Thanks again, as always, for all your review, favorites, and follows. They are awesome and make me smile every time I get an email notification about it.
Alexa: You're totally fine! I totally understand about exams and that, trust me. I hope they go okay (or did)!
Delilah Moon: I really appreciate your review! I always love hearing from new readers, and it makes me happy you're all enjoying it!
Also, I don't remember if I said Hermione was 17 in other chapters, but apparently she's 18 turning 19 in September. She's old! So anyways, sorry for that mistake if I made it anywhere.
Also, also, this isn't that important, but if you want to know what my Bellatrix's hair looks like, you can go to google and type in 'Helena Bonham Carter Live From Baghdad.' So my Bellatrix doesn't have huge crazy Bellatrix hair, since she fixed it after fixing her teeth. Just incase you wanted a more visual of her while reading. And I just picture Hermione as Emma Watson as she is now, Emma Watson-ish. Because no one else can be Hermione, except Helena Bonham Carter. I still think the scene at Gringotts was amazing, I actually thought it really was Emma Watson (not really, but you know).
It was 6:30 in the morning on Tuesday, May 26. Bellatrix lied awake in bed staring at the ceiling. She had only slept for a few hours, but woke up to find herself, yet again, wondering about those horcruxes. She had heard the word thrown around a few times before, but never cared about it until now. She leaned up with her elbows on the bed and looked over at Hermione still sleeping. She looked over at the massive amount of books Hermione had brought over from the library.
Hermione said she had a copy of that book, Secrets of the Darkest Art, Bellatrix thought. I wonder if Hermione still had it. She probably wouldn't let me look at it…would she? Even if she did still have the book, it was probably tucked away in her dorm somewhere. Does Ginny know about it?
Bellatrix grunted and slammed her body back down on the bed, hoping she would wake Hermione, but Hermione didn't move at all. She sighed loudly; still no sign of a stirring Hermione. Finally, she got out of bed and walked out of the room. She walked into the kitchen and saw Hermione's school papers neatly stacked in a pile on the table. Bellatrix saw a small piece of paper that said something about Hogsmeade trips every Friday starting May 29. She looked at the papers underneath and found nothing but boring essays for her classes. She looked to the left and saw the Bellatrix Blog still lying where it always had been before she went to Azkaban. She scrunched her eyebrows and grabbed it to see if Hermione had written anything while she was gone.
Yessssss, something to read!
Hermione had written a few sentences each day Bellatrix was gone.
Tuesday May 19, 1998
It's been almost a day since Bellatrix's been gone, and it just feels so weird, and I hate it. I'm spending more time with Harry and Ron, but it just doesn't feel right. I love them, but they don't need me as much as Bellatrix does…..And, like I said, I do love them, but I don't need them as much as I need Bella.
Wednesday May 20, 1998
I went to quidditch practice today. Ginny, Harry, and Ron are getting the sport back together. They are going to play against Slytherin next Tuesday. Maybe I can take Bella…if she comes back, and she doesn't hate me again.
Thursday May 21, 1998
Sigh. Just sigh. But…I can't imagine what Bella is doing, or going through. I guess my boredom is luck.
Friday May 22, 1998
I visited Hagrid with Ron and Harry today. It was like old times. We also visited Grawp. He still likes me. Then I went and talked to Luna about things…She's a good listener.
Saturday May 23, 1998
So we might be able to go to Hogsmeade again starting next Friday! That will be fun. It's nice to be at Hogwarts without some sort of chaos going around.
Sunday May 24, 1998
Two guys in one day. I got a letter from Viktor and Cormac kept bothering me when I went to the owlery to send back my reply.
Monday May 25, 1998
Bella is coming back today (supposedly)! I'm kind of nervous, I hope she's okay…. Tomorrow is her birthday, and I want to do something for her, but I don't know what. I'm tired from all this excitement. I think I'll take a power nap before she gets here, that way I can be awake and she can have my full attention. :)
Oh yeah, Bellatrix thought, It is my birthday, isn't it? I'm 47…and I'm in love with an 18 year old. Is that wrong?
Bellatrix shook those thoughts from her head and immediately started replying furiously remembering the day Hermione had talked about those boys bothering her.
Tuesday May 26, 1998
It's my birthday, but it's not important. Me being old isn't important. I don't understand how you can stand me, physically or emotionally.
I'm sorry you were sad whilst I was away. If I could have escaped, I would have. The only reason I escaped last time was because I had outside help.
I'm glad you got to spend time with your friends and be normal without me there bothering you.
Quidditch is okay, I guess. I don't mind going to the games. And I knew you were afraid I would come back and hate you. You all were. You don't trust me. Well, you do, but nothing, not even Azkaban could erase my memories and love for you.
We were both bored. I did nothing all week except sleep.
Who's Grawp? Isn't Hagrid the groundskeeper? I burned his house down, too, along with Ginny's. I enjoy fire.
I want to go to Hogsmeade!
Who the hell are Viktor and Cormac?! They better not lay a finger on you. They better not even think about it. They better not even think about you at all, or even think about thinking about you.
You don't have to do anything for me for my birthday, although you probably won't read this until tomorrow when it's over with anyways. So hopefully it's just a normal day and you'll forget.
It was a little past 7 and Hermione was still sleeping. Bellatrix knew Hermione's alarm was set for 8, but she didn't feel like waiting that long for her to wake up. It was already light outside as the sun came through one of the windows shining on Hermione's face. She was sleeping perfectly on her back. Bellatrix casually pulled the sheets off of her; still no stirring. She climbed on top of her, allowing the bed to move a little. Finally, Hermione inhaled deeply, eyes still closed. She kept them closed and moved her head to the side, starting to irritate Bellatrix. Usually, when Bellatrix wanted someone awake, she would just scream at them and throw them out of bed, but Hermione was fragile to her and wasn't deserving of that kind of treatment she would have happily given to others such as Rodolphus and Rabastan.
Bellatrix leaned down placing her forearms on each side of Hermione's head to hold herself up. She used a hand to grab Hermione's face and pull it towards her. Hermione still didn't, even in the slightest, acknowledge Bellatrix's presence. Either she was a deep sleeper or she was just very good at ignoring her. Bellatrix caressed Hermione's cheek for a minute not knowing what else to do without yelling.
Hermione slowly opened her eyes to find Bellatrix's face an inch away from hers, "You're just like my cat," she mumbled sleepily rubbing Bellatrix's head, "Are you hungry?"
"Only for you," Bellatrix kissed her tenderly and then again passionately tasting the sweetness of her soft lips and tongue. Hermione groaned like she was trying to say something. She turned her head sideways making Bellatrix kiss her cheeks and her neck.
"It's your birthday today!" Hermione said fully awake now.
"Mhmm," Bellatrix continued kissing her.
"I know you said you don't care about those things, but I do. I'm taking you to a quidditch game today; Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Ginny even got you Slytherin gear to wear!"
"Mmm, can't we just stay here all day," Bellatrix said in between kisses, "Right. Here."
Hermione wrapped her arms around her, "I would love to, but nothing would get done. I need to go to school, I need to eat, I need to sleep.."
"You don't need school, you're a genius."
"Well if I don't attend classes, we can't stay here, and then we might be separated."
"Well, fine then. But what about when you graduate? What happens then?"
"Hopefully you'll be out by then, back at the Black Manor, or wherever you wish to stay. That reminds me, I know it's your birthday and this won't sound like a good present, but today is the day you have to start the Veritaserum level tests. You're just going to be given the first level test today which is the regular Veritaserum that has always been given. Remember there are five. You have to take one each week. If you pass a level, you go to the next the next week, but if you fail a level, even if it's level 5, you have to go all the way back and do all the tests all over again. You can only do one a week. When you pass all levels, then they'll allow you to leave and do whatever you want."
"And I'll get my wand back?"
"Er, no, you still have to wait until a year since the war ended, then you have to do the tests all over again, and then you can get the wand back."
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!"
"I DIDN'T MAKE THE RULES, BELLATRIX!"
"Ugh, I know…..sorry…it's still bullshit."
"What time is it?"
"7:15."
"I guess I'll get up since I'm awake," Hermione started to sit up but was pushed back down by Bellatrix.
"You don't have to get up, you still have 45 minutes to stay here with me."
"That's right, that's why we're in this position in the first place."
"Don't complain, I know you like it."
"You're right, I really do enjoy it."
"I read your blog entries when I was away and replied. I couldn't sleep."
"You were too busy thinking about those horcruxes."
"Uhh, well….yes, I was as a matter of fact. Is that a problem?"
"No, I just knew you'd be super interested. Don't get any ideas on creating your own though. I'm watching you."
"I wasn't going to create my own."
"I bet you thought about it."
"Well, yes, wouldn't you want me to be able to live happily ever after with you and not die when you're young?"
"You're not going to die when I'm young. I'm young now…..Is that why you don't want me to make a big deal about your birthday, because you feel old?"
"You're basically two years old and I'm five hundred. I just…I don't know. It's just weird."
"I'm sorry. I still love you, no matter your age."
"Well, of course, and I still love you."
"You know, you don't look 47. You look maybe 37, maybe even 27. Are you sure you're 47?"
"I think so. I was born in 1951. That's the only reason I know how old I am, not because I kept track, especially when I was in Azkaban. I lost track of the calendar and time before two weeks was out. Those damn dementors…"
"Well, come on," Hermione pushed Bellatrix up and got off the bed, "I want to eat something before I go to class."
While Hermione was in class, Bellatrix looked through Hermione's books, but, of course, she didn't find the one she was looking for. Most of her books were on the history and care of magical creatures which Bellatrix didn't find interesting at all, especially since it talked a lot about elves. She knew Hermione liked elves. Whenever she thought about how much she cared about them, she thought about Dobby and how her dagger had apparently killed him. She didn't know the elf, so she didn't care for him. She did, though, care about Hermione. And if Hermione cared about elves, Bellatrix had to learn to at least accept them to a certain extent.
She was hoping she would be able to go to the Gryffindor common room and possibly sneak in the girls' dormitory to see if Hermione still had that book. Hermione wouldn't let her out of her sight though and she knew that.
Perhaps I could just ask her, Bellatrix thought. Or perhaps I could get Ginny to distract her, or just get Ginny to get it for me.
She paced the suite thinking about everything for an hour until Hermione finally came back with Ginny and Luna. Hermione immediately went into the bathroom with a bag of clothes to change into.
"Here," Ginny said handing Bellatrix her own bag. Ginny was all suited up for the match. "You can keep them. And, I hear it's your birthday…" Ginny had a sly smirk on her face.
"I don't know what your expression insists, but it better not be anything to pull attention towards it being my birthday," Bellatrix said grabbing the bag.
"And if it does?"
Bellatrix glared, "You're lucky you're Hermione's best friend. And you," she looked over at Luna who was wearing a t-shirt that was half Gryffindor and half Slytherin along with a hat with a lion and a snake with their foreheads together creating a heart on top, "What the hell is that supposed to represent? You can only root for one team."
"Oh no, I can root for more than one team, Bellatrix, and maybe they'll both win," Luna smiled at Ginny and Bellatrix.
Hermione came out of the bathroom in her normal blue jeans wearing a long sleeved Gryffindor shirt with a hood attached and yellow tinted sun glasses.
"I'll see you guys at the match," Ginny said leaving them.
"Go ahead and put your stuff on and then we'll go," Hermione said to Bellatrix.
Bellatrix came out with a shirt like Hermione's except Slytherin themed. Ginny had gotten her a giant snake stuffed animal which she chose to leave in the room.
"I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb with this green shirt on," Bellatrix said as they left.
"Look, you have a hood, you can act like a death eater and not be suspicious," Hermione laughed and threw the hood over Bellatrix's head.
"I never had a hooded robe like the other death eaters," Bellatrix smirked at her keeping it on.
"Oh yeah that's right, you were special. Anyways, we're not sitting with Gryffindor, we're just going to stand at the sidelines," Hermione told her. "And after the game, I have to take you to the hospital wing so you can take your level one Veritaserum test."
"How exciting, I can't wait for that," Bellatrix said with much sarcasm, "We should go now."
"It'll be fine, Bella. I'll be there with you."
"You will," Bellatrix looked over at her hopefully as they descended the stairs following Luna.
"Of course, I'm the one that supervises you, remember?"
"I think you do more than supervise me." They both smirked.
When they entered the stadium, Hermione sighed when she saw Pansy Parkinson walking near them.
"You better watch out," Luna said looking back at Hermione, "I heard she's going to give you payback."
"Who," Bellatrix asked looking around.
"That blonde girl in the green shirt with the bright silver purse; it's Pansy," Hermione whispered nodding in her direction.
"I can take care of her," Bellatrix went to walk towards her but Hermione pulled her back.
"Don't, I did more damage to her than she did to me. If anything, I deserve her revenge, not that I won't stand up for myself."
"Why can't I stand up for you? You stand up for me."
"That's different."
"Not really, you physically fought for me, which is pretty badass."
"Yeah, well, you're very important to me, and she's a dumb whore. Draco has told me stories, ever since we've become friends, kind of, now that you're in the picture."
"Doesn't Draco play this game?"
"Yes, he's the seeker. Harry is the other seeker. Ron is the keeper and Ginny is one of the chasers. Their twin brothers, Fred and George, used to be the beaters. Now that Fred is gone, George wouldn't play without him, so they have Dean and Seamus playing."
While walking to get into the stadium doors, Hermione was shoved roughly, almost to the ground if Bellatrix hadn't have caught her, by Pansy yelling loudly and obnoxiously, "Oops, watch out for the mudblood pussy cat over here, people!"
Bellatrix reached out and grabbed Pansy's arm making Hermione gasp. Bellatrix gave Hermione a look of promise that she wasn't going to hurt her.
"Say you're sorry," Bellatrix said in a tone of voice she remembered hearing at the Malfoy Manor. People walking around them were staring.
"No," Pansy said shoving Bellatrix away, "I don't say sorry to worthless mudbloods, and I certainly don't take orders from insane freaks like you."
"Say you're sorry, unless you want to get beaten up again by Hermione," said a voice from the crowd, "It's not Lestrange you should be worried about."
"It's Black! It's fucking Black!"
Pansy sneered and left with her friends when the voice appeared with its body. It was a boy wearing a Gryffindor shirt a little bit taller than Hermione.
"Cormac," Hermione sighed grabbing Bellatrix's arm and walking again. He followed them.
So this is Cormac, Bellatrix watched him as he tried to inch closer to Hermione's other side.
"No need to worry about her," he said, "Everyone knows a girl like you can take care of business."
"Uh huh," Hermione was trying to ignore him, but he wasn't taking the hint.
"Nice weather for quidditch. Yeah, I could've been the back-up keeper, but I decided to keep my mind on my studies. You know some people call me the male Hermione Granger now!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. She wondered what Ginny thought of this boy.
"That's pretty cool, Cormac. Well, we're going to sit at the sidelines." Hermione whispered loudly, "Bellatrix can't sit with anyone except me and Luna."
"Ah, okay," he said disappointed, "Well just text me then if you ever need anything." He smiled and winked at her and left.
"Is that really why we're on the sidelines?" Bellatrix asked.
"No," Hermione laughed, "He just annoys me."
"I read about him in the blog. Who's Viktor?"
"Viktor Krum. He was a very popular quidditch player. I met him in my fourth year when they came to visit Hogwarts. We had a little thing, but it's over, and well, boys just never get the hint as you can see from Cormac."
"Well I'm planning on giving them a hint of my own, especially that damn Pansy if she doesn't leave you alone."
"I was very proud of you for using your words earlier."
"Yeah, I knew you would be upset if I killed her."
"She doesn't deserve the attention of being murdered by you."
"You always know just what to say, don't you?"
"To you, yes. Not so much to others, like Viktor and Cormac, they were difficult. Two ends of the spectrum really, Viktor was very quiet, and Cormac never knows when to shut up."
The game didn't start for another ten minutes and Bellatrix asked Hermione if she could use the bathroom. She had hoped she would be able to go alone, but of course, Hermione left Luna alone and followed her. They were the only two in there, and Hermione waited by the sinks. When she heard the horn announcing the beginning of the game, she piped up, "Are you okay, Bella?"
"Uh huh," came Bellatrix's pained voice.
"Are you sick?"
"N-no.."
"….Are you crying?" Hermione walked towards the stall she was in.
"No, I'm not crying," Bellatrix cried, taking short, quick breathes trying to stifle herself.
"Well you obviously are, come on, let me in."
"No! No…"
"Enough of this "no" business," Hermione whipped out her wand and unlocked the door. She stepped inside and locked it again, taking her sunglasses off. Bellatrix wasn't even using the toilet, she was just sitting on it with her face in her hands. Hermione kneeled down and pried her hands away. She held her face with both hands and started wiping her tears away with her thumbs.
"What's wrong? What upset you?" Hermione thought to herself what could have changed Bellatrix's mood so quickly. All they had talked about was Pansy, and Viktor and Cormac.
"Are you upset because of Viktor and Cormac? Bella, you don't have to worry about them, I promise."
"Well, they're kind of why I got upset…I…you…it's…" Bellatrix pulled away from Hermione. Hermione could sense she was tightening up inside and retreating into a shell she wasn't allowing anyone in.
"No, no, come on," Hermione pulled her back towards her, "Stay with me."
"I-it's…it's just that…."
"Take your time," Hermione whispered rubbing her arms, "Remember to breathe deeply and slowly."
Bellatrix took one last deep breath and continued after exhaling, "The other night…you said you had never let anyone else touch you the way you let me...I was your first, well, almost, not yet….but….I just wish…These..These experiences….I just wish you were my first!"
Bellatrix gasped and broke down again with her face in her hands. Hermione held her and got tears in her eyes and just kept whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
After a minute, Hermione lifted Bellatrix's head with her hand, "But I'm here now with you, and I'm not going anywhere, and I love you."
"Where were you when I was in school?" Bellatrix asked calming down.
"Probably not even a thought yet," Hermione laughed.
"Yeah….I really am old, aren't I?"
"No, not really, and you definitely don't act your age. Come on," Hermione helped Bellatrix up, "We don't want to leave Luna alone any longer."
After Bellatrix calmed down a bit more and composed herself, her and Hermione walked back to Luna.
"It's 20-20," Luna chimed as she saw them walk back up, "See Bella, they're both winning!"
"They both can't win in the end. Can they?" Bellatrix looked over at Hermione who pulled her sunglasses back over her eyes.
"Harry said he's never read anything about what happens if teams tie, or even if it has ever happened before. But maybe this will be the day, Luna!"
And it actually was the day. Gryffindor had fallen behind in points, but when Harry caught the snitch, the two teams had the same score. Madam Hooch said she'd never in her career at Hogwarts seen a match where both teams win, and that this day would be in quidditch history books.
Hermione, Luna, and Bellatrix walked over to the field where the two teams were actually acting civil towards each other.
"Gee, Luna, maybe you could be the new Professor Trelawney since you seem to be able to predict the future," Ginny said as they walked up.
"Hey, nice game fellas," Draco walked up to Harry, Ron, and Ginny with a sheepish smile, "It's nice to get to enjoy quidditch without all the war hassle."
"Yeah, it really is," Harry looked at Draco and put out his hand, "Good game."
"Hey, you guys are all welcome to come to mine and Bella's room for an after party if you like," Hermione said.
"Yeah, it's Bella's birthday!" Ginny shouted obnoxiously loud.
Bellatrix blushed and looked the other way. When she looked back, she caught eyes with Draco. He had a look of pity on his face.
Did Draco know it was my birthday? What has Cissy told him about me? He might know a lot more than I think he knows.
Bellatrix, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Harry, Ron, Draco, and one of Draco's friends and keeper of Slytherin, Miles walked together back to the castle. Ginny and Luna were talking about creating a cake with magic with both Gryffindor and Slytherin colors on it, and in very small writing in the corner, "And it's Bella's bday, just saying."
When they got into the castle, Pansy was waiting near the dungeon staircase entrance. When she saw him and Miles continuing up the staircase into the entrance hall, Pansy walked over and grabbed him, "Aren't you coming down to the common room? You know it's this way, silly."
"I'm…gonna go with my aunt for tonight, Pansy, it is her birthday and all," Draco said rolling his eyes when he heard Bellatrix grunt loudly walking past him.
"Oh, so now you actually care about her? Has that mudblood gotten you brainwashed, too, now?"
"Don't call her that! We're not children anymore, Pansy. Using names like that does hurt people, and sooner or later, it does hurt them physically," Draco looked up to see the group had stopped for him. They were looking down patiently. He concentrated on Hermione and Bellatrix, remembering that night at Malfoy Manor when he had witnessed his aunt carve the rapacious word into Hermione's arm. He saw the vision in his head, and he knew Pansy would never understand if she hadn't gone through certain situations. He shoved her off and quickly ran up the staircase to join the others.
"Miles?"
Miles looked like he was torn between the two.
"You don't have to come with us if you don't want to, it's okay, but you are welcome to come if you do want to," Draco said as he watched Miles look back and forth between them.
"Come on, we don't have all day," Bellatrix said.
Bellatrix's words made Miles immediately decide to stay with Draco and the group.
As they continued, Hermione remembered, "Wait, I have to take Bella to take her Veritaserum test! I think it's okay if you guys go to the room before we do. I'm not sure how long it will take."
"That's cool, just text us," Ginny said and led the group up the stairs.
Hermione and Bellatrix went to the first floor and straight to see Madam Pomfrey.
"Nice to see you again, Ms. Black," Madam Pomfrey said rushing around and straightening beds.
She didn't say it, but Bellatrix was grateful that someone finally called her by her proper name.
Madam Pomfrey motioned for Hermione and Bellatrix to sit down in front of her desk. She walked around to sit in her own chair and pulled out a few papers. She got up and left for a moment, returning with a small bottle labeled Level One Veritaserum. She sat down at her desk facing Hermione and Bellatrix.
"Have you ever had Veritaserum before, Ms. Black?" she asked Bellatrix.
Bellatrix shook her head.
"I'm not sure if Ms. Granger here has told you the rules and procedures, but I am to tell them to you now and at every other meeting we have. At each meeting, you will be asked to sign a form saying you are giving permission to be given Veritaserum to ensure whether or not you are a threat to yourself and/or others. It always says that shall you pass all five tests, you will be able to leave Hogwarts at your own accord. Your wand will not be given back to you for another year, which by then you must retake all five levels of Veritaserum. You will take one level each week on Tuesday afternoons. If you pass, you take the next level the next Tuesday. If you fail, you must start at level one, even if you only failed at level five. Any questions?"
Bellatrix slightly glanced at Hermione and then shook her head again.
"Then I would like you to sign and date here at the bottom, Ms. Black. Ms. Granger, if you don't mind, I would like you to sign and date below Ms. Black's signature so that we know who the witness was."
Hermione nodded her head and watched as Bellatrix took a minute to actually sign the form. It was as if she was signing her life away.
They didn't even let us read the papers at the ministry the day the war ended, Hermione thought, At least Madam Pomfrey is letting us in on this information. I think I'll talk to Professor McGonagall later about that.
Bellatrix started signing her name very slowly. When she was done, she put the quill down. Hermione grabbed it and signed underneath.
"There are six questions I will ask you, Ms. Black," Madam Pomfrey said opening the bottle, "You answer yes or no, and that is all, no explanation. Shall we get started?"
Bellatrix looked at the little bottle Madam Pomfrey held out to her. She slowly took it and looked at it. Hermione was glad Madam Pomfrey was being so patient with Bellatrix. Bellatrix put the bottle up and drank it in less than a second. She placed it on the desk and slowly slid it back to Madam Pomfrey who put the cork back in it.
Bellatrix scooted her chair closer to the desk. She put up her elbow and placed her chin in her hand waiting.
"Do you still consider yourself a Death Eater?" Madam Pomfrey asked the first question.
"No," Bellatrix answered quickly.
"Do you have any plans on affiliating yourself with a Death Eater or Death Eaters once you leave Hogwarts?"
Bellatrix snorted, "No."
"Do you have thoughts to avenge Voldemort when you leave Hogwarts?"
Bellatrix took a few seconds to reply, but finally said, "No."
"Do you have any plans on harming and/killing anyone once you leave Hogwarts?"
"…No."
"Do you have any plans on helping anyone break out of Azkaban?"
"No."
"Last question: Is there anyone you're thinking about harming and/or killing right now?"
"Yes."
Madam Pomfrey took out a stamper and stamped the word 'FAIL' on the paper, "Don't feel bad, there are people I'd like to harm, too."
"But there difference between you and I, Madam Pomfrey, is that I would actually do it."
Madam Pomfrey's smile faded a little, "Yes, well, you are all done for today. Come back around the same time next Tuesday and you'll take the same test."
Hermione immediately got up and left with Bellatrix following her.
Bellatrix grabbed Hermione's arm and stopped her as she went up the staircase to the second floor, "Are you mad?"
"No…I don't know…Are you mad?"
"No, I told the truth. That should count for something."
"It does," Hermione pulled her close to her putting her arm around her waist as they walked up the staircase, "Don't worry about it. I know the last question was for Pansy."
"That stupid bitch, it's people like her they should be giving Veritaserum to!"
"You need to not let it get to you, Bella! I understand, I really do. But, just ignore her. She's not a threat, honestly, she's just stupid. She's all talk, trust me. The sooner you do that, the sooner you can pass the first level."
"At least they still let me stay with you."
When they returned to the room, they found Ginny and Luna in the kitchen making the cake, and Harry, Ron, Draco, and Miles in the living room with the T.V. on and hitting each other with the snake Ginny got Bellatrix.
"That's mine," Bellatrix snatched it from the boys and held it to herself. She walked around and sat on the couch next to Draco. "So, how's your mum?"
"She's alright," Draco said turning towards her, "She told me today was your birthday, but that you probably wouldn't care. She said she wanted to call you, but she wasn't sure if you'd like that or not."
"You can tell your mum she can call me anytime for any reason."
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Draco smiled at her, not trying to sound mean.
Bellatrix texted Narcissa, "I miss you, and I love you."
Narcissa texted back immediately, "I miss and love you, too. I'm coming to visit Friday around 1."
Ginny, Luna, and Hermione brought out pieces of cake to the boys and Bellatrix, and then got some for themselves. They sat around and talked like they usually did when people were over. Because it was a school night, they didn't drink any alcohol, even though they wanted to. Bellatrix was still a little reluctant about it anyways.
When Hermione closed the door after everyone left, Bellatrix came up from behind and wrapped her arms around her, "This was the best birthday ever."
"Why? Because there was cake?"
"No, because I got to spend it with you!"
Hermione turned around in her arms and turned the living room light off. She kissed Bellatrix and carefully guided her to the bedroom. They continued kissing, and Bellatrix laid down on the bed pulling Hermione on top of her. Hermione bent down and kissed her again, seeming to not be able to get enough of Bellatrix. Bellatrix put her hands on the sides of Hermione's face and pulled her face away.
"What," Hermione had a confused expression on her face.
"I never thought I could love someone so different than me so much. I just feel filled with it. It feels so amazing, it feels like a dream. Please tell me this isn't a dream."
"If it is, I don't ever want to wake up."
Bellatrix pulled her face back down towards her and they continued kissing, sucking, and swirling tongues until they both finally fell asleep in each other's arms.