Hi guys! I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters involved, all of that belongs to J K Rowling. This is my first fanfic, I don't have a completely solid idea of where it is going yet but hopefully you stick around for the ride. Slowburn bellamione. Not completely alternate universe/timeline but it doesn't completely stick to the original timeline of the series. Reviews are welcome, let me know what you think! I'm aware of some spelling errors from the previous chapter and am working through it! Sorry for the delay for chapter two.

- Weekly-Crisis

Of all the places Hermione Granger believed she would never return to, Malfoy Manor was at the top of her list for very obvious reasons. So when she found herself walking through the halls once more with none other than Draco Malfoy at her side she wanted nothing more than to wake up from whatever nightmare she must be in. Yet despite her thoughts, she knew no dream could match the isolating feeling of despair trapped in the bones of this house. No imitation could create that numbing chill so similar to a dementor that it was hard to believe the house wasn't one itself, and with every step that very chill seemed to slither up Hermione's spine, a very clear reminder that she was very much awake, and on her way to speak with McGonagall, the Malfoys and the subject of her dreams. All in all, Hermione had no idea why she agreed to attend this meeting. Her only answer to that was that she had had a momentary lapse in sanity because realistically who on earth would want to return to the place they were tortured... to speak with their torturer… with said torturers family watching with hope that you'll save said torturer.

Hermione wanted to be sick. Or pass out. Or both.

"You're looking a little pale there, Granger. You okay?" Draco bumped her shoulder lightly, shaking the girl from her quiet stupor. The brunette gave a huff of disapproval before raising a brow at the boy. "Yeah… stupid question, I know. But still, if you change your mind about this. The trials not till tonight."

"I know. Thank you, Draco. I need to do this, speak with her I mean. I just need to remember that if I do this, we could get some answers. As well as some closure, I'll be fine." She smiled appreciatively at him as they stopped.

Draco gave her a once over before placing his hand on the door that would lead to the waiting party. "You've got this, Hermione." At this the witch blinked in surprise at the blondes firm support and smiled as he pushed the door open and led them through. As the pair entered, several pairs of eyes landed on them, namely those of Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda Tonks and Minerva McGonagall.

"Miss Granger, glad you could make it." Minerva addressed her firmly, concern lingering at the edge of her sense of authority. Andromeda smiled warmly at the young witch whilst Narcissa gave a polite nod of acknowledgement, something akin to guilt lurking in the womans averted gaze. And in the middle of the room, shackled to the floor was Bellatrix Lestrange. Except… this Bellatrix wasn't grinning, nor was she laughing, or even cursing. The only thing similar about the witch before Hermione was the tumbling black curls that seemed to engulf the womans form as she knelt on the floor, overgrown bangs loosely curtaining her eyes. The most different thing about the dark witch? Her eyes. Hermione remembered ink as black as coal for eyes with this glint of murderous intent that never left those soulless orbs. The eyes of the witch before her resembled no such intent or darkness. They still held that emptiness that accompanied the colour black, but that's all they seemed to carry. A hollowness that was truly, terrifyingly haunting. Hermione shuddered. Those were the eyes of someone who had suffered tremendously, someone who danced with death and lived, someone who had lived with dementors. Which is exactly what Bellatrix Lestrange had done.

"Bellatrix…" Narcissa started, unsure how to encourage this interaction. This was after all not just a meeting. It was a chance to change her sentence. Narcissa had appealed for rehabilitation on probation if a victim of Bellatrix could forgive her, anything but Azkaban and the dementors kiss. An incredibly risky move on the youngest Black's part but the witch seemed determined to save the dark witch, even if the majority of people couldn't fathom why.

"Bellatrix, Hermione Granger is here… to talk to you before the trial." Andromeda spoke clearly though it didn't even seem to stir Bellatrix.

Minerva sighed in disappointment as she stepped forward raising her wand which in turn caused the shackled witch's face to lift to meet their gazes. "Mrs. Lestrange, this is your last chance."

Now this caused a reaction. The second the mention of the name 'Lestrange' passed through Minerva's lips an ugly snarl tore through the room, so sudden and violent and… guttural that Hermione wasn't entirely sure it sounded human, let alone that it came from the trapped witch in front of her. Then it dawned on Hermione, that was exactly what this witch was. Trapped. Caged. A caged Bellatrix was something that scared Hermione. It was a fear stronger than when she was pinned beneath the woman with a blade carving up her arm. It was a primal fear of the unknown. Something about the wild, untamed aura of the dark witch seemed almost monstrous. It as akin to a feral animal. An animal that has only known blood and pain and power its whole life. Hermione swallowed nervously as the vicious sound retreated into no more than a low rumbling, and then into silence as the dark witch seemed to finally take in her surroundings before her empty gaze settled once more on Minerva and she tilted her head, smirking wickedly.

"I thought we had discussed this, Minny. It's, Miss Black. Not, Lestrange. It was never, Lestrange." Bellatrix gave a toothy smile, one that brought a rather barbed edge to her already pointed words.

"Lestrange or Black, you're still the same sharp-tongued viper, Bellatrix." Minerva's lips rose in disdain at the nickname, and despite the surreal danger of the situation, the name had caused Hermione to smile for just a second. This, did not go unnoticed and immediately that small quirk of the brunettes lips was like blood in water, where Bellatrix was a shark.

"Awww did the muddy like that one? Has Dumbledore's little mouse got a sense of humour? At least your mudblood finds me funny, Minny!" Bellatrix crowed, her laughter filling the room, causing Hermione to take a step back and subconsciously squeeze her scarred arm.

"That is quite enough Bellatrix." Narcissa Malfoy had finally spoken. Her command rang through the room with a sudden arctic chill that silenced Bellatrix immediately. The dark witch cast her gaze downwards away from the brunette witch and momentarily glanced at the polar blue eyes of her youngest sister. "You realise everyone in this room, especially this girl are your sole saviours from Azkaban, yes?" Bellatrix nodded solemnly. "Then perhaps you will treat them with the respect that they deserve considering they are the only thing stopping the Wizengamot from letting a dementor have its way with you." Narcissa spat the words with a thinly concealed, arctic rage as she took a step towards her eldest sister who remained firmly in place, frozen by the woman's anger.

"I… understand, Cissy." The witch murmured quietly although completely unapologetically. Bellatrix then raised her head to stare blankly at Minerva, a sneer taking place though lacking its usual malice. "So, what can I do for you… Minerva."

Minerva sighed. At least this was a step forward, Narcissa's presence seemed to have been a very big advantage for the task and the older woman was very appreciative of the stern blondes attendance. "Mrs-" Bellatrix frowned at the older woman and Minerva resisted rolling her eyes. "Miss Black. Before you is Miss Granger, a girl you've tortured and scarred grievously. Yet, here she stands today, to hear you out and possibly save you from death. She is the brightest witch of her age, however I myself cannot fathom why she would even consider saving you. So make this count, Miss Black. It may be your very last chance at life." Minerva finished strongly, staring into Bellatrix's starless gaze with contempt. On the contrary, Bellatrix looked rather unaffected by McGonagall's speech, instead focusing on picking at her nails until the old woman had finished. The black haired witch then turned to look at Hermione. Although it wasn't really just looking, it was more staring. Hermione wasn't sure if it was analytical or predatory but she could tell the woman seemed to be searching- for what? Hermione honestly didn't know.

"Why?" It was the younger girls only question.

"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, darling." Bellatrix replied drolly, once again tilting her head as if some confused dog. It infuriated Hermione more than she could explain; balling her fists, she walked till she was directly in front of the chained witch.

"Don't play games, Bellatrix. I think everyone's honestly sick of them. Just, just tell me why- that's all I want! Were you abused? Did they put a curse or charm on you! Is that why you cut me? To possess something the way they possessed you!" Hermione was shouting, her voice like thunder in the silence of the room as everyone watched the girl unburden herself, tears stinging the girls eyes as her nails dug into her own palms hard enough to leave red crescents. The darker haired woman sat in silence as she watched the little witch sob. Barbed wire lined Bellatrix's veins, and with each suggestion and accusation that left the girls mouth it felt as if that wire had cut her, causing pain and anger to ooze into her blood. Despite this inner turmoil, Bellatrix remained silent, allowing the girl to channel every shred of hatred, sadness and agony into her screams. She deserved it, and she knew she did.

"Is that it, Bellatrix?! Were you some plaything that got tossed aside! Did you fail to impress your so called 'dark lord' even after you tortured the Longbottoms into insanity?!" Hermione was shaking now, a coalition of rage and pent up distress swirling into a storm as she grabbed the dark witch by her robes, a momentary growl escaping the older woman. "Did he beat you for your failures?! I'll tell you why no one else even bothered to save you; it is because you are a monster, Bellatrix Lestrange! Not even your own family wanted you-"

"Miss Granger I believe that's enough-" Narcissa tried to intercept, unable to continue listening to the girls thorned wails but more so afraid for the girls safety, being in such close proximity with Bellatrix, even if the witch was chained.

"Because you hurt everything and everyone around you," Hermione cried, her chest heaving with exertion, "You don't deserve a chance at life and you never did!"

"Miss Granger!" It was Andromeda who managed to tear the girl away from Bellatrix. Cradling the trembling and broken girl in her arms, stunned at the display of pure, unbridled torment, as were the rest of the group in the room. Draco Malfoy had never seen his friend so unwound and uncontrolled before, for Narcissa she was shocked by how truly affected the young witch was by Bellatrix. And for the dark witch herself, well, it was hard to tell. Bellatrix remained silent during the girls outburst, save for a few defensive growls when the girl had grabbed her. If Bellatrix was honest with herself, she was impressed that the muggleborn had even dared gone near her, let alone manhandle her. She felt stripped by the younger girls harsh but all to true words. All in all, Bellatrix was exhausted. Physically, mentally and emotionally. The girl was right about never deserving a chance, her rant had hit a few nerves, though most of what the girl had said was only partly true.

As Hermione began to quieten, the rest of the party waited to see how Bellatrix would react. All of them fearing an eruption of derogatory curses and spiels of blood purity but mostly they were afraid of the anger. Bellatrix had been feared for her rage, even as a child and rightly so. However as Bellatrix stared at the weeping girl, there was no fury, no curses or defence of blood purity. Only weighted silence and a gaze brimming with resignation.

"You're not wrong. I was… am all those things; a possession, a tool, a failure. But most of all, I am a monster. I loved being one. It's that simple. I was born to be a monster." Bellatrix sighed heavily; rolling her shoulders causing the heavy chains to scrape against the floor loudly, before she settled, choosing to sit cross legged. She looked up at the younger witch and smiled emptily. "Does that satisfy you?"

Hey guys! Thank you for reading and hope you're enjoying it so far. We've got an emotionally unstable Hermione and an emotionally drained Bellatrix. I've decided to go with a semi-out of character Bellatrix, she'll still have some crazy but for how the story is going it's going to be a mix of that mania and exhaustion. Similar with Hermione, she'll still be golden girl but has some stuff she needs to work through. First two chapters have been quite short, hoping I'll be able to get more into writing longer chapters once the initial plan has formed! Once again thanks for reading and see you in the next chapter.

- Weekly-Crisis