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"What the hell were you thinking agreeing to something like that?" the voice of a very angry Hermione penetrated the groggy haze of Bellatrix mind.
"We negotiated terms. Nothing was supposed to happen. He goaded her 'Mione. You can't blame her for reacting the way she did." she heard Harry defending her.
"I don't blame her, I blame you. Did you honestly think having my fiancé and my ex in the same room was a good idea. What did you think was going to happen? They would sit down and have a nice chat over a cup of tea? Jesus Harry! She saw the bloody memory of what he did." Bellatrix cracked an eye open and saw the boys back to her and her witch pacing the floor. She was laid on a sofa that had obviously been conjured after she passed out. Hermione was angry that much was clear. The dark witch was about to sit up when Harry's words froze her in place.
"I would have done the same thing she did. Do you know he was planning to come after you. Even with the magical contract in place, he was going to apparate you to his grandparents place in the middle of the countryside. He was going to keep you there until you agreed that you and he belonged together. My aurors questioned him, amazing what you learn when you can get in to someone's head. He's sick Hermione, he is obsessed with you. Bellatrix was looking out for you. You should be happy you have some one like her willing to put everything on the line to protect you." his voice was tight and angry. With every sentence it raised in volume. "So you stand there and judge me all you like, scream and shout if you want, I don't care. I know, we did the right thing. If this hadn't happened today, tomorrow you would have been gone. She saved you from what ever twisted plan Ron had in mind for you." he had stood up half way through his speech and was now standing inches away from his best friend.
"You should have told me she was planni..."
"He couldn't. The magic wouldn't let him." Bellatrix interrupted. Sitting up, she held her head as pain shot through, there was a lump where she had hit it against the floor when Harry tackled her.
"Why did you..."
"To protect you." came the answer before the question was even uttered. "He wouldn't have left you alone. We all know that." she added quietly.
Hermione closed her darkening eyes and took a deep breath. She had been ready to lay in to the pair of them. To scream and shout at them until her voice disappeared. But how could she argue with that. After Harry told her of Ron's plan, and Bella stating the simple truths. They had saved her from a sickening fate. Merlin knows what Ron was capable of these days, he could've done anything to her if he had managed to get her to the house in the country.
"Bella, do you realise how serious this is?" Hermione asked quietly, stepping around Harry to speak to her lover face to face.
"Yes." she answered simply. Standing up fighting the nausea, she stepped closer to Hermione. The girl took a step back.
"You could go back to prison. I'll be surprised if Kingsley doesn't walk through that door with a dementor in tow. Honestly what were you thinking?" she had resumed her pacing again ignoring the hurt look on Bella's face. She didn't look at her fiancée for the next ten minutes. They all stood silently waiting for the minister to arrive.
"Harry could you leave us for a minute." Bellatrix asked. The look he gave her seemed to say 'I shouldn't' but instead he nodded. "I'll be right outside." the dark witch wasn't sure whether that was a warning or a comfort.
"Hermione, stop. Now talk to me. Something has been bothering you since yesterday. Is it about what my sisters told us?" she asked as she gently grabbed the girls arms to stop her relentless pacing.
"Now really isn't the time Bella." Hermione snapped, jerking her arms out of the woman's hands.
Taking a step back the woman let out a sarcastic laughed. "Now seems like a perfect time to me. Seeing as I'm about to be carted back to hell. You may as well tell me whats going on."
"We have bigger things to worry about right no.."
"The minister is here." Harry said as he re-entered the room moments after leaving. Every one of them fell silent, arguments and problems forgotten for the moment. They stayed on their feet as Kingsley walked in and situated himself behind Harry's desk.
"Sit down." he snapped and two out of the three immediately obeyed.
"Is this necessary? Just call in your dogs I'll go quietly." Bellatrix said scowling at the man. Missing the pained looked on her lovers face.
"Miss Black, you are not going back to prison. Now sit down." he said without looking up from the papers in his hand.
Three shocked faces stared back at him. None knowing what to say. Harry and Hermione had been ready to plea self-defence. To argue and even beg for the woman's freedom. But there was no need.
"Miss Black, fortunately for you Mr weasley had been planning something against miss Granger."
"Fortunately!?" Harry practically shouted in a tone of disgust. How can he use that word? Harry thought, how could it ever be fortunate that someone was planning to attack Hermione?
"Otherwise.." the minister continued, ignoring Harry. "This meeting would be going very differently. The arours involved have taken an oath of secrecy, I presume none of you will be saying anything of what happened today." he paused for confirmation, none was given. Only three angry or blank faces stared back at him. "None of the other board members are aware of what transpired and Mr Weasley has agreed to a stay in st Mungo's psychological unit. Another saving grace is that the Skeeter witch hasn't been sniffing around lately." Hermione shifted uncomfortably, unnoticed by any one but Bellatrix.
"Why? Harry snapped.
"Why what Mr Potter?" Kingsley asked raising an eyebrow at the boy.
"Why haven't you told the other board members? There are more than enough who want Bella back behind bars. This would have been the perfect opportunity for you to win their confidence back and secure your seat for another term." Harry said, voice thick with anger for the man. Kingsley used to be one of the few he looked up to, aspired to be like. Now, the man just made him sick.
"There has been a great interest in the rehab program. We have had some very influential and wealthy people looking in to investing. If it were to get out that Miss Black has relapsed..."
"She hasn't relapsed, she was defending me. Just like Harry would defend Luna or you would your partner. Don't turn it in to something it's not... Sir." Hermione snapped remembering at the last moment who it was she was speaking to. Her anger was rising to a point that was becoming hard for her to control. Taking slow steady breaths, she tried to calm herself. She had an inkling that this was only a fraction of what Bella had to deal with when trying to control the darkness.
"Whatever it was, if it got out the investors would turn tail and run. The ministry simply can not afford that. I trust you will not allow such a misjudgment to happen again Harry." instead of arguing Harry nodded. The sooner he could get Kingsley out of his office the better. The man had become such a sell out.
"Miss Black, today is your last day correct?"
"It is." she answered folding her arms across her chest and staring down at the man.
"I hope not to see you in these halls again after today is over. But remember, one more mishap and your chances are up." he said as he rose from behind the desk and walked to the door. "Oh, Miss Granger, Arthur and Molly wish to speak with you as soon as you are available. I believe they want to discuss today's incident. Tell them miss Black was defending herself and nothing more." he said before leaving the three alone.
The brunette groaned. "Harry, would you mind taking care of it please. I can't face them." truth was she didn't want to see them, each one reminded her of Ron in their own way.
"Of course." he nodded before going to find the senior weasleys. He didn't want to see them either, but it was for Hermione. The entire family had shown their true colors over the past year, the only one who Harry had a tiny amount of respect left for was Arthur. He was the only one to admit that their son had a problem. Ron's mother, brothers and sister would rather turn a blind eye to what was staring them in the face. Maybe if been more supportive after his injury, maybe if they hadnt have been so self involved they could have stopped it from getting out of hand.
Hermione looked at her watch and sighed. It was five pm, Narcissa and Andromeda were due at their house in just over half an hour. They were supposed to be starting their training today. "We had best get home, your sisters.."
"Can wait, we have things we need to discuss first." the dark witch interrupted. She took Hermione's hand and pulled her to the fire-place.
When the witches stepped out of the other side in to the library, Hermione went straight to her liquor cabinet. Pouring two glasses of whiskey, she took one to Bella and slumped on the couch. She had hoped to put this conversation off for a day or two. There was silence for a while. Both women lost in their thoughts.
"Tell me whats going on." Bella said quietly. "And don't say nothing, you've always been a terrible liar." the dark witch said with a small smile, hoping to coax the younger witch out of the mood she had trapped herself in.
"Bella we don't have time to do this now. Your sisters have just arrived." she sighed before sipping the Amber liquid.
"I'll send them away if I have to." she threatened angrily. She had been patient with the girl but now her avoidance was starting to grate.
"Later." Hermione dismissed before standing up and walking towards the exit.
Before she had time to react the dark witch had her wand in hand and locked the door.
"Don't be silly Bellatrix. Open the door." the brunette sighed as she turned to her. "I'll do it myself." she huffed under her breath when Bella made no move to unlock it.
"Signa." the older witch hissed pointing the wand at the door and fireplace.
"Sealing the exits, really Bella?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow and walked closer to the woman.
"This needs to be sorted now." the dark witch growled, ignoring the flash of black eyes staring back at her. Hermione was deeper in the darkness than ever before, she was letting it take over.
"I don't feel like talking, open the door." the brunette snapped, moving closer until she was stood toe to toe with her lover.
The dark witch stared defiantly at the girl. Both breathing heavily, anger flashing in both pairs of eyes. Wands drawn but not yet pointed at each other. "You want to do this the hard way or the easy way?" Hermione hissed, voice like sweet venom. Stepping back, making it seem as if she was going to walk away. Bellatrix never relaxed not even slightly. She knew how unpredictable people could be. The girl spun, wand pointed at her face. "Hard way it is then."
"Don't be stup.."
"Flipedo." Bellatrix was knocked back in to a large shelf behind her. Standing up, she readied herself for the next attack. "Don't do this Hermione." she raised her wand and pointed it towards the brunette.
The girl laughed and flicked her wrist. A stream of arrows fired from the tip of her wand flying towards Bellatrix. The older woman ducked and rolled in the opposite direction, reluctant to send a curse towards her lover. The girl was no longer in control, this wasn't her fault. She slipped behind a stack of shelves giving herself time to think on what to do.
"Come on baby. Don't hide." Hermione taunted as she walked towards the woman's hiding place.
"I'm not hiding, I'm giving you the chance to stop this foolishness." Bellatrix answered. Seems her only choice was to give the girl what she wanted. She hoped they didn't cause each other too much damage. Stepping out from behind the stack she smirked at the girl. "Are you going to stop?" she asked already knowing the answer.
"What's the matter? Scared you'll be beaten by a Gryffindor?" Hermione laughed as she raised her wand again.
"A girl like you could never take me down." Hermione had briefly forgotten that Bellatrix was apt at performing non verbal spells. So when the bombarda hit the floor in front of her, sending her propelling backwards it came as a surprise.
"Missed me." she grunted, quickly getting over the shock as she started dusting her robes clean.
She advanced on the more experienced witch again, only to be sent backwards with an effortless twirl of the dark walnut.
"Defodio." the brunette shouted from her position on the floor. She was becoming frustrated. Getting up while Bellatrix was distracted by the gouging hex. She ran towards her target, ready to cast again.
"Aresto momentum." Bellatrix noticed the girl just in time. The spell hit her arm and she instantly slowed down. Hermione was by no means safe to approach. She was still capable of shooting hexes off. So the older witch moved further back in to library amongst the tall shelves and stacks. Buying herself sometime. Hermione hadn't sent anything she couldn't handle, in fact compared to what she was used to they were mild hexes her lover was using.
"Beeellaatriiiix." she heard moments later called out in a sing-song tone. Obviously Hermione had countered her charm and was on the hunt once again. The girl showed no sign of stopping. Bellatrix would need to do something and fast if she was to get through to her. She vaguely heard the sound of someone beating their fists against wood, before she had time to think about it, she spotted her lover rounding the corner. "Come out come out where ever you are." the childish song was sung deceptively sweet.
"Right here lover." the dark woman stepped forward, in to the light. Hermione smirked and struck with such speed and force, Bellatrix didn't have time to counter. "Diffindo." the older woman ducked a fraction of a second too late. The hex hit her on the left shoulder, neck and face. Blood spurred from her shoulder. She grabbed it and groaned, the injuries on her neck and face were minor but still stung. With no time to counter the curse or treat the injury, she looked up and saw Hermione clutching at her shoulder. She must have been hit by debris. "Diffindo maxima." the girl hollered. Bright blue light shot from the end of Hermiones wand and broke off in to several smaller parts. Bellatrix raised her wand "Protego." every shard of the spell hit the shield and rebounded towards Hermione. The girl hit the floor with a sickening thud.
"Hermione?" Bellatrix called out a minute later when the brunette hadn't moved. Slowly pulling herself forward she crawled towards the girl. Her shoulder crying out in protest. There was sever pain on her right side along her ribs, briefly checking she found no blood and deduced that she had broken them. She struggled to breath as she came within inches of the girl laid out on the floor.
"Bellatrix! Bella!" the two sisters voices shouted out from somewhere in the room. Having no energy or breath to spare she ignored them. The sound of footsteps running against the hard floor echoed through the library. The dark witch finally made it to her lover, checking her over, she gasped. There was a long gash along the right side of her ribs and she was losing blood fast.
"Bella, what did you do." her youngest sister gasped as she ran over to the pair on the floor. Pushing Bella away she took in the sight of the girl and immediately started working on healing her. Andromeda tried to move the oldest of the Blacks to one side to do the same to her injuries, but the moment she touched Bella, she screamed in pain. Not for her arm or any other injury, it was Narcissa healing Hermione that caused such a reaction. It felt as though every one of Bellas ribs were being cracked and broken. She doubled over in pain, breathing in short shallow pants.
"Stop." she croaked quietly. The blond didnt hear and continued. "Stop." she said louder, grabbing hold of Andi she moved back to her lovers side.
"Bella, if I don't stop the bleeding..."
"You're making it worse. I can feel it." she panted as she moved her sisters hands away from the girl.
"What do you mean you can feel it?" Andi asked gently, worry etched across her face.
"We have a.. a physical connection." she struggled to explain. "No time, you have to help me. Hold on to her." she gasped as she dragged her wand from the floor. The two younger woman clutched the girl and all four disappeared.
They landed unsteadily in a rocky gorge that neither of the two younger sisters recognised. "Where are we?" Narcissa asked as she looked around. The sky was dark but she could make out trees and shrubbery.
"Help me." Bellatrix said trying to levitate Hermione but having no energy to cast. Andromeda performed the spell. With the dark witch leading they made their way through bushes and trees, along a dangerously unstable path until they came to a large rock hidden behind a wall of ivy.
Bellatrix held on to a tree for support, clutching at her ribs, breathing becoming increasingly difficult. "Smear her blood on the rock Cissy." she ordered and watched as her sister rubbed a blood smeared hand against the grey wall. She hadn't been sure it would work. If there as enough Black blood in Hermione to open the cave. She smiled as the arch way was revealed. Forcing herself to move, she led them inside, through the tunnel until they reached the healing pool. Without a second thought, Bellatrix dropped in to the water and held her arms out for her sisters to bring her lover over. Hesitantly the two laid the girl at the side of the pool and helped push her in. The water around them turned red as the blood was washed away. Bella held Hermione around the shoulders. Moving her around the pool, whispering encouragement and kissing her damp head.
It was an hour before she acknowledged her sisters again. They had stood patiently watching the two women in the water.
"Andi, can you strip us. Our clothes are weighing us down." she asked quietly without looking up.
The second eldest stepped forward and did as was asked with a quick flick of her wand. "Bella, is she..."
"Healing. It'll take a few hours." she answered as she gently pushed water over Hermione's injury. She could feel the effects of the pool on her own injuries. The echo of pain in her ribs began to ease as her lovers bones and skin started knitting back together. The dark witch was thankful that the girl was unconscious, the pain for her would be unbearable.
"What is this place?" Narcissa asked as she moved around the water chamber. "Why did you bring her here?" her sisters watched as she ran her hands over the sparkling walls, the soft ground until finally she dipped her hands in to the warm water of the healing pool. The blond gasped. Her skin tingled where the water repaired the small cracks and imperfections caused by age and years of use.
"This was my gift from our grandfather." Bellatrix answered quietly. They spent a while listening to and asking the dark witch questions about the cave.
"Why didn't you tell us.. Tel me about it. The times... You could have saved yourself so much pain." Narcissa whispered, remembering many occasions she had witnessed her sister fighting for her life after some mission the dark lord had sent her on. The nights she had returned covered in blood barely hanging on to life, could have been avoided if she had shared this place.
"I couldn't, I was never supposed to. It will likely seal itself once we leave. I. .I had to save her though." a tear slipped from her eye as she gazed at the witch floating in front of her.
"What happened between you two?" Andi asked as she sat next to the pool, watching Bella cling helplessly to the girl.
"The darkness, the curse. It took over. She didn't know what she was doing, she wasn't in control." the woman said quietly, letting the tears fall. She felt guilty, her witch was in this state because of her and her ancestors. She should never have gone through with the blood ritual. She should have calmed the girl, spoken to her family. None of this would have happened if she wasn't a Black. For the first time in her life Bellatrix cursed her name and her family."I pushed her. I think... I think she blames me. I don't know how to make it right." she sobbed quietly.
"You don't have to fix it Bella. Just learn to deal and live with it." Andi offered, trying to comfort her distraught sister. "She'll be ok."
"She will change her mind about the child, she's just panicking at the moment. When things settle, and she realises it's manageable and a normal life is poss..."
"What do you mean? Change her mind about the child? Has she said something to you?" Bellatrix asked her youngest sister. Eyes wide, wondering why her fiance would choose Narcissa to confide in instead of her.
"Yes, when she left the room after learning about... I found her in the court-yard. She was crying, she said she co... Couldn't bring a child in to this. That it wouldn't be fair to force the curse on to an innocent life." the blond explained. "I'm sorry, I thought you knew Bella. I thought she would have told you."
"She doesn't want a child with me." She felt pain grip her heart and squeeze. Her breathing faltered and more tears stung her eyes. Because of who she was, she was about to lose everything. Through the years she had done some terrible things. Committed some heinous crimes. Hermione had seen past all that, had been willing to leave it in the past and spend her life with her. Now, because of an ancient birth right, because of her family and ancestors the girl was going to give it all up. She pulled brunette closer. She couldn't lose her, wouldn't give her up. Having a baby with this woman would have been a dream come true. But having her love was a privilege. Her heart broke for the child she would never have, the child she had loved before conceiving.
She buried her face in Brown curls and sobbed. Clutching on to the girl as if she were a life line. Bellatrix moved them in to the middle of the pool. Her cries echoing off the walls as her heart shattered. She would never hold a new-born in her arms knowing it was hers. She would never know the joy of watching her child take its first steps or hearing its first word. She would never be called mom and have the unconditional love that a son or daughter has for their mother. Through her pain she couldn't bring herself to blame Hermione. She had made the choice that she thought was best, for herself and for the innocent child. Bellatrix knew what it was like growing up with a monster living inside. She couldn't hate the girl for her decision. But it didn't stop the pain that threatened to pierce her heart.
"Bella, why don't you take a break. Rest. You've been in there for hours. Let me look after her." Narcissa said trying to coax her sister back to the edge. She felt responsible for her sorrow. She thought the girl had told her. If she had known, she would have approached the subject with more delicacy.
"Leave. Now. Both of you." She hissed, turning her back on them.
"Bella, please.."
"Leave!" the room darkened and the ground shook. The cave reacted to her pain. Forcing the younger sisters to back away quickly. Leaving Bellatrix to her grief.
Terrorize: Poor Bella... All she ever wanted was a child and now... Lol, I do enjoy a bit of Ron bashing. I really don't like the guy.
Greyella: Good. I like surprising people. I'm still curious what you thought it was. Aww, hope your heart can take it.
HermioneLestrange221: I do love my cliffhangers. Both are having a hard time controlling their temper. We'll have to wait and see how things pan out.
Trix-of-Black: No, she was preparing herself for Bella to leave. It will break my heart too. Glad you enjoyed this chapter.
xAngeloftheNorthx: ...0_0... What can I say. They are together. Don't hate me, the plot has taken a life of its own.
MadameBellamione: Welcome to my story. So happy to hear that you're enjoying it so much. Hope you like the rest.
Imperfectionisunderrated: Wow... So much to answer... I know Bella and Sirius didn't go to school together but I needed that connection between them for this. I hope it didn't put you off. Hermione did make a request or two but that's not come in to play yet. It will in a later chapter or maybe a sequel... Thank you I keep forgetting to put a translation in. Lol Google translate is great... It's the very reason I don't use my language in this fic, if it was put in to the translator, it comes out all backwards and wrong 0_0 thank you for the offer. I know I've missed loads but I'll hopefully I'll address all of your questions and concerns soon in the next few chapters.
I feel like I need to explain something to you all. When I started writing this story I completed it in about 30 chapters. During that time there were events and changes in my life that influenced the storyline and plot. As a result, I've had to change and delete a lot of the original stuff. Since then it's grown and changed from 30 to 50 plus chapters. That fact that you have all stuck with me and continued this long journey means so much. Every single review, fav and follow is greatly appreciated. So from the bottom of my heart... I truly thank you.
Until next time...
