The garden was alight, decorated beautifully with floating white candles and gentle music tinkling softly. Very few of the guests had ventured outside, too captivated by the Riddle child. Everyone wanted a moment with her – to garner favor with the powerful girl. It left little room for explorations.
"Wow," Hermione breathed, glancing about curiously. "Narcissa did an amazing job. This wasn't here when Draco and I were here."
Bellatrix shrugged nonchalantly. "Narcissa is rather fond of this garden. I'm not surprised she added this; I assume it was last minute."
She brought them deeper into the garden, coming upon stone benches and the pristine fountain that had been scrubbed diligently by the house elves. They seated themselves on one, Hermione leaning against Bellatrix's shoulder, a familiar arm wrapping around her waist.
"Who knew this would be so overwhelming?" Hermione breathed, staring absently at the water flowing. "I knew my father had followers, but this was…"
"A lot," Bellatrix finished. "I feared that. You are unfamiliar with all of this and, because you fit into the role perfectly, it's easy to forget you were not raised this way. This is all new to you and I hope we have not added to your stresses."
Tilting her head, Hermione kissed Bellatrix's jaw line soothingly. "Not at all, love. Your family – and you, obviously – have made this transition easier. I am going into this New Year as a Riddle, as my father's child. I am Hermione Jean Riddle, soulmate of the notorious Death Eater Bella Black," she nudged the woman teasingly, "And that's all I need to remember. This will not be easy and I know that, but I refuse to be someone I am not."
Yes, she had her trepidations and fears about the upcoming days, but at the end of all, she was Hermione Riddle and that wasn't going to change. She was the daughter of the Dark Lord and she was coming to terms with that. She was petrified of the evil that she'd seen within the Death Eaters, but she couldn't deny it stirred something inside of her – something dark and dangerous that she'd always shoved away.
She knew most would have trouble coming to terms with it all, but she realized there was no way to stop the inevitable. No matter what side she fell on when the time came, she would be a key factor in a war that she was preparing for – had been preparing for since her first year. She was a pawn in a game of chess, but was slowly becoming a queen – guarding a king she did not know yet. The world was changing and she could either dig her heels in the sand or accept fate, but either way, it was coming and nothing would ever be the same.
"I love you," Bellatrix murmured softly, eyes closed as she took in the serenity of the moment.
It was rare for the madness inside to cease – to quiet into a dull roar – but when Hermione was near, her rage and insanity dissipated. She felt centered, her blood-lust dying out (slightly, but it was something) and she could see without the haze of confrontation burning into her chest.
"I love you too."
Skilled fingers stroked Hermione's side, the bite of her nails dampened by the fabric of her dress. She could feel her ring pulsating against her skin, begging to connect with the necklace dangling between barely confined breasts.
Hermione straightened slightly, her hand moving to cup Bellatrix's face. She pressed their lips together firmly, her tongue confidently stroking along the Death Eater's bottom lip before slipping inside to tangle in a familiar battle. She moaned lowly as the tip of Bella's tongue ran along her teeth teasingly and strong hands took hold of her hips. She allowed them to guide her onto Bellatrix's lap and wove her free hand into wild locks.
"Merlin," she panted, her lips centimeters from Bella's, "I've wanted to do that all night."
Bellatrix playfully bumped her nose against Hermione's and recaptured those soft lips that haunted her every dream. If there was a heaven, it would be here.
"Take me to bed," Hermione begged, lips swollen and eyes cloudy with desire.
"Are you sure?" Bellatrix studied Hermione carefully, searching for just the slightest hint of doubt.
A painful jerk of her hair smashed their lips together once more and Hermione grinded her center into Bella's, not even two layers of clothing enough to smother the jolt of lust lighting their bodies ablaze. "Yes," she hissed.
The familiar tightness of Apparation clenched in her stomach and in seconds, she was straddling Bellatrix on their bed. The older woman lay on her back, staring at Hermione with pitch black eyes and a predatory grin upturning her lips. Leaning up, she attached her mouth to Hermione's neck and nibbled as nimble fingers began unlacing her dress.
Hermione's nipples hardened when they became exposed to the air. She tangled her digits in Bellatrix's hair and led her down, moaning loudly when a warm mouth latched onto her nipple and pearly teeth tugged at the sensitive bud. Guiltily, she was so grateful Bellatrix had fixed her teeth once she'd escaped Azkaban.
Bella began lavishing it expertly with her tongue, a deep growl vibrating in her throat. Her lover was arching into her ministrations, soft mewls escaping parted lips as her grip tightened in raven curls. Her hands traced the sensitive flesh of Hermione's overheated sides, switching nipples to allow the other equal amounts of attention.
"Merlin," Hermione whimpered, "Bella…"
Bellatrix smirked, the pert bud trapped between firmly between her teeth. What, love?
"I need more," she begged, desperately rocking against Bella. "Please."
Purring seductively, Bellatrix released the flesh from her lips. "Patience, darling."
Hermione whined, passionately kissing the dark witch before shoving her down onto the bed. Her lips quirked up and she licked them provocatively. Her dress pooled along her waist, leaving her upper half completely exposed to Bellatrix's appreciative gaze.
"I've never been one for patience," Hermione admitted with a coy grin, "So, either you can help me," she bent and left mere centimeters between their lips, "Or I can just do it myself." She winked, jerking back and off the bed.
She shimmied out of her dress and let it fall silently to the ground. Her blood burned beneath Bellatrix's hungry stare, but she gathered all of her confidence and began stroking her nipples teasingly. She'd never done this before – ever. But she felt alive when she was with Bellatrix, their shared energy swallowing her trepidations and creating something confident – and dark, though she filed that away for later - within her.
She hoped it never dissipated.
Her panties were damp, slick with arousal. She rubbed her thighs together uncomfortably and her fingers slipped down her stomach toward the covered apex, just inches above the soaked material. Locking gazes with the intrigued Death Eater, she slid them beneath the panties, her face flush with want and a hint of embarrassment.
In a blink of an eye, she was shoved against the wall, the chill of the wood startling her. Her hand was held tight in Bellatrix's grip just above her head with the dark witch's body keeping her pinned. Her eyes twinkled lustfully.
"You don't touch what's mine," Bellatrix glared playfully, though it sent a flash of heat rampaging through the Gryffindor's body. She absently noted that being claimed by her did not bother her – in fact, it drove her wild.
"Then do something," Hermione replied cheekily.
"And what exactly do you want me to do?" Bellatrix hummed, her lips tantalizingly close to Hermione's.
She closed the gap, their lips dancing with a familiarity she'd never experienced with another – only Bella.
Fuck me.
Power surged through Bellatrix and she ripped away the last piece of clothing, Bella's dress joining the scraps as it dropped from her body. While Hermione had been teasing herself, she'd quickly undone her corset though her eyes never left the girl's flawless body.
Her nails trailed along Hermione's quivering abdomen, the muscles tensed against Bellatrix's hand. She could feel her new lover's anticipation and nerves. "Are you sure you want this, darling?"
Hermione's free hand took Bella's and she slipped it between her legs, moaning brazenly as her clit brushed the Death Eater's palm. Bellatrix marveled at the sight of Hermione, head tossed back in pleasure and need, and the way her hand seemed to fit perfectly between her thighs. A skillful thumb began circling Hermione's clit, applying just enough pressure to drive the girl wild.
"Please," Hermione panted.
"Beg."
Hermione rested her head on Bellatrix's shoulder. "Please, Bella, I need you to fuck me. I want you to be my first. Please…"
Two digits slipped into wet heat and Hermione whined in delight, widening her stance slightly to accommodate the sudden intrusion. In her experimentation of her body, she'd gotten comfortable with two fingers – three if she was adventurous – so she was well-adjusted.
"Merlin, Hermione," Bellatrix groaned appreciatively, "You are so wet and ready for me."
"Only you," Hermione breathed, "It's all for you."
Bellatrix nipped at Hermione's shoulder, her fingers still as she gave Hermione a moment to grow used to the sensation of another's hand. "Did you ever touch yourself while thinking of me at Hogwarts? The way I would touch you?"
"Yes," Hermione admitted, grinding against Bellatrix's hand with abandon, "After the first time I met you, you were all I could think about."
Bella's eyes slammed shut at the admittance and she began moving, her fingers slowly pumping in and out of the heat gripping her fingers, begging her for more. She quickened her pace when Hermione's lips parted against her shoulder and her teeth sunk into the soft flesh residing there. The beckoning motion brushed fingertips along Hermione's G-spot and Hermione bucked. Her stomach coiled and her walls clamped around Bellatrix's fingers as her orgasm built up.
"Let go," Bellatrix whispered, biting Hermione's neck roughly and leaving a prominent mark on the pale flesh.
Hermione cried out, slumping against the witch as waves upon waves of euphoria lit every nerve ending alight, liquid lightning gushing through her veins. She was vaguely aware of Bellatrix holding her upright. Her mind raced and she felt herself being lifted into strong arms when the aftermath of her orgasm began to fade.
"Are you alright, love?" the Death Eater worried, setting the girl on the bed and settling in beside her.
Hermione nodded tiredly, her breaths short. "Yes. That was amazing." She absently stroked Bella's arm. "I want to make you feel like that."
Laughing, Bellatrix kissed the crown of Hermione's head. "That's not…"
"Hush," Hermione muttered, poking Bella's side sharping, "I'm going to repay you for that. I just need a minute." She nuzzled against the former Slytherin and closed her eyes, sighing contentedly as she took in the scent that was purely Bellatrix.
It was definitely the best way she could think of to kick off a new year.