First off, I'll apologise for taking so long updating. I got hit hard by the muse with writing my first Yelena Belova/Kate Bishop fic and that and school holidays didn't allow for me to find much time to edit this chapter which i had neglected to do, keep in mind this was a relatively loose edit.

That said, this is the final chapter. I do have an epilogue already written but I will tell you now I may leave that one to update for a little while as well as i would like to completely reread this fic and adjust the epilogue to make sure I've covered everything.

Anyways... enjoy! Always happy to know what you think!


When finally it was time to return to their reality it was with two very enlightened muggles. And a warning. They shouldn't expect to return to an empty home after all. It meant Bellatrix and Andy were wands drawn and The Old One was watching intently. Worried for her descendants but confident in them as well. Hermione drew in a breath before touching the stream and effectively pushing them all back into it.

The Grangers and the Blacks all appeared in the kitchen as the door to the stairs blew off its hinges. Hermione drew her wand then and Andromeda moved to Shield the Grangers as Hermione and Bellatrix moved out of the kitchen just as Scabior and Rabastan burst into Living space beyond.

"Rabs, you are so good at making mistakes." Bellatrix cooed lightly and the young Lestrange scowled.

"Fancy seeing a turncoat whore like you here, Bella. With your filthy little pet too." Rabastan hissed.

"Oh I wouldn't speak like that if I were you." Bellatrix chuckles a little darkly.

"What? Don't like us calling filth for what it is? Your little mudslut so good in bed you forget you're pure and she's not?" Rabastan smirked thinking he was getting under his sister in laws skin.

"Oh that isn't what I meant… I mean I wouldn't be insulting me if I were you… my love, she's viciously protective of me." Bellatrix hummed happily with this admission.

"She's right. I'll give you the chance to drop your wands and I'll turn you over to the Parliment here for transfer… if you want to continue insulting my partner though by all means. I'll bury you both in a shallow grave and let the dingoes have your flesh." Hermione had started out in a normal tone only to end in a snarl. Scabior swallowed visibly but Rabastan laughed.

"Oh she's just right for you isn't she. Just as batshit crazy as you are Bella." Rabastan laughed he was too stupid to fear.

"Call her crazy one more time." Hermione spoke in such a deadly quiet voice it had the hairs on Bella's arms stand up.

"She's certifiably insane mudslut, but you might be worse." Rabastan smirked.

Hermione cast so quickly Rabastan almost didn't have time to get his wand up and able to block the first one but wordlessly a second after the first Hermione had cast a second killing curse which broke right through his shield and hit him right in the chest. Rabastan was dead before he hit the floor and Scabior turned to run only to be hit with a petrifying spell. Bellatrix stepped over Rabastans body to pick up Scabiors wand.

"Didn't even need me, sweetheart." Bellatrix smirked lightly at Hermione.

"I always need you, Belle." Hermione practically purred the words back at her.

It was around then that Andromeda and the Grangers came in. Andy went over and checked Rabastan a curl to her lip, one of disgust. For the most part Scarior was ignored outside of Andy casting an Incarcerus and removing the petrification jinx. She then promptly silenced him when he began to whine and plead.

"Is he dead?" Emma asks looking a little hesitantly at Rabastan's body.

"He was insulting my witch." Hermione defended lightly.

"And they were here to kill you both." Bellatrix smiled and moved over to Hermione who pulled her even closer.

"Kill us? Why?" Frank was frowning now looking from the body to the two women.

"To get back at us. This one was my brother in law. He blamed Hermione for my defecting and for his brothers death no doubt. They decided to track you down as we thought they might, that is why we're here. To keep you both safe." Bellatrix explains.

But Hermione wouldn't kill anyone who didn't deserve it." Emma spoke confidently.

"You're right about that and she didn't kill Rabastan's brother. That was Molly Weasley. But it was made public that Hermione and I are in a relationship. Hermione deduced that he would be mad enough to come here. So we came too." Bellatrix nods.

Meanwhile Andromeda had cast a patronus and sent it to the Magical parliament with the Grangers address and a request for emergency assistance. The Jackrabbit blinked out of existence a moment later. Emma had been watching curiously she had never seen such a spell. Hermione had watched also and tilted her head a little before looking back to her parents.

"You cast those spells so quickly and you didn't speak the second one. Is that because of the Slate and being Dragonborn?" Frank asked his daughter a moment later.

"Merlin no. The Slate magic is benevolent." Bellatrix shakes her head.

"In the magical world even before the war it had been noted in a few different circles just how powerful Hermione is. It also doesn't hurt that these curses are fuelled by emotion and I can honestly say the thought of someone being nasty to my soulmate is pretty good fuel." Andromeda chimes as there is the sound of three audible cracks downstairs.

"That will be the Aurors." Bellatrix shifted out of the way a little and put Hermione between herself and the door.

Up the stairs came two men and a woman dressed in light robes of a tidy grey colour. The men were both brunettes and considerably well built, slightly darker in skin tone than the European Aurors tended to be which was put down to the fact that the sun actually graces Australia. The woman was a ginger haired woman with bright blue eyes and closer to the European skin tone.

"What in the world happened here?!" One of the men says frowning they were on high alert.

"Good evening. I'm Hermione Granger and this is Bellatrix and Andromeda Black and my parents Emma and Frank Granger." Hermione offered politely if a little pointedly.

"Hermione Granger? Safe to say these are some Death Eaters then?" The woman spoke up now her Australian accent was less prominent than the first man's.

"This one was, this one is a snatcher. They targeted my parents. A poor choice on their part." Hermione scowls a little.

"Why does the name sound familiar?" The third man asks frowning.

"She's Hermione Granger, mate. The British Golden Girl, played a key role in stopping that mad bastard who was out to kill that other kid. She's been all through the paper for weeks." The first guy offered as if his co-worker was a dumbass for not knowing.

"Right. I'm Teresa, this is Simo and Glenn. What would you like done with them?" Teresa asks looking back to Hermione.

"They need to he taken back to the British Ministry, Scabior needs processing and jailed… I don't much care what happens this this idiots body but I assume the Ministry would process it if you can get it back." Hermione looked at Rabastan with utter disgust.

"Jees I know he was after you parents but you look like you could kill him again… assuming it was you the first time." Simo chuckles only for Hermione to huff.

"He insulted my girlfriend." She explains with a wrinkled nose.

"Oh man you are just as fierce as the paper says. I'm a huge fan." Teresa grins brightly.

"I had no idea I was that well known." Hermione admits after a moment.

"The whole thing was global news. The undesirables and such. We get Quibblers and Daily Prophets down here small scale but news like that spreads and obviously all the Ministry's heard about this Voldemort guy." Glen offers lightly.

"You, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley have been all through it the last week. Everywhere. Global news. Even, and especially you sleeping with a defected death eater. The rumours that she's using you because heaven forbid anyone ever have regrets." Teresa actually rolled her eyes with this last bit.

"I like you." Bellatrix couldn't help but grin at the red head.

"Right. If one of you can just come and fill out some paperwork for us we can process these and get them back to the isles." Simo offered looking expectantly at the witches.

"I can do that. Bring them downstairs so Bella can fix the door." Andromeda was very much a black in that moment, she held herself like royalty.

"Man it is uncanny how much you two look alike…. Twins?" Glen asks looking from Andromeda to Bellatrix.

"Nope, Andy is the middle child. Our little sister looks nothing like us." Bellatrix half shrugs.

"Uncanny." Glen offered again before following Andromeda downstairs. Simo grabbed Scabior and dragged him out while Teresa cast a spell to levitate Rabastans body and guide him down.

"Well… who wants tea?" Frank asks after a moment and Hermione smiles brightly.

"Yes please." Bella and Emma both chimed as Bellatrix moved to cast a repairing charm on the door.


The following week had seen Bellatrix and Hermione move into the Grangers little home above their store. Andromeda had returned with Glen to Britain taking Scabior and Rabastan's body with them. She wasn't needed their anymore and had been missing her daughter and grandson.

In the time they'd spent with the Grangers they'd managed to catch each other up on everything. Frank and Emma explained they'd be staying on in Australia having come to love it there. Hermione didn't mind, she could visit and keep in touch with them but she herself would be returning to the Isles. After all they still had to get through Bellatrixs trial.

When it finally was time to return Hermione and her mother managed to keep it together until the last few minutes where they melted into sobbing messes. It really endeared Bellatrix to her little witch though, she'd been beside herself to get there and save them but she clearly hadn't thought too much of having to leave afterwards.

Frank and Bellatrix had gotten along swimmingly after the initial awkwardness created by Frank demanding to know what the woman's intentions were with his daughter. Hermione had sat with a smirk and watched Bellatrix squirm for a moment before asking if they wanted to know her intentions with Bellatrix. The smirk on the little witches face let them all know they most certainly did not and Frank left Bellatrix alone after that.

Finally though they'd said their goodbyes and promised to visit again soon and Hermione would be keeping them updated on how things were going. Frank and Emma were going to change the name of their store but they enjoyed the sweets shop and would be continuing on with that business. With a few final hugs the two couples parted ways, Hermione had finally calmed down just as the portkey hummed and the two disappeared.

When they came back into existence they were standing in the middle of the Ministry of magic where the fountain used to be. Clearly that was being remodelled as the previous one simply could not stand there any more. Hermione frowned as they were approached by two Aurors and two trainee Aurors. Ron and Harry. She might have been happy to see them if the old man they were with hadn't spoken.

"Bellatrix Black. You're just in time for your trial to begin, if you would follow us?" The man spoke clearly.

"Bloody Minerva." Bellatrix huffed this was likely a stipulation in being allowed to leave the country.

"Has Lucius had his trial?" Hermione asked looking to Harry.

"No, he and Draco are scheduled for two days from now. Bellatrix's charges are a bit more serious. She's one of the last in her category to be tried." Harry explains as they started moving.

Hermione nodded holding Bellatrix' hand firmly in her own. She wasn't overly concerned though, she did imagine this would not go in Bella's favour but Hermione was resourceful and already she had a plan. Irrefutable fact that Bellatrix is not the dark witch that they all claim her to be. They were lead to the elevators, up three floors and out along past two doors and into a third. It was an antechamber.

"Miss Granger you will have to be in the seats with the others you can't do to the chair with Madame Black." The man offered, the older one, while the younger one gestured a second door for her.

"Hold my wand for me, Weaver?" It was Bella's way of letting Hermione know it was ok. Hermione sighed and took the wand and planted a firm kiss on the witches lips before leaving. Hermione didn't mind how uncomfortable that made the older two Aurors either.

Out of the Antechamber she found a seat. Obviously Narcissa was there but Draco and Lucius were unable to attend, with Narcissa was Andromeda and surprisingly even Fleur was with the other two witches. Hermione made her way over and sat beside Narcissa who pulled her into a hug informing her how glad she was to see her just as Bellatrix was lead to the middle of the of the chamber and put on full display for the wizengamot. No one in the center was allowed their wand as a rule. This made Hermione rolled her eyes a little though.

"Bellatrix Black, you are here to stand trial for the crimes of working against the light for the Dark Wizard Voldemort. Do you understand?" Hermione wasn't sure who the speaker was but he looked like he had a stick up his arse and had smelled something foul.

"Yes yes." Bellatrix made a gesture her tone completely bored at this point.

"Do you, then, confess to these crimes. For the torture of the muggleborn Hermione Granger? And the act of raising your wand against those opposing your Lord?" Bellatrix frowned at this.

"I did these things but-"

"Then you are confessing to being a Dark Witch by definition and therefore you are to be tried to full extent of the law?" The man had interrupted.

"She is not a Dark Witch by any definition and I can prove it." Hermione spoke before Bellatrix could. All attention turned to Hermione.

"And just how could you possibly prove something like that?" The wizard asks.

"Well I have an array of memories I could show you. Mores to the point I could show you the timeline itself. But proving that that witch isn't a Dark Witch is extremely simple if you would just allow her her wand and a moment with me?" Hermione moved down to the side of the 'stage' then and waited for an answer.

"I… will allow it." The wizard sounded both confused and curious and more than a little sceptical.

Hermione looked at Bellatrix and when the woman came over Hermione handed her the wand and pulled her closer. Many of the surrounding witches and wizards looked suddenly apprehensive but they didn't react poorly thankfully. Bellatrix looked a little dubious but it was clear she trusted Hermione and she walked back to the middle and faced Hermione.

"Your proof." Hermione gestured to Bellatrix who took a deep breath and raised her wand at Hermione. With steeled nerves the older witch cast, loud and clear and full of meaning for the first time in her life;

"Expecto Patronum!"

Without hesitation a bright blue glowing otter burst from the end of Bellatrix' wand and did a little somersault in the air as though it were swimming in water. There was an audible gasp from half the room while the others looked confused. Bellatrix on the other hand looked completely confused and elated as well. Hermione grinned and cast her own patronus wordlessly using that moment for inspiration. Her own little otter burst forth and moved to play with Bella's.

"I love you too, Belle." Hermione says brightly and Bellatrix positively beamed.

"I am not sure I understand the relevance of any of this?" The speaker queries and Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"If you will, sir. Dark Witches and Wizards are unable to cast ze patronus charm. Zis 'as been proven in ze past and 'as resulted in ze deaz of 100% of subjects." Fleur spoke up now getting everyone's attention.

"Mrs Weasley, having said that is it not true that you healed Miss Grangers injuries after she was tortured by Bellatrix?" The wizard asked and Hermione wasn't even sure how they had that information.

"Oui. I did 'eal 'er. Just as Narcissa Malfoy 'ealed the same injuries on Bellatrix as ze supposed Dark Witch had mirrored ze effects onto 'erself in order to suffer anyzing she 'ad felt obligated to use against 'Ermione." Fleur nodded answering honestly. Hermione looked from Fleur to Bellatrix.

"Ms Black carved the derogatory term 'mudblood' into Hermione's arm. Are you saying she has the same scar herself?" The Speaker regarded Fleur.

"Non, she did not carve zat word into my friends skin. She did carve ze term 'comes anima' zough and oui, she 'as ze exact same scar on 'er own arm." Fleur informs with a bit of a sniff. Clearly they had their facts wrong.

"Will you both step forward and prove this?" The Speak looked rather grudgingly at Hermione and Bellatrix who both shrugged and moved closer to the onlooking gamot. They lifted their sleeves in unison to reveal the identical scars.

"For clarification the term 'comes anima' means what?" The Speaker asks after a moment.

"It's Latin, it translates to Soulmate, sir." One of the gamot members asks curiously.

"You had more information, Miss Granger?" The wizard looked at Hermione.

"If its truly necessary then yes though I will only show it to one of you whom is most trusted and no one else. They can then confirm or deny anything they wish." Hermione says firmly.

"Miss Granger?" The Speaker didn't like this at all.

"It involves an ancient magic I, solely, am able to harness and i do not intend to ever be required to use this magic unless I so chose. Therefore I will only show it to the person of your choice and no one else. Take it or leave it." Hermione says firmly, she would not budge on this.

"Amelia. Will you allow it to he you?" The man asks after a moment. Hermione was a little surprised to see that Amelia was alive in this timeline.

"I shall." Amelia stood and moved down the row of seats to Hermione's side. Hermione smiled lightly.

"Bellatrix saved my life, by the way. She was supposed to dispose of me and instead took me to muggle doctors." It was no secret that Amelia had gone missing there for quite a while.

Hermione reached out and touched the woman's arm and a moment later they weren't in the courtroom anymore but the Slate. Amelia stumbled with having been on solid ground before and now she was in the void of the Slate standing on seemingly nothing. The time stream beside her. Amelia looked around in complete shock before looking at what appeared to be a white stream of light beside them. That was until Hermione touched it and swiped her hand on it making it move backwards.

Hermione showed Bellatrix holding here and moved from there. Forward, to the torment and torture of the Longbottom's that she was merely present at, to her saving Neville's life and being captured as a result of that. To the years spent in Azkaban for simply being on the wrong side. To the break out, to stunning Sirius and his tripping and falling through the veil. An accidental death. To meeting Hermione on the street in complete confusion but never actually moving against her. The Burrow where again Bella had only been present. To the Manor where she had tortured both herself and Hermione. Where Narcissa had called Dobby and had him rescue them and where Bellatrix had even handed Hermione a vial with her hair in it.

To being almost two weeks on bed rest the same as Hermione had been because of the torture. To working against Voldemort as much as possible without risking herself or the Malfoys of whom where her family. She showed Amelia how Bellatrix had saved the twins, how she had protected Luna and Ginny against her own husband while Molly felled him. How she had then worked to heal the sick and injured after the Battle had finally ended. When it stopped and Hermione returned it to their present moment Amelia had without a doubt seen enough. Hermione simply nodded and returned them to the second they had left.

"We are waiting Miss Granger." The Speaker huffed.

"Speaker, I have seen what she's needed to show and I can 100% say that Bellatrix should be cleared of charges. While not a double agent that woman has spent decades working against Voldemort in small ways. She's managed to save lives that would have otherwise been lost. She is innocent." Amelia spoke up to the shock of everyone.

"But she did not do anything. How can you come to this conclusion?" The Speaker frowns.

"You are supposed to trust her." Andromeda drawls her response from the sidelines.

"She may have worked against him but she has still committed crimes." The Speaker offered.

"She has, small crimes that would likely earn her a fine not jail time yet she spend 14 years in Azkaban in the past simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Hermione states clearly.

"The wrong place at the wrong time? Is that what you call the Longbottom's? The wrong place?" The Speaker scowls at Hermione.

"Sir she may not have stopped the torture of the Longbottom's but she did stop the murder of their son. It's been documented that when she was taken into custody at the Longbottom's Bellatrix was holding the little boy trying to calm him, she handed him over and she said something. What was it?" Amelia raised an imperious eyebrow at the Speaker.

"She… she told him she was sorry for what happened. That one day she would fix it." The Speaker knew then that he had been beaten.

"How can she do that in Azkaban. Bellatrix has paid her dues." Amelia spoke firmly still standing beside Hermione.

"On all charges Bellatrix is to be found not guilty, no further sentencing will be made. Those in favour of this motion." The Speaker asks though with a small frown on his face.

The response was hesitant but it was also unanimous and Bellatrix' trial was over in a moment. Hermione climbed over the barrier between her and her witch and walked to her with a bright smile. Bellatrix looked like she was about to cry. She was actually free. The older woman wrapped her arms around Hermione and pressed her face into her neck.

"I told you you wouldn't be going back." Hermione purred gently.

"We should go somewhere where we can celebrate my freedom." Bellatrix suggests and Hermione grinned lightly.

"I think you're going to have to come back to the Aurors offices first and be released from your magical bindings." Harry spoke up with a light smirk off to the left of the pair. Bellatrix flushed lightly and huffed.


With Bellatrix's freedom the coming weeks were busy ones. Bellatrix made her purchases of property and they even managed to sort out training for the mediwitches and apprentices that showed interest in the jobs. It was two months before they were able to take their first clients and among the first ones was Ginny and Luna both.

In the meantime, or perhaps out of it, Hermione and Bellatrix both had used the Slate as a potions lab brewing experimental potions in the hopes of restoring people's minds after botched memory Charms. They succeeded too managing to bring Gilderoy back to lucidity much to Hermione's disgust. It was decreed from then on how ever that his wand would be snapped and he would barred from purchasing any others.

The last thing they used the Slate for in regards to other people was Frank and Alice Longbottom. It wad a lot harder with them than it had been for the Grangers as Emma and Frank were just restoring the effects of a memory charm. Frank and Alice however were needing to be rebuilt from the point of their torture. It was hard as they effectively had to relive that moment through the Slate magic before Bellatrix was able to bring them up to speed and restore their minds. She did it anyways because she was one of these most powerful witches alive and had managed to beautiful recreate her gift with legilimens to not only take thoughts and memories but to restore them.

Neville had possibly become one of Bellatrix's biggest fans after that. The Longbottom's had been cognitive enough to remember on their own that Bellatrix had kept Neville from being killed. Needless to say they were often invited to dinner with the Longbottom's and the Weasleys and the Malfoys and they made Monthly weekend visits with the Grangers back in Australia. All this made their home days very much a necessity.

While they didn't mind being with their friends they were both just busy women, they'd moved to the flat above their offices in Hogsmead for the school year as Hermione had been determined to return to her classes and finish her schooling properly. No short cuts. Minerva had gracious had a floo channel set up between their flat and her office so Hermione could return to Bellatrix and their bed each night. Bellatrix herself had taken the training to be able to speak with clients and when Hermione was at school she was either with a client or doing paperwork.

This usually meant the pair of them had a lot of catching up to do at the end of the day and that usually involved talking over dinner before retiring to their bedroom. Which was where they were that very moment with Hermione's head between Bellatrix' quivering thighs and the older woman's hands in her hair. Only when Bellatrix had came a second time did Hermione relent and kiss a path up her witches body.

"I will never tire of how you taste." Hermione hums softly.

"Mm, God you're far too good with your mouth." Bellatrix pants out as Hermione settled along her side and wrapped her arms around her.

"Just good enough I'd say. You know I know how to change myself now. Mother taught me how to maintain this form while taking on the required male aspects." Hermione informs like this was just a casual conversation.

"So we could start trying?" Bellatrix asks after a moment looking at her witch.

"Yes but if it's alright with you I'd like to wait until later in the school year. I want to be with you through the pregnancy as much as possible." Hermione moved a hand, she had learned quickly that when she was with Bellatrix and they were both naked it was near impossible for Hermione not to be touching the woman. A gentle warm hand palming a full breast as fingers gently teased an already hard nipple.

"That… that makes sense." Bellatrix got out on a short breath.

"I'm glad you think so." Hermione purrs leaning over and taking said nipple in her mouth.

"You don't want to marry first?" Bellatrix asks after a moment her voice gravelly. Hermione leaned back just enough to blow cool air over Bellatrix' nipple making it impossibly harder.

"Is that you proposing? Honestly, my love, I don't care when we marry. Marriage is for everyone else. I know I love you and will spend the rest of time with you regardless of marriage. Being a Black just makes things easier on paper." Hermione explains smiling.

"We should marry in Australia when Lucius and Draco's house arrest is over then." Bellatrix offers knowing that when they got married Hermione would want Lucius and Draco there. She had become fast friends with Lucius, likely because she was so close with Narcissa and Draco really wasn't so bad when he wasn't being a pompous arse.

"So you are proposing?" Hermione asks moving to press kisses across Bellatrix's chest.

"Marrying me wouldn't be a bad thing would it?" Bellatrix asks after a moment shifting slightly as Hermione's hand slides slowly down her abdomen.

"I'd love to marry you Belle… but you haven't actually asked." Hermione points out gently as she pushes two fingers through slick folds and then curls them pushing up inside her witch whose only response was a low moan.

Bellatrix lost all coherent thought then and Hermione smirked knowing full well that was the case. She didn't mind though as she moved her lips up to kiss and nibble along Bella's throat all the while pushing and pulling with her fingers curling them in a way that had her brushing and pressing on that sweet spot inside the older woman. That spot that got the most delicious of sounds and reactions from the older woman. Sounds Hermione knew for a fact she would never tire of hearing.

Sounds that were only increasing the closer Bella got to toppling over that edge that Hermione was so good at working her towards. Hermione herself kissed her way to Bellatrix' lips where the older woman pulled her in and kissed her deeply both because she absolutely adored kissing the younger woman and the hopes that it would distract her and she might be able to make this last a little longer. That when Hermione moved her thumb to press incessant little circles around Bella's already throbbing clit. The older woman didn't stand a chance as a moment later she was breaking the kiss to moan her lovers name with her release.

Hermione watched on looking quite smug at the Older woman as Bella panted heavily after being bought down gently. Bellatrix opened her eyes as Hermione's fingers gently slid free of her and she watched as Hermione lifted those fingers to her mouth and sucked the essence from them. The action made Bellatrix shudder and clench.

"I'm so repaying the favour when I get feeling back in my legs." Bellatrix husked out a moment later.

"In the meantime I have a very serious question." Hermione hummed with a light grin as she rolled off the bed and stood.

Bellatrix watched Hermione pick up her robes from the floor and rummage in a pocket. She found what ever she was looking for and returned to the bed with a small smile. Bellatrix raised a curious eyebrow at her partner who just looked at her amused.

"You keep asking if we should marry, my love. But you've yet to actually ask me to marry you." Hermione points out and before Bellatrix could open her mouth to respond Hermione had flipped open a small ring box and held it up where Bella could see.

"Bellatrix Black, will you marry me?" Hermione asks in the sweetest voice.

The younger witch was holding one of these most beautiful rings Bellatrix had ever seen. It was silver but it was a dragon, on one side of a largish diamond was its head inlaid with multiple tiny diamonds before it effectively faded into the band to move around to a somewhat feathery looking tail that was also inlaid with tiny diamonds with the center diamond effectively cradled between the dragons head and tail. It was stunning, almost as much as the question itself.

Bellatrix was going to ask Hermione but she realised rather quickly that she was mighty insecure about it. The first marriage she had been in was not her choice at all and it left a rather sour taste. This though was entirely her choice and she realised it was Hermione's as well and what if Hermione didn't actually want to marry her? Hence she found herself asking about marriage but never actually proposing.

"I don't think you know how happy it would make me. To be able to marry for love, because it's my choice? To marry you? I want nothing more." Bellatrix managed to get out even as her eyes filled with tears.

"I know baby. I love you so much. I'm yours for always. May as well let everyone else celebrate it with us." Hermione leaned in and kissed Bellatrix deeply then. Lingering for a moment before taking the ring from the box and slipped it onto Bellatrix's finger placing a kiss on the woman's knuckles.

"I love you too." Bellatrix smiled affectionately as a happy little tear trickled down her cheek. Hermione kissed it away gently before kissing her Fiancée lovingly.