Bella paced back and forth in front of the fireplace as Hermione prepared to leave for the day. "I just don't see why she's going."

"Aviya is going because she's been an integral part of the hospital collaboration so far," Hermione rolled her eyes. "If we are going to get through to Madam Pomfrey, we need all the help we can get."

"Well, you have my sisters and Dr. Hoffman is going with you and you know Minnie will be on your side. She loves you," she smiled at the blush that crept up over her fiancé's cheeks. "Plus, I told you I would go and threaten Poppy. Just say the word and it'll be over in a minute," Bella tutted in response.

"Yes. Because threatening a long standing Hogwarts staff member will go over really well with supporting the silly notion of you becoming the new Dark Lord."

"What Skeeter doesn't know, won't hurt us, pet."

"My heart," Hermione came over and cupped Bella's cheek, "I think we've learned that Skeeter is in fact everywhere, especially when we least expect her. She's probably buzzing around Hogwarts waiting for us to arrive. I might just let Andy loose next time I see her."

"It wouldn't hurt. She might seem all soft and squishy but she can fuck someone's day up if she gets angry enough," Bella chuckled, pulling Hermione in by wrapping her arms around her waist. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" She kissed her cheek. "I can be very persuasive, Hermione," she whispered the last part into her fiancé's ear, eliciting a small groan from the younger witch.

"I'm not giving in," Hermione laughed, snuggling into Bella, resting her head on her shoulder. "No sex until the wedding means just that."

"Semantics," Bella sighed. "I still don't see why the girlfriend needs to go," she said in a mocking way.

"I've told you she's a very nice girl," Hermione playfully nudged Bella as the old witch pulled back to look at her. "You'll come around eventually."

"Doubtful," Bella stuck her nose up in the air.

"Is this because she's sleeping with your baby sister?" When Bella made an angry face, Hermione continued to wind her up, "you know Cissy wasn't a virgin when she met Aviya."

Bella untangled herself from her fiancé, "okay. Leave."

"Bella," Hermione tried to reach back out to her but Bella snatched her hand away, "I'm only teasing you." Bella turned her head when Hermione tried to lean in for a kiss. "Love, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset." She saw Bella stick her bottom lip out into a pout, "let me make it up to you." Bella's pout turned into a devilish grin, "no sex," the pout came back, "okay maybe you can feel me up over the shirt when I get home."

"Now we are talking," Bella slapped Hermione on the ass, "have fun, Pet. Say hi to Minnie for me."

Hermione shook her head clear as she sat in Bella's old room at Hogwarts. Surprisingly, nobody had moved into the dungeon room since her final year of school. Minerva must have kept it just in case there would be a chance of Bella returning to teach DADA. Since she did go back for a spell last year before everything happened and Teddy was taken it wasn't far-fetched to believe that Minnie would call on Bella to teach in the future. This room held so many memories for the young Gryffindor. She remet Bella here not Bellatrix Lestrange but the love of her life, Bella Black. They spent countless hours in this room, talking, sharing stories, watching tv, studying and towards the end of the year, more physical activities. This was where she fell in love. Hermione sighed and breathed in deep to suck up any remaining scents from the past. She remembered her first night spent in this room though she never intended to sleep over. Bella invited Hermione over to start working through her memories so they could come up with a plan to best restore her parents' memories. They had started to drink a little and Bella wanted to learn about televisions. Hermione smiled as the memories came flooding back to her.

Bella placed her glass on the table. She crooked her finger motioning for Hermione to lean in. Bella whispered "please, tell me what a television is."

Hermione laughed louder than she had in awhile. Hermione grabbed her bag and pulled out her laptop computer. "This is a computer."

"And it's used to compute things?" Bellatrix asked while staring at the machine in question.

"Well yes, but you can also watch videos on it and search things on the internet."

"That was a whole bunch of words that I am unfamiliar with. What are you going to do with it now?"

"Well I don't have a television to show you but it's basically like a series of moving pictures. We can watch muggle movies on this laptop computer. You are familiar with muggle cinema, correct?"

"Of course. I'm not a complete idiot. Andy used to make us go to the cinema. Moving pictures and what not. So start that thing up. Entertain me Hermione." Bellatrix said, sitting back against the couch a little closer to Hermione than she had been all night.

Hermione breathed a shaky breath at the closeness and warmth the older witch was providing her in that moment. "Here I have these Friends DVDs. Let's watch this. We can start at the beginning. It's funny I swear. And if you don't like it we can try something else." Hermione said putting the dvd in and pressing play. She relaxed back onto the couch and was conscious of the fact that her shoulder was now brushed up against Bellatrix's shoulder.

She still blames herself for Bella's addiction to the tv show Friends. The show has been long over but Bella insists on watching it regularly. The memories left a warm familiar feeling in Hermione's heart and led her to think of the little elf that always took care of Bella during their time at Hogwarts.

"Winky?" Hermione called out quietly and smiled when the little elf appeared.

"Mistress Hermione, you are back?" Winky smiled at her friend, "it's been years. Winky was beginning to think she'd never see you again."

"I've missed you terribly, Winky. How have you been?"

"Oh the headmistress treats us elves very well. I've heard through rumors the Mistress Hermione is set to marry Madam Black. Is this being true?" She looked up with her big green eyes.

"It is," Hermione smiled, "and I was hoping that," her train of thought was working faster than her mouth, "I know you'd never come to the wedding as our guest but if you'd like, we could use some extra help around the house when the time comes for our wedding. Twiggy, our elf, would be so thankful for your help," she saw a look of worry cross the little elf's face, "oh, don't worry. I can ask McGonagall and set up arrangements if you'd be interested. It's just you were such a big part of me and Bella's beginning and I'd be honored if you were there."

"Winky would be the honored one, Miss Hermione."

Hermione reached her hand around the little elf's back and brought her in for a hug, "I was hoping you'd say that. Bella will be so happy."

"Madam Black asked for me as well?" The little elf looked up with big eyes.

"Of course she did, Winky. She always talks about what a good elf you were and how she wishes you'd just come work for us," Hermione saw the little smile on her face, "I bet she'll try to talk you into it when you come."

Hermione lost track of time catching up with the little elf. The Hogwarts kitchen elves always were privy to the best gossip. They were only interrupted when the presence of a blue wispy penguin.

Andy's voice spoke through the patronus, "we are all here in the infirmary. Just waiting on you, kid. Bring your pretty little ass in here before Poppy combusts." Hermione rolled her eyes and dismissed the patronus. She gave Winky a hug goodbye and promised her to talk to Minnie about the wedding, then exited out into the hallway. This was her first trip back to Hogwarts since graduation and Hermione would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying her trip down memory lane. She slowly made her way through the dungeons, stopping by the Great Hall, the Library, the moving staircases and even stopped outside of Gryffindor tower for a minute before she shook her head clear and remembered she was there for a reason. She walked into the infirmary and as soon as she was within sight, twelve eyes were staring at her.

"It's lovely for you to be able to join us today, Ms. Granger since you are in fact the one who called this meeting," Minerva said with an annoyed tone mixed with amusement. Her tight lips turned into a slight smile when the younger woman blushed.

"Sorry, Headmistress. I was flooded by memories and it took me longer than I expected to get here. My apologies to everyone for wasting your valuable time."

Cissy rolled her eyes, "I think Minerva was just teasing you, Hermione. Come now," she pulled Hermione further into the infirmary, "let's get this started, shall we?"

Hermione nodded her head and went to stand in the middle of the room in front of her collaborators to face Minerva and Madam Pomfrey. "As you know, I'm running against Dolohov in the race for Minister," she paused when her former mentor smiled at her, "and as part of my campaign, these women," she pointed to everyone standing behind her, "and myself have come up with a plan to merge the gap between wizard and muggle medicine. With the help of Dr. Hoffman, we have integrated a wing in St. Mungos that will be dedicated to muggle doctors who are helping wizard patients who fall ill with non magical ailments." She took a deep breath before she continued, "Dr. Hoffman is working closely with the Black Sister and Ms. Hart to prepare for unexpected non magical accidents when they occur. This has been my top priority after my accident last year. Knowing the pain that Bellatrix went through while I was unconscious is something I don't want any family members to have to experience and I believe that by bridging the gap between our two worlds, we can see to that end."

Andy leaned over to Cissy, "damn. That was very well rehearsed. Ouch," she rubbed her shoulder where Aviya punched her.

"Shh," Andy scowled at the girlfriend when she was shushed and her younger sister just kept her eyes on Hermione.

"It's a lovely initiative," Minerva smiled, "but what does it have to do with you bringing your whole team here."

"Well," Hermione bit the inside of her cheek and turned to look at her people. Cissy nodded at her and Hermione shrugged. The youngest Black gave her a look telling her to continue. Hermione nodded and turned back around. "We all think that this service of bridging Muggle/wizard medicine could be useful at Hogwarts. With the addition of muggle doctors making weekly rounds to the infirmary to check in on any students who are facing muggle ailments, the initiative can not only help those at St Mungos but also here at the school."

"Just a moment Ms. Granger," Madam Pomfrey did not look amused or impressed, "I've been running this hospital successfully for decades. Why do you think I'm no longer capable of providing care both magical and otherwise to the students?"

"That's not what I said," Hermione tried not to sound defensive but was failing, "I was only suggesting that it might be beneficial to have muggle doctors available to tend to the more tricky muggle ailments."

"So," the mediwitch looked stone cold, "from that sentence alone, you are questioning my ability to run the hospital."

Hermione's mouth hung open but words failed to come out. She heard Andy and Cissy whisper "Phoenix shit" in unison and she closed her mouth. "Madam Pomfrey, I'm onto suggesting…" she was cut off by Minerva.

"Poppy, dear," Minerva stepped between the two witches, "can I have a word with you?" When Poppy didn't move, Minnie grabbed her by the elbow, "over there," and pulled her to the other side of the infirmary so they couldn't be heard.

"Too bad we don't have any extendable ears," Andy grinned.

"Well," Hermione sighed, "that could've gone better."

Aviya looked at Narcissa, "you weren't kidding when you said the old bat wouldn't buy it." Cissy shot her girlfriend a look, "what I'm sure her status as an old bat isn't a secret," she smirked when Andy chuckled.

"She is an old bat," Andy laughed.

Dr Hoffman cleared her throat, "I'm going to go over there and see if I can smooth things out," she excused herself from the group.

"She's either extremely confident or very stupid," Aviya watched the doctor walk away.

"I say she's both," Andy agreed. A small silence passed over the woman as they stared at the other side of the room trying to pick up on the body language of Poppy. After Minerva reached out and touched Poppy's shoulder, Andy leaned into Hermione and said, "ten galleons say that they are doing it."

Hermione gasped then giggled at the thought, "no. You really think so?"

"It's been a long running debate in our house. They have to be fucking," she cackled.

Aviya came around and stood on the other side of Hermione, "how long have they been together."

"Merlin," Cissy rolled her eyes, coming to join the small half circle. "Don't get into this conversation, too. It's a ridiculous assumption made by my sisters long ago and clearly it shows just how much time they had on their hands during school."

Andy just smirked wider, "see Cissy. Even new girl here thinks that they are fucking so it's not just me and Bella."

"New girl?" Aviya raised an eyebrow.

Andy shrugged and was cut off by her sister, "if the next word out of your mouth is 'semantics' I will crucio you here in front of everyone."

"Just face the facts, Cissy," Andy crossed her arms over her chest, "Minnie and Poppy are fucking."

Hermione turned bright red, "I'll be seeing myself out now."

"Oh no," Cissy reached out and grabbed her wrist, "if I have to hear this then so do you, darling."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "fine but I don't have to like it."

They watched as the three women on the other side of the room finished what appeared to be a heated argument before coming back over and joining the group. Dr. Hoffman came back over to stand on their side as Andy pushed Hermione back into the middle.

"I suppose," Madam Pomfrey sounded like the words were causing her pain, "that I would be open to finding out more about this initiative."

The corners of Hermione's mouth pulled up into a smile when Minerva looked at her, clapped her hands together and said, "why don't we all go talk about this more in my office." The women started to leave the infirmary, Minnie holding onto Poppy so she would actually leave the room and she turned back, "someone hold onto Ms. Granger so she doesn't get lost in her own memories again. We don't have all day for this."

Andy cackled and looped her arm through the red faced woman, pulling her in the direction of the HeadMistress's office.

Since Hermione wasn't working at the ministry today to Bella that clearly meant that she didn't have to show up for work either. When she phoned Harry to tell him, she phrased it, "Hermione isn't working today so that means I'm not working today. Why are you trying to argue with me? This line of questioning won't get you anywhere. Yes. That's right. I'll probably see you tomorrow. Oh and Potter? Don't let Kate do anything stupid." Bella spent the morning getting lost in a book but found that she grew bored of it rather quickly. With everyone at work or at Hogwarts she needed to make her own fun. "Lovegood. I'll go fuck with Luna. She's probably home," she decided she would head over to Grimmauld Place and pay her dear friend an unexpected visit after all Luna did tell her she could come over anytime she pleased. This was finally the day that Bella would take her up on the offer. She grabbed her wand and tucked it into her skirts and made her way to the fireplace in the entryway. She bent down and picked up a handful of floo powder and said, "Grimmauld Place," and threw the powder down, her body being engulfed in green flames. She was spit out of the fireplace downstairs at Grimmauld Place. "Lovegood? I've arrived. Entertain me."

"Bella?" She heard the airy voice of her friend call from upstairs. "Come on up."

"I mean," Bella scoffed to herself, "you'd think she'd be down here to greet her guests upon arrival." She rolled her eyes and made her way up the stairs, "where are you?" She called out only slightly annoyed that she had to find Luna in the labyrinth of the house.

"I'm in the nursery," she called back, which gave Bella pause. Why would she be in the nursery? It was only there for when Harry used to babysit Teddy after the war. "Come on in," she said quietly when Bella appeared at the door. She saw the blond girl in the rocking chair, rocking a small bundle in her arms.

"Luna," she nodded, "Junior Superior Weasley," she nodded to the baby who couldn't see her, "my apologies. I didn't know you had company already. I can leave if you are busy," Bella was trying to look for a way out. The last thing on her plate for her free afternoon was entertaining an infant.

"It's no trouble," Luna smiled up at her, "Freddy is almost asleep. George asked if I could babysit while he went to some joke convention for the afternoon." She rocked a few more times before stopping and walking the baby over to the crib. She bent down and placed the small baby inside. Baby Freddy made a little noise and his lower lip stuck out but he didn't wake. "There," Luna whispered, "shall we go get some tea."

Bella nodded as they made their way into the hallway, "will he be fine in there by himself?"

"Oh yes," Luna smiled, "he'll be asleep for a while."

"Don't you have to like watch over him and stuff? Is that the point of babysitting? To sit with the baby? What if he needs something?"

"He's fine," Luna shrugged.

"But," Bella sounded almost offended for the baby, "he might cry, or have a bad dream or fall out of the crib."

"Do you want to hold the baby monitor?" Luna held out a little muggle device.

"A what?" Bella snatched the small box out of her friend's hand and followed her down the hall to the stairs. "The baby is in here?!" She almost shouted looking at the screen at the sleeping Weasley.

Luna laughed, "oh yes. The muggles have wonderful technology and it's very useful with babies. We can watch little Freddy from anywhere in the house, even outside if we wanted."

"Hmm," Bella studied the screen, "and we trust this… what did you call it?"

"A baby monitor…"

"And we trust it to monitor young Weasley?"

"Only while he's sleeping."

"So it's like an elf but not capable of anything useful," Bella rolled her eyes.

"Come on," Luna grabbed Bella's wrist and pulled her along to the kitchen and started to prepare a tea pot. "Sit," she pointed to the table, "what did you want to talk about?"

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, reaching out to take a cup of tea.

"You came for a visit so I assumed you had something you wanted to discuss," Luna asked, handing her the milk.

"Oh well," Bella took a sip from her tea, "everyone is at work today or at Hogwarts with the hospital thing. I was bored and I expect you to entertain me."

"Oh well," Luna walked over and got the can of biscuits, "do you want to hear about the latest gossip at the Quibbler?"

"Always," Bella's eyes twinkled with delight. The pair had sat through several cups of tea and a few biscuits before the baby started to stir in his sleep. He made a small whimper and Bella picked up the monitor, "is he okay?"

Her worrying over the baby made Luna smile. "He's probably just starting to wake up. We can head up there, he'll need to be changed and fed soon."

"I'm not in charge of waste management," Bella grimaced but shrugged, "let's go get the baby." Kreacher came in and started cleaning up the tea and continued even after Luna insisted she could get it later. "Kreacher," Bella inclined her head towards the elf.

"Mistress Bellatrix," he greeted her slightly happier than his normal greetings.

They headed back up the stairs and Bella went into the room first. She walked over to the crib and saw the little baby wide awake. He was staring at the ceiling and when she came into his range of sight, he smiled brightly at her. She couldn't describe the strange pulling sensation she just felt in her heart but smiled back down at the little baby. "Let me grab him and change his diaper, then if you want you can give him a bottle."

Bella nodded, "yes, I think I'd like that." Luna took the baby over to the changing pad that was on top of the little dresser. "Isn't this what the house elves are for?"

"I suppose in some families," she continued talking as she was changing Freddy's diaper, "but George and Angelina don't have any house elves so they do all the parenting on their own."

"Interesting," Bella thought aloud. "I suppose that makes for more well rounded children."

"I wouldn't say that is necessarily true," Luna shrugged, tickling the baby who started to giggle. Bella walked over closer after the dirty diaper was disposed of. "I think it's a matter of perspective. There's nothing wrong with house elves helping to take care of the baby just as it's okay to put a baby in daycare or hire a nanny. As long as the parents love and support their baby unconditionally, they should grow up just fine," Luna smiled, pulling the baby's pants up and handing him off to Bella. "Take a seat, I'll go get his bottle."

"Okay," Bella slowly made her way over to the rocking chair with the boy. She sat down and then sat Freddy down on her lap, facing her. She smiled at him when he started to coo. "Hello, sir." She couldn't remember his exact birthdate but she believed the babe to be no more than four or five months. "You have immaculate head control," he giggled, "much better than Cissy had at this size. Don't tell her I said that," she fixed the baby with her patented smirk. "You are quite cute," she stood the baby up on her legs, bringing him closer to her. From this height, his chubby little fingers could reach out and try to touch her but she kept a fair distance. "I don't know where those fingers have been," she laughed. "Mum and dad are treating you well, right?" Another laugh escaped her when he scrunched his face like he was attempting to understand her words.

"Here you go," Luna came walking in with the bottle. Bella took the bottle and laid Freddy down across her lap. She cradled his head and offered him the plastic nipple. He took it readily and drank, grabbing onto one of Bella's fingers that held the bottle. "Want me to stay?"

"No," Bella didn't take her eyes off the babe, "I think I'd like to be alone with him if that's all right."

"Of course," Luna smiled, "I'm going to go outside and tend to the plums. You can bring him out when he's done. He has a jumper over there on the changing table you can throw on him." Bella nodded and Luna walked over and grabbed a rag, "here he will need burped. He doesn't get sick often so you shouldn't need this."

Bella moved her head so Luna could place the rag on her shoulder. "Okay. Thank you. We will be down shortly." Luna quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. "So tell me," she looked at Freddy, "are you always this quiet or is this you attempting to lure me into a false sense of security?" He was making little piggy noises as he sucked down his milk greedily. "Hmm, that's what I thought." She leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead. "You do smell pleasant." She sighed, "sometimes I think that I might like to be a mum. I look at Hermione and know she'd be an amazing mother but there's this nagging voice in the back of my head saying not to do it." She looked at the little guy in her arms, "I'm a fuck up. Don't tell Hermione I swore in front of you. I've fucked everything in my life up. My parents were fuck ups. How am I meant to believe that I can raise a decent human being? Hermione deserves motherhood though." She sighed again. "Sir, you are supposed to be giving me advice here," he pulled away from the bottle and burped. "Well that's certainly the advice I'd expect from your father," she laughed. He immediately went back to sucking on his bottle. "You're nearing the end, champ," she told him when he was down to his last few suckles. She pulled the bottle away and turned it right side up to make sure he finished it. "I guess you were starved. You probably could've had more but that is not up to me," she laughed and sat him up. She was meant to burp him but he burped himself when she put him up right. "Well okay then. A self-sufficient baby. I like that. Now, let's find your jumper," she walked the baby over to the dresser and sat him down. She noted that he sat up fairly well on his own without toppling over. "Good show, mate," she grabbed the jumper. "Your father's already teaching you parlor tricks?" She managed to get the jumper over his head and fit his arms through without much of a struggle. "Okay," she picked him up and carried him on her hip, "let's go see what Lovegood is up to. Thanks for listening, Junior Superior Weasley. I trust you to keep this between us."

Once outside, they spotted Luna right away. She had been walking around the garden tending to her various plants though most of them were her plum plants. She smiled up at them as she heard them approaching. Baby Weasley was making happy baby noises and clinging to the older witch. "I think he's taken a great liking to you, Bella."

She pursed her lips and looked at the babe, "I suppose his presence was tolerable," she waited until Luna looked away then winked at him and kissed his forehead eliciting a giggle. "I enjoyed our time together. Very self-sufficient." She held him in the air and looked up at him when he started making more delighted noises. She threw him up a few times, "you are my favorite Weasley. You may tell the others," she brought him back to her chest. She walked over to the stairs and sat down, placing the baby next to her on a baby blanket she conjured. He was sitting on his own but kept a little

chubby arm on her leg to steady himself. She conjured him a little dragon stuffed animal and handed it to him, "here, for you," she said and quietly watched the baby explore his new toy and a soft smile graced her features.

"For what it's worth," Luna spoke, "I think you'll make an excellent mother, Bella."

"That my dear," Bella looked up and glowered at her friend, "was a private conversation between me and Junior Superior Weasley. Were you spying on us? I may just have to obliviate you."

"I was spying on purpose. I had the baby monitor in case you needed my help. I didn't mean to over hear," Luna still sounded as happy and reassuring as she always did. "I won't tell anyone what the two of you talked about. You know you can trust me." Bella nodded and turned her attention back to the baby who was sucking on one of the dragon's wings. "I mean it though. You will be an amazing mom. You have so much to offer as a mother." Bella scoffed. "It's true. You've lived and fought through so much. You deserve whatever happiness you want. You shouldn't be afraid to be a mom because your parents were not so great."

"Not so great?" Bella huffed, "that's putting it mildly," she rolled her eyes.

"All I'm saying is," Luna came over and sat next to her friend, touching Bella on the shoulder, "don't let your parents dictate your future from beyond the grave. Decide your future now in the present with Hermione, not in the past."

Bella took a moment to think on Luna's words before nodding, "thank you," she looked up at her friend, "I doubt myself everyday but it's refreshing to have someone believe in me. I appreciate you," she let Luna give her a hug before adding, "but if this conversation gets out to anyone. I will kill you."

"Oh I know," Luna laughed, got you and walked back over to her plants.

Bella spent a few hours at Grimmauld Place but decided it was time to go home when 5pm was approaching and didn't want to make everyone late for dinner. She thanked Luna and Freddy for their company before taking the floo back to Black Manor. "Pet?" She called out as she exited the fireplace in the main foyer. "Are you back?" She shrugged and started walking towards the kitchens. She smelled dinner so someone must be home. "Hermione?" She walked into the kitchen and stopped at the door. Hermione was dancing in front of the refrigerator light as she was searching through different types of cheese. Bella didn't interrupt, she just stood watching for a moment as Hermione sang and danced while preparing what looked to be some sort of Italian dish. "How did I get this lucky?" She thought while watching her fiancé. Everyday Bella stopped to look at this woman and wonder what she did to earn this woman's love and affection. She would never understand it.

Hermione had no idea Bella had returned home, too caught up in her own song and dance. She heard a familiar throat clear from the doorway and turned with the biggest smile on her face. "Bella, you're back," she rushed over and pulled her into a soul crushing hug. "I've missed you," she kissed her on the side of the mouth. "I made dinner," she pulled Bella into the kitchen.

"Not that I'm complaining because I love when you cook but where is everyone?"

"Andy and Teddy are spending the night with Narcissa. I think she guilted Andy into it," she shrugged and walked back over to stand in front of the stove.

"It smells fantastic," she moved behind her fiancé and wrapped her arms around Hermione's stomach. "I'm guessing the meeting at Hogwarts went well?" She placed a kiss on the side of Hermione's neck before reaching around to stick her finger in the sauce pot, sneaking a taste. "Delicious," she licked the sauce off of her finger. When she felt Hermione shiver, a deep chuckle escaped her lips and she backed off of her fiancé. After all these years together, she was happy she could still elicit that kind of response from her witch. "Tell me Poppy caved."

Hermione shook the want from her head and sighed, pulled the chicken out of the oven. "She did indeed cave and everyone was just as shocked as I was. It wasn't easy and I thought it was going to be hard and fast no but Minerva talked to her and Poppy agreed to let a muggle doctor make rounds at Hogwarts three times a week. We still need to work out all the details but I feel that this was my first win as Minister."

Bella leaned back against the counter, her feet crossed at the ankles and her arms crossed over her chest, "I'm proud of you. This will be your first of many wins as Minister. I'm certain of it," she smiled at Hermione's blush then shrugged. "You know Minerva is giving it to Poppy right? Obviously she'd have some pull over Poppy's vote."

Hermione laughed a genuine belly laugh, "funny enough that's what Andy said too. Apparently there's an ongoing bet in your house about their supposed relationship."

"It's not supposed. I'm sure of it. I just don't have any proof, yet." Bella raised an eyebrow. "One day, maybe one of our kids will catch them in the act at Hogwarts."

Hermione spun around quickly, "our kids?" Bella nodded, a small blush on her cheeks. "When did you decide this?" She had been trying to get Bella to talk about just the potential of children since the engagement and the dark witch was always standoffish about the subject.

"Well," Bella shrugged trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal, "I spent the afternoon with Lovegood and little Freddy was there. He was tolerable," she bit her lip to try to stop her smile. "It might be nice to have one or two of them around. I mean, it's not a horrible idea," before she could finish her sentence Hermione pounced, pulling her into a hug. "Well not right now, pet. After we are married. We still need the potion and we aren't supposed to be having sex," She chuckled, running her hands up Hermione's back, lacing her fingers into brunette hair. She rested their forehead together. "Children terrify me and I'm not convinced I won't complete fuck the kids up but I know that you'll be an excellent mother and having a family is an experience that I really want to have with you."

"You're going to be an excellent mother, Bella," Hermione sighed when Bella's fingers tightened in her hair. "I love you so much and you continue to surprise me everyday. Our kids will be so lucky to have you as their mum."

Bella pulled Hermione in close, her hands locking at the small of her back, "well love as long as they take after you, everything should be fine."

"Come on," Hermione bit her lip, "let's go celebrate upstairs."

Bella's grin turned devilish, "what about dinner?"

"It'll keep," was the simple reply as she started to walk them out of the kitchen, she cast a silent charm to keep the dinner warm for them.

Bella pulled back against Hermione, stopping her in her tracks, trying to gauge the seriousness of her fiancé. She loved to tease but didn't want to force her into anything if she really wanted to wait until their wedding night. "What about waiting?"

"Fuck waiting," Hermione shot a sultry look over her shoulder as she was pulling Bella out of the kitchen. "I want to share this moment fully with you."

"Well, damn," Bella groaned as Hermione led her towards the stairs, "If I knew the promise of kids was the secret to breaking the no sex pact, i would've gone to see Lovegood earlier."