Bella walked, holding Hermione's hand as she looked at the tall trees. Hermione looked up at her. She could tell the dark witch had been hiding something for a while but didn't think it was her place to ask. The question tugged at the edges of her mind until she couldn't wait any longer.

"Bella, does the Dark Lord know about the prophecy?"

Bella looked at the girl, a bit shocked. She had been wanting to avoid this until she absolutely had no choice. Could she just lie? No, it would only make the girl mad and cause more pain for the both of them. She took an unsteady breath as she responded.

"No, pet. He doesn't. He would likely kill me if he did."

"You seem bothered by it…"

"It's not me dying that bothers me, it's our fates being connected. If I die...you die. I can't have that."

Bella lightly gripped Hermione's hand as she finished talking, making the girl smile. The brunette looked up to see a clearing.

"Oh wow, we've walked a good way…"

Bellatrix looked around the clearing, taking note of the trees with charred spots and gashes. The area seemed to have a stale smell of decay and ash. Her nose wrinkled as she spoke.

"Is it safe to be here, do I need to take us back to the mansion?"

"Oh it's perfectly safe, this is where Chandra trains."

"Why does it smell of death?"

"Do you really need to ask that?"

Bella rolled her eyes and let out a short laugh, wrapping an arm around Hermione's waist.

"Let's head back, I'm sure your cousin has found...whatever it is you all were looking for."

She kissed the girl softly before the two of them turned and headed back down the path.

Back at the mansion Chandra and Luna rushed down the stairs as Draco trailed behind them. He called out to them as they rounded the corner to the next flight of stairs.

"Where did you even find it!?"

Luna smiled and called back in almost a singing tone.

"Oh...in a room."

Draco groaned and the girls laughed shortly before the two of them ran into something. They fell to the ground and when they looked up to see what it was their eyes went wide.

Standing in Chandra's living room was a very stern looking Professor McGonagall. She looked down at the two girls, as she stroked Crookshanks fur.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Goldwing. I have been looking for your little group for a while now. Shall we talk?"

Chandra got up and grabbed her wand as she glared at the professor. As she debated on what she should do Draco joined them, freezing upon seeing the professor. McGonagall simply smiled lightly.

"May I ask you to get Ms. Black? I've been needing to talk to her, as well as Ms. Granger and the rest of you."

Chandra slowly put her wand away, deciding to hear what the professor had to say. She gestured toward the dining room.

"Of course. I'm sorry I can't offer you tea professor, how about a hot cup of coffee?"

McGonagall nodded and the two walked off. Chandra looked over her shoulder at Draco and pointed aggressively towards the back exit. The boy took the hint and ran out to find his aunt.

Draco ran down the path a ways before finding the two women. He slowed to a stop, panting as he spoke.

"McGonagall is...here...she has your cat….wants to talk…"

Bella instantly snatched his wrist and the three of them appeared in the living room. They gave each other a look before walking into the dining room, to be met with the knowing eyes of professor McGonagall. The woman looked at them, peering over her glasses.

"Ms. Black, Ms. Granger, may we talk?"

Hermione looked at Bella, who to her surprise pulled out a chair for Her before being seated herself. Hermione took her seat and jumped slightly as Crookshanks jumped onto her lap. Bella nodded to the professor.

"What is this about Professor?"

McGonagall looked between the two witches then to Chandra before speaking.

"I have been watching you all closely. And now Mr. Potter has tried to convince me that you three students are now deatheaters."

She looked at the three girls and, making Draco feel a bit awkward, like he wasn't needed there. She finally looked at Bella.

"Now Bellatrix, I do not believe for one minute that Ms. Lovegood or Ms. Granger are deatheaters."

Chandra shifted her bracelet, in a feeble attempt to cover her dark mark, but it was in vain. McGonagall had already shifted her gaze to her.

"You however, Ms. Goldwing, are."

Bellatrix spoke up, getting the professor's attention.

"How did you come to know this professor?"

"There was a break-in at the department of mysteries before the start of the school year, only one prophecy was missing, but nothing ever came of it. I didn't exactly expect you had taken it until your nephew came to me for help when Ms.Granger lost consciousness."

Bellatrix glared at her, not noticing she had begun to scratch the oak table. McGonagall continued.

"He said that she was asking about his family when it occurred. Afterwards he felt the need to find out why she lost consciousness and spoke to professor Trelawney about certain effects of Prophecies on its individuals. Of course I wasn't sure until three students told me that Hermione wouldn't touch it when it ended up at her feet."

"You won't take her…"

"I'm doing nothing of the sort."

Bellatrix looked at her, shaking with anger and confusion. If she wasn't there to take Hermione then why was she there? She narrowed her eyes before McGonagall spoke again.

"Mr. Potter believes it must have something to do with his prophecy. And seeing that Hermione, being muggle born, is still alive, it means that your lord has not been informed of the prophecy. Have you thought perhaps Potter is right?"

Hermione watched as Bellatrix calmed a bit, which confused her. They had all heard it, of course it has something to do with Harry's...but Bella seemed hesitant to tell the professor. Hermione understood, she didn't love Tom as much as she thought, it was fear...fear of what would happen when she betrays him. Hermione placed her hand on Bella's leg and smiled as the witch looked at her. Bella gave a quick smile before looking back to McGonagall.

"It says that our bond will end the Dark Lord…"

"And Potter's said that he is the one to vanquish him…"

Chandra tapped the table, getting everyone's attention. She grunted and put her hands behind her head, leaning back in her chair as she spoke.

"Bella, you are his most trusted follower… without you he will crumble eventually. And with you, goes the malfoys and who knows how many others. And most of all, we can focus on the prophecy and keeping Mione's sorry ass safe."

"He will kill me before I even get the chance."

"Not if he can't get to you, until the end."

The group went quiet for a moment. Hermione's felt as if she couldn't breathe. She swallowed the lump in her throat and sighed, looking at the professor.

"How do we know this isn't a trick…"

"Ms. Granger, we need all the help we can get in this fight. Potter needs only to be shown proof."

Bella and Hermione looked at eachother. Hermione shrugged a bit and Bella sighed.

"What do we need to do?"

McGonagall folded her hands in her lap as she spoke.

"The students will return to Hogwarts, and so will you. With all of you there we will know everyone connected to the two Prophecies are safe and accounted for. Mr. Potter will have to be made aware of the situation, seeing that he is the one who has to do the deed. I hope you understand."

Bellatrix's shoulders dropped as her gaze drifted away from the professor, staring at nothing. Seeing that she was lost in thought, McGonagall lent forward a bit and spoke directly and clearly to her.

"You and Ms.Granger have one thing in common...you were a very smart witch. You may not have been a Gryffindor but it hurt me deeply to see such a promising student be deceived as you were. I hope you will make the right choice Bellatrix."

The professor stood up and nodded to Chandra.

"Thank you for the lovely coffee, Ms. Goldwing, do take care of Hermione. You have been doing well so far."

Chandra gave a weak smile and with that the professor was gone, leaving the five of the glaring at each other. Bellatrix stared at her nephew, his worrying gave everything away. Bella was about to confront him when Hermione grabbed her hand, making the woman stop.

"He was just trying to help us bella…"

Bella groaned and got up, shaking her head. Everything she was trying to avoid was now right in front of her. She knew what she had to do but also knew that she would be an absolute stress case. She winced at the idea of Hermione being in pain because she was stressing over going against Tom. The last thing she wanted to do was cause her pain.

Hermione watched the Dark witch with a tinge of worry. As Bella began to mutter to herself and pace, Hermione stood and wrapped her arms around the woman. Bella went stiff for a moment before relaxing into the touch. The brunette smiled, burying her face in black curls.

"Calm down, Bella."

"How do you think I'm going to do that?"

Chandra cleared her throat, making the two women look at her.

"You can start by actually enjoying this little vacation before we actually have to start this draining year."

"You really have an issue with speaking to me in that tone."

"Shut up, I know you're my boss, but as long as you're with her, you're my cousin too. Now you can start relaxing...maybe get out of that stuffy dress and have a drink."

Bellatrix glared angrily at Chandra only stopping when Hermione nudged her. She looked at the Gryffindor who gave her a look of annoyance.

"Fine."

Chandra grinned and stood, looking at Bella for a moment.

"Well I doubt you'll want to wear colors...you can wear some of my clothes, might be a bit big on you...you're kinda short."

Bella narrowed her eyes and took a step forward to confront her but Hermione did it for her. The brunette shoved her cousin back, speaking in a sharp growl.

"Stop it Chandra, just do what you're gonna do so we can play the damn game already. It's been a long day and it's not even noon."

Chandra rolled her eyes and disappeared into her room. She returned a moment later with a pair of black jeans and a matching tank top. She tossed them to Bella who caught them and rolled her eyes. Chandra then went to the stairs and picked up the game system and went to the living room, Luna following her shortly.

Bellatrix looked at the clothes then to Hermione as she scrunched up her nose. Hermione kissed her cheek.

"They may look good on you. Just go change and get you some whiskey…"

Chandra's loud voice boomed from the living room.

"I don't have whiskey, I have vodka."

Hermione sighed and looked back to Bella who groaned.

"Well...just choose what you want to drink. There's a lot of options…"

Hermione kissed the dark witch, smiling at her before joining the others. Bella sighed and went to Hermione's room to change. She couldn't believe she was even letting herself do this. She was still thinking about what McGonagall said to her. She shook her head a bit. No, she shouldn't think about it right now. For once Chandra was right… she needs to relax…