you to deliver the oblivate spell."
"We just want to make sure we've covered everything that's all." Hermione interjects before Andy can speak.
Snorting, Andy sends Hermione incredulous look before snatching up the notebook. "The only reason I'm doing this is because you've got the ok from Professor McGonagall. Nevertheless, I want to read you're notes before we even start."
Nodding, Hermione stands to greet the frowning Bellatrix. Her hands slip around the soft curves of the dark witch, as her head comes to rest on the bony shoulder. Bellatrix relaxes into the touch, her hands gripping her hips as lips press to her neck. Hermione knows Bellatrix eyes are on the potion, can feel the witch vibrating with thought. She seeks shelter in the warm embrace wanting to stop her thoughts from running out of control. She has checked everything, gone through her book repeatedly. Nothing is missing. Still a small part of her worries, the little rebellious voice in her mind that whispers something is absent.
"You okay?" Bella breaths against her neck sending a small shiver down her spine.
Humming, Hermione buries further into the madness of black curls. Can feel the slightest smile from Bellatrix the hands on her waist squeezing in reassurance. There is something unique about Bellatrix scent, so comforting and so foreign at the same time. The potion has to work she needs it to work. The last few weeks Bellatrix has spent more time with Voldemort returning to Hermione with bruises and cuts lining her body. Hermione often returned to her room to find Bellatrix asleep in her bed, too tired to stay awake. On the days where Voldemort did not summon her, Bellatrix spent her time on the potion as much as she could.
Anger pulses through her veins, burning her and she wants nothing more than to hunt Voldemort down. Kill the man for hurting Bellatrix, for touching her. Any attempt to dissuade the witch from visiting Voldemort ended in arguments. Arguments that generally led to angry tantrums to ending up in bed. Hermione preferred the new way the arguments ended; an angry Bellatrix is a very possessive and hot Bellatrix.
"It'll work." Bellatrix promises, her lips grazing skin. "We've checked everything."
"I know…" Hermione replies peppering kissing at the dark witch's throat.
A low groan escapes Bellatrix and hungry lips find hers. The kiss is intense, burning her very soul and lips bruise. A tongue begs for entrance and she eagerly agrees.
Electricity shoots through her body and she is leaping away from a yelping Bellatrix. Back colliding with the bookcase, she winces as dusty book crashes onto her head and Hermione scowls at the flushing Andy.
"If I'm going to help, then there's none of that." Andy warns eyeing her furious sister wand prepared in case of retaliation.
"You're intent on cock blocking me aren't' you!" Bellatrix hisses wand rotating dangerously between nimble fingers.
"Alright we're sorry…" Hermione says rubbing her head.
"I'm not…" Bellatrix mutters.
"Can we get on with the potion?" Hermione asks ignoring Bellatrix.
Lowering her wand, Bellatrix grumbles as she leans against a bookcase. Aware she is hex free, Andy returns to the potion holding out a cup she pours a small amount of potion into it. Standing she eyes the two test dummies.
"Who's first?" Andy questions eyes darting between two witches.
"I'll go first." Bellatrix answers before Hermione can.
Frowning, Hermione sends Bellatrix a dirty look, receiving a slight shrug in response. She had hoped to be the first one to test the potion not wanting Bellatrix to be hurt if they missed anything. Bellatrix takes the empty chair, prepared for the first trial.
"How we doing this?" Andy wonders.
"Start simple," Hermione replies standing in front of Bellatrix. "I'm going to tell Bella something she doesn't know then oblivate it. Sound good?"
"Good idea as any." Bellatrix agrees.
Frozen, Hermione stares at Bellatrix, so focused on the potion she had not thought of anything to tell the witch. Glancing at Andy, she shrugs she could not tell Bellatrix anything she did not already know without damaging the time line. Thankfully, Andy saves her.
"When I was fifteen, I made out with Marcus on your bed." Andy announces happily.
"What the fuck Andy!" Bellatrix shrieks rising to her feet.
"Oblivate." Hermione whispers wand pointed at the fuming witch.
A white essence washes over Bellatrix, stopping the witch. Eyes blank before returning to their usual piercing stare. Anxiously Andy stands petrified as Bellatrix blinks at them in confusion before looking down to her seat.
"What did you say?" Bellatrix questions suspiciously.
"I don't really want to tell you." Andy whispers regretting her earlier words.
Bellatrix makes the decision for her, snatching the cup and taking a gulp of the potion. A pause endures their wait to see if the potion will work. Bellatrix remains standing staring off into the distance as though lost in thought. Wand ready, Hermione waits to see if the witch will remember Andy's admission. Dark eyes bore into Andy and Bellatrix smiles.
"We made out on your bed." Bellatrix smirks at the horrified Andy. "And we got further than kissing."
"Bella!" Hermione shouts not particularly fond of the memory of their lovemaking on Andy's bed.
"Merlin's balls." Andy mumbles.
"More like fingers." Bellatrix cackles.
"Oh god!" Hermione groans rubbing her eyes.
"I remember you saying something like that." Bellatrix grins.
"I hate you both!" Andy hisses face flushed.
Cackling happily, Bellatrix steps aside for Hermione to take the seat. Cautiously, Hermione sits eyeing both Black sisters suspiciously. Apparent that the potion worked for Bellatrix, Hermione wonders just what truth she will get.
"I spiked your drink at the Christmas Party." Andy admits.
"Son of a…. Don't you dare?" Hermione threatens Bellatrix but it is too late.
A cold numbness fills her mind; a haze covers her eyes passing as soon as it starts leaving her breathless and confused. Blinking at the two witch's staring at her, she wonders what the admission was. She searches Bellatrix face for something to give the witch away, except Bellatrix eyes keep flicking to Andy.
Taking the offered cup, she gazes suspiciously at the sweet smiling Andy before taking a swig. The taste is bitter; her body shudders as the foul liquid slides painstakingly slow down her throat. She casts a glare at Bellatrix who watches in amusement and Hermione frowns in annoyance at having no warning. Memories return with a calming speed gliding to the forefront of her mind and Andy's words sweep over her.
"Why did you spike my drink?" Hermione demands rising from her seat.
"Calm down," Andy says stepping away. "I overheard one of Vol…" Pausing at the glare directed at her from Bellatrix, Andy skips the name. "One of you know who cronies was talking about a raid and I thought you could do with some Dutch courage."
She remembers Andy offering her the drink and the rest of the night a blur of figures, fighting, spells and near death. Did whatever Andy give her save not only her life but the life of Bellatrix as well? She watches as Bellatrix sits back down ready for another test. Her mind still whirling. Is Andy the reason she could stop time or was that all part of her imagination? She makes a mental note to ask the witch what exactly she gave her.
"So this question needs to be bigger?" Andy asks.
"Wait if we're looking to get memories back then we'll be looking at old memories not fresh ones. We should remove an old memory and see if the potion can restore it." Bellatrix advises.
"It's a good idea." Andy agrees handing the potion over to Hermione, who takes the minute to refill it.
"We're going to have to increase the dose." Hermione adds. "Not too old though, we need to still start small a recent memory something that happened in the last year."
"I know the one." Bellatrix answers instantly. "Andy July 17th you know the one."
"You sure?" Andy asks.
"Do it." Watching the Oblivate spell consume Bellatrix, Hermione sends a questioning glance at Andy.
"If she remembers, then Bellatrix will tell you." Andy says as Hermione hands the potion for Bellatrix to take.
Drinking the potion, Bellatrix concentrates on the foul taste, waiting for the memory to return to her. She winces as the memory returns with force to the forefront of her mind. Swallowing, Bellatrix returns the drink and stands.
"July 17th we had the cousins round and cousin Sirius questioned my father on certain ideas. He received a particular nasty hex and spent the remainder of the weekend locked in the basement with father's dogs." Bellatrix informs them, running a hand through her hair, her eyes darkening at the memory. "How he survived three days locked in a room full of dogs without losing it I don't know."
"Shall we take a break?" Andy asks satisfied with Bellatrix answer.
Nodding, Hermione moves over to her stash of treats and offers pumpkin juice to both girls. Ignoring Bellatrix's request for something stronger, she chews thoughtfully on a chocolate bar. Did Sirius survive Cygnus Black's hounds because of his animagus or was that the cause for his animagus form? During her stay at Black Manor, she had not seen the hounds but she did hear them, the loud howling, barking and growling. In the mornings, she heard the beasts outside, the shouts from servants as the particular hounds got out of hand. From the dark looks on both girls, faces Hermione knew that Sirius did not leave with just a few scratches.
Shuffling, her foot knocks a fallen book on the floor. Looking down she frowns at the open page, her eyes catching the first paragraph.
Unanimated objects are often the first choice for enchantments; it will depend upon the skill of the witch or wizard to the power of the enchantment. In the days of old, swords, axes and arrows were often enchanted to deliver more pain to their victims whereas shields offer greater protection against spells. In recent times, enchanted items take the shapes of lockets, jewellery or in extreme cases knives to either offer personal protection or ever-lasting damage.
"Mia…" Andy questions placing her empty pumpkin juice on the spare desk. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah," Hermione nods stepping over the fallen book.
Taking the empty seat, she shuffles before placing her hands on her jeans. She tries to think of a recent memory to use as Andy fetches more potion. Bellatrix smiles, causing Hermione's heart to flutter. She wonders if the witch will return with her tonight. Their potion was going well; they would have to wait a few days to see if there are any adverse effects. Thankfully, it is the weekend and they have no lessons, making it easier for their observations to carry on without the effort of schoolwork.
"Any ideas?" Andy asks potion ready.
"The raid." Hermione whispers, willing to lose that memory if it meant forgetting the murder of the innocent farmer.
Raising her wand, Bellatrix sends her a reassuring look before everything goes blank for a second and Andy hands her the potion. Blinking, she swallows the vile tasting drink, hand clenching on her thigh at the horrid taste. Her fingers tingle, the potion restores the memory, and she relieves it.
Side stepping as the gun fires and her wand lights up. Something wet splashes against her face, coating her body in an ungodly red, making her flinch. A hand grabbing her arm, eyes go blank and she watches the farmer fall to the muddy earth.
Shuddering from the memory, she hands the cup back waving her hand at the offered help. She recounts the memory to Bellatrix, and watches as Andy recoils in horror. Running a hand through her hair, she thinks it is best to call it a night. They did not want to push themselves too far still unsure if there will be any side effects. Rising from her seat, she smiles as Andy begins to rant at Bellatrix, who just frowns and takes a bite of her chocolate frog.
"How could you be so stupid?" Andy demands fuming at Bellatrix.
A shiver runs through her body as the tingle in her fingers grows and she frowns. Was she suffering a side effect of the potion? A heavy thudding in her mind makes her vision blur and she fights the urge to faint.
"The situation was graver than you could possibly imagine!" Bellatrix snaps back at Andy.
The words echo in her mind and her breath comes in short puffs, the walls of the library closing in. Still they bicker and to Hermione's horror, her arm begins to throb. Memories rush through her mind, shouting, endless shouting and then it all begins to burn.
"Bella…" She hisses and concerned eyes find hers. "Something's wrong."
"What?" Hands reach and grab her biceps, they are strong and comforting but her mind is so far away that nothing Bellatrix says makes it through her maze of a mind.
"Dumbledore. McGonagall." She gasps as the pain in her arm breaks her and she collapses to her knees.
"All except… except the mudblood."
Pain rockets through her body, her veins pulse painfully and she is aware of a blue light before the ground rushes to meet her. HERMIONE. She can hear Ron shouting for her, the cold biting surface of the Malfoy floor. Bellatrix screaming.
Hands touch her body. She collapses a withering mess on the floor. A weight, a horrible pinning weight that makes her so powerless. Her bones protest at any move and it feels as though every cell in her body is alight with fire. A scream it rips from her throat as another crucio hits her body. She arches and the questions never stop. She begs. She never stops begging. Begging for the end one way or another.
The weight is back and blackness envelopes her mocking her with false safety before gleaming madness stirs. A knife. It cuts and carves. Breaks her skin and tears her veins and she cries. Her throat burns and her jaw locks and all around her everything is moving.
"What else did you take what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"
"Miss Granger." A whisper breaks her mind shattering everything into tiny pieces. "Albus her arm."
She recognises the Scottish voice, the voice usually warm but laced with nothing but concern. Her body is burning, a fever? Her mind is on fire and she wonders if she has finally lost it. Her bones feel lifeless and tremors make her twitch.
A horrible pain pierces her skin, however her throat is dry and there are no more screams. Instead, her brown eyes lazily roll to see. Under her tired gaze, the words return a gleaming red mark for all to see. Mudblood.
"Hold her Minerva." Faintly her mind wonders just how Dumbledore is alive when strong hands grasp her arms. Her nerves automatically fight and pain rockets and she wishes for release from this. "Poppy!"
She is not sure if she has ever heard Dumbledore shout, only on this unsuspecting night. Her glazed eyes land on the two huddled figures in the far corner. She blinks why is Bellatrix Lestrange crying. Why is she hugging Andromeda, that's going to end badly especially after Bellatrix kills Tonks.
Wait.
Dark eyes meet hers and Hermione wonders if she should have some sick sense of satisfaction at making her torturer cry. No. She is not her torturer. Is she? No that is Bellatrix Black who is hugging her shaking sister.
"Hermione." Minerva whispers a tentative hand touches her wet cheek. "Can you hear us?"
She's Mia not Hermione, isn't she? Hermione died. No. She is alive just not here. A darkness tugs at her mind and she does not fight. She welcomes the impending blackness.
"We're losing her."
Her eyes slip close as everything falls quiet.
~~~~~ Turn Time ~~~~~
Death will show them no – mercy.
She wakes with a start, jumping in her bed. Her head throbs and she collapses backwards the pillows embracing her. Groggily, she stirs slightly, her limp hand falling flat against her face with a slap and she groans. Rubbing her eyes, she stares up to the ceiling. Vaguely aware that this is not her bedroom. In fact, she is in the hospital ward – again.
Struggling, she tries to sit up, wanting to reach for the elusive glass of water only a few feet away on the trolley. Her body protests at every turn and she wonders why when she needs water her body has failed. Heaving a sigh, she finds her voice her throat is hoarse and breath causes pain. Great. She is going to die of dehydration in the hospital ward.
Shuffling makes her jump causing a limb to flap awkwardly her body still moslty unresponsive. She turns her head to the shadow by her bed and smiles. Bellatrix is asleep next to her bed on a wooden chair. She contemplates waking the witch except she settles to just watching the sleeping beauty. Wondering when her foggy mind will inform her how she ended up in the hospital wing again.
"You're staring." Bellatrix's voice startles her from her thoughts and she smiles at the stirring Bellatrix.
She wishes to speak, wants nothing more than to reply, but her throat feels as though it were set on fire. She settles for what she hopes is a gentle smile but still not sure, if her muscles in her face are functioning. Going by the small grimace from Bellatrix, she assumes she is pulling a face and not a smile.
"Thirsty?" Bellatrix questions stretching like a cat and Hermione nods eagerly wanting to rehydrate her tongue.
Rising from her chair, Bellatrix pours her a glass of water and Hermione eyes the drink eagerly. Reaching out, Bellatrix helps Hermione to sit before sliding a straw into the glass and offering the drink. She nearly moans as the cold water touches her tongue and slurps un-lady like as Bellatrix smirks in the dark.
As Bellatrix places the drink aside, Hermione feels her body beginning to wake. Shuffling back, she relaxes into the pillows behind as Bellatrix perches herself on her bed, a warm hand enclosing hers.
"How you feeling?" Bellatrix asks with a small squeeze.
"Tired and like I've danced with a giant that had more than two left feet." The words graze her lips and leave her sore, but feels good to work her throat again.
Snorting Bellatrix shakes her head before peering at her form beneath her curtain of hair. "You don't remember what happened?"
"Not yet, if this is a result of another duel then I hope you didn't cheat again."
The hand holding hers tightens and Bellatrix smiles sadly refusing to meet her eyes. Frowning, Hermione wonders just what's got into the other witch, when her eyes catch her own arm. A simple white bandage sits on her forearm, a tint of red leaking through. Mudblood. Swallowing, she holds back the tears as she stares at the covered mark, memories sliding to the forefront of her mind. She's grateful for the hand holding hers, grateful for the comfort.
A sigh escapes unbidden from her lips and she smiles softly at Bellatrix still refusing to look at her. Pulling the hand to her lips she kiss the witch's fingers, feeling strangely empty inside. She holds no hate, no fear or anger, almost nothing stirs beneath her ribs. She should feel remorse, pain maybe hate or fear, except there is a void.
"Did you have any adverse effects from the potion?" Hermione asks.
Scoffing, Bellatrix fiddles with her hand. "No I was fine. Dumbledore confiscated the potion and tested it. McGonagall checked the notes she can't find anything wrong, only that we may have used the wrong dose."
"So really the potion works, although a little too well." Hermione reasons, the potion or their actions must have caused a trigger in her mind. "We'll have to test it again to be sure but I think it'll work."
The bed dips and bounces as Bellatrix launches herself to her feet. Her heels clacking loudly, her wild hair bouncing on her shoulders. Confused, Hermione clutches her sheets, eyes darting about for her wand. She does not fear Bellatrix, but it was always prudent to be cautious when regarding the eldest Black sister.
"Are you completely mad?" Bellatrix shouts, eyes a blaze with fire.
"It works, Bella the potion works!" Hermione replies, unsure why the witch is reacting the way she is.
"And you are lying in the fucking hospital ward!" Bellatrix stalks to edge of the bed gripping the metal bars so tightly that her hands go white.
"So, I'm fine." A cackle erupts from Bellatrix as she shakes her head in disbelief at Hermione's sentence. "This is a breakthrough in the history of potions!"
"You. Relived. Torture." Growls Bellatrix. "It's not a breakthrough it's a fucking PISS UP!"
"We've proved it works." Hermione groans shifting in her bed feeling vulnerable in her current prone position. "A few more tests and it'll be perfect."
A horrified look crosses over Bellatrix's face; her jaw opens and closes several times before she runs a hand through her hair. Hermione tries to judge the other witch, not able to get a precise read of her emotions.
"The potion doesn't work." Bellatrix breathes, once more coming to rest on the edge of the bed.
"It does, we're proof of it! Bella please we can do this." Hermione pleads, asking the witch to see reason.
"You died." Bellatrix whispers the words echoing in the ward and slapping reality into Hermione. "Dumbledore and McGonagall tried to calm you, when you just stopped moving altogether. Madam Pomfrey arrived in time to save you."
A breath of air escapes her lips and Hermione collapses on to her cushions. Her eyes landing on a particularly uninteresting spot on the far wall. She died. Covering her face in her hands, she manages to avoid the piercing gaze of Bellatrix. Her eyes burn with unshed tears and a slight fire ignites inside, burning the void until there is a small inferno.
"It's to be expected." Hermione admits after several minutes of silence. "We knew to regain memories you have to cause shock. Obviously too much of the potion will cause a shock."
"Forget the POTION!" Bellatrix roars, throwing a harmless table flying. "You died Mia! You lay there dead while Professor's stood around you trying to bring you back. I thought you were dead!"
"Bella…" Hermione murmurs, wanting to reach for the witch but unable to do so due to the pain. "It's okay…"
"DON'T." Bellatrix hollers stalking forwards. "Don't you dare lie there and tell me it's okay. You weren't there! You didn't sit and watch the woman you love suffering from a torture past and die!"
Gaping at the fuming witch, Hermione's brain stutters to catch up to the admission. The dark witch is still fuming, not fully aware of the bombshell she dropped. Bellatrix loves her. Truly loves her. Moreover, seeing her future torture of the woman she loves has broken the Slytherin. Tears slip from Hermione eyes, what has she done? Bellatrix will be responsible for all of this. They both will.
"I'm so sorry." Hermione breathes tears falling freely.
The mad witch pauses at the tears and anger visibly leaves Bellatrix body. Strong hands cup Hermione face as lips collide. Fisting a hand full of robes Hermione clings to the witch. Lips pull away and arms wrap Hermione in a shell of safety. There is still pain stilling her movements, but Hermione allows Bellatrix to consume her.
"I love you." Bella whispers against a salty cheek, Hermione tries to turn to kiss the woman; the hand on her neck stills her. "Don't, don't say anything."
Content, Hermione nestles into the safe arms, already feeling sleepy from their conversation.
"You've been out for three days." Bella confides her arms tightening as she clambers on the bed with Hermione.
"Three?"
"Pomfrey wanted to keep you under observation so she induced sleeping draughts." Bellatrix answers.
Bellatrix drapes a cover over them, smiling into the shoulder; Hermione presses a kiss to the exposed flesh. She knows if Pomfrey finds them like this, Bellatrix will get into trouble. She does not care though, happy to have the witch so close.
A/N: Sirius's torture at Cygnus Black hands may sound a little mundane but I'm imagining not so nice dogs. Okay I enjoy Bella and Andy interactions and this will probably be the last one we get so enjoy. There is something I missed to add but I am knackered guys and I'll remember tomorrow no doubt. And we can't help a little fluff can we.
Again thank you all for your reviews I look forward to hearing what you have to say. Till next time.