The soft padding of echoing footsteps was just enough to wake Bellatrix from her deep, very much needed after last night, morning slumber. Everything ached in the best way, body and limbs still tingling with the after affects of time well spent. The sounds of Hermione's cries left their mark, forever imprinted in the business woman's mind like a drug she could never be free from. It was all Hermione. Chestnut hair, loving touches, big doe-like eyes that twinkled through the darkness like a beacon of hope. Even the girl's smell. Lavender, vanilla and clean washing lingered on the empty pillow next to a pile of black messy curls.
Empty?
Bellatrix bolted upright, pale skin exposed to the world as blurry raven eyes tried to make sense of the world. Had Hermione left? Did she regret what happened between the two of them, words they spoke and ran at first chance?
Of course it was too good to be true. No one ever stayed too long. They took what they wanted and left without sparing a thought to the wreckage they walked away from.
But the footsteps still came closer and closer, slapping along the wooden floor till the open bedroom door filled with a fluffy blanket and two heads of wild hair poking out from above.
"Mama!"
Two big smiles. The best Bellatrix had ever seen. "There's my favourite people. You're both up early." Black curls tumbled over the elder woman's sleepy face as she settled back against the headboard, bed sheets pulled up high, watching her whole world come together in the blink on an eye.
"I remember his morning routine off by heart." Hermione's soft morning voice soothed the last droplet of panic coursing through Bellatrix's body. She had stayed, she was here and everything would be perfectly perfect from now on. "And I knew he would be up by now expecting some cuddles and then, after a snuggle session, we can get some breakfast on the go. How does that sound?" Fingers gently tickled behind Orion's ear, setting free the most glorious giggles from his pouty lips as he clung on tight to Hermione's shoulders. Picture perfect indeed.
"Mm, that sounds wonderful. But how about you two get in bed for a little longer and give me some cuddles? It's awful lonely in here by myself." Bellatrix said, pulling back the bed covers on Hermione's side of the bed with a smile - a smile that turned into laughter when her young lover raced across the room and jumped into the empty space. Orion's happy screams only grew louder when he became entwined with two sets of motherly arms and warm bedding.
Bellatrix's bed turned into a sanctuary, a safe place, that she never knew she desired so much. Underneath those very bedsheets she wasted the rest of the morning away with lover and son, the three of them tracing patterns along the warm material, building a fort out of pillows, listening to stories Hermione made up on the spot, whispering out each soothing word in the voices of her chosen characters. Bellatrix promised Orion many more adventures. They would go to the zoo again, without interruption this time, the beach and perhaps a visit to go see Aunt Narcissa in her country home when the weather changed. Two hours later Orion lay asleep in his mother's arms, the sounds of some children's show played quietly from the television on the opposite wall. A pile of all photo albums lay at Hermione's feet as she sat on top of the bed, flicking slowly through each page with a big smile on her face. It had been Bellatrix who had pulled them out from the bottom draw of her bedside table, offering up the last few secrets of her past, secrets that Hermione deserved to know.
"So, your hair has always been a big mess?" Hermione said, smiling growing wider, as she held up a photograph of teenage Bellatrix, who bore a scowl on her fresh, youthful face.
"Look whose talking. Your birds nest is something else in the morning, Granger." The CEO murmured, rocking her sleeping child from side to side. "Besides, my sister's always had a talent of snapping photos when I was least expecting it. Most of my childhood pictures look like that so don't go looking for cheesy grins in those albums."
"You're smiling in this one."
"I am? Let me see." Pale fingertips carefully took the photograph to avoid leaving behind any greasy marks. Staring back at the business woman was a rather exhausted woman, curled up on an ornate chair by a roaring fireplace, with a cup of tea clutched tight in both hands. "Narcissa took this, at her home. I was five months pregnant. That was the first full night in weeks I had slept without throwing up... that's why I look happy."
"You seem close with your sister." Hermione took the photograph and placed in back behind the albums protective film.
"I practically lived with her during my pregnancy. I think she was happy to play nurse for awhile. If I ever see one more of her vile kale and spinach salads I will throw up." Bellatrix's cool thumb swept along her son's red cheeks, eyes refusing to look up from her beautiful creation. "London started to become too much and the thought of having a child scared the shit out of me. So I ran. I packed a bag and fled to that ugly little manor house and hid myself away till this little Prince came in to the world." Hermione refused to open her mouth. Instead she sat and listened, gave Bellatrix the chance to speak and lighten the weight that had been sitting on her shoulders for god knows how long. "She wanted me to stay after, maybe it was the company she liked or the fact there was a baby in her life again.. but I had to get out. Work needed me and I needed to get my life back in order. Narcissa likes to be the hero. Forever trying to fix everyone else's problems."
"So, that's why she wants you to get back in touch with your other sister?" Hermione had never seen Bellatrix so open and raw about family matters, not like this. The two of them had shared thoughts and feelings with one another over the past few months, but to get a real glimpse of the real Bellatrix Black was a gift from the heavens above.
"Possibly. Our parent's were far from the loving, family orientated type. They wanted boys and got three girls instead. It made the three of us close. We had one another's backs and people knew not the get in the way. I did my best to keep them safe and on the right track, but Andromeda was soft hearted, even when she was a little girl, and that soft heart had her mixing with the wrong crowd." With Orion held tightly to her chest the CEO slowly leant forward, flicked through a few pages of the album and pulled out a photograph that she passed over to Hermione.
Staring back at the student were three of the most beautiful young women Hermione had ever seen. Stood in silk, pressed and put together, was Narcissa with her straight silvery hair tied back in to a pony tail. Not one single strand was out of place. In the middle, Bellatrix, dressed head to toe in black, her stunning face staring in to the camera like she could melt it with with just one deadly glance. And at the end was someone Hermione had never seen before. A young woman with gentle features, big brown curls of shoulder length hair and welcoming eyes. Her skin glowed warm next Bellatrix and Narcissa, clothes colourful, baggy and comfortable looking. She was a far cry from the aristocratic breeding Hermione become familiar with. "That's Andromeda?"
"Mhm."
"She looks like you."
"People would mistake us for twins when we were younger. It got us in trouble. We liked the play pranks and steal sweets from the shop. She was the best at distracting the employees whilst I stuffed my pockets with goodies."
"And she left home for a guy?"
"A boy. One who is below her in every way. We all went to the same University and he caught Andy's eye in the final year. By the time school was finished she had packed a bag and left without a care in the world to whom she was leaving behind. Narcissa needed her. She cried for weeks after." Even through her whispered words Hermione could hear the hatred laced in Bellatrix's voice. "So Andy married the loser and they had a child together."
"But she's talking to Narcissa now?"
Bellatrix nodded, fingers running through Orion's ever growing black curls.
"Shouldn't that make you happy? If Narcissa missed your sister that much, and now they're back in contact with one another, then surely that must be a good thing.. right? Maybe.. maybe you should do the same. You cannot punish Andromeda forever just because she fell in love."
Dark eyes flashed, hair bouncing as Bellatrix snapped her head towards Hermione. If looks could kill the young woman would already be dead on top of the car dealer's bed. "Fell in love? You mean with that idiot boy, a child, a pointless school kid who had nothing going for him when my sister had her whole life ahead of her? She could've been anything in this life, gone into business with me like she promised, and instead she chose to settle down and play housewife."
"So.. what does that make me?" The sisterly photograph was quickly stuffed back in to place and the album snapped shut. It was incredible how suddenly the happiness Hermione felt could crumble away with a few words. Honey warm eyes watched the frown deepen on Bellatrix's confused face, head tilted to once side. "Andromeda wasn't the only one to fall in love with a student. You're sharing your bed with one right now, Bella. Does that make me stupid and below you as well? I carry no class or breeding behind me, we both know that."
"What - no! God, no. Please don't think that Hermione. I didn't mean for it to come across that way." Bellatrix rushed, eyes wide, hand reaching forward to wrap around the student's bare wrist. Guilt rose its ugly head once more and the panic settled in. "You're the smartest woman I've ever met in my whole life and I know that you will go on to have bright future and be the best teacher the world has ever known. I just.. I wanted that for Andy. She was the opposite of Narcissa and I in every way, kind and sweet, and I thought I could protect her. It should've been her at my side when the company kicked off, not Rodolphus. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -"
"She hurt you too, I get it."
"I.. No. It was all his fault and -"
"You're blaming him because it's easier for you, because all the men in your life have let you down or hurt you in one way or another. You're not angry with your sister's husband, you're angry because she hurt you when you needed her the most." Hermione shuffled forward and slowly cupped one of Bellatrix's icy white cheeks. This time Bellatrix would not be allowed the chance to shut down and pull away. "Your parents were shitty and you took on the responsibility of taking care of both sister's because it's one of the things you're best at doing. When Andromeda left it broke your heart and instead of talking to her about it you punish the person she fell in love with. It's not his fault, Bella. Everyone deserves happiness and someone to spend the rest of their lives with. Don't waste anymore time. Return her calls and figure this out. She's still your sister and still needs you."
"Thanks for texting me last night to let me know you weren't coming home, you asshole." A very full, very heavy school bag hit Hermione in the back of her head, before it was thrown on to a table with a bang.
"Umm.. ow."
"That's the least you deserve. I was worried sick! I thought she had finally gone and buried you in her back garden or something." Ginny's red hair had been pulled up in a messy bun that matched perfectly with the knitted brown jumper she wore. The empty seat next to Hermione was quickly filled by her best friend, a friend who was shining a very pissed off expression. "I was seriously considering calling the police."
"Fuck. I'm sorry. I got caught up and I forgot to text you. I didn't mean it. I really am sorry, Gin." The pile of notes in front of Hermione was quickly pushed aside in favour of her best friend, a friend who had been rather neglected over the past few weeks. "I know I've been a really shitty mate lately and you don't deserve that. I never did thank you for looking after me when I was low. You kicked me back in to gear and your vegetable soup is now my most favourite meal. I've been selfish and let my emotions get the better of me. You're my best mate, my sister, and I promise to always be there for you when you need me." A small pout graced the student's lips, her hands reaching forward to take up Ginny's who still sat with a look of thunder on her face. "Ginny?"
"Alright, alright! Stop with that sad little look on your face, you know I can never stay mad at you for too long when you do that. You are forgiven, you big dork." Ginny could stop herself from laughing when her best friend pulled her in to a tight hug with a little squeak of happiness. They could never be angry at one another for too long - that's what sister's were for. "Now, as an apology, you can tell me what the hell happened last night and explain to me why you missed the first two hours of class. I'm guessing it went well?"
Hermione couldn't stop the smile even if she tried. "You could say that."
"Oh, I see. You had sex."
"Lots."
"And you're withholding that information from me because..?"
"It was just different this time." Cloud nine wasn't high enough for how Hermione felt.
"Different?"
"We spoke about what happened with Rodolphus. Bella explained everything, told me what really happened and she opened up, a lot. After hearing about her twisted past.. well, it's all been a rather big pile of crap for her and she needs some serious help. I managed to get her to agree to go see a therapist."
"Christ, Granger. You go in there to play nanny to her son and end up solving half the world's problems." Ginny leant back against the seat and kicked up her heels on to a small stool opposite. This was going to be a good story, she just knew it. "That's some serious talent you've got there. So you kissed and made up in your own special way, huh?"
The blush would never truly die each time Hermione spoke of her sexual encounters with Bellatrix, and at this point she had given up trying to fight it off. "She was slow and respectful, like she was really trying to make an effort to let me know how sorry she felt about everything. At one point she told me how much she missed me and that I've ruined everyone else for her." Hermione's heart rate fluttered as she relived the memory. "It was beautiful Ginny and what we both needed."
"You two are gross. Since when did you both get so sappy?" Ginny's white teeth chewed down on the end of a pen she had found lingering in the bottom of her ink stained tote bag. "All this making love crap is enough to make me wanna heave."
A small laugh filled the gap between the two best friends. Hermione leant forward, elbows firmly on the table top, to flick through the ever growing pile of uni work she had been neglecting for too long. "It wasn't all just 'making love'. We did.. other stuff."
"Other stuff?" Hermione knew that would catch Ginny's full attention. The red head was a sucker for gossip, even more so if it came with a pinch of saucy drama or untold secrets. "And here I was thinking you would be a prude your whole life! Oh stop blushing and tell me what the fuck happened."
"She might've purchased some items when we first started dating for us to try out." The student was sure she could fry an egg on her burning cheeks at this point.
"No fucking way.. she strapped you?!"
"Shut up! People are looking!" If only the ground would open up and swallow her whole. Anything must've been better than this, even a slow, painful death. Why did conversations such as these always happen in the library? Hermione's sacred place was slowly becoming tainted.
"Holy shit, Granger! I mean.. was it good at least? Like, I know you had all those issues with Viktor. I didn't think dick would really be your thing."
"Jesus, it's not like that. It didn't look like one. And it's the complete opposite to how it was with Viktor."
"How so?"
"There was a hot naked woman attached to the end of it."
"Fair enough. Did you enjoy it?"
"Very much so, if you really want to know about my sex life that much." A stray curl dropped over Hermione's face. No longer could she bring herself to look up at Ginny's filthy grin. "And then she let me use it on her."
"She -"
"Yes, she let me use it on her. But she said it was the first and last time. Bella wanted me to know what it's like to feel truly powerful.. and I did. I felt like I could take on the whole world as a different person if I wanted to. And I have her to thank for that."
"Bloody hell. She's really got you wrapped around her little finger. One good shag and you go running right back. I mean I don't blame you, she's not bad to look at and there is a boat load of money that comes with her. And I'll admit it's nice to see a smile back on your face." Ginny's pen twisted around her fingers with ease, the lid now chewed to a saliva covered mess.
"I told her I loved her." The pen dropped with a clang and Ginny's eyes all but popped out of her skull. For once in her life the art student was at a loss for words. Hermione lavished the silence. It was nice not to be bombarded with a million questions from her close friend. "She said she loved me too."
"Right.. well.. fuck."
"A-are you disappointed? I thought that it was about time I told her, after all the crap we've gone through."
"Hermione, I am far from disappointed!" The look of pure shock melted away to understanding, and a best friend who would always be glued to Hermione's side no matter what path she chose to go down. "I'm so, so happy for you. Bellatrix is a lucky woman. I just didn't think you would ever tell her, or that you would brew on it for awhile longer. Damn. You're really good at doing all this adult shit. I just want to pass my course without my mother tearing me to shreds!" Hands found one another and linked perfectly under the squeeze Ginny gave. "I'm proud of you."
For the first time in a long time Hermione felt the final pieces of the puzzle finally snap together. The student had never really been good at relationships and Bellatrix's issues barely made for a good start, but the CEO had opened Hermione's eyes up to the possibility of having a real chance at finally finding someone to settle down with, to love and trust like no one else before. Bella pushed Hermione to better herself. She would complete her course, get a degree, go on to be one of the best teachers in the area, all with the woman, child and best friend she loved at her side.
Onyx Industries never slept.
By now Hermione had grown accustomed to the dull murmur of keyboards, phone calls and employees racing back and forth with files, ugly briefcases and storage boxes. It was no wonder why Orion would settle in such an environment when he was younger, white noise worked like a charm on infant babies - Hermione read that in a book once. The protective glass walls of Bellatrix's office quickly became one extra study area the student could hide away in. It helped this one came with the added gift of watching her beautiful girlfriend hard at work.
"Here," A takeaway coffee cup appeared in front of Hermione's face, snapping her free from several text books spread out on the floor below to find Bellatrix's long white legs stood close by. "Are you sure you don't want me to bring in an extra desk for you? It doesn't look very comfortable down there."
With a grateful smile the coffee was accepted and slowly sipped at. "Thanks, but I find I can always concentrate a little better on the ground. I can separate through all of these notes and put them into order with the extra room. I think it's you who needs another desk, I think you've got half a library sitting on your desk."
Bellatrix usually kept her office space well organized and in place. Even at home the little wood panel room next to the kitchen had a minimal aesthetic to it, but today the car dealer's glass box resembled a war zone of never ending paper work, thick books and open files boxes all marked in a different colour.
"Uh, don't remind me. My lawyers office needs me to sign off on a few more things, but I cannot find the will power to do it. I'm four coffees in and it's yet to give me a much needed kick up the arse." Today Bellatrix opted for a tight, black pencil skirt and a flowing silk white blouse that was one button open more than really needed. But it gave Hermione the best view of full tasteful cleavage and creamy skin. "That fucking man is draining me of money. So far I've spent a good million on fees and court hearings."
"Holy shit."
"I know. But if it finally gets him out of my life and I get my money back then it'll all be worth it." From somewhere in the depths of the mess Bellatrix plucked free another cup of coffee and let the warmth soothe her icy hands. "And if he ends up behind bars, even better. Orion will be protected. That's all I want."
"We will get it sorted, Bella. I promise."
"This isn't your problem to fix, darling." Bellatrix's designer heels clicked along the floor, drawing her close to a window that looked down across London's never resting business sector. "You've already been dragged into too much already. Rodolphus could've seriously hurt you, or found a way to ruin your life. Believe me."
"I want to help."
"Hermione.."
"Please?" Those big honey eyes quickly became Hermione's secret weapon. She knew Bellatrix couldn't say no to them for too long. A fluttering of thick eyelashes was all it would take. "You know I'm good with paper work and scanning through books. I like doing it. People call me a nerd for a reason. Just give me five minutes with the case file?"
"Case files." An exhausted sigh exhaled through Bellatrix's elegant nose and the coffee cup rose to blood red lips. Caffeine had not been her friend today. "You're a smart girl, but I doubt you'll find anything that I haven't searched for a hundred times before." Eyelashes still batted away and now there was a god damn pout being thrown in to the mix. "Fine! Fine. Knock yourself out. Just don't go neglecting your own school work. I don't want you falling behind, again."
Hermione's excited squeal cracked Bellatrix's mouth in to a smile. Little nerd indeed. Study work was chucked aside for a stack of files that seemed to never end. In the space of ten minutes Hermione had organised out each folder into times, dates and case numbers. The lack of evidence against Rodolphus was mind blowing. The scumbag had been withdrawing money underneath Bellatrix's name for months into different company names and overseas accounts. Whilst his ex wife had been working fingers to the bone to provide for their son, Rodolphus lavished in buying new cars, properties and expensive alcohol from famously named night clubs and hotels.
"What is an R8? Is that a case number or something? They pop up next to his name, alot." Hermione asked, holding up one of the many pieces of paper that swamped Bellatrix's desk.
"It's a car. Audi R8. Rod's favourites. He likes to collect them in each colour, like the fucking child he is."
"And they cost how much?"
"The newer models go for around one hundred and thirty thousand."
"For a car?!"
"Cars tend to be expensive, Hermione. I have a lot of money for a reason." Bellatrix floated back and forth, texting away on her phone, replying to several emails at once since her computer now sat hidden behind white mountains. It was hard not to watch the CEO at work, in her domain. Hermione wouldn't ever voice that the working side of Bellatrix slightly turned her on. "It's a world wide business, one that has swept me away to countries I've never even heard of before. That reminds me, I have a McLaren Elva that needs shipping out to Dubai next week."
Rodolphus had done a professional job at forging Bellatrix's signature. Every italic letter and flick of the pen ink matched. Snake in the grass. You'll get what's coming to you.
"Granger?"
"Yeah?" Hermione pawed through papers like her life depended on it. By now the neglected coffee had turned stone cold and all thoughts of completing her essay was a thought long forgotten.
"You said five minutes. It's nearly been forty. If you haven't found anything by now -"
"Just a little bit longer? Please? I won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't at least try."
Black curls slipped over Hermione's hunched shoulders, the smell of spice and dark fortunes invading the tightknit space. "I'm sure you will sleep just fine. I plan to keep you up most of the night anyway." Soft, plush lips grazed across Hermione's freckled cheek, leaving a smear of lipstick in its wake.
"Mm, I won't let you distract me." Hermione purred as she played with the ends of Bellatrix's silky locks. "Just a few more minutes, you temptress. I promise. Do you happen to have a diary, or a planner? Something that you noted down your appointments in over the last few years?"
"Wouldn't you prefer it if I bent you over my desk instead?" Smoke wrapped around Bellatrix's tongue, caressing the shell of Hermione's ear. It would be all too easy to slip both hands down and pull apart the student's jean buttons, to have the girl singing like a bird underneath the car dealer's strong touch.
"Bella. I'm being serious."
"Me too, sweetheart."
"Bella!"
"Second draw from the bottom. You play a hard game, Granger."
"You love me for it."
"Yeah, yeah. Five minutes. I'm timing you."
This time the student did as she was told. Bellatrix's leather black planners were full to the brim. The days, months and years were rammed with appointments, meetings, important calls from abroad and dealings with people Hermione had never heard of before. It was no wonder why Bellatrix hired a nanny, there was no time to spend with Orion. The poor boy didn't stand a chance. His mother worked till day turned to night whilst his father stole away his birth right. "You class a visit from your sister as a 'meeting'?"
"I'm a busy woman. She has ten minutes, tops."
"You're something else."
"Thank you." Dark eyes rolled with the sarcasm.
"Have you ever shown these in court?"
"No. It's just a worthless diary. Nothing exciting."
"What date did Rodolphus start stealing from you?"
"The ninth of July."
"Hmm, that's odd."
"What's odd?"
"Was the weather good that day? I bet it was. Hot, sunny. A far cry of the unpredictable English summertime."
"I...couldn't tell you? What are you getting at, Granger?"
The black book was pushed along the table top towards Bellatrix with Hermione's index finger tapping over the important date. A fresh batch of emotions raced across the CEO's breath taking face, flitting between anger, surprise, blinding rage and a new found feeling of relief.
"The ninth of July. It's there in black and white. New launch of Subaru in Florida, USA."
"Holy fucking shit.."
"You couldn't of signed that piece of crappy paper because you weren't even in the country, Bella. He lied and the proof is right here."