Hermione hadn't seen Bellatrix for two days. She couldn't stand it anymore. On the evening of the third day it was 7pm and therefore 2 hours after Bellatrix usually woke up. Yet the vampire again didn't walk out of her chambers.
According to Hermione, this was childish. They needed to talk. Communication was always key.
That's how she found herself in front of the vampire's bedroom at 7:30pm. She knocked at first, but hadn't heard anything. "Bella," she said and knocked again. There was a grunt. "I am coming in," she informed and opened the door.
The room was dark and Bellatrix was still in bed, but she sat up when the girl entered her room.
"This is childish, Bella!" she informed the witch and sat on the bed.
"What is?" she rolled her eyes and let the covers fall to reveal her barely covered chest.
Hermione fixed her stare to that area and snapped out of it when she saw Bellatrix's shit eating grin. "Well, that is for sure!"
"I don't think my chest is childish, pet," she purred. "And the way you look at it is also very far from childish," she smirked.
"Gross," Hermione answered and looked up.
"Are you calling my well endowed chest gross?" Bellatrix gasped, pretending to be shocked.
"No! Your chest is beautiful … ehm, anyway," she blushed and turned away from the vampire completely. She was getting distracted.
On the other side of the bed, Bellatrix was very happy her plan worked. She needed to distract the girl. She snuck behind her as quietly as possible and pressed said chest to the girl's back. "Hello, little one," she cooed and encircled her with pale arms.
Hermione visibly swallowed. This is not why she came here! Why did she come here again? She had a really hard time remembering now.
"You… I…" she stammered and got lost in the feeling of having Bella so close to her.
"Mmmmh, you and I, pet," she whispered and stroked the girl's arms with her own, while her lips were close to her neck.
"Bella," she breathed out. She had a hard time resisting at the beginning when she was angry with the vampire, let alone now.
"Oh, I'm here, sweet-thing," she said and moved the brown curls from one side of her neck to the other, exposing it. She extended her fangs and then stopped abruptly. The beast inside was ready to make their meant-to-be theirs. It was ready to feed from the girl, devour her whole. And even though Bellatrix knew her delicious witch wouldn't be as opposed to it as before, she still hadn't consented to it. She let go of her and leaned on the headrest of the bed.
"What happened?" Hermione turned to her when she gathered herself from the lustful haze.
"Nothing, pet. Don't worry about it," the vampire replied and conjured a firewhiskey. The burning sensation should help.
"No, tell me, Bella," the girl demanded and looked at the vampire with big wide eyes. "Did I do something?"
The vampire sighed. She wanted to kiss the girl senseless when she looked at her this way. Concern overriding her curiosity.
Silly little thing. You're afraid you've done something when all I wanted to do was attack you.
"We will just have to hold back on my favorite seduction game for a while," she explained. Well, she didn't really explain it, but how could she tell her that sometimes the beast inside of her almost won?
"Did I do something?" the girl asked again, uncertain of herself. She could see Bellatrix was fighting inside of her own head, she just didn't know who the enemy was.
"No, sweet-thing. You didn't do anything," she reassured her.
"Was that the problem? Was I supposed to… I don't know. What was I supposed to do?" she chewed on her bottom lip.
Bellatrix chuckled. This girl would surely be her undoing.
"I doubt you would be able to do anything. I had you wrapped around my finger," she blew her a kiss.
"I heard your fangs," she whispered. "I heard and I didn't jerk away. I should have, shouldn't I?" she fidgeted on the bed.
This time the vampire growled. The extension of her fangs wasn't a loud noise, but she was basically next to the girl's ear.
"Pet, there is something you should know," she sighed. "It will be harder and harder for you to resist me. Same as it is harder and harder for me to ignore the pull I feel towards you. You've read how vampires went mad while searching for their meant-to-be, the longer it takes, the stronger the pull gets. Sometimes it's complicated. We were lucky in a way that we were around each other. Well, I was lucky, I guess," she smiled. "But you are drawn to me. Everything you think you dislike about me will turn into 'it's okay'. And no, it's not fair, I'm aware."
"I didn't really care that you Crucioed Lupin," she admitted. "I should have been absolutely mad at you. I would have been two weeks ago."
"You will be able to overlook many things. Even before I bite you. The bond is stronger than any magic I've come across. I still believe it's some kind of dark magic. You would care if I killed your closest friends, but you would forgive me. How fucked up is that?" she chuckled.
"That is pretty fucked up," Hermione admitted.
"And what happened now is that the vampire was ready to hurt you," she said quietly and sipped her drink. "It doesn't know it would be hurting you. See, you're its meant-to-be, and you're supposed to want for the vampire to be happy and sated. Feeding from you is supposed to be pleasurable for you both. But I know that's not how it works. I lost my better judgement for a moment. I realized soon enough I wasn't in control, but I can't risk not realizing soon enough the next time. We will need to keep some distance. The closer I am to you, the harder it gets."
"I didn't know that you and it are not one person," she admitted and her heart swelled. "That must be hard for you."
"We were fine, pet. We learned how to live in synergy," she smiled reassuringly. "Until you came along," the vampire sighed. "Now we just sometimes disagree on certain things."
"Like when to rip my neck open?" she mused.
"That wouldn't happen," Bellatrix chuckled. "It's not some slaughter, sweet-thing. As I said, it really is more like an open kiss. Granted, there is sharp pain when the fangs penetrate your skin, but it's a pain that only lasts a second. You'll enjoy it, don't worry."
"I know I'm still here and all, but I didn't say I'd allow you to bite me, Bella," Hermione reminded.
"Really? Denial again? I thought we were passed that," she rolled her eyes.
"I just don't think I'm ready for such a commitment! Hell, I'm young! Maybe I want to travel and see the world… I don't know."
"You can do that once you let me bite you. I can't send you off somewhere without the bond working properly."
"So the only way that I can do what I want is to let you bite me? That's called blackmail, Bellatrix."
"It's not. I would go insane here. For real. The further you're away from me, the more I worry and the more I want you right next to me."
"And after the bite?" she asked.
"It's different. I will know about any potential danger before you do. I will also know that no vampire can attack you. But honestly pet, you won't want to travel after I bite you. I told you the first months are the most intense for you. And we will have eternity."
"You will have eternity, I'm still just a witch."
Bellatrix sighed. She feared this conversation, but she knew it had needed to be said before she would ever consider biting the girl.
"There's one more thing you really need to know, pet. One thing that the vampire inside considers absolutely unimportant, but again, I know better," she informed and sipped the firewhiskey again.
"What is it, Bella?"
"I meant it when I said that we will have eternity," the vampire started. "You see, I suffer when you suffer. I am hurt when you are. I die if you do…" she said the last part quietly.
"Bella?" Hermione asked, concern written all over her face.
"A lot will change after the bite," she admitted. "Most importantly you will stop aging."
"What? Are you saying what I think you are?!"
"Yes, Hermione. You will become immortal as long as I live. I mean, it would be a pretty stupid bond if you were to die on me after few decades, don't you think?" she chuckled bitterly.
"That's impossible," she whispered.
"Well, think about it. I'll die if you do. Whether it's from the pain your loss would cause me or because it's simply destined to happen, I do not know. I do know I would die, though. You can't expect for vampires to get their meant-to-be and seal their doom with it," she said carefully.
"I don't want to live forever," she teared up.
"There are ways, sweet-thing. If you really don't want to live even after the bond works then I will happily kill myself and you in the process."
"You would do that?" Hermione looked at the vampire with eyes puffy from tears.
"I would do that, but I don't think it will ever come to it."
"So we won't have children, will we?" she asked after a moment.
"No. But did you really want them or did you consider it your duty?"
Hermione had to think about that. When she pictured her life with Ron she always saw kids, but that was most likely because he was from a big family and would want them.
"I guess the latter," she shrugged.
"Hmmm," Bellatrix nodded. She knew that before the girl did. "I'll buy you a pet," she exclaimed happily.
"I already have one."
"The ginger cat?" the older witch asked.
"How did you know that? Out of my head!"
"Because that's all you were thinking about when I tried to look for information three days ago."
"You need to stop doing that," Hermione said. She was however expecting it and so she thought only of Crookshanks to keep Bellatrix away from the horcruxes.
"This was important."
"You really need to stop doing that. Especially when it's important."
"I can't always help it!" she snapped. "You're an open book to me."
"I know," Hermione sighed. "Still," she stood her ground. "It's why I came here in the first place," she said. "Before you tried to seduce me," she added.
"Because you want your cat?" Bellatrix guessed.
"No," the girl shook her head. "I mean, I do… but that's not why I came here."
"So because you realized you stayed even after the Order came to rescue you?" Bellatrix guessed again. She was trying to distract the young witch again. She didn't want to talk about the cup in her vault. She wasn't supposed to talk about it.
"No," she shook her head again. "Although… now that you mentioned it," she sighed. "I did stay, didn't I?"
"Yes, pet," Bellatrix purred.
"I wanted," she nodded. "I want to stay," she reassured. "Oh my god, I will let you bite me, won't I?" she asked and her face got a shade paler as the color drained from it. The realization hitting her hard.
"Eventually," the vampire nodded.
Hermione teared up and Bellatrix softened. The diversion wasn't supposed to make the girl sad.
"Oh hush now, sweet-thing," she sighed and carefully took the girl in her arms. Even the vampire inside understood that tears meant pain and the beast was not okay with that. Her little girl would be safe from any bloodthirst right now.
"I just hoped I have some say in it I guess," she said quietly into Bella's neck.
"And you do. More than anyone else ever had," she reassured.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked and lifted her head to face the vampire. "Did your sisters just bite them after meeting them?"
"Basically. It's supposed to be a love at first sight, you know," she chuckled bitterly.
"Well, that sucks."
"Does it? I think it's romantic," Bellatrix mused.
"It might be if both parties are equally interested."
"And they usually are, sweet-thing."
"Isn't your sister a Death Eater?" she asked. "And I remember Fleur was more about the good side. How is that equal?"
"Cissy is not a Death Eater, pet."
"She was at the Malfoy manner that day…" Hermione reminded. A day when her life turned upside down.
"She was, but only because I was called there and Cissy was with me. How do you know Fleur?"
"She was at Hogwarts for the Wizarding tournament. So was your sister by the way. Now I know why."
"Ah, yes. Cissy had to be there with Fleur when Fleur's sister announced she wanted to participate."
"Okay, so Narcissa is probably not a Death Eater, but she would surely fight for Noseless and not for Harry."
"Whoa. Cissy is not a Death Eater, period. They stayed out of the war since as you hinted, they would probably fight for different sides. It was a decision they made together. And what did you just call Tom?" she asked, some anger showing in her eyes.
"Well, you forbad me to say his name," she shrugged. "Does it bother you?" she asked and faced Bellatrix again. She was quite shocked at the anger in her eyes.
"Yes, it bothers me!" she snapped.
"And why is that, Bella?" Hermione asked calmly, but Bellatrix got up from the bed and started pacing. The girl knew the older witch felt like she owes Noseless, but she didn't know why. And was that everything or was there more to it? "You're referring to Harry as itty bitty baby Potter or Plotter and you don't see me losing my mind over it. Of course I don't appreciate it, but I want to know what makes you react this way."
"Stop," she growled.
"Bella, what's wrong? Why are you acting like this right now?"
"You have no idea how he can be. You have no idea how powerful he is. You have no idea how persuasive he can be," she spat. "You better show some respect!"
"Show respect to someone that basically goes after a teenager?"
"Plotter is The Chosen One, isn't he? It's not Tom's fault he's a child."
"And it's not Harry's fault that he's The Chosen One," she replied. "It's not even about Harry, though. If Noseless wins, I'll be killed Bella. That's the cause he's fighting for. That's the cause you're fighting for," she reminded for good measure.
Bellatrix growled again at the hideous nickname. "I told you I am not fighting for that," she replied, but didn't stop pacing.
"But you are," Hermione said carefully. "You are his deadliest weapon, Bella. You fighting for him means you fight for the cause. You fight for my death," she whispered the last part.
Bellatrix growled again, but this time she jumped on the bed and on top of Hermione, pinning her down. "I. Am. Not."
Hermione's heartbeat sped up and she swallowed. Bellatrix was scary like this. "You are," she replied, no matter her discomfort. She really needed to get her message through. "What is your debt, Bellatrix? Why do you keep serving him even when you know it will be my doom? It will be our doom no matter who wins."
Bellatrix strangled Hermione's neck and growled: "You really don't know when to shut up, do you?"
"Bella, you're hurting me," she whispered, choking on air. The grip was similar to Narcissa's and she was running out of oxygen very fast.
The vampire jerked away to the other side of the bed as if burned. The anger was gone. Now she growled for an entirely different reason. "Shit," she cursed. "I hurt you," she whispered and looked so pained, her arms shaking and her chin trembling.
Hermione softened just by the display of turmoil. It was clear Bellatrix didn't know how to process what just happened.
"It's okay," she reassured. It wasn't, but she needed to comfort the older witch first.
"No, it's not," she sighed. "I…" she paused to fish out her wand. "I guess there is no other way," she said and handed Hermione her curved wand. The girl looked at the piece of wood with questioning eyes. Did Bellatrix want her to heal the ache in her throat or?
"Bella?" she questioned.
"Crucio me," she simply said.
"What?!" Hermione gasped, despite the pain.
"Use Crucio. I hurt you. You need to hurt me too."
"That's not how it works," Hermione teared up. She could only imagine what kind of childhood this woman had. "Bella, I won't punish you. I angered you and you slipped. I won't torture you because of it."
"You won't?" the vampire asked, shocked.
"Even if I did know how to cast an unforgivable, I wouldn't use it on you," she reassured and moved closer to the other woman. "Why would I do that?" she asked and stroked Bella's pale cheek. It made her ache to see the usually confident and strong woman crumble like this.
"I deserve to be punished," Bellatrix simply shrugged.
"No, you definitely don't deserve that."
"I hurt you," she repeated.
"And you realized it. But Bella, even if you didn't, I would never use Crucio on you."
"You're too good for your own good, pet," she whispered.
"Because I don't want to torture you for one simple mistake? Hardly. Plus I am fine. Mostly."
"Let me fix that," the vampire sighed and took back her wand.
"With a wand?" Hermione asked.
"Well, yes. Unless it's really bad and you need a potion."
"Oh," Hermione averted her eyes. "Okay."
"What's the matter, pet?" Bellatrix asked, immediately catching the girl's disappointment.
"Nothing," she reassured and smiled.
"Nothing, hmm?" she repeated. "Do you wish to fix everything with my blood, sweet-thing?"
"If you don't mind," she murmured. "It just doesn't leave me with the aftermath of the injury as episkey does."
"You'd make a great vampire," Bellatrix smiled and cut her finger open. She reached for Hermione's wrist, but the girl jerked away. The vampire looked at her quizzingly.
"I don't like the cut," Hermione shrugged. The cut was doing things to her insides that she would rather not name. "May I?" she pointed to the injured finger.
Bellatrix didn't really know what her soulmate wanted to do, but she wasn't opposed to anything so she nodded. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine that the girl would take her finger and place it in her mouth, lightly sucking to get the blood flowing out. She moaned and she moaned loudly.
"Fuck, pet," she said breathless.
Hermione released the finger and blushed. She just sucked blood from Bella's finger. What would people say…
"Hermione, look at me," Bellatrix demanded and the girl did. "It doesn't matter what people say, sweet-thing," she reassured. "Never care what people think about you. Plus, no one needs to know. I won't tell," she winked. "And if it counts, I thought it was hot as fuck."
"Bella!" the girl blushed even more.
"What? It was. Hell pet, I really had a hard time of not jumping on you, you know."
"So, you liked it? You didn't mind?"
"Oh, I so didn't mind, sweet-thing," she reassured. The vampire knew her girl would be kinky. "Just never worry about what people say, okay?"
"How can I not?" she murmured again.
Bellatrix sighed. She calmed down enough to talk without seeing red now. "You asked me why I am in his service. Well, the debt aside, he lets me be who I am. He doesn't judge me."
"Because you're a pureblood," she replied quietly.
"Maybe. But he still finds my theatrics amusing. He knows I get the job done without questions."
"He's not a good man."
"No, he's not. But he is a good company. He's very intelligent and cunning."
"I don't doubt it."
"And he doesn't judge me."
"Because he's like you," Hermione shrugged. "He would judge me."
"He's like me, huh? Well, that's rich, pet."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Yes, you did. You hate him. You think of him as this absolute terror. Good to know that's what you truly think of me," she said and got up from the bed, masking the hurt.
"Bella no! I don't think that of you. I know that's not you."
"Is it not, though? I do love to torture. I don't mind killing. I am cruel and wicked."
"I don't care," Hermione shrugged.
The vampire smiled, baring her teeth.
"Fuck," the girl said. "I really don't care. How did that happen?" she choked.
"Either you're darker thank you think or you're just overlooking things."
"I can't be okay with you killing people, though."
"What if I killed someone that hurt you before?"
"What do you mean? Murder is never okay."
"So let's say someone calls you a mudblood. Someone tortures you for it. They hurt you both psychically and psychologically. What would you feel if I killed them? If I killed them for you?"
Hermione looked at Bellatrix. The vampire sat close to her, at edge of the bed again. No one would call her soulmate mudblood without paying for it. She didn't have a problem with the word as such, she just knew how much Hermione hated it. And no one would hurt her soulmate without consequences.
"I don't know," she whispered. I must be losing my mind.
"Isn't it romantic?" Bellatrix grinned.
"Yes. No!" she answered and corrected herself immediately. "Bella no, murder can never be romantic. I don't… I guess I don't judge you for it, but please don't kill for me."
"So you don't want me to kill for you, but you want me to stop serving my Lord?" she asked, curious. Killing was definitely easier.
"Well, yes?" she said, unsure. "I explained what would happen if you kept serving him."
"But pet, if I do change sides I'll be killing in your name."
"You're not going to be at the battle!" Hermione exclaimed. "Unless I am allowed to be there if you fight for us."
"Not a chance."
"Well then you're not going to be there either!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "I will, as I need to be there. I explained that."
"You will be sent to Azkaban," Hermione murmured.
"You really count on your victory, don't you?" she sighed. "He won't go down easily, Hermione. He has secrets. It's hard to kill him."
"Oh, I'm aware," she nodded. "Is the cup full of dark magic?" she brought the subject back. That's why she came to the room in the first place after all.
Bellatrix looked deeply into her eyes and Hermione started to think of Crookshanks again, just for good measure.
"What do you know about the cup?" the witch asked. Surely those kids hadn't figured out Tom's biggest secret.
"What do you?" she asked back with the same determination.
"That's not how we will play this game, pet," the vampire shook her head.
"It's not a game, Bella. I need to know."
"Well, tell me what you know first then."
Hermione bit her lip. Could she trust the vampire like that? Bellatrix could very easily just apparate to Noseless (yes, Hermione would still call him that as long as Bella kept mocking Harry) and tell him that they were after the horcruxes. It would make Harry's mission way more dangerous and complicated. If she didn't ask though, she would never know. The cup could be another part of his soul and therefore it needed to be destroyed.
"This is pointless. We can't dance around in circles like this," she sighed. "I'll tell you. But Bella, you need to promise me you won't use this information against us. Against me."
Bellatrix eyed her, thinking about her options. She didn't have many, though. Meant-to-be comes first. She nodded.
"Please say it. Please say that you promise," Hermione insisted.
"I promise," she sighed. She wouldn't tell Tom anything. Her pet was right that it would most likely jeopardize everything and eventually put her life in danger.
"Okay," Hermione nodded, but was still very reluctant. Yes, Bellatrix didn't want to hurt her, but Harry was a different topic. She started to fidget, biting her lip so hard that she almost drew blood.
"Stop," the older witch shuffled closer to the girl and released the lip with the pad of her thumb. She then stroked a peachy cheek. "I won't tell him, Hermione. No matter what it is, I won't tell him. I promise. I'll make an unbreakable vow if you want me to."
"There's no need for that. I trust you I guess," she sighed.
Bellatrix smiled. "It will be okay," she said and gave her a ghost like kiss on the cheek. "So, why such interest in the cup?"
"I think we know what his biggest secret is. That's why I hope we will win and end him once and for all," she started and Bellatrix dipped her head slightly. Do they really know? The vampire thought. "You know his biggest fear is death, right? He created horcruxes. He split his soul into seven pieces, as far as we know. We already destroyed two. The cup might be another," Hermione explained and looked pleadingly at Bellatrix.
"I think we underestimated you," she said at first and Hermione tensed. "Don't worry, pet. I won't tell him that you know about his precious horcruxes. I promised," she reassured.
"I think Dumbledore found out."
"Ah, the old manipulative bastard," the vampire chuckled. "And he sent your Chosen One after them?" she mused.
"Not really, but what was Harry supposed to do when Snape killed Dumbledore? He decided to find them and destroy them. Me and Ron decided to go with him."
"It's a suicide mission."
"He's still alive," Hermione shrugged. "Right?" she then asked, concerned.
"Oh yes, yes," she nodded. "Your teenage hope is still alive."
"Is the cup a horcrux, Bella? And did you know?"
Bellatrix sighed. Bloody Dumbledore. "Yes, it is a horcrux. And yes, I knew even though Tom never said a thing."
"How could you know then?" she asked, shocked.
"Well, have I mentioned I'm kinda skilled at Legilimency?" she smirked. "Add my vampire strength and I can penetrate anyone's mind without them even noticing."
"That's impossible," the young witch gasped.
"For a wizard, yes. For a muggle vampire definitely. For me though? No."
"So he doesn't know that you even know?"
"He doesn't. I looked in his mind when he was giving me the cup. It reeked of dark magic, I wanted to know what it was. Not that I would mind, I was just curious."
"Do you know the remaining horcruxes then?" Hermione had to ask.
"Yes. And I'll only tell you that he didn't create seven, but only six. I would however count his own split soul as one, though."
"We need to destroy the cup, Bella," the young witch whispered.
"Look pet, he is still my Lord. If you tell me all the others are destroyed, and I can tell you that's very doubtful, as I know for a fact that one is definitely not. I might consider giving you the cup. But until then, it's not up for discussion."
Hermione nodded. This was much more than what she'd even hoped for. There were only six. That was good news. One was in Bellatrix's possession. That was good news too because she had to believe they would destroy it sooner or later. That task would most likely be on her since there was no way Harry could enter her vault, even if he knew the horcrux was there.
Harry and Ron would only need to find three horcruxes then.
Bellatrix could see the wheels turning in that pretty head of her meant-to-be and almost wished she could help her. Only almost, though. There was no way Plotter would destroy Nagini. Tom and the snake were inseparable. He was incapable of any affection, but he probably found a companion in the python.
"Bella?" Hermione asked after a moment.
"What now, sweet-thing?" she asked, amused.
"Why didn't you turn him? He wants to be immortal, right? Why not become a vampire? He would be powerful and immortal. Isn't that the answer to all his questions?" she asked carefully.
"He also despises any magical creatures. Vampires are partly creatures. He doesn't study magical creatures; he doesn't research them. I don't think he is even aware of our kind. I might have withheld that bit of information from him," the older witch winked. "He found horcruxes. I think he was quite happy with those. It allows him to live forever without defiling his blood with a magical creature's side. Plus, don't forget about the bonds. There is the bond we have, and there is the bond to the maker. I think he would pass even if he knew."
"You didn't tell him on purpose?" Hermione asked, shocked. "And what is the bond to the maker? What does that mean?"
"Yes, I didn't tell him on purpose," she nodded. "Well, the maker holds certain power over you. I doubt Tom would appreciate that."
"Ha, he surely wouldn't," the brunette chuckled. "Where is your maker then?"
"Another of Bella's history lessons, hmm?" she smirked. "Aren't you tired?" she chided.
"A little. Think of it as a bedtime story."
"Bedtime story? I was reading those to my sisters some 400 years ago the last time," she chuckled.
"Didn't your parents do that?"
"No," she just said. "Anyway, okay, bedtime story. Shouldn't you go to your bed then?" she smirked again.
"I'm comfy here," Hermione shrugged and laid down.
"As you wish, pet," the vampire smiled. "I don't know where my maker is," she started. "I found a muggle vampire in Moscow. It wasn't that hard to track her down. Muggles are useless. Even vampires," she rolled her eyes. "I acted like a local. I acted like a muggle," she scoffed. "Their clothes are absolutely hideous, let me tell you."
Hermione chuckled at that. "Jeans are fine."
"Definitely not. Maybe on you, but not on me," she shook her head in distaste. "So, she didn't know I was a witch and she didn't know I wasn't from Moscow," she continued only to be interrupted by Hermione again.
"Do you speak Russian then?" she wanted to know.
"I gotta say my sisters didn't interrupt my bedtime stories like that," she teased. Hermione's curiosity showing again. The girl blushed and murmured a quiet sorry. "But to answer your question: yes, I do speak Russian. Now back to the story, shall we?" she asked and the girl nodded eagerly. "So, after a moment she turned me and I vanished. I disappeared from the country before she could order me to stay or something. She probably wouldn't because as I said, she didn't know I wasn't from there, but I surely wouldn't stick around to risk it. I didn't tell her my real name nor my origin. She has no way of finding me. That's why I found a muggle vampire, and far from here. I do hope she is safe and sound with her respectful meant-to-be though. She was a nice woman for a muggle."
"So a maker can make you do things?" Hermione wanted to know, ignoring the tiny sting of jealousy. Bellatrix's maker didn't have a way of finding her though. Clearly there was nothing going on, no need to get jealous.
"Basically. You can't defy your maker. That's why it is a little dangerous."
"So your sisters…"
"My sisters can't defy me, no. I however I don't command them around. I should have in your case. I just didn't think they would hurt you."
"It was an accident, I guess," Hermione shrugged.
"An accident that shouldn't have happened. I forgot that Narcissa has been with her meant-to-be so long that she didn't realize her strength would be deadly for someone before the bite."
"So I would be okay if she had strangled me after the bite?"
"Yes. The bond counters a vampire's strength. You're still just a human. It is unbalanced. Once I bite you, you'll be able to take my strength. I think the fact that you're weaker is also a reason why I feel your pain. Why I am miserable when you are. See, I can't hurt you without feeling it myself. It makes sense since you have no way of defending yourself."
"I have ways," she murmured.
"Of course you do, sweet-thing," Bellatrix chuckled. "But if it came to it, I could crush you like a worm. Even I don't like the idea of that. I've learned how to hold back since I am feeding on wizards and witches, but I don't lose my temper with them. It could be deadly for you. I mean, you got a taste of it today," she sighed loudly and averted her eyes.
"Bella," the girl said gently and sat up. "Bella, look at me," she urged when Bellatrix was still studying her nails instead of looking at her. After the second plea, she however gave in and met hazelnut eyes. The girl smiled and Bellatrix just wanted to kiss her, hold her and protect her from the mean world. "Clearly the bond counts with fights, right? Otherwise I wouldn't get any stronger nor be able to take your strength. People fight, you wicked thing. It happens. Especially if we talk about a lifetime, eternity lasting relationship. You are waiting for my consent. It's not your fault that I'm this fragile," she smiled again and stroked a pale cheek. She was losing herself in the black pools of Bellatrix's eyes, eyes that held so much emotion.
"You need to stop being so soft, pet," she whispered. "I don't deserve it."
"That's where you're mistaken. You deserve everything the bond is supposed to provide."
"You should have Crucioed me. Pain is what I understand. This I don't get. I don't know how to act."
"Well, you've got me as your meant-to-be, and let me tell you now that pain is not what I will treat you with. No, Bella. You've had enough pain in your life as it is. Don't expect it from me," she smiled softly. "I wouldn't torture you for a simple slip. I wouldn't hurt you just because I feel like it. Plus, I didn't mind you strangling me all that much. I…" she started, but couldn't bring herself to finish that sentence. It was humiliating.
"What, pet? Tell me," she encouraged her.
"I do like the pain," she blushed and averted her eyes. She'd never admitted this to anyone. No one knew that when pleasuring herself, she had to pinch her nipple really hard to be able to cum. She often bit her lip to the extent of drawing blood. She was a virgin, but she knew what got her going and what sent her over the edge. More often than not it was pain.
"Fuck," the vampire growled. "Pet, you have no idea what you're doing to me," she swallowed hard, this admission making her folds slick with arousal and her fangs to extend. "Don't feel ashamed, sweet-thing," she raised Hermione's chin with her fingers. "I happen to love inflicting it. And I know it will be just the right amount, because first off, I can't hurt you significantly and second off, I don't think you'd enjoy being a screaming puddle of nerves from pain. So, it will work out just as it's supposed to," the raven-haired witch reassured.
"I don't enjoy Crucio, no," Hermione admitted. That was a tad too much pain.
"I wouldn't use it, sweet-thing. Even if I could."
"Well, I wouldn't use it on you either. Just so you know."
"My perfect soulmate," Bellatrix purred, taking the girl into her arms again. She wanted to do so much more, but she knew Hermione was not ready yet. She would just have to push aside the beast inside that screamed take take take.