Hermione blinked up slowly at the concerned faces of her wife and best friend. She shouldn't have been so surprised, a stunning spell was tossed her way after all and she made no move to counter or evade it. Still she was surprised to be staring up at them from the cold classroom floor. "It worked then?"

Bella knelt down next to her and pushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face. Hermione glanced around and realized they were the only three left, either Bella had dismissed the class or she'd been out longer than necessary. Strong yet gentle hands cupped her cheek and pulled her focus back to dark worried eyes. Her expression was absurdly serious, "Neville Longbottom came flying through the window on his broomstick." Hermione tried not to laugh, she wasn't sure if Bella was being serious, it was entirely plausible after all. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time Neville had crashed a broom. Sadly he was still a better flyer than Hermione, she may have been the brightest witch of her age but she couldn't fly to save her life. Hooch still trained Neville on the off chance he might improve; she'd banned Hermione from touching her brooms.

While Hermione was contemplating the possibility of Neville running her over with a broom Ginny whacked the teacher on the back of the head and glared at her furiously. "She's lying, Hermione." Bella made a sour face at the youngest Weasley and rubbed the back of her head. "I stunned you when I realized Bella wasn't going to be able to, I figured you two didn't want the school gossiping about this new development." Hermione was finding it a little hard to agree with her friend what with the headache her consideration brought with it. Ginny had always been a little more proficient with her offensive magic. Hermione had a suspicion it had to do with her being the seventh child, she'd never mention it though, it wasn't like her hypothesis could be proved.

Bellatrix pulled Hermione to her feet and grumbled in Ginny's direction. "It 'could' have happened." Ginny shot Bella a rude gesture and nearly got hit in the process, she narrowly avoided her and landed on her ass in the scuffle. Bella laughed heartily and turned back to her wife. A tight smile replaced her mirth. "So instead of spreading the rumor of our magic not working to harm each other, the students left here saying I planned it all and the Black and Granger truce is over."

Hermione understood why that displeased Black but nothing in their private life, nor in their school life, would change based on other students beliefs. She turned her attention back to Ginny, who'd apparently decided to stay on the floor. "Did anyone notice it was you who hit me?" Ginny shook her head.

"Everyone was too focused on you and Black."

Hermione rubbed her chest, "Are you sure it didn't do anything?" She asked Bella. "You've used magic on me before."

Bella frowned. "Do you feel anything?" Hermione shook her head. "Maybe we can't attack each other because of the bond."

It was Hermione's turn to frown. She wasn't convinced. "I heard the purebloods would sometimes kill their bonds instead of keeping them."

Bella shook her head. "You're thinking like a pureblood Hermione." The girl's frown deepened as she processed what she was being told. "There were always options if the pureblood or their family was desperate enough. Either the muggle way or someone in the family would use the unforgivable for them."

Ginny gasped. "That's abhorrent. But it doesn't answer the question does it? Why you two cant attack one another."

"Bonds are rare…or at least not spoken about very often. Anything to do with them they swept under a rug. I just don't know enough about them." The Slytherin admitted. "The only thing my father ever imparted in me about bonds was that I either kill the partner or die, any other choice would bring dishonor to the family name."

Did you ever consider killing Hermione?" Bella paled at the question but she didn't hesitate in her answer.

"No." Her answer was strained as if it wasn't the entire truth. Hermione reached out and clasped the teacher's cold clammy hand; apparently the thought of Hermione dying at her own hand disturbed her despite it being part of her upbringing. The brunet tried to convey her understanding with her eyes. She understood so much change couldn't have been easy for a one time blood supremacist. Bellatrix may not have been as die hard as her father but from what she heard she was still a bit prejudiced before Hermione came along. "I'd never have killed you, that wasn't an option. You were my student first, then I- well I just couldn't. I'd explored other options but….It doesn't matter things worked out in the end."

Hermione refused to think about the options the raven had thought of, just hearing the words…the way she said them, ashamed and hesitant, it made Hermione shiver. "Please don't-"Bellatrix cut her off with a quick kiss. She smiled reassuringly and they both ignored Ginny's disgusted look as he redhead picked herself off the floor, finally. The Slytherin reached into her cloak pocket and pulled out a slice of chocolate. She handed it to Hermione and swatted her toward the door just as the bell rang.

"Eat that. It'll help with the headache." Hermione didn't ask how Bella knew but she took the chocolate gratefully. Bella actually swatted her ass this time and laughed at her mock outrage. "Get to class. Both of you." She was still laughing as they walked out into the throng of students.

~H~ ~H~ ~H~

Her head still ached by the end of the day, she was in no mood to join her friends for supper. Instead she had plans to find the kitchen, something she'd never done before on her own. Once she found the right painting and tickled the pear she was doubting her decision, she had a tendency to make the elves mad with all her talks of freedom, they usually ignored her and spoke with Harry and Ron.

She made up her mind and stepped through the threshold. Almost immediately she was swarmed with half a dozen house elves offering her their assistance. "Just a sandwich and a glass of water, please." She smiled graciously while they bustled about doing as she asked. She took the time to look around, her gaze landed on an unusually small elf standing on a table bench. He was mixing all sorts of random things into a large mixing bowl. Hermione saw a bottle of vinegar, a box of what she assumed had to be baking soda and an actual metal spoon make its way into his concoction. It was when he little elf tossed in half and entire coconut, shell and all, that she couldn't take it anymore.

She made her way over to him and sat down beside him. He smiled distractedly at her and tried to stir the ingredients with a large spoon, it sounded like it kept hitting the coconut. "Hello little mistress."

"Hello. What are you trying to make." He frowned down at his soupy mixture and tossed in a stick of butter.

"A coconut cake," He grinned proudly at her, "Rippley is making it for his favorite professor, Mistress Black. It's her most favorite." Hermione now understood why he was the elf Bellatrix had selected to keep watch over Sterling. His heart was in it but his work in the kitchen was a little off.

"Rippley? You'll be looking after Sterling for me and Bella." He paused and beamed up at her.

"That's right. That is the most important job Mistress Black has ever given to Rippley. Rippley is most excited to meet the little Mistress Black. Headmaster Dumbledore has given Rippley permission." Somehow Hermione didn't think it took much convincing, in fact looking around at the other elves she suspected he had a lot of encouragement.

"Here you are." Another elf placed her requested sandwich in front of her with her water. She'd almost forgotten about it. She started to thank the elf but the slippery little thing was gone before she had the chance. She ate quietly as she watched Rippley work on his cocktail. When he tossed in a bottle of butter beer she just couldn't handle it anymore

"Rippley, have you ever made a coconut cake before?" He looked down at the lumpy soupy mess he was calling cake batter and frowned. He shook his head sadly. She smiled at him and gently pushed his bowl aside. "Want to work on it together?" It was as if she made his day. He jumped up and down excitedly, she had to reach out and hold the stool to keep him from toppling over.

"Yes. Oh yes! Rippley would be most grateful."

Her headache was practically forgotten as the other elves deposited the materials they'd need for their cake….the real materials this time. She imagined they were just happy she was keeping him busy while they cleaned up after the dinner feast.