A/N: okay, there is one scene with Narcissa and Fleur. I didn't plan it, didn't even think I'd write it, but you guys asked. It's very brief, but it's something :) and no, I really don't think there will be more of the pair in future chapters.
Bellatrix stared at the ceiling for a long time after Hermione fell asleep. Surely, she'd misheard. Right?
Of course, Hermione was her meant-to-be, there was no doubt about that anymore, but ... could the bond work this way before the bite? Bellatrix didn't think so, but she didn't have any other explanation. Maybe only the fact that Hermione didn't know what she was saying, and she definitely didn't mean it. Yes, that must have been it.
She turned her head to look at the girl that was sleeping half atop her. Hermione looked so content. And the vampire melted a little, but the beast inside had other plans. Take! It screamed. Bellatrix knew it was the hunger talking. She had a sip of brandy with Him, so she needed blood. She untangled herself from her soulmate, gave her a kiss on the cheek and left the bed.
She took a deep breath to shut the beast up and made her way to the cellar. She would take some food out for Hermione's breakfast. Considering the younger witch didn't eat anything for dinner, she would definitely be hungry in the morning. Bellatrix took some cereals, jam and cookies and climbed back upstairs to the kitchen.
She placed it all on the kitchen counter and rubbed her forearm that was burning. He was calling. He was looking for them.
Well, that was expected. That's why Bellatrix apparated them here after all. She just didn't foresee the fact that while there was enough food for Hermione, the vampire was lacking in this department.
The fact she had a human drink before they left didn't help either. She would get sick much faster than usual if she didn't get blood. The vampire was however not desperate enough to go hunt a reindeer yet.
When she was certain Hermione had everything she needed for breakfast, she left the kitchen and chuckled bitterly. Father must be turning in his grave now. It was her first year at Hogwarts when she in fact befriended a muggle-born. The girl didn't fear her like everyone else. She didn't whisper behind her back like everyone else. She didn't walk on eggshells around her like everyone else. She was just there. And while Bella's parents had taught her, she's superior because she's a pureblood, she couldn't see why she shouldn't talk with this girl from Gryffindor. So, she did.
Until the first holidays when she went home and told her parents at dinner. He tortured her for the longest time, his disgust converting into the curse. He forbade her to ever speak to that filth again. Bellatrix. Was. Better.
And she cried herself to sleep that night. Why couldn't she just make friends with people she wanted? With people that didn't fear her last name? It was too much to take in for a child.
When she was leaving to go back to school, her Father cornered her and spat that if she talked with that filth again, there would be consequences. And Bellatrix surely didn't want to face them.
She had to hurt the girl in order to keep her safe. The girl just didn't understand why Bella didn't, couldn't, talk to her again so she kept trying. Bellatrix had to put a mask on, brace herself for the first time ever and do what was necessary. It was for the greater good, but she carried the guilt until she just didn't care about anything and anyone anymore.
Of course, it backfired. People were now even louder with their whispers. No one ever had the guts to say it to her face, though.
Which brought her back to Earth because she knew Hermione didn't have that luxury. She could imagine how the Slytherins treated her. Could imagine how hard it must have been. She would protect her no matter what now. Her brave lioness. "Fate is a funny thing, Father. Don't you think?" she cackled, amused. "I hope you see this, daddy dearest and I hope it's eating you alive. I wish you happy rotting," she said to the silence in her childish voice.
She made her way to the living room and checked on the girl. She did that every night. She didn't even know why. Maybe the vampire wanted to know that her meant-to-be was still there and that she was breathing.
Now they however had a little argument inside the older witch's head about whether to bite her right now or not. Obviously, Bellatrix was voting for the latter, but the beast inside was getting louder and louder, driven mad by hunger.
The woman sighed. They've already been through so much. Surely, one small hunger wouldn't jeopardize everything.
The dark-haired witch turned on her heel and left the room. She would just try to sleep it off. How hard could it be?
It turned out it was pretty hard. She woke up feeling sick. She groaned and got up. There was no point in trying to go back to sleep.
The vampire made her way to the living room in hopes of finding Hermione. The girl was seated on the couch with a book in her hand.
"I see you found the library," Bellatrix mused.
Hermione looked up and smiled. "I did," she nodded. "Are you okay, Bella?" she asked as she appraised the older witch's appearance. She had dark circles under her eyes, looked a shade paler and kind of sick.
"I'm fine, sweet-thing," she reassured. She would definitely need to hunt a reindeer today.
"You're up pretty early and you don't look…" she bit her lip in thought, trying to decide how to finish the sentence without offending the vampire. "Healthy," she decided to say.
"I'm fine," she said through gritted teeth.
"Okay," Hermione replied, not a tad convinced. "I found some food on the kitchen counter for breakfast. Thank you."
"Good, did you like it?" she asked, happy to drop the subject.
"It was nice," she admitted. "You said you would explain about the food today," she blushed. She couldn't think of anything else since she woke up. Where did the food come from if there wasn't anything around?
"I did, didn't I?" the older witch smirked. Curious little thing.
"Yes," Hermione nodded eagerly.
"Well, then I guess I'll take you to the dungeons," she smirked.
"Okay," she replied. Funny how she would have been absolutely terrified at the beginning if Bellatrix only suggested that and now, she was following the vampire curiously.
"Ta-da," Bellatrix exclaimed, showing Hermione the cellar after casting Lumos and leaned on the door frame. Hermione entered the cold stony room and saw it was full of racks with food, wine and some spirits. She also sensed a preservation charm.
"Just out of curiosity, how long has this been here exactly?" she motioned to the food.
The vampire chuckled. "Exactly a few weeks," she laughed. "I re-stocked it when you entered my life."
"When you kidnapped me, you mean."
"Tomatos, tomatoes," she teased.
"Ha, funny," she laughed. She was however relieved to hear the food had not been here for centuries. She looked around a bit more and noticed the walls. "Why are the walls black as if burned by fire?"
"Because they were," the vampire shrugged.
"Is that some kind of preservation method?" she chuckled.
"No."
"Okay, so they were burned because?" the girl pushed, seeing the shadow crossing Bella's face.
"It doesn't matter," she huffed.
"Well, I think it matters to me. What happened?" Hermione asked gently and made her way back to the older witch.
"The food is fine," she replied.
"Yes, the food is fine, but you're not," the girl replied. "That's why it matters."
"I burned it, okay? It was me."
"I figured that much, you wicked thing," she chuckled and leaned in to kiss her softly. "Now will you finally tell me what made you do it?" she asked and stroked a pale cheek.
"I just…" she sighed and swallowed, determined not to say a thing. She couldn't say no to those big brown eyes, though. Nor lie. "I just didn't think I'd ever get a meant-to-be," she admitted quietly. "I bought this house soon after I became a vampire. I knew I was destined to meet my true love and I didn't know what it would be like, what would they need…" she chuckled slightly at the memory of her as a newborn vampire. "I knew humans needed food, though. I stocked it up. When no one appeared for about 50 years, I burned it all. Then Andy got a meant-to-be and I got a new flicker of hope so I restocked it again. Burned it after 100 years, give or take a few."
"Okay, that's understandable, I guess. Two fires. Okay."
"If you'd just let me finish for once," the vampire rolled her eyes, but smiled and Hermione blushed, pulling the vampire closer to let her know that she was here now. "You see, both of my sisters already had a meant-to-be, yet I was so old and got nothing. I didn't even feel as if you were to be born yet. I restocked it again when Cissy told me she felt her meant-to-be entered the world. Just in case. Obviously, nothing. And I'd already done some shady things back then. I've killed, I've tortured. After about 250 years I came back to this place for the last time and burned it all again. I'd decided that I was too damaged. I mean, who would love me?" she whispered the last part. "I stopped believing that I would ever get a meant-to-be. Monsters like me don't get happy endings."
"You're not a monster," Hermione replied and kissed her again. The admission pained her.
"But I am," Bellatrix argued.
"You're not. You got a meant-to-be, did you not?"
"Fine, but still…"
"Nope. I know what a monster looks like. It's nothing like you."
"You still don't know half the things I've done, pet."
"I don't care," she shrugged. "And I'm here. I will always be here, as long as you want me."
"I will always want you, sweet-thing."
"What if I murdered someone?" Hermione teased.
"You're kidding, right?" Bellatrix laughed. "Pet, if you murdered someone, I'd most likely fuck you into oblivion."
"Well, that's fucked up, Bella," she chuckled and tried to control her raging libido. "But I guess I'm here for it."
"Sex next to dead bodies, blood still flowing on the floor. Which means only my feet would get dirty because I'd take you on a table," she mused.
"Stop! Oh Merlin, stop," Hermione laughed, not as repulsed by the idea as she was supposed to be.
"Getting horny?" the vampire smirked.
"Not really, but I'm not disgusted either! And I should be."
"Maybe just until the first time we do it," she wiggled her eyebrows.
"Be quiet, you wicked thing," she chuckled and kissed the older witch, getting lost in red lips.
Bellatrix pulled her even closer, but then hissed when there was a soft click and her fangs extended. "Fuck this," she murmured and pushed Hermione gently away from her.
"Really? A kiss got you worked up like that?" the girl grinned. It was always Bella that made her flustered.
"Something like that," she replied and turned to leave the cellar's door frame.
There was no smirk, there was no inappropriate comeback and there was no pushing Hermione against the wall. The girl furrowed her brow.
"Did I do something?" the younger witch asked when they reached the living room again.
"What?" the raven-haired woman turned to face her meant-to-be.
"Well, did I do something? Usually you don't let me walk out that easily," she smiled softly. "Especially if you're interested in… well, you know," she blushed.
"You didn't do anything wrong, sweet-thing," she reassured and smiled. There was no way she would tell the girl how much she wanted to rip into her neck and feast on her.
"Bella," she sighed. "You're hungry, aren't you? What did you eat?"
Right, her meant-to-be was a know-it-all, of course.
"It's okay. I'll sort it out."
"And if you won't?"
"I will," she growled, leaving no space for further argument. Apparently, hunger made her snappier.
Hermione wanted to say something about how they would figure it out, but Bella hissed again and palmed her forearm.
"What is it?" she asked and lifted said arm. Having no patience to roll up that stupid sleeve that hugged Bella as a second skin, she murmured a simple spell and the sleeve was gone.
She eyed the Dark Mark and ran her fingers over it. It was hot, as if burning.
"Bella?" she lifted her gaze back to onyx eyes.
"He's calling," the vampire shrugged. "Pretty intensively. That's why I don't want to risk apparition, it might take me to Him instead. You don't know the pull."
"Does it hurt?" she asked, still softly palming the Mark.
"Like a motherfucker," Bellatrix chuckled.
The girl nodded and lifted said arm to her lips. She planted kisses all over the Dark Mark. "Wish that would help," she sighed. "Can't you get rid of it, though?" she asked with eyes full of concern. Her vampire was hurting and she was not happy about it.
Bellatrix had to gather herself a little before replying. She didn't deserve this softness. Didn't deserve such a soft soul to begin with. "Well, it's a brand. Getting it is painful and getting rid of it even more so. Now it's burning because He wants to find us, He's trying to summon me. Getting rid of it would be much bigger pain, though."
"Well, then I hope he will stop soon," she sighed and stroked Bella's cheek with her thumb. She could see there was more the vampire wasn't telling her about why she looked nearly sick, but she also knew Bella wouldn't tell her if she didn't want to. Hermione leaned in and kissed her softly before giving her a sad smile and leaving the room.
"He will," Bella said to the empty room which reminded her that she needed to inform the Flash Scar that they've done his job and destroyed two horcruxes. She connected to Cissy's mind.
Narcissa laid on her expensive couch with Fleur leaning with her back on her, being comfortably placed between her legs. They both had their own books and read through them. The vampire however felt her mind being penetrated and allowed the connection because no one other than Bellatrix was able to do this.
She got the message and placed her book on the coffee table nearby. "Ma Chérie, Bellatrix just asked me to deliver a message to the Order. Do you still have your connections to the ginger family?" she asked and stroked Fleur's blonde hair.
"Oui," the blonde replied and turned to face her soulmate.
"We need to inform them that two horcruxes were destroyed. Bellatrix said to deliver the message to the Potter boy, but I don't know where he is and I don't wish to know. She listed the rabbit family as a second option in case we couldn't contact the Chosen One. Surely the Weasleys are capable enough to pass the message."
"The rabbit family?" Fleur chuckled.
"That's Bella's term. However, it's true that they do have seven children, darling. It's inhuman."
"Very," the younger woman chuckled again. "Horcruxes?" she asked then. "Isn't that a very dark magic?"
"Yes, it is. My sister is known for the likes of it, I suppose she also knows how to destroy it. However dangerous that might be," she replied and pinched her nose. She decided it was probably better not to know in which business Bellatrix got involved this time.
"Does this have to do anything with the fact we were supposed to be more careful? And were supposed to multiply our protection against the Dark Lord?"
"I think so, my love. I think…" she paused to really think about it one more time. The conclusion was however the same. "I think my sister changed allegiance."
"Because of Hermione?" the blonde lit up with adoration for the eldest vampire and her meant-to-be.
"Well surely not because of the Dark Lord," Narcissa chuckled. "It looks like the brat with no manners got her way, yes."
"Don't call her that," Fleur kissed her softly. "Your sister would hex you."
"Knowing Bellatrix, she would do more than just a simple hex."
"And I can't have that!"
"The girl is a brat, though."
"She is not. Don't be jealous," the blonde chuckled when she realized what this was about.
"I am not!" Narcissa pushed Fleur away and crossed her arms across her chest, annoyed at how easily her meant-to-be could read her.
"Not at all," the girl smirked. She knew the maker's bond was strong. She knew Narcissa would do nearly anything to obey and please her maker. Unless it concerned herself. The soul bond was still much stronger than the maker's bond.
"Should I go with you to the Weasleys, ma petite?"
"There's no need, my love. I can take care of myself," the Veela smiled reassuringly.
"That you can, my dear," Narcissa smiled lovingly. A smile reserved only for Fleur.
Hermione went to pick up a few books from the much smaller library of this place and took them with her to the living room. The couch in front of the fire place was her absolute favorite. They magicked away the mattress as Hermione wasn't freezing to death and therefore would be sleeping in a bedroom today and placed the couch closer to the fireplace instead.
After few hours she finished one book about the history of the wizarding world and the clock above the fireplace hinted it should be evening already. She placed the book next to her on the couch and stared into the fire.
It was a strange day. She tried to be in the same room as Bella, but the vampire just got up and left after few minutes, making up some lame excuse. Bellatrix did remind her to eat lunch, but otherwise she buried herself in books in the library. It was just strange and Hermione was missing the contact, missing her presence.
Her train of thought was interrupted by said vampire. Once again, the girl didn't hear her enter the room, she noticed only when the older woman sat down on the other side of the couch. Not right next to her, no. On the other side of the couch. She imagined that any other day the vampire would have a glass of firewhiskey in her hand, but today she didn't. I can eat human food, but I need to get blood faster in order to not to get sick, Hermione remembered. And there was no blood around here. Bellatrix couldn't drink firewhiskey. Just when she was about to say something, the vampire beat her to it: "we really need to work on your defense and offence," she said dryly.
"Okay?" Hermione replied. "Now?"
"Now."
"I might not be the best dueler, but I think I'm doing okay."
"What you think is not correct," the woman snapped.
"Could you drink my blood without biting me?" she asked out of the blue, shocking the vampire.
"What?" she looked at her with a questioning gaze. Bellatrix thought she'd created enough diversion from the girl's thoughts, but apparently not.
"Just asking," she shrugged. For later.
"I guess? Not sure how it would work, though."
"Okay," she nodded.
"So, your defense is catastrophic and your offense even worse," the woman changed the topic back to a safer subject.
"I just killed a snake!" the girl huffed.
"With a sword," she reminded.
"Well, I tried the killing curse, but that snake happened to be a horcrux!"
"Pet, that curse wouldn't have even killed a bug," she chuckled, some playfulness coming back to her. "Even though it's easier to kill someone than to torture them, it's still not Lumos," she blew her a kiss.
Hermione only huffed and sulked more. Yes, dueling was not her strongest suit, but she was still alive, wasn't she? Clearly, she was doing okay considering half of the wizarding world was after her.
"Stop pouting and let's go train. There are some coats with sheep wool in the closet, get yourself one and meet me outside," she smiled.
Bellatrix was proud for coming up with that solution because she would distract herself by teaching her meant-to-be and Hermione really needed a training. Yes, that would work.
Hermione joined the vampire a few minutes later and couldn't help but appreciate the contrast of the white landscape and her black goddess.
"What?" Bellatrix asked, cocking her head.
"Nothing," the girl smiled. "Just appreciating the view."
"Ah. Well, yes, it is quite charming here," she nodded and looked around, soaking it in.
"Yes, the landscape is beautiful, too," Hermione grinned and her smile widened when she saw the vampire blushing a little.
"Ehm, so I magicked a training dummy here," Bellatrix motioned with her hand, trying to change the subject once again. "Show me your best."
Hermione shrugged and then got into her fighting stance. "Expelliarmus!"
"Please, don't tell me this absolutely boring and basic spell is your best," she rolled her eyes.
"It's a good spell."
"No, it is not and it will get you nowhere."
"It works fine for Harry!" Hermione huffed.
"Does it? Because we all know he only uses that. We all are trained to cast the counter spell in any duel with your Plotter."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Well, no one will expect it from me then!"
"Naivety doesn't suit you, sweet-thing."
"Confringo!" Hermione shouted and hit the training dummy that burst in flames.
"Hmmm, if we fancy a fire spell then I suggest Fiendfyre," Bellatrix gave her a toothy grin.
"That's a dark spell."
"It's a powerful and beautiful spell."
"Powerful and beautiful dark spell."
The vampire sighed. "Well, I guess you wouldn't be able to cast it anyway. You're not powerful enough," she shrugged.
"I am!" Hermione shouted. "I just… fine, show me," she relented. She had wanted to learn this spell ever since she came across it in the restricted section of the Hogwarts library, but she knew it was wrong.
Bellatrix grinned. Yes, she wanted to teach the girl proper Avada Kedavra and Crucio today, but this was fun, too. The vampire raised her wand and suddenly a fire dragon the size of an actual living dragon came to life. It spread its wings and flew across them, the heat licking at Hermione's skin.
"You are in control of the beast, sweet-thing. That's absolutely essential. You control it. If you fail, it will burn everything in its path," she explained while letting the dragon fly around them.
"It's beautiful."
"Yes. Now you try," she said and the fire dragon vanished.
Hermione nodded, determined. "What form will it take?"
"It differs. I suppose it works the same as the Patronus charm."
"Just on the other side of the barricade," Hermione chuckled.
"Touché. Go on," she urged and explained to Hermione how to cast it.
It took the girl three tries. Bellatrix corrected her stance and the motion of her wrist. Fiendfyre wasn't the easiest spell by a long shot. She was so proud when a huge burst of fire sprang from Hermione's wand on the third try and shaped into the form of a huge serpent.
"Now don't let it spread uncontrollably."
"And how am I supposed to do that?!" Hermione barked, being a little scared of burning the whole place to the ground.
Bellatrix leaned on Hermione's back and encircled her hands around her waist possessively. "Magic is emotion, pet. It comes from deep within. Reach to the roots, calm your racing heart and control your snake."
Hermione didn't know how, but she did exactly what Bellatrix said and soon the snake was facing them, but not attacking, not out of control and not burning anything in near proximity. Only a few trees didn't make it. That was success, right?
The vampire had to ignore the pull she felt towards her girl once again, though. She had to release her from the embrace and step aside. She also had to fight a lot with the beast inside because she did not want her fangs to extend and for Hermione to hear it. No, she would ignore that delicious neck vein. She just had to put some distance between them.
"Well done, pet," she said proudly when the fire snake died out right after she stepped aside from the younger witch. Did I multiply the girl's magic? I need to ask Cissy about it later. "Quite surprised about the shape, to be honest."
The girl beamed at the praise and smiled widely. "You seem to have some spell over me," she winked teasingly. "I mean, a snake?! Seriously?" she chuckled.
"Hmmmm," Bellatrix smiled weakly. "Okay, give me your best Avada Kedavra now."
"What?" Hermione gaped.
"Don't be so surprised," the vampire smirked. "That's why we're here, pet. You need to learn how to bloody attack properly."
"How to kill you mean?!"
"Tomatoes, tomatos," she shrugged.
"That's not just this easy!"
"It is. You know the spell, now the movement is this," Bellatrix said and showed it to the girl, hitting the dummy without a question. It shattered into thousands of tiny pieces. She magicked a new one in its place.
Hermione huffed.
"It's just a training dummy!"
"And an unforgivable spell!" the girl crossed her arms across her chest.
"Well if you want to learn Crucio then I'd start with this one. See, Crucio is a bit trickier."
"I don't want to learn Crucio!"
"No, of course you don't," Bellatrix smirked.
"I don't."
"Hmmmm," she smirked even more. "Even if you don't, you need to learn this one, pet. We're at war."
"We're not part of it anymore."
"Listen, sweet-thing, I need you to be able to protect yourself. Sometimes Expelliarmus just doesn't cut it. I'll sleep easier at night if I'll know that it will be a tad harder to hurt you."
"Avada Kedavra," Hermione shouted and pointed at the training dummy. It only shook a little.
"Atta pet," Bellatrix gave her a ghost-like kiss and stepped aside again, just to be sure. "I told you it's not Lumos," she gave her a toothy grin. "Try again. And harder, will you?"
Hermione huffed. She was usually good with spells in the classroom. Well, with Light Magic spells at least. "Why isn't it shattered yet?!" she choked after few more attempts.
"Because you have this stupid idea that you'll be sent to Azkaban or something," Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "It won't happen, okay? First of all, we're in the middle of nowhere and you're entitled to learn a spell or two and second of all, even if you killed half of the wizarding world and they came for you, they would have to fight me. I'd kill the second half if they tried to take you away from me. So, again, let go! There won't be any Azkaban. Mean it, at least a bit."
"I'm just learning this to know! I won't be using it! Just so you know," she furrowed her brow and tried again. The dummy cracked.
"Sure, pet," Bellatrix grinned. "MEAN it, would you?"
"I am!" she screamed at Bellatrix and then cast the spell. Finally, the dummy exploded after the green light hit it.
The vampire clapped her hands in excitement. "No dementors, see?" she cackled.
"Shut up," Hermione smiled. It was a strange spell. It made her feel powerful. Even fearful. When she learned how to cast the Patronus charm, she was filled with joy. The spell itself required it after all. It was cute. This, though. This made her feel all kinds of things and she would be lying to herself if she said it didn't feel good.
"Okay, try it again," the dark witch instructed. "I know you're exhausted, but try."
Hermione cast it twice and both times the dummy exploded into tiny pieces. She'd mastered the spell.
"Good," the vampire smiled proudly. "Now try it on me."
"WHAT?!" Hermione gasped.
"It can't kill me," Bellatrix shrugged.
"Well I will not risk that, will I?!" the girl shrieked.
"You're so cute," she grinned. "Come on, go on," she motioned with her hands to her chest.
And Hermione would have gotten distracted by that in any other scenario. But not when her soulmate was asking her to try an unforgivable, the killing curse on her, though!
"Hell no," she said and tucked her wand back to her sleeve to show the vampire she really had absolutely no intensions of trying that.
"I'm kinda immortal, remember?" she cackled.
"What if I can kill you, hmm? Ever thought of that?!" Hermione huffed. "What if as your meant-to-be I can actually kill you?! What if my killing curse actually does the job?!" she said loudly.
"I don't think that's possible."
"Yeah, thinking won't really cut it here. Even if you were one hundred percent sure, I wouldn't aim at you, let alone if you just think that it shouldn't be a problem!"
"Aww, look at that," the vampire grinned. It was easier to play it this way than to actually admit to herself what Hermione was saying. Mostly because of the masked feelings behind her words than the actual possibility of being killed like that.
"This doesn't work with horcruxes, though, does it?" Hermione asked and magicked away the training dummy. She was done with training for today.
"No," she replied shortly. "Same as it wouldn't work on Him if all horcruxes weren't destroyed."
"He would just come back again, wouldn't he?"
"Yes."
"Does it still hurt?" the girl eyed the vampire's forearm.
"Yes, but it's okay."
"I wish he would stop. He can't find us! Stupid man."
"He is quite determined," she chuckled bitterly.
"One more horcrux and he will be gone."
"Yes, sweet-thing."
"But wait, Harry doesn't know that," she froze. "He doesn't know it would be safe to kill him!"
"He does."
"No, he doesn't."
"He does," the vampire sighed. "Plotter needs this information so I made sure he got it."
"What? How?" Hermione asked perplexed. She was getting a little bit cold now that she wasn't throwing spells and no fire dragons nor snakes kept her warm, BUT this was way more important. How come she didn't think of it right after they destroyed the cup?
"I have a mental link to my sisters. Especially to Cissy," the vampire started. "I had to learn occlumency mostly because of her prying mind," she chuckled.
"You can communicate with them even at such a distance?"
"Yes. Maker's bond," she shrugged. "However, it really is much easier with Cissy since she is very skilled in both occlumency and legilimency. I just tell her what I need her to know through the link."
"And you told her that Harry needs to know something?"
"I told her specifically what he needs to know and Fleur still has some connections to the Weasels. The message was passed. Cissy has informed me of that much."
"I should have thought of that. How come I didn't think of that?" the girl sulked. She was the brain. "What happened to me? Of course, Harry needed to be informed!"
"It's the bond, pet. It works to some extent even before the bite. My happiness and needs come first," the vampire explained. "Your brain now doesn't have time to dwell on little things."
"These are not little things!" she exclaimed, horrified. "Will my brain just turn off after the bite or what?!"
"For the first few days, yes. It will turn into mush."
"But that's horrible! My brain is the only thing I have!" she teared up. She was determined to let Bellatrix bite her basically right now, but she needed her brain for fuck sake.
"Pet, you have way more than just that pretty brain of yours, you know that, right?" Bellatrix replied and really, really wanted to go closer and hug her and kiss her and bite her. No, she didn't want the last part. She did, but no. That's why she had to keep her distance.
"Not really, no," the girl huffed.
Dammit. The vampire came closer to her meant-to-be after all and took her face in her palms. That was safer than hugs and warm bodies pressed together, scent invading senses and neck so, so close.
"You are so beautiful, sweet-thing. Such a pretty girl. You're smart, yes. And it's sexy, yes. But also, you're so attractive and kind, selfless and mine. I don't care that your brain won't work. I'll take care of you."
"I know you'll take care of me," she swallowed.
"I will. Starting right now because you're cold again and exhausted from all the training. You should eat some dinner and rest for the rest of the day."
"Okay," Hermione chuckled and leaned in to kiss the older woman. She however lingered, tasting full lips, then teasing them with her tongue. And Bellatrix growled. Hermione tangled her frozen hands in black curls and deepened the kiss.
She heard the click of certain fangs and found herself on her back in the snow. Bellatrix was however not on top of her. The vampire growled almost animalistically and her chest was rising and falling rapidly.
"Bella?" she asked and got up.
"Sorry," she huffed. "Let's just go inside," she said and started to walk towards the house.
"You're starving," the girl observed.
"I'm fine!" she snapped for like the millionth time that day and disappeared into the house.
Hermione made her way inside and looked for the older witch. This couldn't go on. She however didn't find her anywhere. It was like catching smoke.
"Bella, come here," she asked pleadingly, standing in front of the fire place to warm up a little. "Please," she added. Suddenly the dark witch emerged from the shadows and she looked so pained. Hermione gathered it was a combination of her hunger and the turmoil inside her head that was very much visible.
The girl was trapped between the vampire and the fireplace in no time. It didn't look like Bella was even aware of her surroundings nor about what she was doing. When Hermione didn't have any space in which to move, the vampire stroked her cheek and the girl shook. This look would probably haunt her forever. Bellatrix then placed her hands on the girl's waist and was now eyeing the vein on her neck. Hermione swallowed. There must be a way! She thought. "Bella?" she asked when she heard the click of her fangs.
Her nails dug into the girl's skin and she drew blood. The vampire growled, an animalistic, pained cry. "Shit," she hissed and woke from her trance. "Heal it. Heal it right now and get away from me," she said and jumped away from the younger woman. "Heal it!" she barked again until Hermione did as instructed.
"Drink from me, Bella. Just don't bite me, but drink from me," the Gryffindor said. Seeing the older witch like this definitely pained her.
"No," she growled.
"Yes, drink from me."
"NO!" she shouted. "It would be too dangerous! I don't know what precisely counts as a bite for the bond to start to work. I will not risk that!" she panted, clearly pained.
"Bella, you're starving."
"I'll live," she shrugged.
"Yeah, see? I don't think so," Hermione replied and summoned one of the daggers that was on display in the living room.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Bellatrix shrieked.
Hermione just sighed and cut her forearm with the dagger. She made a solid cut so Bella was hopefully able to drink from it without biting her. Bellatrix was however shaking her head.
"So, I'm just gonna sit down and you know, probably bleed to death since it won't stop," she shrugged and sat down on the couch. "It will start making a mess pretty soon too since you know, I happen to bleed a lot," she informed the vampire that was now kneeling in front of her on the floor, eyeing the cut hungrily.
"Hermione," the vampire panted hard. "I might accidentally bite you," she growled and picked up the bloodied dagger from the floor. She eyed it for a second before bringing it to her lips. Bellatrix licked the blade and moaned at the taste. Hermione whimpered at the sight.
"Well, just knowing that you wouldn't do it on purpose is enough for me. Drink up," she encouraged and her breathing became shallow just from the show Bellatrix put into licking the dagger.
The vampire prided herself in her self-control, but she could hold back only so much. Having her meant-to-be offering blood. The wound fresh and bleeding…
She took the arm in hers and looked at Hermione. When the girl gave her an encouraging smile, she dove in.
She couldn't hold back the moan. Not by a long shot. The sweetest poison was flowing into her mouth and she couldn't get enough. This would definitely be her personal brand of heroin. It would be her undoing. Yes, she'd tasted Hermione's blood before, that's why they were in this mess after all. She just never had this much and offered so willingly.
She closed her eyes, painfully pushed back her fangs and lapped everything Hermione had to offer. She sucked and licked, she moaned and groaned. She couldn't control the emotions Hermione was supposed to feel without the actual bite, but she heard the girl was breathing hard. She felt her arousal.
The vampire was already sated yet she couldn't bring herself to stop. She wasn't hungry anymore, she didn't feel sick nor exhausted, but she didn't stop. She didn't stop until the blood wasn't really flowing into her mouth anymore. Suddenly she had to suck hard to get some more. Only then had she opened her eyes and saw that Hermione was now laying on the couch, her eyes closed and face paler than usual.
Shit.
Of course, she'd overdone it. Of course, she drank more than she was supposed to.
Of fucking course.
"Pet, can you hear me?" she asked, leaning over the girl, checking her pulse.
There was no verbal response, but she could hear a weak "yes" in her mind.
She sighed in relief. A whole night's sleep should do the trick then. Bellatrix carried the girl to the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. She magically changed Hermione's clothes and then joined her while changing herself, a pretty steady repetitive "stay" sounding in her head. The vampire chuckled.
"Alright, needy one," she reassured and stroked the pale cheek of her meant-to-be. "You're crazy, you know?" she said and kissed said cheek. "That could really have gone in many ways, and most of them were wrong," she sighed. "I'm sorry for drinking too much," she whispered and pouted. She was better than that, dammit! How come she didn't stop?! And how come Hermione was out so soon? The vampire realized she didn't have dinner. Again. "See? This is why it's important that you eat," she murmured and cackled when she heard "you too" in her mind.
"My perfect girl," she purred. "Now sleep. You need to rest," she said with a little bit more edge to it and gave her a goodnight kiss. Bellatrix could finally sleep next to her tonight.
A/N
again, if you're on fb, you're more than welcome to join the Bellamione group.
groups/398716687931372
also, if you want to talk, find me there as Alice Cliff :)
happy holidays, guys!