The two woman walked back down the trail they had started on. They were moving towards the manor. Hermione didn't know where she was going, but she hoped that she was moving in the right direction. Bellatrix walked a little ways behind Hermione, giving her space. She knew her presence was testing Hermione's will power at the moment. Bellatrix felt ashamed of herself, but she would give Hermione what she wanted soon enough, it was a matter of getting enough courage to move forward.

Once they reached the head of the trail, Bellatrix took the lead and led Hermione through the large oak doors, closing them behind her. The entrance hall was huge, portraits lined the walls, they were looking at her with distain and disgust. Bellatrix waved her wand causing a thick, black curtain to fall over the paintings. She took Hermione's coat, taking off hers.

'Ignore them' Bellatrix said looking at Hermione.

Hermione nodded and took a seat in the large sitting room.

'Tea?' Bellatrix asked.

'Yes please' Hermione replied.

Bellatrix stood and left the room, hanging up their coats as she left. Hermione looked around the room, noticing all of the ornate wood carvings and brilliant silver finishings all over the room. She couldn't even begin to imagine how much all of this had cost, but she supposed with as much money as Bellatrix's family was worth and Rodolphus's...that they could afford such things. Bellatrix didn't seem to attached to anything expensive, she must not have even cared about the money, just the status.

'Yes, just the status, I had no use for gold' Bellatrix said snapping Hermione back to reality as she entered the room.

Hermione looked at her, her brows furrowed.

'I do wish you wouldn't do that Bella' Hermione said.

'I'm sorry Mione...' Bellatrix said preparing Hermione's tea.

'We'll work on it' Hermione said taking the tea cup that Bellatrix handed her.

'I hated this place...I spent very little time here...Rod was here alot, with his whores, but I stayed out' Bellatrix said breaking the silence.

'Where did you go?' Hermione asked.

'Cissy's' Bellatrix replied simply.

Hermione looked at Bellatrix, the older witch could see the questions forming in those chocolate brown pools, but she was in no mood to answer any of those questions just now.

'You must have spent alot of time with her' Hermione said as she sipped her tea.

'Our relationship was a bit different then...it wasn't...gentle...I was crazed back then' Bellatrix hesitated 'a bit demented. I did things to her...' Bellatrix shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts. She looked up at the ceiling.

'It is okay Bella, we don't have to talk about it' Hermione said.

Bellatrix continued to stare up at the ceiling.

'Why did you bring me here?' Hermione asked.

It was a valid question Hermione thought. She found it curious that Bellatrix would bring her here of all places.

'I brought you here because I wanted to get us out of London...the city is stifling...not to mention, I thought you'd might like to see the Abraxans.' Bellatrix said turning her gaze to Hermione's.

The younger witch shivered, Bellatrix had this way of sending chills just by looking at you. Hermione could feel her cheeks turning red and her body began to get hot. This didn't go unnoticed by Bellatrix who walked over, and knelt between her legs.

'Be-Bella...' Hermione stammered.

She couldn't breathe...or think, she needed Bellatrix badly.

Bellatrix placed her head in Hermione's lap, and closed her eyes. It wasn't long before she felt fingers running through her raven curls.

'Soon Mione...really soon' Bellatrix whispered.

Hermione didn't respond, she just continued stroke her lover's hair. It had been so long since Bellatrix had felt this content.

'This is where you would run off to when you left?' Hermione asked.

'I went to the Leaky Cauldron most of the time, but I did come here too yes' Bellatrix replied.

They sat in silence for a while. Hermione running her fingers through Bellatrix's hair.

'Would you like a tour?' Bellatrix asked looking up at Hermione.

Hermione smiled, she nodded. Bellatrix got to her feet and extended her hand. Hermione took it and Bellatrix led her towards the stairs.

'I was married young, 18, barely out of Hogwarts. The marriage was only just for show, we really weren't expected to be married behind closed doors. Children were not in our cards, though we were expected to produce them. Turns out both of us were unable to conceive. Just as well, children were not high on my list of priorities.' Bellatrix said as she led Hermione up the stairs.

Hermione said nothing, she just listened. They were standing in an open area at the top of the stairs, the room fanned out into two long hallways, both of which were lined with many doors. Bellatrix led them off to the left, and continued to speak.

'You can guess what was top on my list. I wasn't thinking about anything but my task, my orders, I was the most obedient of followers, I never listened to anyone's opinion other than...His.' Bellatrix said.

She stopped at a large set of oak doors, she pushed them open and led them into a very large room lined with hundreds of tall bookcases. Hermione stopped dead and looked around the room impressed.

'There must be tens of thousands of books in here' Hermione whispered breathlessly.

Bellatrix smiled and watched as Hermione walked up and down the rows of books, touching the spines as she went. Bellatrix smiled, she looked at home among all the leather bound books.

'I'm sorry' Hermione said blushing as she returned to Bellatrix's side.

Bellatrix smiled, and kissed Hermione on her forehead.

'I thought you'd might like this room' Bellatrix said smiling.

Hermione beamed and took Bellatrix's hand again, they continued the tour of the house. After an hour or two, the two women found themselves in the dining room eating a lunch. This time Bellatrix had, had the House Elf make this meal much to Hermione's dislike. Hermione didn't argue the issue, but she wasn't happy about it.

After lunch the two women hand washed the dishes and Bellatrix decided to finish up the tour with two of her most favorite places in the Manor.

'Come Mione...there is something I want to show you' Bellatrix said extending her hand.

Hermione took it, and the two women made their way up the stairs once more...

TBC...