This is a considerable longer chapter than my previous but I couldn't bare to split it so here we have it. Nearly 5k in one chapter!
Hermione was rudely awoken the next day by a loud knocking at her door.
"Mione, open up! I know you're awake let me in"
Hermione was not awake, or at least wasn't until now. She pointed her wand towards her front door and opened it for Ginny.
"'Mione? You ok?
"I'm in here Gin, what every you do don't" Ginny clicked the bedroom light on leaving Hermione to continue her scentance dejectedly "turn the bedroom light on... eugh"
Ginny came and sat down next to Hermione on the bed. Hermione retreated under the covers where the light couldn't reach her.
"What the hell did Black have you doing last night 'Mi!"
"Drinking!"
"You got drunk for detention?"
"Yes... Well no. But yes. This stays between us. You know she wants to heal my scar? She told McGonagall before term started so she said we could talk about that during our detention time. She offered me a drink and I told her she better give me something strong if I was going to have that conversation. And one firewhiskey lead to five and now...if you don't let me go back to sleep I'm going to tell everyone you made up Harry's tattoo!"
"First of all, you wouldn't dare tell anyone about Harry's lack of tattoos. Secondly I'm very glad she is going to heal your scar and Thirdly I can't believe you got drunk with a teacher! You must have drunk a bloody lot to be this hungover, you can drink firewhiskey like a champ"
"Teachers perks. And I think we finished the bottle honestly. Now Gin please please let me sleep!"
"No a chance in hell! I want to know everything you talked about! Wait here a minute"
Ginny headed into the main room and could be heard rummaging for someone.
"Gotcha! Come on lightweight drink this!"
"I'll have you know I went drink for drink with Black! Which would explain the headache I suppose. And how long have you had emergency hangover portions in my room?"
"Since the first day of term! I knew we'd need them eventually although I wasn't expecting it to be so soon! Now spill!"
It was 6.55 and Hermione was desprate to leave her room. She knew if she left now she would be right on time. Part of her wanted to be on time because it was the opposite of what Bellatrix had asked her to do...the other half of her wanted to show up late just to prove she could.
She paced in front of her door for a few more minutes just counting down the seconds until 7pm so she could leave. She thought she might be falling into a trap of doing exactly what Bellatrix told her to do and thus being the perfect teachers pet... but there was house points at stake!
6.59 came and she couldn't wait any more. She did take delight that she would still be late by the time she had walked to the fifth floor.
She arrived at 7.04pm to see a smirking Bellatrix leaning against the wall.
"Couldn't even make it to five minutes late! Although I am surprised you weren't here early so 10 points to Gryffindor. Now for Merlin's sake walk in front of this bloody door! I've already been asked homework questions by four bratz! Four!"
Hermione walked back and forth three times just opposite the painting of Barnabas the Barmy until a door appeared.
"Let's see how good this training room is than pet! After me!"
Hermione chucked "Age before beauty after all!"
Bellatrix turned at the door "Hey! That one was actually quite good pet! 5 points to Granger for actually being funny!"
The room appeared similarly to how it had during their fifth year. A mirrored room with a few practice dummy's, an old sofa and a chalkboard that still help the picture of the original order of the phoenix.
"So this is where you trained all those bratz from the department of mysterys! I have to admit pet, I couldn't have come up with better myself. Unless it came with a kettle... a kettle could be good"
A table with kettle, cups and a selection tea and coffee appeared next to the sofa. "I forgot how cool this room is! Granger you're on tea duty. Black no sugar, I'm sweet enough already. Then I will explain why we're dueling."
"I can't believe you can duel in heels and a corset!"
"You would be suprised what I can do in a corset pet. Now tea!"
When Bella finally had a hot cup of tea in hand she sat on the sofa, curling herself up like a cat.
"Much better. Ok pet, here's the deal. We are going to duel. I will of course be playing to win but it is less about precision and more about emotion. I need to feel your magic when you lose control, I need to see your magic when you're emotional. Currently the easiest way for me to do that is to become Bellatrix Lestrange. I will be cruel, I will be harsh and I want you to give me as good as you get. Nothing is off limits. Whatever you say I will not hold it against you. If you need to stop simply shoot purple sparks out of your wand and I will stop. We go as long as you want. If that's two minutes then it's two minutes and that's ok. Do you think you can do this?"
Hermione looked frozen to the spot. She closed her eyes and took a few breaths. "I can do this. Ok so we're playing Malfoy Manor with safe words?"
"How do you know about safe words pet!? That's actually quite surprised me!"
"I'm not always the golden girl you know."
"Yes pet, this is very much going to be Malfoy Manor with safe words. I know how strong you are. You proved it to me when you stared me down whilst I cut you. You can do this. But your powder comes from your emotion and the quickest way for me to become familiar with it is to either scare you, hurt you or... well that's it really I have to scare you."
"So I can call you a crazy bitch without losing house points?"
"Honestly pet I might actually give you points if you come out with something really colourful. We can take as long as you need before we start. Finish your tea. Is there anything you don't want me to do?"
"No.. I think limits defeat the object in this case. I mean no more cursed blades obviously but it wouldn't be a fight with Bellatrix lestrange if you adhered to duel protocol. You play dirty, I can cope with that. Plus there is a bonus to being a witch! I can patch you up after I beat you up!"
"You'll be lucky to hit me pet."
"I dunno I did send you arse over tit just two days ago!"
"Beginners luck, you won't get lucky twice"
"Right get out! I can't play terrified golden girl if your sat drinking a cup of tea! You go outside and pretend you've snuck in or something!"
"Expirience with roll play have we pet. Right I'll be back at some point."
She strode out the door letting it shut behind her.
'"I could use a really good book right now!"
A few books appeared below the coffee table, Hermione popped her wand down and grabbed a worn copy of Hogwarts- a history. She curled herself into the corner of the sofa and tried to imagine that she was non the wiser.
After a few minutes she had gotten so lost in her book that she genuinely had forgotten Bella was coming back.
As Bella rounded the door she quickly shot a body bind at Hermione. She knew it was weak enough to break even without her wand but it was still terrifying.
"Well lucky me! I've found a little mudpup to play with! The dark lord will be pleased."
Bellatrix was stalking towards her looking every bit the crazed Lestrange she had known before. Hermione was already hyperventilation, the terror from Malfoy Manor returning in waves. She told herself to go with the feeling of terror, of helplessness, go with your emotions granger. Stop thinking and feel!
As Bella reached Hermione she cocked one hip out, wand held relaxed in her hand with a pout on her face.
"Cat got your tongue puppy?"
"What do you want?"
"I want to know where your friend itty bitty baby potter is Muddy! Tell me where he is and you can go back to your filthy Muggle parents!"
"I don't know where Harry is! And if I knew I wouldn't tell you!" there where already tears threatening to fall but she held on to her anger for now, tears can come later.
"Brilliant!"
"What?" this had truely suprised Hermione.
Bella began to slowly walk behind the couch.
"Well muddy, if you cooperate it's not very fun for me now is it. If you resist..." She let her wand train along Hermione's cheek. "Then I get to play with you. Do you want to play muddykins?"
"No! I don't want to play your perverted games you sick fuck! Let me go!"
"Ah Ah Ah! Muddy that is no way to speak to our betters! I know you where raised by muggles and blood traitor's but we must be nice to our Aunty Bella." She wrapped her arm around Hermione's neck from behind and dug her wand into her throat "Ask me nicely to play with you!"
The tears where freely flowing now "No! Let me go! Please let me go!"
Bella practically skipped around the sofa until she was facing Hermione but stood a little further away.
"Oh I love it when they beg! Do it again!"
Hermione took her chance whilst the dark witch was a short ways from her, she shook off the weak body bind and grabbed her wand.
"Stupify!"
Bella easily twirled away from the spell, ducking as she span effectively avoiding the spell.
"Oh no go back to the begging... I like the begging pet! Stupify!"
Hermione threw up her shield and she knew she could block it. The spell bounced off her shield and she was definitely very proud of herself.
"Oh look muddys learnt to block spells finally! Purebloods can cast a shield like that in first year!"
The two witches circled each other. Hermione knew that Bellatrix was going easy on her. But as it was their first time and she was already crying so she wasn't mad.
"Your nephew Draco couldn't! Can't block a punch either! Did he ever tell you I broke his nose?"
"You filthy little mudblood! How dare you injure a pureblood!"
Spells came thick and fast now from Bella, definitely not at her full power but enough that Hermione was working up a sweat trying to deflect them.
"You're pathetic! Give back that wand to whatever witch or wizard you stole it from and go back to your cursed Muggle life!"
"I... Didn't... steal... this... wand" Each word was punctuated with either an attack or a chance to throw up her shield. "I got it from olivanders when I was 11! This wand chose me!"
Suddenly Bellatrix was running at her. She hadn't expected it to get physical but suddenly she was on her back with Bellatrix straddling her hips with her wrists pressed to the floor above her head, although she did still have her wand in her hand.
From this angle she had a delicious view of the older woman's cleavage and could feel powerful thighs wrapped around her waist.
"How dare you lie to me! How dare you lie to your betters you dirty little slut!"
That was Hermione's undoing. She felt herself get incredibly wet as her breathing hitched. She didn't know where this sudden arousal had come from but she knew she needed to end this now. She shot purple sparks from her want and Bellatrix quickly dropped her wrists and swung her leg off of the younger girl.
"It's ok. It's over! I promise it's over. I'm not going to hurt you Hermione" She had dropped her wand to the floor to show this to Hermione but the girl just started sobbing uncontrollably.
Her breath came in gasps and her cheeks where red and damp.
"You did so good pet. You did so good for our first time. I promise I won't hurt you sweet girl"
Hermione was struggling to catch up with Bella's sudden mood swing. She knew that Bellatrix Lestrange and Bellatrix Black where the same person but to see the switch between the two quite so quickly was jarring. And why the hell was she wet!
"Pet, I think you might want to put your shields up now or at least stop thinking so loud. I promise I'm not trying to invade your privacy but well it's hard not to when your practically screaming it at me."
She blushed a deep crimson but the tears kept falling.
"It's ok. Hey look at me. I'm not mad, I'm not discusted I probably shouldn't have called you a dirty little slut maybe that should have been on the no goes."
Hermione laughed through the tears "I mean you probably should have taken the hint when I mentioned safe words"
Bella let out a heart laugh. "You're probably right about that pet. I just thought you'd read it in a book or heard it from one of your friends. I'm sure Red has a shocking amount of knowledge about safe words. I never for a second thought you where..." She trailed off as she realised what she was saying.
"Thought that I was actually aroused my domination and degredation?"
Bella turned a shocking shade of pink and her mouth dropped open.
"YES! 6 days in and I FINALLY said something to shut you up! It's almost worth the embarrassment of getting..." She too trailed off.
"Ha! How who's the one shutting up now! Don't worry I won't hold it against you... unless you ask of course. Hey at least you're not crying anymore!"
"God what an emotional rollercoaster that was!"
"Come on let's finish up and we'll grab a firewhiskey. I don't think you're up for anymore tonight!"
"I think you're pretty spot on with that assessment Bella. I might even break out the aged shit, I think we deserve it!"
They headed towards the door, Hermione absent mindedly switching off the lights as she went.
"You are never going to hear me complain about drinking expensive booze! But for the love of God please have a hang over potion by your bed! This morning you woke me up with all your woah is me throught!"
"I really need to start working on keeping my shields up don't I... Fuck! How can you even hear me all the time!"
"You're an overthinker! Your brain is essentially screaming at me all the time. It's ok I'm used to it tho. Not so great in the morning's but you're better then Greyback! His mind was constantly screaming for sex. It was quite disturbing really how often that man thought about sex during meetings."
"There's no way he thought about sex more than the hormonal teens around here!"
"You wanna bet! That maingy dog was hornier than all of Gryffindor tower put together! But then you're not in the tower anymore so maybe that's the difference."
"Ok enough about horny dogs! How was the magic?"
"Actually it was really good. It almost worked better than expected as you definitely went through a range of emotions today. The more extreme your reaction the better I can get a read on you but I didn't want to push you too far first time. Although Granger I may have to have a list of things to avoid. We've already learnt 'Dirty little slut' is off the table but I'd rather avoid any unnecessary discomfort on your part"
"Ah yes because handing my teacher a list of my kinks is anything but awkward!"
"Not my fault you're a kinky bitch who gets turned on by being degraded!" as the thought screamed out to Bella's head she added "Ok so that's kinky bitch and mentions of being degraded also on that list"
Hermione was once again blushing scarlet. "Can we just not. God one week in and I'm already regretting 'teachers perks'"
"Well don't think I will be having this conversation with any other know it all teachers pet in my class." The flush deepened "Hermione Jean Granger can you get your mind out of the gutter for one second! At this rate I'll be calling back the dummest member of the unholy trio!"
They had finally made it back to their quarters and walked straight into Hermione's front room.
"Ron? Why would you call Ron?"
"Maybe you're the dummest member after all. Coz you can't get your mind out of the gutter and maybe having your little boyfriend here might help you concentrate a bit better?"
Hermione broke into fits of laughter "You thought?! Omg! You actually thought that... me and him... Omg no you're actually killing me! You honestly thought that... me and Ronald where... truly together! Maybe you are mad like they say!"
"What's so funny, I don't get it and for once your mind is perfectly quiet! I thought you where like the power couple behind potter."
"Oh my god I can't believe you guys actually fell for that! I can't breathe omg! DO NOT make me laugh anymore my stomach hurts!"
"I don't understand why you're finding this so hilarious. He's not your boyfriend it's not that funny."
"Oh my god no but it is! pheww omg. No. Bella, Me and Ron aren't together coz I'm gay!" She was still laughing but was actively holding her stomach now as the muscles protested.
"Well how was I meant to know that! It's not exactly like I could tap you on the shoulder at the ministry and ask you to confirm or deny your relationship with the weasel. It is an easy mistake to make. Now I was promised old alcohol...bring me the expensive burny grain juice?"
"Ok ok, phew... Me and Ron where together. We kissed during the battle and he just... assumed. We never kissed after that, even though he tried. We where just friends with a title. Everyone assumed, he never corrected anyone and I didn't want to break his heart. But I couldn't stay with him, not when I knew I didn't want to be with him and we weren't gonna be living at his house anymore. That last month was hell but at least in free."
Hermione has pulled her firewhiskey from it's Ginny proof hiding spot and poured two glasses.
"Thanks." Hermione passed her a glass "Wooh that's good! That's got to be older than 50 years!"
"Oh ye it was aged 50 years but Kingsley bought it at the beginning of the first wizarding war and swore he would only open it when Voldemort was well and truly dead. So I guess it sat waiting for 40 years. Probably closer to 90 years old now. "
"Well shit! This is damn good whiskey! This golden girl shit really is awesome isn't it!"
"Ye it is... you know appart from hot death eaters trying to torture me all the time."
It was strange how quickly they could fall into such an easy conversation, teasing each other like then had known each other forever.
"Bloody suck up!" The two witches sat themselves on the sofa. "Ok if we're doing this opening up trust thing I've got a question golden girl!"
"Oh god... I'm ready!"
"How the hell did you manage to stop skeeta plastering the profit with you being gay?"
"Ahhh actually surprisingly easily. This is a moment where you will discover this golden girl it's quite so shiny and perfect. Skeeta is in unregistered animagus and after all the baseless articles about my love life during the tri-wizard tournament I trapped her. Her animagus is a beatle, tiny little thing. I kept her in a jar for a year and when I released her I told her if she ever wrote about my love life again I would end her."
"Holy shit Granger! I've been trying to catch you for what five years? And in one day I've learnt that you're a gay, kinky fucker who punched my nephew and kept a witch in a jar for a year... are you sure you weren't on the dark side?"
Hermione replied nonchalantly.
"She pissed me off"
"Remind me to never piss you off again!"
"Hey Bella, Don't piss me off again!"
"Oh haha! Very whitty. Ok you go. Ask me anything I will try to answer you honestly."
Hermione swirled her fire whiskey around her glass as she thought. "Did you love him?"
"Who?"
"Voldemort?"
"Honestly? No I don't think I've ever loved anyone except my sister's. I admired him to the point of obsession. He gave me power I never knew I had, he let me be more than a pretty little pureblood wife but no. I did not love him. Many wrongly assume that we where in some kind of relationship but I didn't want him like that."
"That makes sense. Your go."
"ok I've got one. I've wanted to know this for a while actually. How the hell did you get into my vault?"
Hermione laughed "I don't know if you're ready to hear that yet! It really was weeks of planning and a bit of dumn luck!"
"Oh come on!! You can't say that! I don't like secrets! Once I know there's something I don't know I HAVE to know! Pleaseeeeee tell me!"
Bella looked like a child trying to persuade their parents to let them open their Christmas presents early. It was so far from the death eater that Hermione knew that she couldn't help but tell her what happened.
"Ok then you asked for it! So, we knew there has to be something in your vault that you didn't want us to get. You wouldn't have been so terrified of us getting in there if it was just your money. When we apperated out of there we had a collection of wands. One of them was yours. And yes it was me who returned it to the ministry so a 'thank you Hermione' would be appreciated" her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Eugh thanks Granger"
"Not quite but I'll take it. Anyway, so we had your wand, the sword and we knew we had to get into gringots. Fortunately for us you left me annother souvenir, There was a long black curly hair on my clothes that could have only come from you." Hermione looked at Bellatrix waiting for it to click, she could almost see the cogs turning in the older witches head.
"No!" Bella said in shock and awe.
"Yes!" Hermione responded teasingly
"Potter Polyjuiced as me into gringots!"
"Why do you assume it was Harry?"
"Oh god not weasel!"
"You had three choices and you chose wrong twice! That's actually quite impressive in a weird way!"
"You wouldn't! You...You..."
"Yes Bellatrix, I became you to break into gringots!"
"Wait wait. So just weeks after I tortured you, you became me? That takes some serious guts that does Granger!"
"It was war, we all did what we had to do. Anyway so I was Polyjuiced as you, Ron was transfigured and we where trying to pass him off as a new recruit, Harry and Griphook where under the invisibility cloak. We did ok until they asked to see your wand and we knew they had been warned. So Harry inperrioed the goblin so we could carry on."
"Potter used an unforgivable...and it worked? He used cruicio on me at the ministry but it barely even tickled. Shit I guess war really does change us all!"
"Did it to Travers too. It was the only way to complete our mission. Anyway so we start heading down to the vault, Travers had been sent to hide by that point. Half way down we get doused with water and suddenly I'm me and Ron's Ron. It has completely wiped away all our magic. So Harry had to imperio the goblin again. We get past the dragon and into the vault but everything we touched burnt to the touch and multiplied."
"Oh Merlin, Gemini curs. That can't have been fun"
"So we final find the cup, burnt to a crisps and we flew out on a tidle wave of gold. We knew we couldn't get back the way we had come because there was now Goblins and Aurors trying to stop up leaving. So we did the only logical thing in the situation."
"I don't even want to know do I...Go on! I want to know really! This is like the best bedtime story ever!"
"Ha ok. So we freed the dragon and rode on his back to safety."
"Oh haha very funny Granger what really happened?"
"We freed the dragon. And rode on his back to safety!" She said her words slowly and deliberately so Bellatrix knew she was serious.
"You...A dragon...But...No! Wow!"
"Never did I think I'd see Bellatrix Black lost for words!"
"Well it's just all quite impressive really! Little Hermione Granger and the two witless wonder boys broke into gringots, into my vault and escaped on a dragon...all whilst wearing a corset and heels! I thought you said you didn't know how I dueled in heels?"
"You didn't see the state of my ankles afterwards! Must have twisted them both like five times."
"I'm actually really impressive Granger. If it had been the other way round and I had broken into your vault I'd have been the queen of the Manor for weeks!"
"Probably but we didn't exactly have the luxury of a Manor or time to be fair. We went straight from Gringots to the battle of Hogwarts. It was a rough couple of days honestly."
"So that's the reason we decided to attack! It came out of nowhere and he wouldn't tell any of us why. Not that we were really complaining but it pissed me off not knowing. So thanks, You've scratched an itch in my head that I didn't think I was ever going to get to scratch!"
"Glad to be of assistance. Right my turn and we're going basic coz my brain can't take anymore wartalk tonight. What is your favourite colour?"
"Can't pick. Slytherin colour's obviously, Black like my name and Blood red. There's something about a black dress and red lips on a girl that just does something to me."
Hermione jaw dropped to the floor as her brain tried to process what Bellatrix had said.
"What's so wrong with Red? I don't get it! What have I missed?"
"You're...You're gay?"
"Oh shit! Er...Ye...ye I am. That kinda slipped out didn't it. Fuck." She looked a little sheepish.
"No No it's fine obviously I mean who am I to judge I just... Well I wasn't expecting it. I mean you had a husband, everyone throught you where in love with Voldemort! Do you know there was even a rumour that you where carrying his child."
"I've never slept with a man Hermione. As straight as a roundabout me. I married Rod because it was expected. I was the oldest I had to agree to an acceptable match to ensure my sister's marriage prospect's where good. Never loved the man, I guess since we never consummated the marriage it was never legally binding anyway."
"Well shit. Wasn't expecting that when I asked you your favourite colour. I'm gonna have annother glass, want one?"
"You know I'm not gonna say no to your nearly 90 year old firewhiskey!"
Hermione waved her wand and both glasses refilled.
"Please remember to put your potion by your bed. I can't cope with a hungover Granger two days in a row! Ok my turn. When did you realise you where gay?"
Hermione went pale which was then chased up with a furious blush. She downed her fresh glass in one shot, refilled it and and carefully put it back on the table.
"In the persuit of a scar free arm I am going to tell you this story. If you make a stupid comment you will be leaving my room. You will listen in silence and then when I've finished maybe I'll let you talk."
"Never expected to see you acting all dominant, pet. But I'll bite. Yes, I accept your terms" She made a show of pretending to zip her mouth and throw away the key.
"Ok let's start from the beginning then! So I had my first crush in second year. He was my defense against the dark arts teacher, you probably know him, Guilderoy Lockheart. Everyone was crushing on him. But then after him, Harry and Ron went into the chamber of secrets together we found out that he had been stealing others work as his own and that actually he was quite dumb. As soon as I found out my crush popped like a bubble and I realized I didn't even fancy him, I just fancied all the magic and knowledge he claimed he possessed.
Then skip forward to 4th year and the tri-wizard tournament. Everyone was crushing on the champions. The girls where running round like lost puppies after Victor...Krum that is. and the boys where drooling after Fleur. I also thought Fleur was drop dead gorgeous but I knew she was part veela so I assumed it was that. It wasn't until years later I found out you are only effected by veela magic if you like woman but back then I didn't.
So I wasn't chasing after Krum because he didn't do anything for me. He asked me to go to the ball with him and I had no one else to go with so I did. Turns out he's gay and thought that as I wasn't interested that it would be easier to go with me instead of someone who would be expecting a kiss at the end of the night. We've actually kept in touch and we're really good friends to this day. He was actually the first person I talked with about being gay.
So during the years between Fleur and when I had the veela thing confirmed I had a few small crushes. Nothing that would ever have gone anywhere. I started to allow myself to check girls out. I was slowly coming around to the idea that I was actually gay."
She caught Bella's eye and gave her a hard stare.
"Ok. Remember not a word!" Bella nodded and Hermione fixed her eyes on a very boring portion of her wall.
"I finally conceded that I really was gay when" she closed her eyes and tried to pretend Bellatrix wasn't there. "When you where sat on top of me at Malfoy Manor and I was silently hoping you would kiss me."