Bella and Hermione landed outside of their beach house in Thailand. After taking a moment to appreciate the view of the beautifully clear, blue ocean, they made their way inside as Bella took their bags out of her pocket and enlarged them back to full size. Hermione went over to the kitchen and poured them each a glass of elvish wine and walked the second glass over to her wife. She raised her wine and waited for Bella to clink glasses with her before she took a sip of the dark, rich liquid. "I know we've been here before but never as wives," Bella smirked at her. "Plus planning a honeymoon is hard. I have another surprise but I thought we could have a stop here because it's been far too long since we've….well…"
"Just shut up and kiss me, Mrs. Black." Hermione bit her lip, waiting for her wife to make the first move. She discarded her glass on the dresser and Bella did the same after taking a sip.
Bella pretended to think, "I shall have to think about it," slowly sauntering over to the other Mrs. Black. "I've waited a very long time for this," she smirked.
"Well," Hermione reached out and grabbed Bella's tux lapels. "We did have a go a few weeks back."
"That didn't count," Bella shrugged off her jacket. "I've been deprived of the opportunity to fully enjoy you. And now," she loosened her tie, "now that you are my wife? I think it's time to show you the full range of my abilities."
"There are even more abilities that I've not been introduced to?" Hermione started unbuttoning Bella's dress shirt.
Bella chuckled, "there's always more, pet." She shook herself free from her fully unbuttoned shirt, Hermione's eyes going wide at the sight of her wife wearing a lacy black corset top and her black tux trousers.
"This look," Hermione unbuttoned her pants, "is something you should wear more often."
"I know your affinity for muggle pants," she slipped out of her pants and stood in front of Hermione in her corset which was attached to a pair of garters holding up her stockings, a matching black lace thong, and her ridiculous high heels. Hermione knew that Bella was a very sexy woman but the confidence she exuded in every outfit or lack there of, every situation, every moment always made her feel excited. "Your turn," she closed the small distance and stood behind her wife. She walked her over in front of the full length mirror and pulled down the zipper on the side of Hermione's pristine gown. Peppering her bare shoulders as she unzipped, Hermione was already melting at the soft touches and light kisses. The younger woman moaned when Bella ran her fingers up the back of her head, still sensitive from her brain surgery. Her eyes fluttered closed, lips whispering across the spanse of her neck. "You are breathtaking, Mrs. Black," a stroke was felt against Hermione's shoulder when Bella finally pulled the material down past her shoulders, exposing her bare chest. "Gorgeous," she let go of the dress material and cupped both of the small supple breasts, teasing the already hardened buds. Hermione's head lulled back against Bella's shoulder as the dark witch continued her path. A small whine escaped when she let go on her breasts, "patience, pet. We have a whole week." She continued to push the material down over her hips and let it fall to the ground. Hermione stepped out of the dress and stood in front of the mirror in nothing but a white silk thong. Bella groaned and spun the woman around in her arms, finally bringing their lips together in a needy kiss. She bent slightly, never breaking the kiss and swept Hermione into her arms, carrying her over to the king sized bed. "Lay back," she said as she placed the younger woman in the center of the bed and crawled up to her lover, hovering over top of her. "Let me take care of you, my dove."
Hermione wasn't sure how much time had passed. She was laying on the bed panting as Bella crawled out from under the covers, wiping her mouth on her bicep. Bella stopped to kiss a calculated path on the way up to her lips. "Mmm," Hermione tasted herself on Bella's tongue and it ignited her insides once again. She pulled back slightly and spoke against her lips, "we aren't leaving the bed all week are we?"
Bella chuckled, "so your first couple of orgasms as a married woman," she smirked, "worth it?" She fell back into her pillow and Hermione turned and pressed up against her side.
Hermione propped herself up on one arm so she could look at the dark witch who was still wearing her corset lingerie and thong. "Why are you still so dressed?"
Bella hummed, "well you see, I was too busy enjoying the perks of my marriage to worry about my clothes. And trust me," she gave her wife a sultry look, "I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it."
"My turn," Hermione started to crawl on top of Bella when the older woman stopped her. "What? You don't want me to?"
"No," Bella shook her head. "Trust me. I really do but I wanted to just hold you for a moment. I think it's finally started to sink in," she smiled at Hermione and brought her down to lay on her, wrapping her arms around her wife. A few moments of silence past just holding each other, light rubs and soft kisses. "I never thought I could physically be this happy. The moment we left the ceremony I thought my heart was going to explode."
"The start of forever," Hermione ran her fingers along Bella's collarbone. "Mrs. Black?" She all but whispered out.
"What is it, love?"
"Can I touch you, please?" Hermione looked up with darkened eyes. A small hum of approval was all Hermione needed before she straddled her wife, leaning down to shower her face with kisses.
The newlyweds spent a few days in Thailand and barely saw outside of the bedroom. They made a couple of trips to the ocean and the pool but nine times out of ten the adventures ended up in at least a couple of orgasms. There were no complaints.
Hermione had snuck out to venture into the nearby town and gather some supplies so she could cook breakfast in bed for Bella. Her body never felt so satiated and relaxed in her life though a little sore from the vigorous exercises she had been engaging in for the last four days. She picked up enough supplies to make a proper English breakfast which wasn't an easy task in the Thai market but she was moderately successful. She was starving so she knew Bella had to be feeling the same. When she made it back to the beach house, Bella was still asleep, soft snoring could be heard coming from the bedroom. "I've got some time," she checked the clock on the oven and it showed the time being half past nine in the morning. There was no way Bella would arise this early after the workout she put her through in the hot tub last night. She grinned to herself thinking of her wife riding her fingers, screaming loud enough to wake the dead. "Thank Merlin we don't have any neighbors." She shook the dirty thoughts from her head and went outside to take a brisk shower. The cold water felt good against the already warm rays of the summer sun. She took her time washing her body and her hair, letting the natural herbal scents from the products melt into her skin and hair. There was something about the bath products on vacation that seemed better than home. She inhaled deeply, letting the scent invade her being. Hermione begrudgingly left the shower and dried herself off without magic, pulling her hair up into a high bun. She put on a tank top and a pair of cotton shorts. It was good enough to cook breakfast in and if the morning went like the rest of the mornings on their trip, she wouldn't be in the clothes for very long anyways.
Twenty minutes of cooking later, Hermione set the breakfast on a tray and carried it into the bedroom. She put it on the night table next to Bella's side of the bed and thought about what the best way to go about waking her witch up would be. "Hmm," Hermione thought as she watched her wife sleep. "She is awfully cute," she smiled and reached down, brushing a stray curl from over her eyes. Bella was sleeping on her back with one arm across her belly and the other one raised up over her head, grabbing onto the pillow. "Bella?" She whispered, knowing it wouldn't work. She shrugged her shoulders and climbed onto the bed, kneeling next to Bella. Carefully, she lightly traced her fingers down the side of Bella's face and neck, circling her collar bones. Still no movement from the sleeping witch but she did notice a little twitch of her lips. Bending at the waist, Hermione placed a soft kiss to the corner of Bella's mouth then whispered in her ear, "Bella, love, it's time to wake up."
Bella wrapped her arms around Hermione and brought her down flush against her own body. "No," the raspy sleep filled voice replied. "Time for snuggles," she started to run her hand through Hermione's hair knowing it was a sure fire way to get her to relax. "Snuggle now," she wrapped Hermione up tighter in her embrace. Hermione heard Bella inhale deeply, smelling the natural shampoo in her hair.
"Do you think the world will believe that Bellatrix Druella Black is a snuggler?"
"You wouldn't dare," the mumbled voice came from underneath her. She kissed the top of Hermione's head, "you love it."
"I do," Hermione placed a kiss on Bella's throat causing another raspy groan to come from below her.
"Did you wake me up for some delicious morning sex?" She opened an eye looking down at her wife.
"I made you breakfast in bed," Hermione smiled up at the dark witch.
"Breakfast in bed is the only suitable reason to be woken up besides sex of course," Bella chuckled and finally loosened her hold on Hermione. She inhaled and looked over at the tray of food, "a full English? You must really love me."
"With all my heart," Hermione sat up. "Come now," she scooted back so Bella could sit up and she helped arrange the pillows behind her. "Comfy?"
"You are being overly nice. Should I be worried?" Bella eyed Hermione suspiciously.
"Can't I just do something nice for my wife?" Bella continued to eye her while she reached over and got the tray of food for them to share. She placed it in front of Bella and sat opposite her on the other side of the tray. "Eat up, my love."
Bella picked up her fork and stabs a few eggs, bringing it up to her mouth and stopping, looking at Hermione, "you didn't poison this right?"
"Of course not," she rolled her eyes and took Bella's fork into her own mouth, moaning at the taste of the food. She chewed a couple of times, all the while Bella was staring at her. "Now stop being silly and eat your breakfast. You mentioned last night that we'd be going somewhere else today and I'm just excited is all."
"Oh right," Bella laughed and put a forkful of eggs into her own mouth. "Completely forgot. You must have fucked the memory right out of my brain last night, pet. You really gave it to me good."
Hermione's cheeks blushed as she ducked her head and started eating from her own plate.
As Hermione surmised prior to breakfast, her clothing did not stay on long after the food was gone. She would be surprised if she could walk back into her office at the end of the week. "Come on now, pet. We can't be laying around all day," Bella announced coming out of the bathroom, fully clothed and freshly bathed. "We have port keys to keep.
"Port keys? As in multiple?"
"Well yes. I could apparate us but it's a rather far distance." Bella smirked magically packing everything back in their suitcases and shrinking them back down. "You'll need some clothes, Love. While I appreciate the sight, I don't think the other families will enjoy it."
Hermione blushed and scrambled to put on a pair of black shorts and a white cotton shirt. "Is this okay? Or do I need to put something nicer on?"
"That's fine for travel. I mean look at me," she rolled her eyes turning so Hermione could see her in a pair of muggle skinny jeans and a black tank top. "We can get settled and changed when we get there."
"Where?" Hermione's eyes were sparkling.
"Nice try," Bella cackled. "Let's go before I change my mind."
Hermione looked at her confused before shrugging and following Bella out of their beach house saying her goodbyes to the lovely home. She had to make it a point to travel here more often. The first port key took them from Thailand back to the port key main travel hub at the Ministry of Magic. Before Hermione could open her mouth to say anything she heard Bella say, "never question my love for you," as she grabbed her wife's hand and pulled her over to the section of port keys that were headed to America.
"Wait? Really?"
"Don't seem so surprised. You should know by now that I'll do just about anything to make you happy, love. After some online research that Kate's husband did for me, I found an acceptable place that didn't seem like it would make me want to fling myself down an elevator shaft. Plus," she smirked, "I told Andy I would do some prime muggle watching." She pulled a delighted Hermione along to the port key that read New York City departure 5 minutes.
They took a seat on the little benches while they waited for their gateway to open up and Hermione kissed Bella's cheek. "I never once doubted your love for me. But the fact that you spoke about this with Kate's husband means everything to me."
"It's no big deal," Bella shrugged. "I didn't actually speak to her husband. I asked Kate to do it for me," a small smirk played on her lips.
"Still," Hermione laced her fingers with her wife, "I will never forget this."
"Good, because if I die from the muggle shock of America, I will haunt you until you die."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "always so dramatic."
"Black family for New York City?" The porter called and Bella raised her hand, stood and escorted Hermione over to the port key. "Please hold on until the bell rings three times then let go. Your return key will be at the magical hub outside of the city. Thank you for choosing London's magical hub for all of your port key travels."
"Great speech," Bella deadpanned. "Let's go, love." They both grabbed onto the old bag and it pulled them through time and space. After the third ding, they let go of the bag and found themselves in the middle of a ridiculously large hub. "Is this the American's equivalent of the Ministry of Magic?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione shook the travel from her head and spun around taking in the sites of the large all glass windowed building. "It's gorgeous here, though."
"I suppose I've seen worse," Bella hid her smile.
"Oh stop," Hermione playfully smacked Bella on the arm. "It's amazing here and we are only in the port key hub. Where are we going?" She looked over at her wife with excitement all over her face.
"Mark gave Kate maps to give to me. Hold on," she reached into her back pocket and pulled out a few shrunken maps. She enlarged them and looked at the one marked hotel. "Okay. Give me a moment," she read the map and looked at the visual of the hotel that Mark had printed for them. "Got it," she held her arm out to her wife. "You can't possibly think we'd be walking or taking a muggle death trap did you?"
"We could be seen," she looked horrified.
"Exactly. Excitement." Hermione rolled her eyes and took hold of Bella's arm. The familiar pull in her stomach was the telltale sign that Bella was apparating them out of the hub and through space. They landed on a side street that was completely unfamiliar. "Looks about right," Bella turned her nose up at their surroundings.
"Looks like an alleyway in New York City. Not much to see here," she spun around and then gasped. "Oh Merlin, it's the Empire State Building."
"The hotel is right around the corner," Bella started pulling Hermione out of the alley.
"Wait a minute… are we going…" Her sentence was cut off by a smirk from Bella and a nod. "The Library hotel? I've always wanted to stay here. But how did you know?"
"Oh the other week I was looking around inside your mind for something that's not of importance right now and I saw it."
"Wait," Hermione stopped them. "You were in my mind without my permission?"
"Semantics, pet. Look," she pulled her and stopped them outside of the 12 story hotel. The younger witch's jaw dropped. It was exquisite. A hotel themed after a library. Hermione had dreamed of visiting this place. Every floor was designated a number of the Dewey Decimal classification system and she couldn't wait to get inside. Bella tapped on her lower lip. "You'll catch all sorts of shit in your mouth here, love. Come on," she pulled her through the front door. "Act like a muggle," she whispered as she approached the counter.
"Good afternoon," the woman at the front desk smiled at them. "How can I help you?"
"Checking in," Bella spoke in an equally pleasant customer service voice. "Reservations under Black."
"Ahh yes," the muggle woman said after typing on her keyboard for a few minutes. "I have here, Black party here for a three night stay. Is that correct?" Bella nodded, "perfect. It looks like you prepaid via a credit card." Hermione shot a confused look at her wife. "Your room is on the 11th floor or the Philosophy floor. Thank you for choosing the Library Hotel for your honeymoon and welcome to New York City. The concierge is available if you need any help exploring the city. Here," she handed a few pamphlets to the dark witch, "a map with all of the book locations in the hotel. Enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," Hermione reached out and grabbed the room keys. She looped her arm with Bella's and pulled her down the hallway to the lifts. "Credit card?"
"Jack let me use his. I exchanged galleons for some muggle money and paid him when he was over. Don't worry about the details." Bella looked around the lobby while they waited for the lift. "It is rather charming. I'll give the muggles that."
The lift doors opened and they were lucky enough to have a moment alone. When they got to the 11th floor, the doors opened up to a hallway with a card catalog along the wall leading them down the line of hotel rooms. At the end of the hall was a door marked, "the Love room?" Hermione grinned at her wife.
The blush forming on the dark witch's cheeks was one Hermione would commit to memory, "what? It seemed fitting," she rolled her eyes. "Go on. Open the door."
Hermione did just that and another small gasp escaped her when she took in the beautifully decorated and spacious room. She was most excited for the balcony which had a view of the city skyline and she could see the New York Public Library. She quickly opened the balcony door and stepped outside, placing her hands on the railing. "It's breathtaking," she let out a happy little squeal.
"Breathtaking," Bella came up behind her and wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist. "Are you happy, love?" She kissed her softly on the shoulder.
"Beyond happy."
For two days, Hermione happily dragged her wife around the city. The third day of the trip found the women enjoying a day trip to the Museum Of Natural History and a walk around Central Park. Bella didn't think the Central Park zoo was anything to write home about. "There are even hippogriffs here, pet. What kind of zoo is this?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "Just because there aren't magical creatures here doesn't mean the zoo is any less magnificent." She stopped just outside of the gates, feeling the need for a hug.
Bella wrapped her arms around her wife and pulled her in tighter, "I suppose it was enjoyable."
They had spent more time at the museum and zoo than planned and night was falling as they walked around the rest of Central Park. "Should we take a cab back?" Hermione suggested since it was a rather long walk.
"Definitely not. I'll just apparate us back to the hotel."
"Or we can take the subway," Hermione smirked.
"What's that?" Bella asked, almost sounding afraid as she found herself being led down the street by a determined looking Hermione. "Am I allowed to say no to this?"
"Not this time, please," she pulled her down a set of stairs and they stopped to look at a large map so Hermione could figure out which train to take. After she put some money into a machine and a ticket popped out, she pulled Bella through a turnstile and they waited as Bella stuck her nose up at the surroundings. "It's rustic," Hermione shrugged.
"That's one way to put it," Bella rolled her eyes and waited with her wife.
The whole experience took less than 15 minutes to get back to the street their hotel was on but it was enough to age Bella a few years. "What was that?" Bella left the underground even paler than usual. "As a witch, I don't subscribe to heaven and hell but I'm almost assured that that was in fact actual hell on earth." She grasped dramatically to the handrail as they made their way back up the stairs to the "above land" as Bella was calling it. "Never again, pet."
Hermione just laughed, "it was an experience that I will never forget."
They made it back the short distance to their hotel and Bella insisted that they order room service and eat out on the balcony because she had far too much muggle interaction for a lifetime and needed some alone time with just Hermione. Of course the younger witch couldn't deny her wife the simple request. They sat out after dinner enjoying the summer's night, watching the people walking the streets below them and they also had the perfect view of the night sky. "It's not as clear as the sky back home."
"No," Hermione sighed, "but it's still beautiful."
"It has been a rather enjoyable time," she reached across the small table and grabbed Hermione's hand.
"I can't believe we have to go home tomorrow," Hermione pouted.
"But you have at least four of those remembering cards full of pictures and videos from your camera thing," Bella smiled. "We will have these memories forever, pet."
"The perfect pictures of the perfect holiday to show our children one day. Even a picture of you coming out of the underground."
"Never again," Bella shuddered at the memory. A few minutes of silence passed between the ladies as Hermione stared out into the distance and Bella closed her eyes for a moment. She let out a little hum before she spoke, "have you spent a lot of time thinking about our children?"
"Would it scare you if I say yes?" Bella waited for Hermione to continue. "Harry told me he and Luna were expecting. I'm assuming you already knew that because of your connection with her," she looked over for confirmation which she got in the form of a smirk. "And I've thought about it before but just assumed children would be down the road because I just won Minister and we've got a lot going on," Hermione bit her lip. "I can't stop thinking about how much I want our child to go to Hogwarts at the same time as Harry's."
"So you want to have a baby for Harry?" Bella teased.
"You know what I mean. I want to have a baby with you because I want to grow our family but I also want our child to have the perfect Hogwarts experience."
"Awfully bold of you to assume that any child of mine would be friends with a Potter."
"Oh stop. Deny it all you want but deep down you love Harry," Hermione squeezed her hand.
"Deep deep down. Maybe." Bella laughed. "I don't think I'm supposed to tell you this but when have I ever cared," she looked over at Hermione. "Astoria is pregnant, too. So maybe our baby will have other options besides a Potter," she cackled.
"Astoria is pregnant?" Hermione all but shouted but then got quiet, "wait does that mean you've been thinking about our children as well."
"Come here," Bella stood and pulled Hermione into the bedroom, shutting the balcony door. "I have something I need to show you. Sit. Please." Hermione sat down on the edge of the bed while Bella went over to the wardrobe and rustled around in her luggage reemerging with a small but ornate wooden box. She sat down on the end of the bed next to Hermione and handed her the box. "I had Cissy make these so I know they are high quality. There's no pressure to use it yet, I just want you to know that I have been thinking about this, too."
Hermione opened the box and saw the two little bottles full of purple potion. "A conception potion?" Bella nodded. "You know you could get pregnant, right?"
"Impossible. I'm 51. There's no way it'll be me. You. Yes. Young, vibrant. The perfect womb," she laughed nervously. "I'm not worried about it."
"Do you think the time is right? I've only just become Minister."
"It's up to you, pet. We can do this anytime you want. I just wanted to show you that I had these," she took the box back out of Hermione's hands and closed the lid, standing to take it back to the closet.
"Wait," Bella felt a hand on her wrist. "I'm ready."
Bella looked down over her shoulder, "are you sure? We can wait as long as you want."
"No," Hermione took the box back and opened it up. She reached in and grabbed one of the small bottles. "I'm ready," she opened the vial and drank the liquid in one go.
"Well then," Bella sat and drank her portion. "I guess we know what comes next," she smirked and leaned in for a kiss after discarding the box and bottles onto the side table. Hermione laid back and pulled Bella down on top of her. The dark witch started kissing her way down Hermione's neck, leaving little love bites along the way. "Something to remember the honeymoon with," she sucked on her collarbone.
Hermione felt warmth spreading through her body. She already felt worked up and Bella had just started touching her. She panted, "Bella. I feel…"
"Me too," Bella looked up with desire in her eyes. "It's the potion," she grabbed her wand and within seconds they were both naked. Skin touching skin, lips and hands everywhere. "I can't recall the last time I've been this worked up," she took one of Hermione's nipples into her mouth, the younger woman's back arching off the bed
"I'm dripping, Bella." Hermione whined as she cupped Bella's ass and pulled her flush against her, grinding her wet center against her wife's thigh. "Fuck," she moaned. "I'm not going to last."
"We both have to finish, love." Bella took a moment and let out a shaky breath. "Maybe if we slow down," she gave Hermione a few soft, slow kisses. She sat up and pulled Hermione up onto her lap.
She felt the potion coursing through her veins and she was very excited by all the soft touches and languid kisses from her wife.
Bella tangled one hand in Hermione's hair adding a little more pressure to the kiss as she lightly cupped one of her breasts. She slowly circled the excited pink nipple with her thumb before ducking her head down and lightly teasing it with her tongue. "Mmm, Bella," Hermione ground her hips into her wife below her. "I need more. Slow and sensual can wait," she whined.
Bella smirked against her nipple and flipped them over so she was on her back and Hermione was straddling her thigh. "Take what you need then, love." She angled her fingers to rest at Hermione's opening, waiting for her wife to make the first move. Bella could feel the heat emanating from the younger woman that it made her doubly excited. She slowly started to make tight circles around her own needy and swollen clit. Bella moaned deep and throaty when Hermione lowered herself down onto her fingers. She leaned down and kissed her lover with as much passion as she could muster as she rocked herself onto Bella's fingers. Bella picked up the speed against her own bundle of nerves and groaned when her wife entered her quickly and hard with two fingers brushing Bella's hand out of the way and placing her thumb on the dark witch's needy clit. "Fuck Hermione. Take me over the edge with you." Bella and Hermione were moving their fingers in harmony, getting lost while chasing their own orgasms. Both women could feel the other nearing the edge as their walls clamped down. Bella reached up with her free hand and brought Hermione's face down inches from her own. "I love you, Hermione," she panted as she swiped her thumb over Hermione's clit pushing her to her release. Bella fell over the edge with her lover, relishing in the feeling of Hermione's walls clamping around her fingers. The younger woman fell atop her wife, breathing hard. Bella removed her fingers and brought them up to her mouth, sucking the sweet musky flavor of Hermione, "so sweet."
"How long does this potion last?" Hermione sucked on her lower lip, grinding herself on Bella's leg.
"I'm not sure but I'm far from finished with you, pet," she rolled Hermione onto her back and lowered herself to taste her wife straight from the source.
Bella's eyes opened to a dark room. She wasn't sure how long they made love but it was the most satisfying night of passion the two of them had ever experienced. Cissy had definitely not told her of all of the effects of that potion. "I'll have to thank her for that," she chuckled to herself. She reached for her wand so she could check the time. It was only just past midnight but she was starving. She remembered some snacks that Hermione had brought back to the hotel yesterday. Slowly and carefully, she snuck out from under Hermione's arm and made her way over to the snacks.
"Bring me a cookie," came a sleep filled voice from the bed.
Bella laughed, "worked up quite the appetite, didn't we?" She brought the cookies and chips over to the bed along with a couple bottles of water and laid the midnight feast out for them to enjoy.
"Mmm," Hermione took a bite from one of the black and white cookies. "These taste even better after countless orgasms."
"I've had a truly amazing honeymoon."
Hermione smiled at her wife, "and to think. There might be three of us going home later today." Bella smiled and shoved a chip into her mouth. "How long until we find out?"
"I'm not sure but I assume it would be the same length of time for a regular conception. Cissy wasn't clear and I didn't want to ask."
"So two weeks or so," Hermione took another bite of the cookie.
"Two weeks." Bella shrugged. "Good thing I'm a very patient person."
Hermione laughed and rolled her eyes, "yes because Bellatrix and patience are two words that go hand in hand."
"Hey," Bella responded like a petulant child, "I can be patient."
"Sure you can," Hermione pacified her wife. They were happily eating their post sex snacks when a thought occurred to Hermione. "Hey Bella?"
"Yes?" She looked up from her chips.
"Maybe we shouldn't tell anyone we took the potions. I mean at least until we find out if it was successful or not. I don't want to get anyones' hopes up."
"Okay," Bella nodded. "Though I'm sure Cissy will ask. She's the only one who knew about it. She didn't tell Andy as far as I know. If she asks, I'll tell her to fuck off."
"Maybe we can find a nicer way to tell her it's none of her business."
"No. I'll just tell her to fuck off." She finished her chips and water then laid back down against her pillow. "Now, finish up your snack and come show me all those pictures you took this week."
Hermione smiled brightly, taking her last bite and clearing off the bed before grabbing the camera and settling down in bed next to her wife.
—
"Oh come on. I have a really good feeling about today," Kate said, rounding the corner and stopping at Draco's desk.
"That's exactly why we should stay here. I don't think I'd ever trust a good feeling that you are having," he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Bella and Hermione are due back tonight. Let's just go. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Let's see," he pretended to think. "Off the top of my head… you could die, Auntie Bella will kill me and my child will grow up without their father. I'd say that is probably the worst case scenario."
"And what's the chances of that happening? Like 4%?"
"You think awfully highly of yourself and your abilities, don't you? Maybe the sorting hat was wrong. The Gryffindor vibes are throwing me here," Draco grimaced.
Kate smacked him on the back of the head, "take it back."
Draco laughed, "nope. But you are a very lethal hufflepuff."
"So are we going?"
"Do you have a fully formed plan? Or an escape route? And what are you going to tell my aunt because I will be blaming this entirely on you when she finds out and the high from all the honeymoon sex wears off."
"No. Not at all and I was thinking about telling her Harry gave us the okay so it can turn into a screaming battle with him and we can slip through the cracks."
"You heard her before she left. Even if Harry told us okay that we should reconsider whatever we were planning."
"Well," Kate grabbed her wand and her cell phone, "I'm going. You can stay here in fear of your aunt or you can be my partner and come with me."
Draco rolled his eyes, "fine. But any sign of danger and we call for backup and Aunt Bella can't find out."
Kate smiled, "deal. Wait here," she walked over to Harry's office and cracked the door. "Hey, Draco and I are headed out to lunch. Will that be okay?"
"No worries. Take your time."
Kate nodded and headed back across the room, opening the door for Draco, "this is so stupid," he shook his head.
"Well at least we will be stupid together," Kate looped her arm in his and pulled him to the lifts. "I'm glad we don't have the displeasure of having to ride the lifts with your father anymore. Talk about a buzzkill at work. He always called me half blood or talked about my husband being a muggle. Rude mother fucker he was." Her eyes widened when she realized what she was saying, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag your dad. I mean I did but that was rude. He's still your father."
"You weren't wrong in your assessment and I, too, am glad I don't have to see him around work anymore." They rode the rest of the ride in silence and walked to the communal fireplaces. They came out inside of the Leaky Cauldron but quickly went outside to come up with a half plan so they had a purpose. "Ice cream?" Draco looked over at Kate. She nodded enthusiastically and he knew ice cream was always a winning distraction.
They walked to Florean Fortescue's and ordered their usual. The woman behind the counter tried to give them their ice cream for free because they were part of the DMLE but Draco insisted on paying for their ice cream and left them a generous tip in the little container on the counter. Draco took his sticky toffee pudding ice cream while Kate was already eating her chocolate raspberry. "It never gets old," she made a delighted noise after she swallowed her first taste of the ice cream.
"Indeed it doesn't," they sat on their usual bench outside of the parlor and ate in relative silence. "I know we are here for your crazy idea but can we swing by the quidditch shop? I want to see if they have any little baby onesies in there."
"You are already such a sucker for that little baby and you've only just found out," Kate laughed.
"I know but I'm just so excited." He sighed, "and I also feel like I have a lot to prove. You know what I mean? My father wasn't the best example of a human being or a good role model. I just want to make sure my son or daughter knows that I'm going to be there for them no matter what."
Kate rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. "That's how I know you'll be an amazing father. The baby has barely been cooking for a few months and you are already a better father than yours ever was."
"Thanks Kate. I promise not to be this sappy for the next 7 and a half months. If I am, I will give you permission in advance to crucio me."
"Deal. Don't let Bella hear you. She'll curse you instantly." She laughed then looked over towards the Leaky Cauldron and thought she saw a strange interaction that made the hairs on the back of her neck raise. "How about you go on ahead and I'll head into the Leaky Cauldron and start scoping out the potential scene?"
Draco shook his head, "that's the opposite of doing things the smart way."
"But we will save time and I can take care of myself."
"Well…"
"Plus he might not even be here. It's just a feeling I have. Doesn't mean I'll actually find anything."
"No. We stick together."
"Suit yourself," Kate laughed as they went to throw their garbage in the bin and he looked longingly at the quidditch shop. "Fine. Five minutes. Let's go."
Draco's phone went off in the middle of their browsing. It was the medical examiner calling in reference to another case they were working on that was unrelated to the serial killer. "I have to take this. I'll step outside."
Kate nodded her head and watched as he walked out and around the corner. She picked out a few onesies and took them to the counter. "I'd like to pay for these for my friend out there. Do you have a piece of paper?" The woman behind the counter nodded and slid her a scrap of parchment and a quill. She scribbled a quick note to Draco and thanked the lady. She asked her to give the note and onesies to her friend when he came back inside. After she paid, she quickly and quietly left out of the back exit of the shop. This was her only chance to get away from Draco. She needed to do this and she didn't want to drag Draco with her. After making sure Draco was still on his call, she walked to The Leaky Cauldron and slipped inside unnoticed. Walking up to the counter, she ordered a bottle of butter beer and slowly turned examining the other patrons. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary but that didn't mean that there wasn't anything going on outside. When the barkeep came back with the butter beer, Kate slid a sketch of the serial killer across the bar, "have you seen this man?" She flashed her DMLE badge.
The barkeep thought for a moment, "that kind of looks like the man I just saw in here. I think he went out into the alley with some girl. Didn't get too clear of a visual of them. Might still be out there."
"Thanks," Kate put the sketch back in her back pocket and grabbed her bottle, paid and made her way out of the front entrance. She didn't want to go out the back because that would defeat the element of surprise. She slowly rounded the corner and saw the back of the man in question. He seemed to be the right height and weight. She crept a little further into the alley and saw a woman pressed up against a wall with his wand to her throat. She planned to disarm the man from far enough away so she could have the upper hand. Slowly, she pulled her wand from her back pocket and just as she was getting ready to cast the spell, her cell phone started ringing. Her hand flew to her other pocket to silence it but it was too late.
"Flipendo," the man shouted and Kate went flying back across the alley hitting off of the back door of the Leaky Cauldron. Her bottle of butter beer shattered on the ground next to her. With the man focused now on Kate, the other woman took the opportunity to flee in the other direction.
Kate was laying on the ground groaning, trying to get to her wand that was a few feet away when a sharp pain washed over her abdomen. The man kicked her in the ribs and she screamed out in pain, clutching the newly forming bruise. She fell back against the gravel and the man straddled her hips. "Fucking girl," he reached down and wrapped his hands around herthroat. "Just as meddlesome as your filthy muggle mother." He began choking her, her head hitting against the ground as she struggled against his grip.
Meanwhile, Draco finished his phone call and went back inside. "Kate, the medical examiner found a connection." He looked around, "Kate?"
"Sir?" The woman behind the counter got his attention. "The woman you were with left but she told me to give you these." She handed over the bag with the onesies and the piece of parchment. He swallowed nervously and opened the note.
Draco,
I have to follow my gut. I would never purposely put your life in danger. I promise I'll be fine. Tell Bella it was all my fault. Meet me at Leaky.
Your partner,
Kate
"Shit," Draco crumpled up the parchment. "How long ago did she leave?"
"About ten minutes, sir."
"Thank you," he turned and ran out of the shop and straight towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron when he heard a scream, he halted for a second and his face paled. "Expecto Patronum," his Fox appeared, "Harry we need you. Leaky Cauldron. I fear something happened to Kate. Get mom and Aunt Andy." He sent his patronus and ran the rest of the way. When he got to the alley there was a woman kneeling next to a small body on the ground. The closer he got, the realization hit him that it was Kate, laying there not moving. "Kate… no no no," he rushed over to the body. "DMLE, miss. Did you find her?" He ran his wand over Kate's body to do a diagnostic exam. She was breathing but just barely. "No magical ailments."
"I just found her, sir. I came to take the trash out and I heard struggling but when I looked up, she was lying here not moving and a man was disapparating. I didn't see what he looked like."
"Thank you," he dismissed the woman when Harry came running out from the back door of the Cauldron. "Did you call mom? She needs to get to St. Mungos now."
"We are here," his mom shouted as she came out of the door with Andy and her team of mediwitches. "We can take it from here."
"She's in the best of hands," Andy squeezed Draco's shoulder. "Do we know what happened?"
"No. The witness only saw them as the man left the scene."
"We will find the man responsible for this," Harry helped them lift Kate onto the stretcher.
Draco sighed and shook his head. He reached out to wipe the hair out of Kate's eyes. Suddenly it dawned on him and his eyes went wide. He turned to look at Harry and said, "Auntie Bella is not going to be happy."
