Author's Note: That's right ladies and gents and everyone in between, it's time for the Malfoy Ball. I know it's been a long time coming and I'm incredibly sorry it took this long. I've been dealing with school but on top of that we've all been dealing with the transition of the new 'norm' as we're all currently trying to social distance. Anyways this had led me to have some time on my hands so without further adieu here is the new chapter.
HUGE DISCLAIMER; None of these characters are my own...sadly ~1stSoulVamp
IN OUR DARKEST MOMENTS
Chapter 19: Say could that Lass, be I?
"I have no idea about you mate but I'm really nervous." Hermione muttered as she and Draco stood in a smaller room getting last minute things ready. They were waiting to join the party that had begun hours ago as evening hit.
"Don't be Hermione. You look beautiful by the way." The blonde Slytherin muttered back.
"If you're saying that to get into my pants because I'm pretty sure your Aunt would strangle you." The brunette joked. All she got was a laugh back as the blonde adjusted his cuff link and played with his collar.
The blonde boy was in a deep navy-blue tuxedo-like wizarding robe. He looked very smart and dashing, especially with a fresh cut and light five o'clock scruff. Hermione was equally dressed elegantly, with the dress that she and Narcissa had picked out way before Christmas when she was first becoming a part of the family. It's been a couple of days since she had the talk with Bellatrix in the library about what to do with Narcissa staying mad at her, but the black-haired witch had not done anything to help Hermione yet. The brunette had also not gone to Gringotts, preferring to wait until after the Ball where she and Bellatrix could go together now that they found the digits to her vault which had been given to her by the Dark Lord.
The dress still fit perfectly, and Hermione had a small gold necklace and matching rings on her finger, ending with a gold ear cuff. All of these jewelry pieces were borrowed from Bellatrix. Even though she made it seem like a gift, Hermione was gonna give them back by the end of the Ball.
"Alright Hermione?" Draco came to her side as Hermione had spaced out after delivering the joke, just thinking about how much her life had changed.
"Just the nerves. Is it time?" She asked.
The blonde nodded as he stuck his elbow out for Hermione to take his arm before Bellatrix sauntered into the room, closing the door behind her. "Auntie? Something wrong?" the Malfoy heir asked.
Swatting her nephew's arm down, she waved him aside. "Go along dear nephew. I'll be taking my lady down."
Draco looked confused but slipped his black mask on before slipping out the door to join the party.
"Your lady? What am I an object?" Hermione joked as she wrapped her arms around the dark witch.
Bellatrix gave the girl a mischievous grin before kissing her on the lips. Melting into the kiss the brunette almost got carried away before the older Slytherin pulled them apart. "Now hold on one moment." Fishing a red mask out of her robe pockets, she held it up to Hermione to look at. The mask was a light metal with intricate carvings done to give the mask a beautiful vine-like appearance. There were small gold nuggets dotting where the vines came from, matching the dress and the jewelry. She placed it on the brunette's heated face, cooling her off. Once it was tied behind her head, she stood back to look at the young witch who had suddenly become self-conscious under the scrutiny of her lover. Smiling, she said, "You look wonderful."
Blushing red, Hermione shyly looked down again. She still wasn't used to compliments but Bellatrix always seemed to grant her some. Bellatrix looked dashing herself, dressed in a feminine tuxedo and a satin black mask. It was simple yet elegant.
The raven-haired witch offered her arm for the younger Slytherin to take, which she did, and was led out of the small room to the landing overlooking the many dozens of partygoers. The Ball had fabulous and expensive looking decorations as many masked fans milled about. In the corners, food was being served by many servants and drinks were going around with waiters on trays. It was a sight that Hermione was not used to as she clung tighter to Bellatrix when they descended the stairs to join in the dancing. Turning a few heads, they stood out, no doubt everyone within the Dark Lord's ranks had heard about the prophecy by now and had merely come to see which witch the fuss was all about. Some smirked as they passed by, but some held their heads away in disdain, still reminding Hermione of her muddy blood. But that couldn't be true anymore, unless if it was only privy to the Dark Lord's inner circle knowing the truth behind Hermione's past.
The two came to a stop in front of a group of blondes. She instantly could make out Draco's smirk from behind his mask and no doubt the other man dressed in black was Lucius. Narcissa had gone for a silver mask but wore the maroon dress that Hermione had seen her pick out while dress shopping. She still looked jaw-dropping in the brunette's opinion, even though the blonde wouldn't even glance at her.
For a while Bellatrix talked to Lucius and Narcissa, while Hermione talked to Draco but eventually people kept graciously thanking the hosts and asking millions of questions about Hermione being part of the prophecy. They had to split up for different reasons all the people were demanding, and the brunette started to feel a bit suffocated from all the ladies gathering around her, asking about her dress or her mask or various other things. She would try to answer one but then another would ask, and they just kept coming. Trying to sneakily back up to excuse herself a hand from behind one of the columns grabbed her.
Spinning around Hermione was flooded in relief. "Bella, thank merlin. I thought they would eat me ali-" She paused seeing that this new person in front of her was wearing a dress with a different satin mask. Studying her carefully she could tell that the signature curly hair was a dark deep brown. "Wait you aren't Bellatrix...who are you?"
"Hello Hermione. My name is Andromeda. Andy for short. I'm the mother of Nymphadora." Hermione shook her head still not seeing a connection. "I'm friends with Minerva."
"Oh Minnie? How is she? I haven't seen her since before Christmas break. I hope she got my present?"
"She did and she was really thankful. How're things with you?" Andy asked politely but knew she needed to get to the point soon before she was spotted by her sister.
"I'm well. Been reading a lot this break. They have a great library! It's massive an- wait, what are you doing here? I thought your sisters hated you. No offense." Hermione added.
"I, uh, just wanted to talk to you and see how you are. I wanted to ask how my sisters are treating you?" Andromeda took a quick look around the room, making sure that Bellatrix or Narcissa weren't nearby.
"They're treating me fine. What's this about?" Hermione asked suddenly guarded.
Andy glanced nervously around again, seeing Bellatrix was making her way towards them with drinks in hand. "I have to go, but you should send Minerva a letter. She would love to hear from you." She gave her a light pat on the arm before turning away.
Hermione stared after her, getting caught up in her thinking before a gentle nudge brought her out of it. Looking up she saw Bellatrix looking to where she was.
"Who was that?" The dark witch asked handing a flute of champagne to her.
Hermione shook her head, accepting the glass. "Another weird party guest."
Bellatrix huffed. "They are a bit weird, aren't they?"
"Who are half of these people anyway?" The brunette asked as she sipped the previously brought drink.
"Friends and families of our Dark Lord. Those who serve him. He is here tonight.
"You mean your Dark Lord. I haven't agreed to anything following him."
Bellatrix gave her a sideways glare but said nothing. She knew the brunette was still a bit peeved that her life had been played with by both her and her Dark Lord. But she also knew that she needed to solidify her soulmate to the Dark Lord's cause to help win the war. The brunette would need to start liking him eventually.
"Perhaps I could introduce him to you." Bellatrix said with a smirk as she wrapped her arm around the younger witch's waist.
"Uh huh. You did remember? That didn't go so well." Hermione grumbled behind her glass.
"I meant properly this time. Without news to share. I think you would find some of his ideals...inspiring." Bellatrix's eyes glimmered with something Hermione couldn't make out.
"Right, I don't think I'd find a man capable of murdering, inspiring." Hermione huffed, looking away and bringing herself out of Bella's arms.
Bellatrix swooped in front of Hermione trying to make sure she didn't leave. "And did you not think that Dumbledore doesn't do this either?"
"I didn't say that. I know he was responsible for killing my parents! Frankly, I don't much like either of them. They can both sod off right now." The young witch said angrily.
"My dear, you have a right to be angry with them, at the world even. But if you're angry, use it. You may find the power you like from it.
"Is that what you like? The feeling of power?" Hermione quipped.
Bellatrix didn't answer but sashayed away with a feral grin on her dark red lips. Hermione looked after her quizzically but sipped her drink before making her way over to Draco.
Hermione talked and danced with classmates for the remainder of the Ball and by the time it was all over, it was well into the early hours of morning. The servants and house elves quickly dealt with cleaning up as the Malfoy family retired for the night after bidding farewell to the last of the guests. Draco was already upstairs getting ready for bed, as he had retired earlier that evening. Bellatrix and Hermione both went to the dark witch's room after insistence from Hermione. Bellatrix hadn't been allowed back in the room for so long after the brunette's inner turmoil, but for now she had gotten over her beef with the witch.
Hermione stumbled into the bedroom, giggling from too much champagne as she tripped trying to find the lights. Bellatrix shook her head at her more than drunk mate before picking her up from the hips and depositing her onto the large bed. Flicking her wand, the room lit up in a soft enough glow for them to shed their clothes and crawl into bed with each other.
Underneath the fluffy warm sheets, as soon as Bellatrix rolled over to face Hermione, she was attacked by intoxicated lips. Hermione rolled on top of her and began kissing her with a passion. The kisses were long and sensual and getting them both heated up but eventually when they pulled away to finally catch their breath, Bellatrix stopped Hermione from kissing her again.
"Mon amour, as much as I would love to let you know that you're mine, it's been a long night and you are too intoxicated right now to think clearly. If we go at this anymore, I won't be able to hold back."
Hermione moved to a sit up position on top of Bellatrix's stomach. "Who said I wanted to stop?" She giggled. Leaning down she whispered into Bellatrix's ear, "Who said I didn't want you to take me with that, appendage, you have there?" She smirked at Bellatrix who seemed gobsmacked. "What you didn't think I'd notice that some days I would wake up next to you with your extra thing poking me in the rear?" Looking at Bellatrix's shocked expression she fell over laughing. "You haven't exactly been subtle mate."
Bellatrix grumbled. "Oi laugh all you want! We'll see who has the last laugh when we're finally ready to do it." She rolled her eyes. "Tonight's not the night though. I want us to both be present and not drunk."
As if to try and prove her point, Hermione sat up on her elbows and poked Bellatrix in the nose. "I'm not drunk." She said before fits of giggles overtook her again.
Meanwhile Bellatrix just rolled her eyes while trying to think horrid things to get her stiff problem down. She can't believe the witch had the power to rile her up so much in the short span they had begun to know and love each other. Sure things were moving fast, but with the impending war, certain things must be done at quicker paces. At least that is what Bellatrix told herself to hide the fact of why she really was doing all of this. She was falling for the brunette and hard. Feeling a bit concerned over the fact that Hermione may want sex considering she was just almost raped a couple months back raised a red flag, but Bellatrix quickly diffused her rising worry. The girl was merely drunk and not really thinking. Looking over at the brunette, the black-haired witch realized that the rhythmic up and down movement of the brunette's chest meant she had fallen asleep. Smiling, she quickly spooned the smaller witch as she fell asleep too, exhausted from the fun of the party.
Author's End Note: Did y'all like the chapter? Hope I could entertain you while we're all bored/busy at home. I'll probably be able to write more chapters as this goes on so the chapters may be shorter. As always, remember all mistakes and inconsistencies are my own because I have no beta, so let me know if you see any. If anyone is interested in being my beta, please let me know as well. If you're interested in seeing the dress Hermione was in and what Bellatrix was dressed in, then I have provided a link in the notes sections. Thanks for reading! ~1stSoulVamp
Notes:
mon amour my love
Hermione's Dress for the Ball:
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Bellatrix's Dressage for the Ball:
p/xHkCBWQqK0/?modal=true
