Hermione opened her eyes and sighed contently as she slowly stretched her aching muscles She noticed a warm heat coming from behind her and a heavy arm draped over her waist. Bellatrix had spooned up against her sometime during the middle of the night. Hermione felt so at peace and wanted to stay in their cocoon all day but knew that it was an important day. Shaking her head slightly, she crawled out from Bella's arm hoping not to wake her as she left the bed.
"Figures. She could probably sleep through another war." Hermione smiled walking over to Bella's side of the bed and lower herself to place a soft kiss on the older witch's forehead.
The muggle hotel they were staying at had modest sized rooms. Hermione walked over to the dresser and made herself a cup of coffee from the tray of beverages that was left by the maid. She took her cup and walked over to take a seat in the chair that was facing out the window. Sighing, she took a few sips while contemplating the forthcoming events of the day.
"I haven't seen them in 3 and a half years. It's crazy to think that today is the day. All that time I spent wasting hulled up in my muggle house by myself. If I had only reached back out to McGonagall earlier, maybe my parents would already have been back in my life." Hermione looked back over to the sleeping witch. Bella's breath was even and a slight feminine snore was coming from the mound of pillows and black curly hair. Hermione chuckled. "No. It was meant to be this way. Had I gone back earlier, I don't think Bella would've mentally been where she is right now. I guess the universe was telling me I needed to wait for her. If you asked me after the war if I thought it was possible that Bellatrix Lestrange and myself would've been sharing a bed in Australia on a mission to restore my parents' memories, I would've said you are crazy." Hermione took a sip of her drink and continued her inner monologue. "But here we are. I'm happy. I think she's happy. I've never felt things so strongly for another human being before. Whatever happens today with my parents, I know that I want to see where things go with Bella. I think it's time for me to let myself be happy."
Hermione was pulled out of her thoughts by a strangled moan that came from the bed. She looked over and saw the older witch stretching and then she reached down and scratched her belly in a very unpureblood way. Bellatrix opened one eye and looked over at Hermione who was staring at her smiling. Bellatrix grumbled and pulled the covers over her face.
"And what are you staring at young lady?"
"I wasn't staring. I was thinking." Hermione responded back with cheek.
"Do you make it a habit of thinking and staring at underprepared witches while they sleep?"
Hermione could hear the smile coming from Bellatrix. "No. Only the cute ones."
"Cute? Me? I've been called many things love but cute would not be among those." Bella said laughing with a raspy, sleepy tone underlying her voice. That voice was enough to make Hermione's stomach do flips.
Hermione responded with a noncommittal "Hmm" and put her cup down on the table. She walked back over to the bed and lowered herself down so she was laying prone on top of the other witch. Hermione pulled the covers away from Bellatrix. Their faces were inches apart. "Well, get used to it. Being my girlfriend means because subjected to an unworldly amount of unwanted compliments." Hermione finished with a kiss to the tip of Bellatrix's nose.
Bellatrix wrinkled her nose in response and looked up to meet Hermione's eyes. "I didn't say they were unwanted. I'm just not use to displays of affection. Psychical or emotional really. It just wasn't a part of my upbringing or other relationships. I'm not quite sure how to respond to it."
"Well, it's not like I have much practice in the relationship department but I do know one thing."
"And what is that love?" Bella said snaking an arm out of her covers and tucking a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear.
"That I will tell you everyday how cute you are." Hermione leaned down and met the other witch in a soft, barely there kiss. "and I will remind you everyday how cute your little snores are." Hermione said winking down at the other woman as she pressed herself up to the sitting position, straddling the other witch's hips.
"Oi! Watch it with your cheek. I don't snore." Bellatrix said fixing Hermione with her best glare though it wasn't coming through her eyes. "You must have misheard. Maybe it was one of those spiders or something." Bellatrix rolling her eyes.
"MmmHmm. Sure it was a spider. Totally not you."
Bellatrix noticed Hermione's face had turned quickly from smiling to a look lost in thought. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong, Bella. I was just thinking about what you said." Hermione said looking back down.
"I've said a great many things. Could you be a little more specific?" Bellatrix joked trying to keep the atmosphere light.
"That you aren't used to displays of affection. And that it's partially due to your upbringing. Well… I was only wondering…" Hermione was nervously playing with her hands.
"What, love?"
"When we get back, do you think maybe I can see some of your childhood memories? I feel like there's so much I don't know about you and I want to learn it all."
Bellatrix sighed. "There are some good memories but most of them won't be easy for you to watch." Hermione looked away. "No, that doesn't mean I won't let you see them. I just want you to be prepared when the time comes. I want you to know me. All parts of me. The good and the absolutely not so good."
Hermione looked back at her witch and gave a small smile. "Okay. I understand what I'd be getting myself into but I just want to know you. All of you." Hermione said placing her hand over Bellatrix's heart. Bella reached out and closed her hand overtop of Hermione's. "Nothing is going to change how I feel about you, Bella."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Pet." Bella said offering the woman a small smile. "But this is not a worry for today. Today we have parents to save." Hermione beamed a smile down and Bella felt her chest constrict. "What time is is anyways?"
"Umm…" Hermione said looking over to her nightstand where a muggle alarm clock was set. "A little after noon. Looks like we both slept in today. Portkey travel is no joke."
"But sleep feels so good." Bellatrix said sitting up and hugging the girls at her waist. Hermione placed her hands on Bellatrix's shoulders and started to lean in for a kiss when Bella spoke up. "I'd love to see where this might go but I have an appointment to keep." Bellatrix winked at her girlfriend. "Plenty of time for that later, love. Is there any more of that coffee over there?"
"Yes. Of course. Let's order some take away and go over the plans for today one more time." Hermione said nervously wringing her wrists.
"It's all going to be fine, Hermione. Trust this process."
—
Bellatrix sat next to Hermione in the waiting room of her parents' dental practice. The office was bright and white with a fish tank built into the wall. Bellatrix leaned over and whispered to her girlfriend, "why would anyone keep those creatures in the wall?"
"It's fish tank. Muggles like to keep fish as pets. It's relaxing to watch them swim back and forth." Hermione responded while playing with her hands nervously.
"Seems a bit barbaric to me, love." Bella said reaching out to grab Hermione's hand in hopes to relax her. "Don't worry. I have this under control. Just stay out here and hopefully the next time you see me, everything will be set right."
"That's an awful lot of pressure you've placed on yourself, Bella." Hermione said looked over with her lip caught between her teeth.
"Piece of cake." Bellatrix responded with a wink.
Hermione took a sharp inhale of breath when a woman came through the door. She increased the grip on Bella's hand almost painfully. Bellatrix realized that this woman must be her mother. The woman was breathtaking. She looked like a future version of her daughter. Hermione quickly let go of Bellatrix's hand and hid her face behind a magazine.
"Miss Black?" Hermione's mother said looking at the only women sitting left in the waiting room. As expected, she was the last appointment of the day and as Hermione predicted, all of the other employees had left for the day. "Come on through with me. I'll introduce you to our other dentist and we can discuss what you wish you do here with us." Bellatrix quickly patted Hermione's knee in reassurance and got up to follow the woman through the door to the examination rooms. Hermione's mom lead Bellatrix back to the shared office where a man was sitting behind the desk.
"Miss Black," the man stood up to shake her hand.
"Bellatrix, please."
"Okay, Bellatrix. Please take a seat." He replied as he pointed to a chair opposite the desk. "I'm Jack and this is my wife and the other doctor in our office, Katherine."
"It is very nice to meet you both." Bellatrix said sincerely though she wished the pleasantries could happen quickly. There really was no good way other than just to jump right in but Bellatrix was playing nice with the couple for the time being. After all, she wanted to make a good first impression.
"What brings you down to Australia?" Katherine asked.
"A special assignment." Bellatrix replied with a smirk. "I could ask the same of you. What brings you here from England?"
"It's funny, really. We just woke up one day with the great desire to go on Holiday here and never left." Jack answered.
"Oh. How long have you been here?"
"How long has it been now, Honey?" Jack looked over to his wife.
"About three and a half years. It's been wonderful but I've always felt that something was missing down here."
"Interesting." Bellatrix replied and wordless cast a spell which had the couple asleep instantly. Bellatrix heard a knock at the door. She snapped her head to look at the window in the door and saw Hermione nervously looking in. Bellatrix didn't expect her sleeping charm to last long so she concentrated and pushed to the front of Hermione's mind.
It's going to be fine, Pet. Please don't stand there and worry. You'll make me nervous. Bellatrix chuckled and looked at Hermione. Seriously. I have this under control. Go back and wait out in the waiting room. I'll be done here shortly. Plus your mother mentioned that she thought something was missing from her life. This will work. Trust me. Hermione nodded to Bellatrix and walked away from the door.
Bellatrix was able to access both of their minds at the same time. Muggles. So easy.
She made her way through their memories until she got to the day that Hermione altered their memories. Bellatrix was mumbling a spell while a bright light left her and went into Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Fuck. That was more intense than the Longbottoms. Curious. Let's see what it looks like in there now.
This was a scene Bellatrix was familiar with. She had been here once before with Hermione when she witnessed Hermione alter their minds. Bellatrix stood behind the couch when Hermione emerged from the stairs. "Mom… dad… I need to tell you something and you need to listen. There's a war coming and it's bad. You aren't safe here. The dark wizards are trying to changing the future for the wizarding world where muggle born people, people like me, wouldn't exist. I know it sounds crazy."
"What do you mean?" Katherine said standing up to hug her daughter.
"You need to leave. Both of you. You need to go start a life somewhere else. Somewhere without me. You need to forget about me. I'll be fine here with my friends. I can't risk them finding you and torturing you to find me. They wouldn't think twice about killing you to get to me." Hermione sighed, tears flowing down her face.
"I don't understand, honey." Jack said reaching out to embrace his crying daughter.
"I've booked you flights to Australia. You need to leave England and you can't comeback. If we win this war, I will find you and bring you back. Please you need to go now."
Bellatrix exited the memory and sat looking at her sleeping parents. She was content with her work. She was able to alter their last moments with Hermione and would no doubt explain this all to them when they woke up. The memory had changed. Everything after that should be their memories in Australia with the included addition of memories of their daughter.
Now I just have to wait for them to wake up. I've never been good at waiting. Bellatrix thought as she started wandering around the office. She noticed that a picture they had on one of their shelves started changing and Hermione was standing in between her parents smiling while they both kissed one of her cheeks. It worked.
—-
Bellatrix sat across from the Grangers reading a magazine and she heard movement on the other side of the desk.
"Good morning. Welcome back."
"I've got a massive headache." Katherine said reaching to put her hand on her forehead.
"I can explain that."
Jack started to stir and he let out a pained groan. "Why is my head killing me? Miss Black, what are you still doing here?"
"Okay. Please let me explain and I promise this will all make sense."
Jack and Katherine started at each other confused then looked to Bellatrix for answers.
"I am Bellatrix Black but I am not here for any dental work. I'm here on behalf of your daughter."
"Hermione? Is she alright? Has the war ended?" Katherine looked to Bellatrix with hope in her eyes.
"3 and a half years ago, the war was coming to a head. Hermione needed to get you out of England because you would've been a means to an end to get information. Hermione at the time, thought it was best to erase herself from your memories. She was just a student and didn't know how to reverse the changes. That's why I'm here. I was able to restore all of your memories including what I'm sure she would've wished to say to you before you left for Australia."
"Wait a minute. You are telling me, up until you can in here, we had no recollection of having a daughter?" Katherine asked.
"That's correct."
"Oh my word. Poor Hermione. This must have been torture for her. All those years with nobody." Katherine started to cry.
"Funny you should say that. She's got herself worked up to believe that you will be mad at her. She's here with me but I asked her to wait outside. It was easier to do the magic alone without interruption. She's a mess thinking you will never want to see her again. A bit dramatic if you ask me." Bellatrix smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hermione has grown a lot over the past few years and more so after the war. She isolated herself from her friends in order to find a way to bring back your memories. She wasn't successful. She was offered a teaching job with me at Hogwarts and I offered my services to help her with this project. She has a lot of supports in her life now but I know she misses you. Nothing can replace family. If you aren't prepared to accept her and welcome her back into your lives then just tell me now. I don't think she can take another loss. I will simply go tell her that it didn't work and I wasn't successful and we will go on from there. This is up to the two of you. She deserves all the happiness in the world."
"You said you were her coworker?" Jack said looking at Bellatrix.
"Yes, and her teacher as well. It's a long story." Bellatrix said waving the question off. "So I'm going to leave now. I just need to know what I am to say to her when I return to the waiting room."
"Tell her that her parents love her unconditionally and would never be mad at her for doing what she thought was best for us." Katherine smiled with tears in her eyes.
Bellatrix smiled and nodded her head and she left the room.
"Seems a bit of a stranger teacher/student relationship." Jack said looking at his wife after Bellatrix closed the door.
"Oh Jack." Katherine responded slapping him on the shoulder. "Hush now. Miss Black obviously cares a lot about the happiness of our daughter. I suppose we will get the full story soon enough."
"How old do you think she is?" He responded with a huff.
"Now now. You know Hermione always said witches and wizards live longer than regular individuals." Jack was about to interrupt and Katherine cut him off. "If the next sentence out of your mouth is going to be 'but she's a woman', then you will find yourself sleeping on the couch for the next month. We don't even know the status of their relationship yet or if there is even a relationship there. Come now. Our daughter has waited long enough for us."
"Woman or not. If they are dating, Miss Black will still get the 'what are your intentions with my daughter' speech?" Jack said laughing.
—
Bellatrix made her way out of the office and slowly back to the waiting room. Breathing a sigh of relief, she looked out and saw Hermione pacing the floor. She appeared to be talking to herself and Bellatrix thought that her girlfriend couldn't possibly get any cuter. Bellatrix took this as a sign that it was a good time to wind up the younger witch. She emerged from the closed door, grabbed a magazine and returned to the place she was sitting before she left. It took a few more laps around the waiting room for Hermione to notice that Bella returned.
Hermione eagerly rushed over to the other witch and slid into the seat next to her. She stared at her hopefully. Bellatrix chuckled to herself behind the magazine. She fixed her face to have no expression and lowered the magazine.
"Oh hello, pet. Fancy meeting you here."
Hermione stared at Bella incredulously. "How did it go?"
"How did what go?" Bella asked back seemingly uninterested in the conversation.
"Oh no. Don't do this to me. I've been out here pacing and worrying and wondering. I need to know Bella." Hermione reached out and grabbed Bellatrix's cheeks and fixed her with a her best serious face. "What happened in there?"
Bellatrix smiled and leaned in to kiss Hermione on her cheek. "Here see for yourself." Bellatrix said and she reached into her pocket and pulled out what appeared to be a photo. "I knicked this from your parents' office." She handed it to Hermione and Hermione gasped. It was the photograph that Bellatrix had witnessed changing in the office. "It worked, Hermione. I talked them through the memories and the logistics of what had happened. I didn't stay long. I wanted to give them time to adjust before coming out. They seemed to receive the news well and your mother said that she loved you."
Hermione was balling when she heard the door open and both of her parents emerged. "Mom, dad?"
"Oh my heart. It's been too long." Katherine said as Hermione rushed over and threw herself into a tight embrace with her parents. Katherine placed a kiss of Hermione's forehead and the younger witch continued to sob on her dad's shoulder.
Jack looked down at his daughter and when her sobbed finally slowed, she pulled away. "We are glad you are here, buttercup. We owe a big thank you to Miss Black."
"Yes, she truly deserves all the thanks." Hermione said looking back and smiling at the older witch.
"That won't be necessary." Bellatrix said waving them off. "It was the least I could do."
"It seems we all have a lot to talk about. We just closed up the back and are ready to go. I insist the two of you join us for dinner tonight."
Bellatrix smiled as she watched Hermione staring at her with hopeful eyes and she just gave the nod of approval. She watched as Hermione and her mom left the practice arm in arm.
Bellatrix shook her head and followed the pair out of the office. She stopped in her tracks as a realization washed over her.
Well, fuck me. I love that girl.