Chapter 3 - Confusing Feelings

Bellatrix was the first back to the room that night before lights out and she smiled seeing that Hermione had actually tidied her side of the room. The girl didn't bring anything with her because they weren't really allowed to, the only reason Bella had what she had was due to her sisters. Narcissa controlled Lucius and Lucius controlled the prison which meant she could get away with minor things, such as her expanding box with a charm which held everything that could entertain her in it.

Bellatrix knew tonight was going to be hard on the young Witch due to the uncomfortable sleep she had last night and now they were due to be up an extra two hours for toilet duty. Bellatrix was just happy the younger Witch at least made a friend in the prison and so may stay away from her and reframe from asking her questions. Bella felt a pull to the Brunette and it was something she did not want to feel, she would help her but from a distance so to not pull her in closer.

Bella went to her box and put her thumb on the lock to allow it to open. She searched through her belongings until she found the book she was looking for. It was quite an old book but was filled with wonderful stories of magical Beasts from Merlin's time and she knew with Hermione's background and job, the younger witch would be able to sit and read it for hours. She placed the book on Hermione's bed nicely so the other Witch would notice it the moment she arrived and hopefully it will keep her entertained every night rather than trying to speak with her.

She turned back to her box and lifted a picture of her and her sisters and a tear rolled down her cheek. She missed being with them still after all this time of being apart. She missed Cissy's laugh, Andy's terrible jokes, the comfort she would have felt when they were near if she was sick or upset. She just really missed them. The visits were wonderful but Bellatrix missed the kind of company you can't get from prison. She wanted someone to share her life with and knew she couldn't get that in here either because no body here had even caught her eye. Until yesterday...

Bellatrix shakes her head from the thoughts and places the picture back into the box. She can't be thinking of Hermione in anyway other than a cellmate and an annoyance, because she knows what Hermione thinks of her. Monster. So there is no point in setting herself up for heartbreak.

It's been a number of years since Bellatrix gave up her hope of being freed and the World believing that she is actually innocent. Especially when the men she made the deal with Double crossed her. It was meant to be a small price being a Death Eater and taking the mark because then once Voldemort was gone, Bellatrix would have her innocence revealed. That didn't happen.

Bella clenches her jaw as she thinks about all the shit, all the dirty deeds and life scarring things she did for the greater good. Even marrying Rodolphus turned her stomach but she did it because it's what she had to do at the time, she was never happier than when she found out the pervert had died in prison.

Bellatrix is brought out of her thoughts as she hears footsteps come behind her and sees Hermione at the door. How can she make those jumpsuits look good Bellatrix thought. She turned her head away and began to organise herself ready for the night ahead and trying not to think about the beautiful Witch behind her.

Hermione quickly picked up the book from her bed and looked at it in glee when she realised what it was about. She had a huge smile on her face and Bella's own stomach felt a warmth she had not felt in a very long time, and it was in that moment she decided she wanted to keep that smile on Hermione's face. She turned away once more before Hermione could even see her watching.

"Did you see who put this book on my bed?"

Bellatrix's heart dropped at Hermione's words, of course she wouldn't believe you could have done it, you were a Death Eater. Bellatrix quickly put her frown into a neural expression and turned to face the Brunette again.

"No, I've been out of the cell same as you. I just hope said person doesn't make a habit of coming into our cell while we aren't here."

Hermione nodded only half listening as she began to read the book already and Bellatrix rolled her eyes. She snatched the book away from Hermione and hit it under the younger Witch's pillow. Hermione let a pout fall to her face and Bellatrix may have felt all kinds of feelings but to keep appearances up she rolled her eyes again and continued to tie her hair up for the night.

"We have a job tonight remember, thanks to you. I suggest you put your hair up, it can get quite messy down here and I am not doing your half for you."

Hermione's playful pout turned into a proper frown at this and she slowly nodded her head while also getting her hair sorted. It wasnt long before they started making their way down the corridor to the Auror office to get Stewart and the keys for the cleaning store.

On the way the way they started passing the group of cooks that Hermione remembers from the canteen. Violet had warned her away from them but Hermione believed if she was gonna be here for a long time she should at least attempt to get on with everyone. She lifted her head and smiled at them, and in return the Witches growled back at her and before she could even say Hello, Bella had pulled her down a different row and held her against the wall.

"What are you doing? Are you bloody stupid?"

"Wha- What did I do?? I was just going to say Hi??"

Bella had a hold of the top part of Hermione's jumpsuit with her fists and was practically pinning Hermione against the wall. She had a fire in her eyes and the younger witch thought Bellatrix was just being mean but in Bella's head she needed to make sure Hermione stayed away from that group because she didn't doubt for a second that they would kill her given an opportunity to do so.

"Yeah good one mudblood, go and say hi to a group of Pureblood extremes who would probably boil you up and serve you for dinner tomorrow night! Use your head Hermione, they told me you were smart, and I'm not quite seeing that yet!"

Bellatrix let go of Hermione and start walking towards the offices far faster than before as she struggled to keep herself from going back the Rosier Witches and teaching them a lesson for looking at Hermione like a piece of meat. But she knew she could not cause that kind of riot right now. She was worried Hermione was going to get herself killed in here and she feared even more that she actually cared if that happened.

--

The toilets just as Hermione predicted were disgusting by the end of the day with so many people using them. Hermione was disgusted that they didn't even have gloves to do the job and could not wait for a shower in two mornings time. Yes they were only allowed a shower every other morning and since Bellatrix had hers today, Hermione had to wait until the morning after tomorrow.

She picked up the brush again and started scrubbing until her arm ached again. Bellatrix however seemed very used to this and was already nearly finished her set. As the night went on Hermione felt bad for Bellatrix because all she had done from arrival had caused the older Witch problems. And even though to her, Bellatrix deserved to be where she was, she didn't seem as mad or horrible as Hermione had once been lead to believe or remember.

No, Bellatrix was a mystery to Hermione and the younger Witch loved nothing more that a mystery to crack and was determined to know the real Bellatrix before she left this place.

"I apologise for tonight and any upset I've cause you Bellatrix... I - I am definitely a bit lost at the moment but I will try my best not to get you into anymore trouble."

Hermione noticed Bellatrix's eyes soften for a moment but they soon turned hard again as Bellatrix let out a grunt and moved on to begin tidying up her equipment under the flirty eyes of Stewart.

"Put your tongue away Stewart or I will kick you in the dick like last time!"

"Come now Black, I'm allowed to look, I've told you before though offer is still open..."

Bellatrix scoffed and once Hermione finished her last toilet they were lead back to the cell where Stewart looked them in for the night. Hermione got dressed into her sleepwear as Bellatrix waved her hand and then got Naked again. How is she still not cold when I can barely contain my shivers? Hermione put it down to her being used to the temperature by now and thought nothing more of it.

What Hermione didn't know is tonight Bellatrix didn't go to sleep before her. Instead she waited until she heard Hermione's soft snores between her teeth chattering on and off, and then she raised her hand and once more extended the heating charm.

Bellatrix then also fell into a deep slumber with Hermione following her through to her dreams again.

--

The next morning Hermione had used her watch and the little alarm to get up on time and made her way to breakfast with Bella stopping by the tuck shop to look for something. Hermione did not want to put her in another mood so continued her way to Breakfast without her. The Rosier sisters served her with that same disgusted look as yesterday and Hermione got shivers down her spine. Maybe Bellatrix is right and I should stay away from them.

Hermione thought this until she seen the Witches give her a special try which in all honesty looked better that the other slop they had served. The last Rosier Witch smiled handing her the tray and Hermione smiled back and basically skipped to the table next to Violet.

"Her Hermione maybe you soon-"

"I know look Violet, they gave me a really nice meal today! I shouldn't waste a second!"

Before Hermione could tuck in however Bellatrix came and slammed her tray on the table. She swapped her and Hermione's trays quickly so no one else seen but their table and Violet continued looking back and forth between the two of them, but the look in Bella's eyes told her to say anything.

"I'm taking this one because of you getting me in trouble last night. Enjoy your slop."

Bellatrix took off to her normal table after this happened and once she got there, she shovelled her food into her mouth as quick as a Pixie and then was out the door. Hermione looked down at her new tray and couldn't hide her disappointment. Violet continued to smile after the interaction as Hermione frowned at her new dish.

"She really hates me and I don't even know why I care what she thinks, she's a Monster! A Death Eater!"

"Hermione have you been judged since they showed the evidence in court even though it wasn't you?"

"You know I have been and it's been horrible Violet, I'm innocent and being punished for someone else's wrongdoings!"

"Well maybe don't be so quick to judge others in here..."

Violet winked at Hermione and the Brunette didn't know what the other Witch meant by that. She shrugged her shoulders and started to eat the meal, she had a meeting with Lucius today to find out her new job and she needed a clear head for that.

Meanwhile in another area of the prison, Bellatrix is on her knees in front of a toilet brining the breakfast she ate back up by shoving her finger down her throat.

"Fucking Rosiers, of course they would use poison! This Witch is gonna kill me if she keeps being so stupid."

Once Bellatrix was done she stayed on the floor of the bathrooms a little bit longer and wondered how long she could protect this witch from the others. She knew the rules of this prison, to protect someone like Hermione, you needed to claim them and that is something Bellatrix Black has never done and never attempted to do...

"Fucking Hermione Granger of all Witches in the World is the one I'm now attracted to for crying out loud"

Bellatrix scolded herself and took what she said back immediately. No Bella, you do not get attracted to anyone unless you leave Azkaban!

But then why you trying to protect this witch?

Bellatrix ran her hand over her face as she realised she was now having arguements with herself. She even starts thinking that maybe some of the poison slipped into her system and is making her crazy.

No more! Hermione made it clear she thinks your a monster so maybe you should start acting like it.

Bellatrix gave herself a head nod but then she thought of the upset look on Hermione's face and realised she didn't want to be the reason for that look to appear on the younger Witch's face.

"This is a mess Bella... You've done this shit for 20 years without getting involved with anyone! Why now and why her of all people??

Bella continued ranting at herself until before she knew it, it was lunch time and she had the pleasure of see the Rosier Witches again. As she entered the Canteen a few people stopped to look at her and she knew the news was spreading about her swapping trays earlier. Bellatrix thought she had been discreet, but apparently someone has seen her.

As she walked up to join the line the Rosier sisters started talking and one approached Bellatrix with her new food tray.

"You aren't starting shit here are you Black? I thought yesterday we were clear to call dibs on the new meat as no one else had claimed her yet?"

"She's my cellmate Vinda so I don't want any problems coming my way because you hate that she's a Muggleborn."

"Mudblood... She's a Mudblood Bellatrix. Our Dear Aunt surely raised her daughter better..."

"We do not bring my Mother into this. Hermione is not mine to claim but nor is she yours, you will leave her alone!"

"You know as well as I do dear Cousin. Unless you stake your claim on her, she is free game to everyone and I will have her. I will torture her and I will take away any good feelings she has like the Mudblood she is... If you are claiming her do it soon, because I will make my move on her soon."

Vinda walks away from Bellatrix and leaves her cousin fuming behind her. Bellatrix shoves the tray to the Witch waiting behind her and starts storming out of the canteen. On her way she passed Hermione who actually gives Bellatrix a small smile, and Bellatrix's heart freezes as she notices someone throwing something at Hermione from the side and her gut kicks in.

Bellatrix sticks her foot out and trips Hermione over on the floor. Hermione is immediately flushed with Embarrassment and has a sorrowful look on her face as she sees it was actually Bellatrix who tripped her. The canteen laughs and the tray that was being thrown hits the wall past Bellatrix's head, but Hermione doesn't notice it. She only sees the witch who made a fool out of her.

Bellatrix eyes shift behind Hermione and sees the Rosier sisters looking at her with a smirk as if to say 'Are you claiming her yet?' She lets a snarl out of her Mouth and looks back at Hermione.

"Next time watch where you're walking Mudblood."

Bellatrix turns away and starts walking back to the room as Violet helps Hermione on to her feet, and they have a conversation. Only one sentence is enough to put Bella into a bad mood for rest of the day.

"See I told you Violet, she's horrible for no reason!"

Bellatrix scoffs and walks even faster to leave the line of vision of 100s of eyes around her.

--

"So Hermione, how is prison life treating you?"

"It's a pile of shit Lucius, and you know it..."

"Of course I do, I run the place! Now lets see where we could fit you in for your job here... I would say Kitchen but I think they might kill you down there..."

Hermione shook her head and gave Lucius a hard glare.

"No they actually made me a special breakfast this morning, so no Lucius, they actually get on well with me!"

Lucius raises his brows at Hermione and slowly leans back on the chair as he realises the Witch doesn't have any signs of being sick or dying. He knows of the Rosier's hate on Mudblood's and that they would stop at nothing to kill her which is why he was left with no choice but to pair her with Bellatrix, much to his Wife's annoyance, but he couldn't have another Death at the prison without facing investigation.

"And you feel perfectly fine after eating this special meal?"

"Well... I didn't get to enjoy it cause Bellatrix swapped our trays and ate it! But I suppose I did piss her off yesterday so I allowed it to happen..."

Now this really did grab Lucius and Mark's attention in the office. Both knew that Bella would know the plate would be poisoned so why did she willingly eat the dish for Hermione?

"Now that is interesting... Well regardless, I've decided to put you on Laundry duty. Your hours are between lunch and dinner and you will receive 2 gallons a week to the shop for essentials. Tomorrow after breakfast you have a requested visitation from someone and normally we would not allow it out of visitation hours which are only on a Saturday, but we have allowed this special case as requested by the Minister..."

"And who is it?"

"I don't actually know and won't know till tomorrow.. So I would suggest you try and look presentable. Now please leave my office before you stink the place up.."

Hermione slowly stood up as Mark directed her out the door and she couldn't quite get over the fact that someone had planned to see her urgently tomorrow that they went through Fudge to do it. Maybe it's Harry? Being a big shot Auror like he is, he may have gained the meeting to come and help me.

On her way back to the laundry room to start her new job she stopped outside a door as she looked through the crack and could see Bella standing on a ladder fixing a tile in the celling. She only had a tank top on and Hermione could see Bella's ripped tattoos muscles flexing again and the younger witch could feel the heat once more. She quickly continued her journey as she could not be caught staring again, worst this time by Bellatrix herself.

It's just a crush on a gorgeous female body... You've always had them why would prison be different?

--

Laundry was hard. It was disgusting, fast paced and just down right degrading the abuse if another prisoners stuff was not done in time. She hates every minute of it, but just continued to work hard to make sure no one took too much notice of her. The Witches she was working with were much older and fortuntley they were not here due to dark crimes but there due to Adultery and being gay which when they were first sentenced, was crimes and no one bothered to release them once laws changed.

They took time to show Hermione everything she needed to do and how to deal with the other Witches who were impatient. Hermione was nearing the end of the shift and the last person to walk through the laundry room was none other than Bellatrix. She appeared to be dropping off her work clothes and looked at Hermione with a look the younger witch couldn't quite place.

"I umm... I had an accident with some of the tiles on the celling so I ruined my top and trousers. Can I please have them for tomorrow?"

"Depends if you're gonna trip me up again?"

Bellatrix laughed gently and gave Hermione a very sexy smirk which made her feel all kind of things she shouldn't.

"Well you are getting brave now... Tell me what will happen if I do it again?"

"Well I'll - I - I will grab you and pull you down with me!"

Hermione thought she was being clever but Bella's smirk widened and her eyes now held a darkened colour that wasn't anger or upset, but again something Hermione could not guess.

"So you'd pull me on top of you then? Is that your kink? You want me on top of you?"

Hermione blushed and she blushed Hard. She started stuttering again but was soon rescued by one of the older witches she was currently working with.

"Black I hope you aren't causing trouble in here? Remember last time I whooped your ass outta here?"

Bellatrix raised her hands and licked her lips at Hermione while giving her a wink.

"Thank you for putting my clothes in the pile to be ready tomorrow Hermione... I'll see you later..."

Bellatrix left the room and when Hermione turned around, all the older women were looking at her with raised brows as her cheeks now felt on fire with heat.

"So dear... You and Bellatrix Black?"

"Ummm yeah I mean no! No! She my cellmate... That's all!"

Martha the one who saved her gave a hum in response and they all got back to work. As Hermione turned to do her last load of the day, she put Bella's in that load so it would be done in time for her tomorrow. Before it went in though, she inhaled it deeply to smell the pure essence of Bellatrix Black.

And it was addictive.

"You are in big trouble now Hermione..."