The week drug by with the whole group getting rude glares from the other students. Hermione felt horrible one morning when Ginny shot her a look that made her spine feel as if she had pressed her back to a block of ice. They did their best to ignore everything and keep an eye on eachother. Chandra became very protective of Luna after what happened with Lavender. It seemed like the woman was never going to leave her side if they weren't in separate classes. As the week ended everyone was looking forward to a weekend alone in their dorms.

Hermione woke that Saturday morning to an empty bed. She sat up and stretched, letting out a long yawn. When she got up she noticed a note on her nightstand. She picked it up and scanned over it.

'Good morning, beautiful.

Professor McGonagall asked to see me. I shouldn't be long. I think someone might be coming by today, I just wanted to let you know in case I'm not back by the time they get there.

Love,

Bella.'

Hermione placed the note back on the nightstand and stretched once more before grabbing some clothes and making her way to the bathroom. She got dressed and brushed her teeth as she hummed a small tune. As she threw her hair up in a casual ponytail, she heard a light knock at the door.

She left the bathroom and made her way to the door. She suspected that it would be Professor Slughorn. Him and Bella seemed to be friends and it would be nice to ask about the assignment they had this week. Hermione opened the door and froze when she saw Ginny. She was utterly confused, earlier that week she could have sworn Ginny hated her. The redhead shifted awkwardly as she looked at Hermione's perplexed expression.

"Can I come in?..."

Hermione finally snapped herself out of her thoughts and stepped aside.

"Uh, yeah… of course. Come in."

Ginny walked in and Hermione closed the door. Hermione watched the girl's nose scrunched up as she looked around the room.

"Yeah… it's the colors, they don't go well together…"

"No...they don't, not at all."

The two girls shared a small awkward laugh before the room fell into an awkward silence. Ginny sat down on the sofa as Hermione took a seat in one of the armchairs. They sat quietly for a moment, both of them looking anywhere else other than at each other. Ginny finally broke the silence.

"I talked to Bellatrix yesterday…"

Hermione looked at her with shock and surprise plastered on her face.

"You did?"

"Yes, Neville was telling me how you talked so well of her and that he was willing to talk to her. I was already feeling terrible for how I was treating you… so when she helped me in transfiguration class… we talked."

"Oh…"

"It's nothing bad I promise. I asked if I could come...apologize…"

Hermione looked at her then down at her own hands. She felt guilty for her part. She loved Bella but she understood how her friends would think of the things they did. But regardless of what they thought Hermione did not regret any of it. She looked up to Ginny and smiled.

"There's no need to apologize, Ginny. I know all of it looked bad from your side of it."

Ginny nodded and silence took over for a bit longer while the ginger thought. She then looked at her friend with a light smile.

"Do you love her?"

Hermione smiled.

"Yes,Ginny. I do."

"Then that's all that matters."

Hermione found herself feeling better knowing that she had the support of Ginny. It was going to be nice to have someone to talk to.

"You want something to eat, Ginny?"

An hour later Bellatrix returned to see Hermione and Ginny laughing and eating biscuits. She closed the door and turned to the two girls.

"I see you two have parched things up."

Hermione looked at Bella and spoke through laughs.

"Yes we did. Thank you Bella."

"Nonsense, i did nothing but invite her here."

"Well, that's still something…"

Bella sighed as she sat down and looked at the two girls.

"Well, I hope she understands what our situation is because McGonagall made plans for me and Cha-"

Bellatrix was cut off by the door slamming as Chandra stormed in, cursing under her breath. The Hufflepuff let out a loud irritated groan.

"What am I supposed to tell him!?"

Hermione and Ginny looked between the two deatheaters, quite confused before Bella looked at them and attempted to explain.

"McGonagall has requested that Chandra resume going to meetings...and for me and Draco… to stay away from them."

Chandra raked her hair back and inhaled sharply.

"And just what do I do when he asks where you are? What if Lucius or Narcissa don't understand what I'm trying to do?"

"My sister and her husband will understand the moment you say that you don't know where we are."

"Oh you're so sure…"

"Yes I am."

Ginny cleared her throat.

"Should I go, I feel like I'm intruding…"

Chandra looked at Ginny, just now noticing the girl was even there.

"No… I'm done. I'm just ranting…"

Bellatrix looked at the shaking woman standing in her living area. She walked into the kitchen and came back with a glass of firewhiskey and handed it to Chandra, who took it with an appreciative smile.

Chandra sat down and took a deep drink from her glass before noticing Ginny looking at her. She lowered her glass and gave her a weird look.

"Can I help you?"

"Is Luna better?"

Chandra looked at her glass as she spoke.

"She's fine...you can go see her if you want...don't stay long."

Hermione looked at her cousin with a shocked expression. But Ginny nudged her, making her stop. Chandra looked at them.

"No disrespect but I may be ok with you being buddy buddy with my cousin. But you didn't date my cousin."

Hermione looked at Ginny with wide eyes.

"Wait, you and Luna were together?"

"Very shortly… I wasn't aware your cousin was the territorial type. Me and Luna are just friends."

Chandra glared at her.

"I said go see her."

Hermione gave her cousin a cold look before getting up with Ginny.

"I'll go with you. I'm sure it will shut her up…"

With that the girls left and made their way into Chandra's dorm to visit with Luna.