Just want to say thank you to everyone who has read this story or left kudos! It's strange to finally share my little creation. I have had inspiration from so many writers both here and on archive of our own and if it wouldn't take a whole chapter to share each and every pen name I would do so willingly.
For now thank you to all my inspirations!
She awoke to find the sky outside had darkened, small stars shining in the sea of inky black. Her body was stiff and cold from lying in one possition for hours, her stomach was grumbling as she had missed dinner and the skin of her cheeks was stinging.
"I wouldn't have given you annother detention you know!" the voice came from the shadows and Hermione turned towards the sound of the voice, doing her best impressed of a goldfish as her brain tried to catch up to the world around her.
"Actually quite the opposite. If you hadn't have fled I would probably have given you an obscene amount of house points. I asked you to stun me. You did that alright. Why would I punish you for doing as I asked, Hu pet?"
Hermione's voice came out weak and croaky "Because I broke through your shield. You... I sent you flying." she suddenly remembered she wasn't just talking to her professor but also the person who have permanently disfigured her arm, her voice was laced in distrust "And anyway I thought you would be after annother chance to torture me in detention. I'm sure it's been eating you up that I got away from you. So why wouldn't you punish me for stunning you! I'm sure filch can help you. He reminded the twins every day that he kept the chains and restraints in good condition. I'm sure he would help you hang me from the dungeon ceiling by my ankles. I've heard it was a long time request of his to dumbledore. Look, just do want you came here to do and then take me to pomfry. I'm sure she can fix me up again before tomorrows lessons. Just make it quick."
She took her wand out of the holster on her arm and dropped it to the floor.
"I don't care anymore. It hurts too much in here" she pointed to her heart then her head "to care what happens to myself anymore. So do your worst Bellatrix because I'm already broken, you can't make me any worse"
Bellatrix was stood with her jaw to the floor and looking increasingly uneasy. She has never been good with emotion. She knew what she did to the young witch was wrong, had wanted to make amends but didn't know how. She also recognised the point where your emotions where so tired and overstretched to the point bodily harm no longer felt like anything. She knew if the girl was in this state truely it was anything but good.
"I'm not going to hurt you again. I'm never going to hurt you again. I'm... ugh look" she stepped forward and knelt by the witch, close enough to be considered empathetic but not close enough to touch the girl "That was a damn good hit today and as much as I'm not going to say it in front of the whole class it was a damn good shield too. Both spells where better than I've seen from multiple aurors. I pushed you because I thought you could take it. When I... When we met you where so defiant, so full of fire, you never gave in to me. Not even when I gave you that scar, you never gave up your friends. I figured you could take it. I wanted to see what you could do. Our magic comes from our emotions and I thought if I could ruffle your feathers a bit get you angry you would show me what you could really do. And I was right... you did. But I was also wrong. I should never have pushed you like that, not me. Anyone else and you would have thrived under that pressure but I hurt you I can see that now. I... I... when your tortured for the first time something breaks inside of you and you never get it back. I guess what I'm trying to say is... I'm sorry. For today and for you know... the other thing too."
Hermione took a second to process all the information she had been given. Bellatrix Black had just appologised to her, the most famous mudblood in the wizarding words.
Bellatrix snorted and her lip quirked up into an amused smirk. Hermione thought she has bore the brunt of a cruel joke until Bellatrix continued.
"I mean, just so you know if you ever tell anyone that I appologised I will kill you."
Hermione let out all the tension in her as she laughed.
"Oh come on you've got to at least let me tell Ginny?"
Bellatrix dropped onto her bum and sat cross legged next to Hermione.
"No no no, Red would never let me live it down! I've already got your class telling the whole school you dropped me on my arse! No one had broken through my shit like that in years Granger. You'rt ruining my reputation!"
"How the hell have you done it!?" Hermione asked under her breath.
"What? Got into the school? Well .."
"No, I don't mean that! I mean, how the hell have you made me laugh. You tortured me like six months ago and now... How the hell am I sat on my arse in the middle of the night in the astronomy tower laughing with Bellatrix lestrange!"
"Black. It's Black."
"Black. Sorry."
"Honestly Hermione you don't need to appologise. I will never be able to make up for what I did to you. I don't want you to be scared of me. I did a lot of shit to a lot of people and it was shitty. I was shitty. And I don't expect you to believe anything I'm saying, frankly I'm a bit surprised you're still up here to be honest. I wanted to have this conversation before our first lesson, I tried to get Minerva to organise a meeting but she told me you weren't ready. I get if you still don't want to hear my side of the story. But I hope that by sitting with you now I can at least ease some of your fears. I don't ever want to hurt you again. I also understand if you don't want to come back into my class.."
"I do" it slipped out of Hermione mouth before she had thr chance to stop it.
"What!" Her eyes shot from the floor to the young witch before her. Confusion shinning behind the worry.
"No, I do want to come back to your class. I've never produced a spell that strong before. I know there must be a good reason why you're here. And I know you've spoke to Neville and he's still in your classes. So if Neville can accept you then... I'm willing to try. We can talk about whatever it is you want to tell me whenever your free."
Bellatrix slapped her hand onto Hermione's shoulder and a look of relief fluffed her face.
"Well shit that was easy! I thought you where going to make me work a lot harder than that Granger, Fuck! How's tomorrow at 7!"
"Ha, I believe I've got a detention with my newest teacher but I'll send her a note and tell her I'll have to reschedule!"
"Thank you Granger."
A look of complete sincerity appeared on her face.
"Thank me? What for? I'm the one who shot you into the blackboard!"
"Ha! Bet it felt good tho didn't it! But really thank you for giving me a chance to explain. Right let's get you back to Gryffindor tower, Granger! Can't have you walking the castle at night otherwise you'll get yourself even more detentions!"
"Actually I can stay here as long as I like and I don't sleep in Gryffindor tower either. But ye it did feel good I'm not going to lie!" She beamed up at Bellatrix who for a moment forgot that she was sat with her student and completely forgot she was sat with the girl she had tortured six months prior. She almost felt like when she would banter with her sisters, it was nice.
"What do you mean you can stay here as long as you like? And surely they haven't shipped you off to Ravenclaw after all these years?"
"Perks of being the golden girl I guess. I've got 'teachers perks'. Free roam of the castle whenever I like, I can leave for hogsmead whenever I feel like it, I've got my own room in the teachers wing...I'm even allowed alcohol in my room but I don't think McGonagall meant for me to know that bit!"
"Bloody hell! Golden girl hey, maybe being on the good side does have it's perks afterall. But as someone else with 'Teachers perks' I also know that you can't spend the entire night sleeping on the astronomy tower floor! Come on you can walk back with me" Bellatrix stood and moved her hand towards the stairs leading back to the main castle.
Hermione's pushed herself up off the floor with a smug smile on her face.
"Eugh fine! But I want those points you mentioned, the ones for knocking you on your arse!"
Bellatrix started down the stairs shouting back up to Hermione.
"eugh for Merlin's sake! Fine! 100 points to Gryffindor for Miss Granger's annoying little spell! Happy?"
"Very!"
"Teachers pet!"
"You wish!"
"Ok miss 'I've got teachers perks' "
They throw remarks back and forth in a friendly manner all the way to the teachers wing.
Hermione stopped in front of her door, Bellatrix kept walking. Hermione cleared her throat "ERM this is me!"
Bellatrix looked back. Hermione almost thought she saw disappointment cross the witches face but it was quickly schooled into a neutral expression.
"Well then goodnight Granger, if you need anything just knock. I'm... well actually I'm right next door."
She headed towards the next door across but looked back when Hermione spoke.
"Oh great! You on one side and Neville on the other. I won't be able to do anything in my room without the whole school knowing!"
Bellatrix opened her door but lingerie in the doorway almost looking like she was trying to stop herself saying anything. Finally she looked Hermione in the eyes and with a small smirk she said in a low huskey voice "Don't worry if I hear you moaning my name I won't tell. Goodnight pet!"
Hermione turned the colour of Ginny's hair, her jaw on the floor. Had Bellatrix Black just... flirted with her. She stood in the corridor in shock for a few moments before finally shaking herself and heading into her room.
Hermione woke next morning from a very strange dream. When she tried to remember the dream all she could remember was being held down and dark black eyes but she couldn't decide if it was a nightmare or not. She was pretty sure it was Professor Black pinning her to the floor but she didn't wake up with the feeling of dread that usually followed her nightmares.
She decided to just ignore the dream and get on with her day. She jumped in the shower, brushed her teeth and threw on her robes. Just as she was tying up her hair there was a knock on the door.
"Hey Gin come in I'll just be a minute." called from the bedroom, she could hear the sound of her door opening and closing.
"Hurry up im hungry 'Mi!"
Hermione came out of her room "I'm ready arent I? Come on lets get food! So what happened yesterday after..."
They started heading down towards the great hall the smell of food getting closer with every step.
"After you sent Professor Black ex death eater and one of the most feared witches of all time flying onto her arse?"
"Ye something like that!"
"Honestly it was pretty bad ass! None of us knew what to do. I mean we all knew we should wake her up, it's not like we didn't know we just have to use rennervate but we where all scares stiff. So Luna suggested we just let her wake up on her own. I mean you sent her flying but she didn't hit her head so we knew she was ok, just knocked out. So we all just kept practicing. She was out for a good ten minutes. Didn't really know what was going on when she woke up and you where gone. Asked us where you where, Helen said you ran off. We all expected her to give us all detention or run after you but she didn't. She stayed and... well I hate to say it but she actually really helped us all. Neville even managed to bounce back a stunner at 75%! She's actually a really good teacher!"
"Ahhh Red you do love me after all" came a sleepy drawl from behind them. By this stage they where right by the great hall but with Black avoiding Hermione the whole week Ginny hadn't expected Black to be anywhere near! Ginny's face drained of colour and she looked a little like she was going to throw up. Both girls turned to face their teacher.
"Professor Black I didn't know you would be here. I was just"
"Telling miss Granger what an excellent teacher I am and how had she not run from my lesson she would have had a great time?" She raised an eyebrow challenging Ginny to argue with her.
Hermione seeing Ginny's discomfort wrapped her arm around the younger girl reasuringly.
"I mean... actually that is exactly what she was saying Professor."
"Well in that case. Ten points to Gryffindor for Miss weasley. Now Red go get breakfast I want a word with Miss Granger." Bellatrix stepped closer to Hermione, shooing Ginny with her hands.
"You gonna be ok 'Mi?"
"She'll be fine won't you pet? Run along."
"I'll be fine Gin, Go on. Make sure Neville doesn't eat all the scrambled egg!"
Ginny headed into the great hall shooting one final glance back at the two witches before dissapearing through the door.
Black rested one hand on the wall beside Hermione, leaning closer than would be deemed professional.
"Morning pet. Sleep well?"
This morning She was wearing a Black silk shirt, her usual corset and a tight fitted black pencil skirt. Hermione wondered if McGonagall would ever tell a Professor off for being too sexy. 'Where the hell did that come from granger! Get yourself together here kid! You're stood here with your mouth hanging open! Words Granger use them!'
"Erm ye I slept ok thanks. Anything is better than the astronomy tower floor!"
"You'll be pleased to know I didn't hear a peap out of you." A small pink blush appeared on Hermione's cheeks. So she hadn't dreamt that, the professor had actually said that to her last night.
"Well I'm glad to hear that. Anyway what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"
Professor Black pushed herself up off her arm and instead rested her back against the wall, leaning casually.
"Well I decided to double check you where ok for us to meet tonight. If you're not comfortable with the idea of hearing my side of the story then I'm sure I can arrange a suitable terrible detention. You know... if you prefer."
Hermione was sure that even though she came off joking that the dark witch was sincerely asking her consent to forgo her official detention. She was asking if it was ok. Maybe she really has turned over a new leaf.
"No I'll be fine. If it's too much then we can stop right?"
"Exactly pet, Brilliant. I will see you at mine at 7pm. Don't be late. I know where you live and you don't have the excuse of getting lost either! Enjoy your breakfast."
The dark witch was already walking away down the corridor by the time she finished talking. Hermione assumed she was once again avoiding the great hall to allow Hermione to eat in peace. She stood for a minute just watching the corridor even after the dark witch was no longer in sight. She finally gave her head a small shake and headed inside and sat down next to Ginny. There was a large portion of scrambled eggs already on her plate.
"You do realise that we can't actually run out of eggs right Ginny? The elves in the kitchen will just keep making more. I didn't actually think Neville could eat them all!"
"Hey what did i do wrong? I even saved the crossword on my daily profit for you!"
"Sorry Neville it was a joke"
Neville gave her a smile that let her know he was just teasing.
"Well no harm no fowl. It all stays hot on your plate anyway so figured I might as well sort you out myself!"
A snort came from the teachers table. The whole great hall tuened to look at the teachers table to see what was funny. The only people sat at the table where Professor flitwick who was looking at the teacher at the other end of the table. Sat all alone was Professor Black.
She looked around realising everyone was looking at her and said "What! Joke of the day in the profit was funny! Now stop staring and eat your food!"
Everyone turned away and the general chatter began again.
"I didn't think it was all that funny to be fair. Listen to this What do you call an owl that does magic? Hoodini"
Ginny and Hermione shared a look.
"You dont think...?" Ginny asked
"The timing was just... too perfect!" Hermione replied.
"What did I miss?" Neville asked confused.
"We'll tell you later Neville dont worry!"