The victim had been successfully evaluated at St. Mungo's and taken to the ministry after the team of medi witches examined her and took samples of the blood from under her fingernails and hairs off of her clothes. This evidence was picked up by Bella and dropped off at the lab while she went to an interrogation room with the girl. She had called Draco in to help her question the victim because Bella found out that people were more likely to talk to Draco than to herself. She took no offense to this as she was proud of her abrasive side. They managed to get a sketch of the man and found out that he was going by the name of Ethan but it was most likely a fake name. The sketch artists ran prints of the face and wanted posters were hung around Diagon and taken to the Leaky Cauldron since that seemed to be the man's hot spot for finding women.
"How did you meet Ethan?" Draco asked, trying to get some more information out of the woman named Jamie.
"He came up to me outside of the Owl post and asked if I wanted to grab a drink. Seemed relatively innocent so I said yes because I was heading to the Leaky Cauldron anyway." Jamie shrugged her shoulders.
"And do you always accept every invitation extended to you by men you meet on the street?" Bella joined the conversation, coming around to stand next to her nephew who glared at her as if to say 'I've got this.' "Okay apparently that was rude of me, let me rephrase that, why would you follow a man you barely knew into a alley way when there's been murders of young women posted all over the prophet?" Draco sighed and wiped his hand down his face. "Still rude? Okay do you read the prophet?" Jamie shook her head yes. "Perfect. So you know about the murders?" She shook her head again. "Now we are getting somewhere. So you read the prophet and you know about the murders yet you still went to follow a strange man to the back alley of Leaky where you know these women have died." She nodded once more. "So tell me why?"
"It's like I wasn't acting under my own volition. I couldn't say no." She started tearing up as Draco shared a look with his aunt.
"You couldn't say no?" Draco repeated the girl's words back to her.
"That's right. Somewhere in my brain I was screaming at myself not to go but I couldn't physically stop myself." Jamie was crying now as Draco handed her a tissue. "I'm just thankful you were there Madam Black or my story would've ended up differently."
"I think that's all of the questions we have," Draco started but was cut off by his aunt.
"I have one last question," she looked at Jamie before asking, "when you agreed to go to get a drink with him, were you thinking for yourself then?" She nodded yes, "okay. Thank you for your time. You know how to contact us if you think of anything else. We will also need you to come back in for a line up if we manage to catch this guy."
"Thank you. Let me walk you out," Draco stood up and took Jamie out of the interrogation room. He came back a few moments later and saw his aunt pacing, looking at the sketch, "so the Imperius curse."
"Seems that way," Bella sighed, "which means these sketches are probably all bullshit because he was most likely glamoured." She threw the sketch into the fire, "fuck!" She almost shrieked.
"That could be the case but if he's always glamours himself then some people might recognize him that way so it's not a complete lost cause," Draco said, grabbing the other sketches before Bella could destroy them.
"I suppose," Bella breathed sharply out of her nose, "thank you for being the logical one here, Dragon. I guess we can head out. Nothing else to be done now. I guess we just wait to see if we get a match from the blood and go from there and wait for the fucker to make his next move."
"How's the wedding planning coming?" He casually asked as they made their way out of the office and down to the main lobby to access the floo network.
"That, dear nephew, is a question best proposed to Hermione. From what I've heard, we do have a date nailed down and we may or may not be wearing clothes," she cackled when she saw Draco's cheeks turn pink. "Hey, have you heard from your mother lately? She hasn't been returning my messages and she's supposed to be helping Hermione with the wedding planning."
"Come to think of it, she's only been calling to check in maybe once or twice a week lately." Draco shrugged. "Maybe we should go over there and find out what's going on?"
"I'll host a dinner. And if she doesn't show up I'm going over and dragging her ass out. You and Astoria can expect my owl."
"Your owl? Can't you just text us?" Draco rolled his eyes.
"Isn't anything sacred anymore?" Bella groaned as she stepped into the floo and a flash of green flames encompassed her as she was spit out of her library fireplace at Black Manor.
"What isn't sacred?" Hermione asked, looking up from her book as she lounged on the couch.
"The sanctity of the written word," Bella rolled her eyes, coming over and flopping down on the couch, pulling Hemrione's feet into her lap. "I told Draco we would be having a family dinner to try to smoke Cissy out of her hole and he expected a text not an owl. I know the only surefire way to get my sister here is by formal invitation via an owl." She nodded and smirked, "or for me to personally show up at her house and drag her ass here."
"Maybe the owl would be better," Hermione laughed, opening her book back up to continue her reading.
"What are you reading today, love?" Bella asked, reaching across Hermione's prone body and grabbing the book out of her hands. "The Princess Bride, again?"
"It's my favorite comfort book." She shrugged, grabbing the book back. "I've been a nervous wreck all afternoon waiting for you to get home."
"No need to be worried, love," Bella squeezed the foot she was rubbing. "I'm the bad guy, remember?"
"Not anymore." Hermione smiled, "you are just my squishy little love bug and you know it."
"Shhh," Bella hushed her fiancé and looked over her shoulder, "Andy could be lurking anywhere and Merlin forbid she ever heard you call me something like that. It'll end me for good."
"Did you get any leads?"
"Well," Bella sighed, letting her head fall against the back of the couch, "we thought we had a lead but it turns out our victim, Jamie," she said the name and looked at Hermione because she knew that she appreciates names, "was imperioused and we think the perp was using a glamour charm."
"Hmm," Hermione furrowed her brows, "but if he was using a glamour, he probably wasn't smart enough to change it every time so someone still might recognize him."
"Precisely why we had some of the ministry elves hanging up flyers around Diagon and other Wizarding Communities." Bella smirked after Hermione let out a little moan when she hit a particularly sensitive spot on her foot. "Like that, pet?"
"You know I do," she started to respond when the door to the library flew open and the middle Black sister came rushing in holding a newspaper.
"See? I told you. She's always lurking," Bella let go of Hermione's foot, "we will finish this later. What do you want now, Andromeda?" She turned back to Hermione, "we need to get locks on those doors."
"The two of you can go back to your library sexcapdes in a couple of minutes. This is really important." She handed the paper to Bella.
"The prophet?" She scoffed, "you know I don't subscribe to this bullshit."
"Oh but I think you might today, Bella." Andy chewed on her bottom lip, "or should I say my new Lord," as she pretended to bow.
"What?" Hermione grabbed the paper out of Bella's hands which caused the older woman to raise an eyebrow. "Again?"
"Well it's a long time until May, pet. The slander is going to go on." She rolled her eyes, watching her fiancé's face become more and more disturbed as she read, "out loud please so the whole class can hear."
Hermione shot her the look and Bella knew the playing around had stopped. She cleared her throat and read, " Bellatrix Druella Black sits back and runs the show as her muggleborn fiance, Hermione Granger, continues to move forward in the race for minister. Granger, 24, is pushing to bridge the gap between Muggles and Wizards as she works closely with St. Mungos and a local London muggle hospital to build relations. You might be asking yourself, 'Who works at St. Mungos?', that would lead this exact scenario to tie back to Madam Black. None other than her sisters of course. Is this all just a ploy to have the three Black Sisters running the wizarding world behind their muggleborn decoy? Anonymous resources at St. Mungos who support the clear candidate for minister, Antonin Dolohov, tell reporters that the youngest Black sister is involved in her own scandal that will once again sully the prestigious name of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Middle sister, Andromeda, has been a blood traitor since before the first wizarding war. Nobody has any concerns surrounding her at this point." She paused in her reading when she heard Andy mumble 'rude' but continued, "it is clear to everyone in the Wizarding World that Ms. Granger is merely a puppet whose strings are being pulled tightly by her lover. Is a new Dark Lord on the rise? The Wizarding World waits in suspense for Bellatrix to make her move." Hermione folded the paper up and tossed it to her fiancé. "This is complete and utter bullshit."
"Right?" Andy spoke up, "they could at least pretend I'm a threat as well."
Bella glared at her and shook her head. This was not a time for jokes, "everybody knows how hard you are working for this hospital collaboration, Hermione." Her fiancé looked at her with big eyes. It wasn't very often she used her given name but when it happened, it was meaningful. "The only people stupid enough to believe this shit are the uneducated people still following Dolohov around with their pureblood ideation bullshit. Everybody knows you deserve this more than anyone. Don't let these stupid articles get to you."
"I bet it's Rita Skeeter." Hermione sighed, "she never did get over me keeping her in a jar for a year as a bug."
Andy's eyes widened, "you kept a woman captive as a bug for a year?"
"She pissed me off," Hermione shrugged.
"Every Gryffindor has a little Slytherin in them," Andy smiled proudly at the young woman.
Bella smirked and was starting to say something when Hermione cut her off, "not the time for sex jokes."
"Okay just let me know when sex jokes are back on the table," Bella cackled "I can wait."
"Should we smoke Skeeter out of hiding?" Andy asked. "That bitch is the one who did me and Ted in… I'd love an opportunity to tell her exactly what I think about her and her bullshit pureblood ideology."
"Rita always hated us Black sisters because we were the elite in Hogwarts and she was a nobody." Bella added, "say the word, love and we will smoke her out of her hiding hole and beat the absolute piss out of her."
It was Andy's turn to cackle, "I've been waiting years for this," she gave Hermione big eyes, "please oh please let us fuck her up."
"No," Hermione shook her head and Andy deflated, "not yet at least."
"Ahh, dear sis," Bella's eyes twinkled with evil, "she said the magic word, yet. There's still hope for a confrontation with Skeeter."
—
"Bella come on," Hermione called from downstairs, "we are going to be late." She heard her fiancé grumbling as footsteps were heard from above. Bella descended the stairs wearing her normal skirts and corset ensemble while Hermione was wearing jeans and a hoodie. "My parents will be waiting for us."
"Why am I coming to this again?" Bella rolled her eyes while trying not to sound too whiny.
"Because you asked me to marry you and my parents want to not only help financially but also want to discuss my family attending the wedding." Hermione leaned in and placed a kiss on Bella's lips. "And I know, we don't need the financial help but it's a muggle thing. At least humor them?"
"We don't need the money, pet. I can give you whatever kind of wedding you want," she slid her hands around Hermione's waist and slipped one hand into her jean's pocket and squeezed. "Plus, I think it's time we start planning for the honeymoon." Bella placed a line of open mouth kisses along Hermione's jawline and down her throat column. She felt the younger witch shiver under her ministrations. "Let's just forget all this wedding talk and go back upstairs."
Hermione moaned when both of Bella's hands went into her jeans pockets and gave a hard squeeze. "Fuck," she whined, "no. My parents," her thoughts trailed off when Bella sucked hard on her pulse point. "Bella," Hermione said with a little more force while pushing on her shoulders, "no. We have to go meet them. One step closer to being done with planning the wedding. Then we can come back here to practice for the honeymoon."
"Wait," Bella pulled Hermione back into her embrace and brandished a little black box from one of her skirt pockets, "happy Valentine's Day, love."
Hermione smiled brightly, "you remembered." She opened the box and saw a key. "Curious," she said.
"It opens up something special in the library," Bella kissed her nose, "which you can see later." She winked at her.
Hermione and Bella took the floo directly to the Granger residence. "Honey, the girls are here," Katherine called up to Jack when the telltale whoosh sound was heard coming from the living room.
"I'll be right down," the Granger patriarch called from upstairs.
"She called me a girl," Bella chuckled quietly to Hermione. "I like your mum. She always treats me like one of the kids."
"Mum loves you as her daughter even if you are only a few years younger than her." Hermione grinned.
"Oi!" Bella said playfully bumping their shoulders together. "Watch your cheek or I won't give you that key tonight."
Hermione held her hands up, "not another word from me!"
"Hi girls!" Katherine called as she entered the living room from the kitchen sweeping both women into a group hug. Bella would never get used to the level of physical affection that Hermione's mom showed her but she wasn't opposed to it. She's grown quite fond of the woman and enjoyed her company. "How was your trip over?"
"It was the floo mum. It was literally instantaneous." She laughed. "You've flooed before," she reminded her mother.
"Ugh," Katherine scrunched up her nose, "I know. And it made me feel endlessly nauseous."
"Yeah," Bella scratched behind her ear, "it's not for everyone. It's better than apparating though for those with a weaker stomach."
Jack came down the stairs, "girls! You made it. Did you come through the fire?"
"Of course, dad," Hermione said, walking over to give her dad a hug.
"Well come on through," Katherine said, motioning for everyone to follow her into the kitchen, "I made some tea and sandwiches. Let's get down to the business at hand. It is Valentine's Day after all and from what I've heard it's a very special day for the two of you."
Hermione's face lit up brighter than a tomato as Bella cackled, "sure is. Isn't that right Hermione? It's the anniversary of our…"
"Bella," Hermione warned her.
"Oh come on honey," Jack joined in the conversation, "your first time is something to remember fondly."
Bella lost it in a fit of laughter as Hermione sunk down further into her chair, "yeah love. Very fond memories." She turned to look at her fiancé, "I can't believe you told your parents when you lost your virginity. My parents would've rather died than to have found out that information."
"Oh we've always had a very open relationship," Katherine said, patting Hermione's forearm to try to get her to come out from hiding in Bella's neck.
"Muggles," Bella shrugged and reached for a sandwich triangle.
"Good thing Andy isn't here," Jack said after swallowing a bite of his sandwich, "she'd never let us move on from this."
"Hear hear!" Bella said, reaching for her cup of tea to cheers her soon to be father in law.
"So," Katherine tried to reel the conversation back to the present, "when are the results of the minister campaign, honey?"
"Oh, the end of May. They have a tentative date of May 31st." Hermione took a sip from her tea, "I hope it doesn't go longer than that as we want to get married in the beginning of June."
"Did you pick a date?" Jack asked.
"First weekend in June," Bella announced. "At least that's what we were talking about. Right?"
Hermione laughed, "yes Saturday, the 4th. That's the date on the invitations." She looked at her parents, "didn't you get the owl?"
"Hmm," Katherine thought, "no not that I can recall."
"Owls have a hard time navigating muggle mail," Bella laughed and reached into her skirts and pulled out an extra invitation. "Here," she reached back in and grabbed some other ones, "and these are the other invitations I transfigured for her other muggle relatives you wish to invite. I know they know about magic and our world but I thought it would be nice for them to have these ones," a sheepish smile played on Bella's face.
"That was very thoughtful of you," Katherine reached over and took the pile of invitations.
"Now…" Jack set his face before he continued, "about the money,'' Bellatrix looked like she wanted to interrupt but he just continued, "I know you don't need any help financially but it's a muggle tradition for the bride's family to pay for the wedding. Now, we have money set aside for whenever Hermione got married and it seems only fitting that we give it to the two of you."
"Jack," Bella looked at Hermione who shrugged her shoulders not coming to her rescue this time. If she wanted to reject the money then it was all on her shoulders. "I understand the concept of tradition and I would never want to insult you or Katherine by rejecting your offer but honestly, the money is not the problem. We truly don't need the money. I would feel guilty taking any financial help from you and it's not a pride thing," she eyed Hermione who just nodded for her to continue, "it's our custom for the wealthier family to provide all the arrangements and financial compensation for the ceremony." Bella let out a long sigh, "I suppose if you are insistent on gifting the money, you can just give it to Hermione for her campaign or set it aside for your grandchildren that will hopefully be along after the wedding." Jack and Katherine exchanged a glance, "but I can not accept money for the actual wedding or ceremony."
"Grandchild?" Katherine's eyes lit up. "As in multiple?"
"We haven't actually talked in detail about it, mum." Hermione tried to interject but was cut off by her mom.
"Grandchildren, Jack." Katherine practically squealed in delight.
"I suppose we can hold on to the money for the little ones," Jack shrugged, trying not to let his excitement show.
"See, pet," Bella winked, "all it takes is the promise of offspring." She laughed and grabbed another sandwich triangle.
—
Bella and Hermione popped back through the main fireplace at Black Manor and they were greeted by the joyous giggles of their nephew. He was just like his grandmother, it didn't matter what the holiday was, Teddy was excited to celebrate it. "Aunty Bella!" He shouted and charged at her with a running tackle hug, "can we go flying? Please!"
Bella looked at her fiancé as she had plans to continue the wedding conversation after coming home but it was hard for her to say no to Teddy. Hermione smiled and nodded, "okay little man. Just give me a minute. Why don't you go out with Twiggy and get the brooms ready. I'll be out shortly."
"Are you coming too Mione?" Teddy looked at the other woman with big eyes.
"Well," Hermione's eyes grew frantic, "I have a little work to do and I don't really fancy flying." She was trying to be honest with her soon to be nephew but when he gave her the eyes, she couldn't help it. "Oh all right. I'll be out with your aunt."
"And you'll fly with us this time?" Teddy looked from his aunt to the younger woman with the biggest eyes he could muster.
Bella chuckled waiting for her fiancé's reply. "Fine," Hermione consented, rolling her eyes when Teddy looked away.
"Yay!" He cheered, jumping up and down. "I'll go ask Granny to join us."
"Get her to come out and we can have a mini quidditch match." Bella smiled brightly at her nephew who hadn't stopped cheering.
He ran down the hall calling for his grandma. "Granny, come on. Mione finally said she'd play with us. Let's get the brooms before she changes her mind."
"I hope you know that this is your Valentine's Day present now and that lacy little number I have waiting for you upstairs will be saved for another date," Hermione turned on her heel to make her way to the cloak closet to grab her coat.
"Wait," Bella grabbed her arm. "Don't be like that, pet. Did you see how happy you made Teddy? I know you hate flying but you can be on my team and we will kick Andy's ass." She saw Hermione soften a little, "plus it's Valentine's Day. I think I'm entitled to that sexy little number waiting upstairs." Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "fine I suppose but only if we win." Bella grinned, "and you have to go easy on Teddy."
"But, pet…" Bella started complaining as she followed Hermione to the cloak closet.
"That was completely unfair and you know it," Andy said, dismounting her broom. Bella gave her an innocent look. "Don't. You know it was wrong."
"What? I was merely trying to get the quaffle through the goal." Bella shrugged, jumping from her broom to stand in front of her sister. "It's not my fault your big head got in the way." She cackled. "But the way the ball bounced off of you and through the hoop really added flare to that last goal."
"We go again," Andy said as her anger started to bubble to the surface. "Me and you. Teddy, Hermione," she looked over her shoulder at her friend and nephew who just landed, "stay down here. This doesn't concern the two of you."
"Andromeda." Bella scoffed, "this isn't going to end well for you. Hermione and I have already won the game. First to fifty points. You set the point total. Don't be a sore loser."
"I don't care," Andy was fuming. "We go again. First one to catch the snitch wins."
"As you wish," Bella shrugged her shoulders, mounted her broom and took off into the sky. "Pet, you are ref. Stay down there though in case Andy retaliates."
Andy quickly turned towards her grandson, "don't take after me honey. It's okay to lose." She got on her broom and joined Bella in the air. "Don't hold back."
"Never," Bella returned Andy's glare with a bemused look. She looked down at Hermione who had moved to the box containing the balls, grabbing the snitch and holding it captive between her hands. "Whenever you are ready, pet, release the snitch." She looked back up at her sister, "let's make this fast. It's our sexaversary and I plan to fully celebrate that with my fiancé after I kick your ass, again." She took off in a dive when she saw Hermione open her hands and the snitch fly off in the opposite direction. Andy sped after her, trailing behind her only slightly. The two had been zooming around the pitch for a solid ten minutes before either of them saw the snitch. They were too busy throwing insults at each other. The snitch flew in between the two sisters, zooming by and getting their attention. They both took off after the small golden ball.
"Who do I cheer for?" Teddy walked over, pulling on Hermione's arm to get her attention. "I want them both to win."
"Umm," Hermione smiled when Bella managed to get in front of Andy. "You should probably root for your grandmother. Definitely," she said looking at the young boy who shrugged and started jumping up and down cheering on Andy. "Go, Bella!" Hermione shouted in support of her fiance. She cringed when she saw the pair encroaching on the snitch. Andromeda reached out with her foot and kicked the back of Bella's broom, faltering the older witch and taking the lead. "No!" Hermione shouted at the obvious cheating tactic the middle Black sister just pulled.
"Fucking cheater!" Bella shouted as she righted herself on her broom then took off in a full sprint, pulling in front of Andy, blocking her from grabbing the snitch, and closing her hand around it right in front of Andy's face. "You lose, again." Bella looked down her nose at her younger sister, "it's over. Now, I'm off to pleasure my lady." She flew down and landed next to her fiancé, winking at her.
Teddy walked over to Bella before Andy landed, "good job Aunty Bella. I was rooting for granny though so she wouldn't be sad."
"It's okay little man. Your granny needed all the help she could get," she cackled as her nephew hugged her legs.
Andy finally came down, sulking. "Well I suppose congratulations are in order. I want a rematch though, soon."
"Maybe," Bella rolled her eyes. "But if you'll excuse us, it's Valentine's Day and we have to be off." She said as little as possible in front of her nephew though Hermione's pink cheeks weren't helping.
"Are you cold Mione? Your cheeks are all pink." Teddy asked curiously.
"Yeah, freezing." She quickly spoke, grabbing Bella's hand and pulling her towards the manor. "Happy Valentine's Day!" She shouted back to Andy who was still sulking and a confused looking Teddy. When they were far enough away, she whispered to Bella, "you catching the snitch was the biggest turn on."
"Winning always makes me horny too, pet." Bella chuckled and took the lead, pulling her fiancé into the Manor.
Bella was currently straddling her fiancé who was laying on the bed, the brunette had her fingers buried deep inside of her lover as she rode them with vigor. The older witch was panting, one of her hands was tangled in her hair as the other one toyed with her own nipples. "Fuck…" she breathed out when Hermione started to press her fingers into her front wall with each thrust. She wiggled down the bed a little further so she could attach her mouth to Bella's sensitive bundle of nerves. The dark witch was bouncing herself up and down on Hermione's fingers while her quads started to shake from the pleasure. "Do you like that?" She mumbled against Bella's wet cunt.
"What a stupid fucking question…" Bella managed to growl out as Hermione worked her hand faster. "Fuck, pet…" Bella moaned loudly, "I'm so close." Only her lover could fuck her so hard and thorough while still managing to put all her love and emotions into every thrust. Bella started to buck her hips uncontrollably, grinding herself down onto Hermione's face almost painfully as she came screaming her name, liquid spilling out into her fiancé's palm. "Fuck," she hummed as her orgasm subsided and she slowly lifted herself off of Hermione and fell onto her back. "I need to impress you with my quidditch skills more often. It's not everyday I get fucked like that," Bella let out a deep lust filled laugh that made Hermione's toes curl.
"You are one to talk," Hermione laughed thinking about how they got to this position. She already had a go when they first got back to the house, Bella took her up against the nearest wall she could find before they even made their way upstairs. It was risky with their family right outside but the lust overtook them and Hermione was a slave to her need for release. They eventually made it upstairs when the younger woman made her fiancé strip and wait with her eyes closed while she changed into that deep green lacy bodysuit that she wore during their first time together. Bella all but ripped it off of her, the memories came flooding back and she made love to Hermione as soft and gentle as she did their first night together.
Bella was laying half on top of Hermione holding her close, listening to the gentle thump of her heart through her chest. It was a metronome that she could fall into an endless sleep listening to. She played with the lacy flowers adorning the body suit and she remembered, "hey do you still have that key?"
"Yes," Hermione looked down at her fiancé. "It's in my pants pocket," she looked to the floor, "over there I think." The older witch chuckled. "We weren't meant to get each other gifts. We agreed to that."
"Oh I didn't buy you anything, love. I made you something." Her eyes sparkled. "If you check the rule books, that's still acceptable."
"Well that's not fair," Hermione pouted, sticking her lower lip out.
"Put that away, pet." Bella tapped her fiancé's lower lip. "Now you stay here," she said untangling her body from the warmth below her, getting out of bed and putting on a short black silk robe. "I'll just be a second," she reached into Hermione's jeans pocket and grabbed the key. Before she left she turned back and said, "don't even think about changing out of that outfit. I think I shall burn the rest of your wardrobe and that will be all you can wear."
"What if someone else looks at me?"
Bella shrugged and simply answered, "I'll kill them," and left the room, closing the door behind her. Hermione didn't have to wait more than three minutes before Bella was reentering the room, closing the door and hiding something behind her back. "Now, close your eyes love. It's not wrapped." Doing as she was told, she felt the other woman approaching the bed and sitting down by her side. She helped the brunette into a sitting position and Hermione felt a weight of something rectangular shaped being rested on her lap. "Okay. Open but don't laugh. I made it myself." She noted the hint of vulnerability in her fiancé's voice.
Hermione slowly opened one eye and peered down then opened the other. She was looking at a large rectangular book filled with parchment bound in a very old dragon hide. "Did you bind this yourself?" She looked over and saw the dark witch's cheek tinge with pink, nodding. "It's beautiful," she said, feeling her hand across the top of the book. "Let's see what's inside," she lifted the cover and saw the title 'The Story of Bella and Hermione' and she gasped. She looked through the pages carefully so as to not ruin the hard work Bella put into the gift. It was a scrapbook of little moments of their life together that Bella kept all these years including an invitation to the Yule Ball, a Tesco receipt, a muggle dollar, a receipt from the pub where Hermione punched out that woman, a few muggle pictures of them they she must have gotten from Hermione's mum. The book went on and on until she got to the last page which had their engagement announcement, their engagement photo and a wedding invitation with the final page reading: To Be Continued.
Bella was looking at her fiancé expectantly and Hermione smiled, leaning in to cup her cheek and place a lingering kiss on her lips. "It's amazing, my love. Thank you."
The dark witch let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "I'm glad you like it." She smiled brightly.
"Oh I don't just like it. I love it."
"I got some of the pictures from your mum. She's always good for having memories laying about." Bella smiled while taking the book to show Hermione some of her favorite photos.
"To be continued?" Hermione asked when they made it to the last page.
"Yeah," Bella shrugged, closing the book and putting it on the bedside table. "I figured we can make the next one together. Our wedding, honeymoon, children. The good stuff," Bella smiled at her fiancé before pushing her back onto the bed and laying on top of her, kissing her soundly taking the younger woman's breath away. "We should probably start practicing for our honeymoon." She whispered against the other woman's lips eliciting a giggle from below.
