AN: Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read.

I don't own Harry Potter.

All spelling mistakes are my own. There are my own Original Characters in this at times.

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Hermione stood in the library looking out the window at the dark stormy clouds. Everyone else was asleep, needing the rest after the tiring day of explaining everything to Draco, George, and Fenrir. Draco took the news better than both she and Bellatrix thought he would. A spluttering of words had escaped his lips for a few moments before he became a fish out of water. His eyes seemed to bug out of his head as his pale face turned a bright shade of red. Hermione had been afraid that he was going to burst something if he didn't breathe anytime soon. She hadn't exactly been the best Aunt to him, but she was truly hoping to change that. Draco had even smiled, loving the idea of getting another chance with her. He was a little thrown by the news that Hermione was in love with not only his mother but both his aunts as well, but he took it in stride, though she had seen the millions of questions burning in his eyes.

It was a lot to process.

Hermione had tried to sleep, even requesting that Narcissa stay with her but as she listened to Narcissa's deep even breathing she couldn't shake the interaction that she'd had with Lucius. She knew what he was capable of, but the Lucius she saw earlier that morning was the same crazed Lucius he had been after his short stint in Azkaban. That Lucius was the one that concerned her. He was unpredictable, unorganized and operated without thought, rashly doing what he thought in the moment was for the best.

Bellatrix's soothing voice echoed through her mind, I don't think he'd hurt Draco but Narcissa… He's proven that he doesn't care about her wellbeing.

Hermione nodded in agreement, "We need to focus on getting you back. I can't be everywhere at once and I still have to find a solution to McGonagall's problem."

Bellatrix hummed, We need that book from the restricted section. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone. If those books you need are there, they might have the answer to the statue problem as well.

Hermione watched the lightning streak across the sky before a loud booming sound echoed throughout the castle. The sound of rolling thunder was quickly covered as the clouds opened and rain poured down on the earth. She wasn't sure why she suddenly felt like she couldn't leave Narcissa, like she didn't want Narcissa out of her sight.

Because we both know what he would do to her if we weren't around. She's safe as long as she's in the castle love, Bellatrix's soothing voice was strong but also hesitant.

Hermione frowned, "Andromeda got in, even after we had it sealed."

Bellatrix's smile crossed her mind, Because she's blood. Lucius isn't and he's no longer related by marriage. The wards would be extreme in keeping him out because of the annulment. That was one thing the Noble and Ancient House of Black never accepted. Once married, it was permanent. Which I will be making sure of when we can.

Hermione's heart fluttered in her chest at the thought of being Bellatrix's wife. Without realizing she had projected that thought to Bellatrix she suddenly felt Bellatrix's gasp and happiness squeezing her chest. She couldn't stop the smile that crossed her face, knowing that the thought alone was making Bellatrix happier than ever before. But first they needed to get her back into her own body, and fix McGonagall's statue issue.

She sighed heavily and turned back to the large table behind her, "Alright, we have most of the items we need and most of the rest found."

Unicorn blood? Bellatrix asked, curiosity pulsing through Hermione's mind.

"Hagrid made a contact back in First Year, when he had to dispose of the dead ones. He can get some if I pay for it." Hermione picked up a quill and began to write on a piece of parchment, "That only leaves two runes and the-"

Hermione's head snapped up as the library door burst open and Draco entered the room, "So let me get this straight…"

Hermione shook her head and returned to her writing, "No, it wasn't a dream. Yes, I'm sleeping with your mother and, technically, both of your aunts."

Draco paused for a moment, mouth open, head cocked, a blank look crossing his face. After a few moments his eyes widened and he shook his head, "No. No, no, no, we aren't going there." He crossed the room and plopped down in a chair, "If the wound continues to bleed, and you still have the dagger, is it possible to re-carve into the same wound and seal it?"

Hermione glanced at him, "I haven't shared the ritual with anyone Draco."

His eyes widened, "You can't be serious, that's part of it."

Hermione stood, setting the quill down gently, "Yes. I'll have to either re-carve it myself or have someone else who's apart of the ritual do it."

Draco frowned, eyes narrowed on a book in front of him, "You'd do that, all for the woman that tortured you and did that in the first place?"

Hermione sighed, "Draco, we all do things we probably shouldn't, all in the name of love. Would I do it for you, yes. Would I do it for Voldemort, no. It's all about the way we feel for someone, when we can't even go a single second of any moment without that person."

Draco sighed, standing and crossing to the window, "That's why this is so hard for me. Potter…" he shook his head as he continued to stare out the window.

Hermione nodded, moving towards the double doors that led to the covered balcony, "What about Harry?" She pushed through the doors and took a seat on the sofa, letting the smell of rain envelope her, the chill in the air making her feel more awake.

Draco collapsed in a chair and stared out over the castle grounds, "I really love him Hermione."

She smiled at him, feeling Bellatrix hovering, wanting to know more about her nephew but not wanting to interrupt, "We can all see that."

He shook his head, his blonde hair dipping into his eyes, "I've never felt like this for anyone before. I mean, I hate that I haven't talked to him since last night. I hate that I don't want to talk to him right now."

She chuckled, "Welcome to my world." At his confused frown she began to watch the rain fall as she spoke, "Andromeda and I…" she grinned, and Draco made a face. She laughed, "This was a few weeks after the war and then a few days later Bellatrix finally made an appearance. I was terrified of how Andromeda would react, so I cut off all contact. With everyone, as you know." She shook her head, "Not talking to her was painful. It felt as if my heart wanted to explode every time I forced myself to stay away from her. So much was happening, and she was the only one I wanted to talk to."

Draco frowned, "Why didn't you?"

Her eyes darted to him, "If I had told you, three months after the end of the war, that I was hearing and speaking to Bellatrix, that she and I were sharing a body, what would you have done?"

He grimaced, answering instantly, "I would have taken you to St. Mungo's." His eyes widened for a moment before he looked down sadly, "Oh."

Hermione nodded, returning her attention back to the rain and castle grounds, "Exactly. Now imagine, you are me and Harry is the one you want to tell."

Draco shivered slightly and nodded, "I get it. I'm so sorry you've been going through this alone Hermione."

She shrugged, "It gave me time to get to know the real Bellatrix. To talk to her, to prove to her that we are two sides of the same coin. It gave her time to heal, to grow, to accept the things she can't change and to want to change the things she can. Like her relationships with her sisters and you."

Draco grinned, and Hermione wasn't sure why his resemblance to Narcissa shocked her so much in that moment. He stretched his legs out, eyes turning to the rain, "How are we going to spin the story of Aunt Bellatrix, so she doesn't end up in Azkaban?"

Hermione smirked as she stood, moving to the stone railing around the balcony, feeling the cold seep into her hands as she leaned on it, "She was in so deep, and Dumbledore died before he could get her out of it. I've already planted the seed with Kingsley Shacklebolt."

Draco chuckled, standing beside her, "A lie to fit a lie."

Hermione nodded, "We've all done things that we aren't proud of, but everyone deserves a second chance. I'll protect her with my life, and I won't hesitate to become the next Voldemort if I have to." Her hands tightened on the stone.

Draco eyed her warily, "You really are terrifying, you know that right?"

Cackling laughter ripped from her lips as she glanced at him, "I learned from the best." He laughed with her as they turned back to the storm, watching the castle grounds as they began to flood.

After a few moments of silence Draco asked quietly, "You're willing to go the extremes, why?" He glanced at her, "You've changed the most since the war."

Hermione grit her teeth, her jaw tensing painfully as her eyes narrowed at the horizon, "I Obliviated my parents before I left." She shook her head, willing the tears not to fall, "When I returned to find them, I found something even worse."

Draco frowned, seeing the pain cascading all over Hermione's face, "What happened?"

Hermione let out a heavy sigh, one filled with regret and pain, "They were murdered. Voldemort enchanted a note that was left at their house. When I touched it, I was suddenly in a memory, seeing exactly how they were killed and why." She felt a single tear escape and slid down her cheek, "Every single horrifying moment of their deaths is now etched into my mind, and Bellatrix's. They suffered Draco…" She swallowed the sob as her voice became no more than a whisper, "And it's my fault."

Draco frowned, "No it wasn't Hermione."

She snapped, "It was because of me that Voldemort decided to go after them. He knew he was going to lose and wanted me to suffer long after he was gone."

Draco nodded, "That's because that was who he was. Hermione," he turned to her hating the pain that shimmered in her teary eyes, "Tom Riddle was a cruel creature that loved inflicting pain just for enjoyment. It wasn't your fault. You tried to protect them, to erase any trace of you so he couldn't use them against you. It wasn't your fault."

She shrugged, "It will always be my fault Draco, same as it will always be your fault that Harry was miserable in school because you tormented him."

Draco frowned, "I've made peace with that, as has Potter. Now you must make peace with what happened to your parents."

Hermione's look darkened, "And I will, as soon as I get my hands on the man that murdered them."

"He's still alive? Who is it?" Draco asked.

"It's the secret Harry and Tonks are keeping. If they weren't then I would be able to get to him quicker." She shook her head, wiping the tears away, "Instead I'm having to go to great, and grey, lengths to find him myself." A soft crack echoed behind them, and Hermione spoke without turning, "What is it Kreacher?"

"Missus Narcissa is looking for you. She's worried since you haven't returned to bed." Kreacher climbed up on the railing between her and Draco with a grin.

Hermione smiled at him, "Thank you Kreacher." She turned to Draco, "We should both be heading to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."

Draco sighed heavily as they entered the library, "Don't remind me. I never thought I would return after the war."

Hermione chuckled, "Don't tell anyone this but me and Madame Rosmerta…"

His mouth dropped, "When?"

They began to climb the stairs as she laughed, "It was a month or two after I learned of Bellatrix being with me and I drank way too much. Not only did I sleep with Rosmerta, multiple times, but then McGonagall began to intervene, and I'd wake up in her bed."

His dumbfounded look turned to a horrendous grimace, "Please say you didn't."

Hermione snorted, "Merlin no. Thankfully I never saw her that way. Even drunk I never even attempted. It was more of she was saving me from making an idiot of myself."

Draco's body slumped in relief, "Thank Merlin, I don't think I could ever look at you again if you had slept with one of our professors." They stopped at the split in the hallway, "Thank you for listening Hermione."

Hermione chuckled as she turned towards Bellatrix's bedroom, "Anytime. Goodnight Draco."

"Night Hermione," he grinned at her before heading for his own room.

She slipped into the bedroom finding the dim firelight flickering across the room. She leaned back against the door, taking a moment to breath after the heavy conversation she'd just had with Draco. It felt good to get some of it off her chest, but it also felt good to see a different side of her school bully. Sure, she had forgiven him long ago for his behavior growing up, but at least she could see the real change in him now.

"Are you alright dear?" Narcissa's sleepy voice spoke from the bed as she shifted to a sitting position.

Hermione smiled at her, "I'm fine. Kreacher said you asked for me." She crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, facing the exhausted looking woman.

Narcissa took in the dark circles under Hermione's eyes, the redness to them that hadn't been there before. She raised a hand, cupping Hermione's cheek gently, "Were you crying?"

Hermione turned her head away, "You should get some sleep."

Narcissa frowned, but quickly pulled Hermione's face back to her, "Talk to me honey."

Hermione sighed, shaking her head, "I just had a talk with Draco, and he asked a few hard questions. I'm fine really. I was in the library working on the ritual and finalizing the last things I need."

Narcissa nodded, "Well, tomorrow we'll get what we need. Right now, you need to rest."

Hermione opened her mouth to snap at her but Bellatrix's voice in her mind quickly stopped her, She's worried about you pet. Let her take care of you. You constantly take care of everyone else. Just relax for tonight. You can be right back in the thick of it tomorrow.

Hermione stared into Narcissa's deep blue worried eyes for a moment before she surged forward. Narcissa's lips were warm and soft against her own cold ones, and Hermione nearly melted into the kiss. It was a relief and excitement all rolled into one. Narcissa didn't hesitate to mold to her body, moving quickly to straddle Hermione's lap, hands sliding into Hermione's hair to hold the girl closer. Hermione's hands slid up Narcissa's thighs to her hips, where she pushed the woman's shirt up. The moment Hermione's fingers touched bare skin she couldn't stop the moan that slipped from her lips.

Narcissa's skin was warm and soft, feeling like heaven beneath her fingertips. Everything about Narcissa drew Hermione in, made her want to be a better person, to protect the woman at all costs. Was this what love was? Was this what life was all about? It had been so long since she had felt connected to another, besides Bellatrix, that she had almost forgotten how intoxicating it was. To feel someone coming undone under her fingertips, to make someone feel wanted and needed. To be wanted and needed. Wasn't that the spice of life? How had she forgotten? She had been so absorbed in finding a fix for her Bellatrix problem that she had forgotten what it meant to live.

Narcissa broke the kiss as Hermione pulled her tight against her chest, "I'm right here Hermione. I'm not going anywhere."

Hermione nodded, staring up into the bluest eyes she's ever seen, "I won't let you go."

Narcissa grinned, "I'll hold you to that."

Hermione kissed her again, softer and slower this time, savoring every moment before she pulled back to breath. She could see the lust in Narcissa's eyes, bold and hot, bordering on need. She shifted, wrapping an arm around Narcissa's waist, flipping the woman onto her back gently. She rested between the woman's thighs, just enjoying the warmth that Narcissa was giving her. How could she be so blind? Everything she's ever wanted was right in her grasp and she was too busy, hunting a murderer and trying to help Bellatrix, to realize that she could lose it. Hasn't she lost enough? Wasn't her parents murder an example of how fast she could lose those she loves?

Narcissa frowned, stroking Hermione's face gently, "Where are you Hermione?"

Hermione smiled, dipping her head to kiss Narcissa again before whispering, "I'm right where I want to be." She claimed Narcissa's lips in a passionate and needy kiss. Her hands drifted under the woman's shirt, and she relished the feeling of flesh as she gently massaged Narcissa's breasts.

Narcissa's head jerked back as a salacious moan escaped her lips. Her breathing quickened as Hermione's thumb ghosted across her nipple, making it harden to a peak. She opened her eyes, heart thundering in her chest and found Hermione's bright amber eyes sparkling at her. She smiled happily, "Hermione…"

Hermione nodded, "I'm here." She brushed her thumbs across Narcissa's hardened nipples a few times as she kissed her. When she pulled back, she could see the desire and exhaustion staring back at her, "I'll always be here." She slid off the woman, pulling the blankets up around them, wrapping her arm around Narcissa's stomach.

Narcissa pressed a kiss to Hermione's temple, "You better be." Hermione smirked against the woman's neck as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

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Hermione raised an eyebrow as she stepped out of the floo at the Three Broomsticks. Fenrir was already there, having taken the floo before her and the others would be following in a few moments. She crossed to the bar where Fenrir sat and grimaced, "What's going on?"

Fenrir snorted, "Apparently there's a Quidditch match today."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well at least we'll have the library to ourselves."

Rosmerta appeared from a door behind the bar, "Hermione!" She rushed around the counter and wrapped her in a tight hug, "Where have you been?" The woman's lips protruded in a pout, "We didn't get to have fun last time. Minerva snatched you before I could get you up to my room."

Hermione shook her head, "How have you been Rosmerta?"

"Lonely," Rosmerta ran her finger down the center of Hermione's chest. "When are you going to warm up my bed?"

"Never." Narcissa's ice cold voice sent a chill racing down Hermione's spine as the woman jerked Rosmerta away from Hermione.

Rosmerta glared at the blonde, "Does your husband know you're trying to seduce a younger woman Malfoy?" Hermione's eyes widened slightly, and Fenrir snorted his drink making him cough.

Narcissa's blue eyes darkened dangerously, "If you must know, it's Black now."

Hermione felt her heart rate jump as Bellatrix's laughter filled her mind, Just wait 'til I'm there love. Rosmerta won't know what hit her.

"No!" Hermione snapped loudly without thinking. Both Narcissa and Rosmerta glanced at her, and she felt her face heat with a flush, "I-I mean, no need to argue. We're all friends here… Right?" She hadn't meant for it to sound like a question, but she was quickly floundering.

Fenrir snorted, muttering right behind her, "Nice save Black."

Rosmerta's eyes widened, "Black?"

Hermione elbowed Fenrir's side causing him to grunt and spill his drink down the front of his pants. She smiled at the woman, nervously rubbing the back of her neck, "Um, yeah. I'm Hermione Black now."

Narcissa wrapped an arm around her waist, "You'll do well to remember that Rosmerta."

Hermione felt her body react instantly and she couldn't stop the small whimper from escaping her lips. Fenrir burst into laughter and Hermione shot him a deadly glare. How had she gone from being the one in charge this morning to quickly turning into a puddle at Narcissa's feet.

Bellatrix's cackling laughter ripped through her mind, Pet is the perfect term of endearment I think.

Hermione shook her head, "I have to go." She hurried away from the two glaring women and rushed out into the cool air of Hogsmeade. She grimaced as she muttered, "You are going to be the death of me one day Bellatrix."

As long as it's in bed, at least we can say you died a happy woman right. It's always good to come before you go love. Bellatrix's hysterical laughter rang through her mind.

Hermione rubbed her temples as she marched towards Hogwarts, "I'm cutting you off."

From what pet? It's not like I can do anything to you right now anyway. Bellatrix said with confusion.

Hermione smirked, "It'll be months after we get you back into your body before I'll even let you touch me, let alone anything else."

Bellatrix's gasp sent a sharp shooting pain through Hermione's mind, You wouldn't dare Muddy!

Hermione grunted in pain, "Watch me." Bellatrix was going to respond but a shout quickly pulled Hermione short.

"Hermione! What are you doing here?" Hermione turned to find Neville Longbottom hurrying towards her from the direction of the Black Lake.

"Neville?" She quickly hid her grimace before smiling at him, "Long time no see."

Neville wrapped her in a hug before grinning at her, "What are you doing here? Are you here for the match?"

Hermione frowned, "I heard there was a Quidditch game today."

Neville grinned excitedly, "Gryffindor vs Slytherin."

Hermione grimaced, "No thank you."

Neville chuckled, "I heard about you and Narcissa Malfoy. Afraid we'll win and she'll kill you?"

She knew he was joking but Bellatrix was getting more and more angry the longer she stood talking to him. She shook her head, "How did you hear about me and Narcissa? And what have you heard?"

Neville chuckled, "I heard from Ron that you and Narcissa seem to be…" His face turned red instantly, but he cleared his throat, "And that Andromeda was somehow also involved." He shrugged, "If you're happy then that's all that matters right. We've all been through too much to not take the chances we want to take."

She nodded, "And if it were Bellatrix?"

Neville sighed, "I held onto that grudge way to long Hermione. Besides, she's dead."

Hermione narrowed her eyes on him, "Maybe."

Neville frowned, "Maybe? What do you mean by that?"

Hermione quickly put a plan together in her head, "What if I told you that Bellatrix was undercover in the war? That Dumbledore died before he got a chance to tell anyone?"

Neville frowned for a moment before nodding, "I mean that would make sense but why would she have gone as far as she did with my parents? They would have been on the same side."

She rolled her eyes, unable to stop it, "She didn't, it was Rodolphus, but she was punished for it."

Neville's eyes widened, "How do you know that Hermione?"

Hermione's heart lodged in her throat, voice becoming lower, "You knew?"

Neville glanced around them before gripping her arm and pulling her towards the empty path to Black Lake. Once they were completely alone, he turned to her, "Yes. My Gran was sent a letter right after the war ended. It said that Bellatrix hadn't done it but was blamed for it since she was His right hand."

Hermione frowned, "Who sent your Gran the letter Neville?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. We never figured it out. I think Gran still has the letter. I can owl her before the game and have her send it in the morning."

Hermione nodded, "Please. I need to see that letter." She could feel Bellatrix's curiosity mixing with excitement.

Neville motioned towards Hogwarts, "Shall we?"

Hermione let out a sigh of relief, "Would you forgive her?"

Neville shook his head, "Nothing to forgive since she didn't do anything. If anything, I would apologize to her for everything I ever said, and trying to kill her at the Department of Mysteries."

Bellatrix snorted, And what a pathetic attempt it was.

Hermione chuckled, shaking her head at Neville, "Pathetic as it was."

Neville laughed, "You were always the better one at spells. I'll stick with my Herbology."

They began to make their way towards the castle, "How is Professor Sprout?"

Neville laughed, "As stubborn as ever. She's taught me a lot over these last few months."

Hermione smiled, "So you've decided to stay on as a professor then?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I mean I can do so much good here. Not to mention the last of the repairs are still underway. I thought you'd be involved with that."

She frowned, "I've been really busy lately."

Neville nodded, "Harry's mentioned something about that." He glanced at her before speaking quietly, "I'm here if you need to talk."

She rolled her eyes, "Why does everyone assume that something is wrong?"

"Because Harry says you've distanced yourself from everyone. I heard about the fight the other night." At Hermione's annoyed glance he shrugged, "Ron was upset. He didn't know that Molly practically forced you to go out with him."

She sighed, "Is nothing a secret anymore?"

Neville chuckled as he shook his head, "Nope. Too many secrets fueled the hatred behind the war. Enough is enough."

She nodded, following Neville towards the castle, "Indeed."