The houself led Hermione to a small bedroom with en-suite bath on the second floor of the house. The room was sparsely furnished but with a comfortable bed and a chest full of clean robes. "My room is here Miss Hermione." The elf opened what appeared to be a broom cupboard nearby but contained a small bed and other furniture.
"It looks very cozy." Hermione commented.
Horna beamed with pride. "Horna is very fortunate to have such spacious accommodations. Miss Bella's room is at the end of the hall. I will see you in the morning?"
"Yes. What time should I be up?"
"Miss Bella leaves for work at eight, so we can begin then."
"Goodnight Horna."
Over the coming weeks Hermione became used to being a maid. She spent her days helping Horna in whatever way was possible, although the elf could use magic and she couldn't so she cleaned much slower. She found the elf to be pleasant company, and concentrated on not making any mistakes that would anger her master. In the evenings Bellatrix would often send for her, asking her to play chess or engage in academic discussions about magical theory. These events always left her on edge, as she never wanted to upset the death eater, yet she enjoyed the intellectual stimulation. One afternoon as they polished numerous silver picture frames Hermione paused to admire a photo of the three Black sisters. "They were all very beautiful, weren't they?" she mused.
"Oh yes. Of course, Horna thinks they are still beautiful."
"You're right of course. Miss Bellatrix just seems so happy in this picture." Horna looked at the photo in question.
"That was taken just before her last year at Hogwarts."
"Have you been with the family that long?"
"All Horna's life. And Horna's mother before. Horna was still a child when that was taken. When Miss Bellatrix was married Horna went to live in Lestrange Manor, but now we are back!"
"You are very fond of her aren't you?"
"Oh yes! Miss Bella was always Horna's favorite. Horna took care of her when…" Horna broke off suddenly.
"When what?" The elf shook her head frantically. "Oh, that's ok. Nevermind, I don't want you to say anything you shouldn't, I was just making conversation."
"Thank you. Miss Bella never asks Horna to punish herself, but Horna will do it anyway if she betrays her master."
"I don't want that to happen. If I ask something you can't talk about just tell me. I'm not trying to pry."
Later that evening Bellatrix stared at the strange dessert on her plate. "Horna what is this?"
"It is called cheesecake Mistress. Miss Hermione taught me how to make it."
Bellatrix cautiously took a bite. "Send her in please."
As soon as Hermione entered the dining room Bellatrix looked up. "You taught my elf to make a muggle dessert?"
Hermione's heart began beating erratically. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was only a muggle food. I noticed that you prefer the cheese danish and I thought you would like it. Please don't be mad at her, she didn't know."
Bellatrix looked at the terror stricken girl in confusion. "Come here." Hermione crossed the room in trepidation. "Why would I be mad?"
"Because she made something from the muggle world. I didn't know I swear I just thought she didn't know how to make it. I just wanted to make you something you would like."
"Sit."
Hermione looked around for the nearest chair but Bellatrix stopped her. "No, come here." She tugged the slender girl down on her lap. "I do like it."
"You do?"
"Yes, it's amazing. What is it again?"
"Cheesecake. It's made from cream cheese and I just thought you would enjoy it."
"It may be the best thing I've ever eaten. And even if it wasn't, I wouldn't be mad that you tried." Bellatrix reached for the plate and forked up another bite. "Try it."
Hermione felt weird about Bellatrix feeding her, but then again, she was sitting on the woman's lap. "It is good. Perhaps I can do a chocolate one next."
"You can make this in chocolate?" Bellatrix's eyes were full of delight and Hermione smiled to see the death eater so awe-struck by sweets.
"Yes. A lot of flavors actually. I'm glad you like it."
"Why did you want to do something for me? Our history has been far from pleasant."
"I….well. I spend a lot of time with Horna as you know. We were talking about you today, about when you were younger, and her own time here at Black Manor. I can tell she likes you a lot, and you're very kind to her. I've seen how many wizards treat their elves and I hate it. I actually started an organization a few years ago to give house elves more rights. Anyway, I still don't agree with the house elf servitude but I'm glad she's treated so well." Hermione realized she was rambling and trailed off in embarrassed silence.
"I never saw the point in mistreating elves. What on earth does it prove?"
Hermione leapt up. "Then why do you hate muggles so much? They're humans too! And if you feel superior to them fine but why do you want to hurt them?
Bellatrix rose from her seat. "I think it's time we had another chat Granger. Girl to girl."
"No." Hermione backed against the wall, realizing what a terrible mistake she had made. Bellatrix advanced on her, placing her hands on the girls rib cage and holding her firmly against the wall. "I'm sorry. Please."
"Please what?"
"Don't hurt me." Hermione whimpered, hating the sound of her own pathetic voice.
Bellatrix leaned in to whisper directly into her ear. "Have I hurt you at all? Since you came here?" Hermione shook her head. "So why do you think I want to now?" She kissed Hermione's neck just below her ear. "Hmmm.?" Another kiss.
Hermione's head was whirling. She wasn't sure what to feel, she knew she should be afraid. She had likely just angered the most powerful death eater on earth. But another part of her could only concentrate on the feeling of Bella's lips against her skin. "Why pet?" Bella murmured. Hermione couldn't control the shudder that ran through her body.
"Because I made you angry?" she managed.
"Do I seem angry to you?"
"No, but…" Oh god was that her tongue?
"But?"
"I can't read you. You're too unpredictable."
Bellatrix finally pulled away and looked her in the eyes. "I'm not angry. What you said was true, it doesn't make sense. But, remember pet, you don't really know me."
Bellatrix left her after that, leaving the Gryfindor shaken and more confused than ever.
Hermione heard the front door slam and Bellatrix's boot heels clicking across the marble. She found the death eater in the kitchen, sitting at the table head in hands.
"Bad day Miss Black?" she asked tentatively.
"You have no idea. I'm not cut out for ministry work. The dementors are out of control, we keep having to step in when those snatcher's target muggle's, and Rabastan thinks I should marry him."
"Why do you care about the snatchers? Isn't hurting muggles part of your agenda?"
"We aren't nearly ready to move into the open of the muggle world. Our numbers are low, and loyalties still divided. These imbeciles think that just because the Dark Lord is in charge they can torment muggles for fun. Then we have to track down said muggles and erase their memories."
"That does sound like a rough day."
"The worst." Bellatrix grumbled. "Where is Horna, I'm starving."
"Oh. Today's Friday, she always does the shopping on Friday's. But, if you want, I can cook. It will just take longer than usual without magic."
"Fine. I'm going to take a hot bath."
Hermione was lost in thought chopping carrots when the side door off the kitchen burst open.
"Where is Bellatrix?" Rabastan demanded.
"I don't know."
"Well, let's find out. Crucio." Hermione fell to the floor screaming helplessly. The torture went on forever and only when it stopped did Hermione realize Bellatrix was in the room.
"What are you doing Rabastan?"
"Getting your attention."
"There wasn't another way? My dinner will be ruined."
"Get up filth." Rabastan snarled. "Get back to your work." Hermione scrambled up and hurried over to the stove.
"What do you want?" Bellatrix asked.
"To talk some sense into you."
"I will not marry you Lestrange. I was forced to marry Rodolphus and I am finally free. I have no wish to tie myself to you."
"But the dark lord's orders."
"That all pure-bloods marry and begin pumping out pure-blood brats? That does not apply to me."
"And why not? Isn't that why he gave you your youth back? He wants to continue the Black family line, I know he does."
"That was a reward. For my service and time spent in Azkaban. I cannot have children and the dark lord knows this, youth or no youth. You will have to find someone else."
"What about this one?" Rabastan suddenly grabbed Hermione by the neck. "She's pretty."
"No!" Hermione screamed, remembering what Bellatrix had said about giving her to other death eaters. Both Rabastan and Bellatrix were thrown backwards as though hit by a powerful stunning spell.
"You cunt!" Rabastan was on his feet. "I'll kill you for that."
"Stop. I will deal with her. She belongs to me and you can't breed with a mudblood anyway. Just go Rabastan."
"Fine." Rabastan stormed out and Bellatrix turned to Hermione.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." Hermione hated to hear herself beg but she couldn't help it. "Please don't hurt me, I didn't mean to do it." She actually sank to her knees in front of Bellatrix.
"So I'm supposed to let that go unpunished? Throwing me across my own kitchen? I wouldn't let my own sister get away with that."
"But I couldn't control it."
Bellatrix looked down at the beautiful girl with tears streaming down her face. "But what did I tell you? If I wish to loan you out I will, and nothing that you do will change that."
"I…." Hermione stared at the ground, at a loss for words. Begging would get her nowhere. "I didn't think you would be the sharing type." she said.
Bellatrix's lips twitched in a smirk. The girl was certainly quick thinking. "Well, I haven't actually had you so it wouldn't be sharing so much as giving you away. I certainly wouldn't want you back when he was done." Hermione was quiet for so long that Bellatrix used a touch of legilimency to see what she was thinking. Too far Black, she admonished herself after seeing Hermione's despair. "Look at me." Hermione forced herself to raise her gaze. "You are correct, I am not in the habit of sharing. But if you fail to please me, I may no longer feel that way."
"Yes Miss Black. I am trying."
"I know." Bellatrix caressed her cheek. "You're doing very good so far. I'm not at all inclined to give you away yet, so forget about him. I will be fixing the wards on this house so that he cannot get in again, Minister of Magic or not. Now go finish dinner. I will be in the dining room when it is ready."
Hermione served her master dinner and stood by with uncertainty. "Sit." Bellatrix commanded. "How did you do the spell without a wand?"
"I don't know. I think it's like when I was a child. Before I started at Hogwarts. Sometimes things just happened, I wasn't trying to do magic, I didn't know that magic existed. Harry told me the same thing. He would just do magic without knowing what he was doing."
"What was it like going to Hogwarts? Pure-bloods or half-bloods receive a letter when they turn eleven. What happened for you?"
"A member of staff brings your letter and explains everything to your parents. McGonagall did mine. Then she took me to Diagon Alley and helped me get everything."
"Were they horrified? Your parents?"
"No. They were proud of me. They thought it was wonderful, having a witch in the family."
Bellatrix had to take a moment to process this information. "You should eat. Who taught you to cook?"
"My mother, and Mrs. Weasley." Hermione reached for a plate.
"I see."
"Do you happen to know if she is okay?"
"Molly Weasley?"
"Yes." Hermione nervously glanced at Bellatrix hoping that she wouldn't be punished for being nosey.
"She's fine I suppose. I mean, she lost a son and has a husband and two sons in Azkaban. But she's at home, she faced no punishment."
"Because of her pure-blood status?"
"The Weasley's are one of the sacred-twenty-eight. The other children are in the rehabilitation program. As is Longbottom, and the Lovegoods. Now, no more questions."