Hermione creeps around the hedge path, ears straining for the sounds of Bellatrix and Narcissa's voices. It's difficult to sneak closer when the path is made of gravel, crunching underfoot with every tiny shift of her weight. She glares at the blindingly white gravel. Why did the Black's pick gravel? It can't be comfortable for a leisurely stroll.

It takes several minutes for her to catch up with Bellatrix and Narcissa. She hears them before she sees them.

"...resourceful brats, Alecto calls them. I'm beginning to see what she means. They're a constant thorn in our sides."

Narcissa laughs. "I still can't understand how you are being stumped by school children."

"Most of them are adults as you well know," Bellatrix says, pride clearly wounded.

"Adults who, if Alecto and Amycus are to be believed, spent the last year of schooling playing hide-and-seek instead of learning," Narcissa says with amusement.

They stop walking, and Hermione freezes, her breathing shallow.

"I would like to see you do better," Bellatrix says, and Hermione peers around the corner of the hedge, seeing Bellatrix toss her head irritably.

"Oh, Bella," Narcissa says affectionately, "I'm only teasing."

Bellatrix lets out a slow breath. "I worry..." She shakes her head. "But enough about me. How are you holding up, Cissy?"

Narcissa sighs. "It's...difficult. I miss Draco. I worry about him all the time."

"We'll be moving into Grimmauld Place within the next few days," Bellatrix says. "Alecto and I are keeping an eye on him. He'll be safe with us."

"He was supposed to be safe with me." Narcissa blinks back tears. "And I couldn't protect him!"

Bellatrix grasps Narcissa by her shoulders. "You did keep him safe. He's still alive."

"Yes, but..." Narcissa bites her lip, glancing down.

"But what?"

Narcissa looks up at Bellatrix sadly. "Is he happy?"

The question visibly throws Bellatrix. "What?"

"He could have been happy if not for me and Lucius. He's just a boy, and the things he's done...the things he's been made to do, because of choices Lucius and I made - " She stops speaking abruptly. Pulling away from Bellatrix, she asks with a cooler and more distant tone, "How is Lucius handling Draco's decision to move out?"

Bellatrix's gaze darkens. "What does that matter?"

"I want to be sure he isn't giving Draco any grief," Narcissa says shortly.

Bellatrix scoffs. "As if Lucius has the backbone to give Draco problems." Pausing, her expression softens. "How are you, Cissy? Really."

"Fine. I'm keeping busy with cleaning up the Manor."

"I can't imagine that's all you're doing," Bellatrix says pointedly.

Narcissa glares at Bellatrix. "You are hardly subtle."

Hermione's breath catches, her heart skipping a beat. She leans forward, heart racing.

Bellatrix rolls her eyes. "Very well, I'll speak plainly then. Clearly you and the brats have something planned. What is it?"

"Nothing. We have no plans."

"The mudblood mentioned Nagini at her hovel, and the Dark Lord has become strangely protective of her. He will not tell me why she is so important, but the brats must have told you - "

Narcissa shakes her head. "It's best if you do not know. For your own safety."

"Bullshit," Bellatrix hisses. "I can handle myself." She starts to pace, agitated. "Do you not trust me?"

"I do, with my life," Narcissa says gently but firmly, "but right now it is not...it's not important for you to know - " Bellatrix opens her mouth furiously, and Narcissa raises her voice, " - and dangerous for you. When you need to know, we will tell you."

Then, softly, she adds, "Or don't you trust me?"

Bellatrix glares. "Of course I do. ...Fine. Damn you, Cissy, fine."

"Thank you," Narcissa says softly, and Hermione's chest loosens, and she lets out a soft breath.

She hopes Ron will accept this as proof that Narcissa can be trusted with Bellatrix.