Tonight, I will not swim, for the lake has frozen over. A thin film of frost has clawed its way, first in veins, then in streams, to coat the now unmoving surface, edge to edge, in white. And I reach down, to feel it.

Press the end of my index finger over the ice. I close my eyes and smile. It is time. I think to myself. Time, finally to fight for my freedom. I twist my hand so that the back of it rests lightly on the lake then push my nail into it and draw an X.

I have waited so long.

I stand now and begin to walk toward her, my Venus, my love, my soul mate.

Bella, oh Bella, come back to me.

Trees pass me, as though they themselves, once the columns of hate that separated us, had stood apart with open arms.

I have seen you Bella, your presence in the stars.

Picking up speed now, my feet fall flatly onto the cool ground and my lips part.

you will come to me.

I throw my arms behind me, and run, run faster than I ever had.

after all this time.

If I have to spend another second without her in my arms I will surely die.

Bella.

My breath, ragged now, leaves me harshly. My eyes, wide, scan all around for a light, for a figure beside myself and the sky that reaches beyond.

I need you.

A light!

I stopped all at once. And could hear the deafening laugh of The Dark Lord reverberate through me. inside me. My blood ran as cold as the very ice that blankets the world around me. I see visions of Bellatrix with him, her hand in his own. They walk together in darkness to build a new world. the visions rip through me and I fall to the ground. That's when I see her. A figure holding out her wand in the darkness.

Then I hear Bellatrix's cruel whisper: I love, and will only ever love, The Dark Lord. I am devoted to him.

I hit the ground with my fists, push the frosted leaves into my hair as I cover my ears to stop them ringing with premonition. I scream her name; I curse the stars.

They watch my sorrow from above. Night watches my soul as it rips itself apart and I sob for the loss of a love I could never possess.

The figure has stopped approaching and I, sick of living, sick of myself, throw a ring of fire around myself and the figure with greater magical prowess than Bellatrix could ever dream of possessing.

"Reveal yourself witch, or I shall strike you down with no remorse" I shout into the flame. Sick. Totally sick. I slam my hand into the back of figure so that they fall face first into the ground. I kick her, turning her to face me.

"Lilith?"

"Hermione?"

"Lilith, what has gotten into you?" Hermione choked out, still winded from the blow to her gut.

I turned and walked away slowly, extinguishing the flames in an instant.

"Wait! Wait, Lilith! Please, I can't get up."

I stopped in my tracks and looked at the sky. "you can't get up?" I said bitterly and turned toward her. "You can't get up!" I screamed. "Oh, my dear Hermione, I cannot live! Look at you!" I walked over to her; fists clenched as she pushed her way back up onto her legs. I slammed her back into the nearest tree trunk with my forearm. "the stars promised me that Bellatrix would come" I spat, tears seeping now from my weary eyes. "They told me!" Hermione was struggling free of my grasp, I let her go and began to walk back to my hollow. "they told me Bellatrix had decided to love me again" I whispered "that I would find my soulmate here, this night". I kicked the ground and turned to find Hermione was still behind me. "What candy do you like Hermione, you must be starved".

"Lilith- I- I don't"

I gave Hermione a stern look.

"Peppermints. I like peppermint."

I threw my body into an unachievable transfiguration, hoping I could tire myself out. The magic coursed through me as I closed my eyes and through my wand tip with such force that both Hermione and myself were forced backward. Hermione watched in awe as not only that tree, but several trees behind it, fell to the ground in the form of millions and millions of perfectly formed red and white peppermint swirls.

She walked over to them as I caught my breath and gazed in awe at the scene before her. She picked a sweetie from the forest floor and examined it. She whipped her head around to look at me in shock, her mouth slightly open.

"Taste it."

Hermione placed it onto her tongue and all but moaned as the flavour melted into her taste buds.

"Good girl. Now tell me why you are here- sword of Gryffindor I presume?"

"What? Um, yes, actually. Before Ron and Harry were taken- "

"by snatchers, yes, yes, I know"

"But how do you- "

"Hermione, I just turned half of the forest of dean in to peppermints"

"Fair point" Hermione raised her hands.

"Little witch, you'll die out here."

Hermione followed my quick walk back toward the hollow. We walked in silence.

"Close the door behind you or you'll turn you into a pumpkin pastie."

I watched her close the door and lit candles to illuminate the room. She stood shivering in the doorway. Her hair was matted, her cloths soaked from head to foot in snow and her eyes were tremendously red.

I cleared my throat, "I am a little bit unstable- apologies for the fire and the kick. I had just received a startling premonition about the only woman I ever loved and it hurts like- "I began to cry again. "It hurts like no pain I have ever endured."

Hermione did not move from the doorway.

I took a deep breath head hanging. "Hermione. The stars have sent you to me." I look up into her brown eyes. "I have what you want but you need to trust me."

Hermione shifted. "I think that I am going to have to."