A/N: It seems you all are lucky enough to get another chapter so (relatively) quick. I actually meant to post this yesterday, but I wanted to read over it one more time and I ended up falling asleep. I hope you're all doing well and don't forget to follow/favorite so you can keep up with new chapters (if you haven't already) because I have absolutely no semblance of an update schedule. It is what it is.
Enjoy! :)
And now we've got one chance to make it
We've got one chance to make this right
So put your broken heart in my hands
I'll bring you back to life
-Back to Life, Tilian, Johnny Craig
Hermione slept better than she thought she would. There was something so calming about the Slytherin dormitory. Even though she hadn't exhausted herself with any work- they had spent most of the day lounging in the Common Room in silence until Narcissa and Andromeda warmed up to her- as soon as she had gotten comfortable, she was asleep. She had fully expected to have a nightmare about the war, but she actually dreamed of what the future might be. Optimism of this magnitude was not something she was known for, she preferred to consider herself cautiously hopeful. This was different though, she had the ability to completely change the outcome of the war if she played her cards right. She wouldn't be able to spare herself the battle, but Harry and Ron, her other classmates, they might actually get to have a normal childhood.
Bellatrix was already gone from their shared room, a fact that Hermione found surprising because she thought she was an unusually early riser. Perhaps she wanted a few extra moments of peace before the other students arrived and she had to attend to her duties as Prefect. It shouldn't have surprised her. She knew Bellatrix was incredibly intelligent, from her own experience and hearing comparisons over the years. Hermione mentally shook herself as she dressed, focusing on the present. The Common Room was not empty like she was assuming it would be. Bellatrix was sitting at the piano playing a melody that Hermione couldn't place.
"I didn't know you could play," she said, walking closer and sitting on the arm of the couch.
"I can't," Bellatrix answered, taking her hands off the piano.
Hermione watched the keys continue to play themselves. "Ah, you're just cheating."
Bellatrix laughed, and the sound was so unexpected and pleasant that Hermione almost forgot how to breathe. It was like a symphony of bells pouring from her chest and into the air. She had never heard Bellatrix laugh like that, only the deranged cackle that had become synonymous with her name and the occasional uncontrollable laugh once she had become a ghost. Hermione found that she preferred this laugh a million times over.
"My father always insisted that there was no point in learning to play but I wanted to. I used to sneak into the piano room and enchant the keys so I could pretend I knew how. Then one day he caught me and," darkness flashed through Bellatrix's eyes and she shook her head to clear her mind, "Anyway, I only do it when the Common Room is empty during breaks. That way no one can tell."
Hermione nodded, deciding to take a chance and sit next to her on the bench. "You don't have to worry about me."
Bellatrix looked down, letting her hair hide the smile on her face. "I guess I don't have to Obliviate you since you'd never have any contact with my father."
"If you Obliviated me, how would I help you get away with it?" Hermione responded, her tone light to match the teasing mood Bellatrix was in.
Her head shot up in surprise. Most people completely missed when she was teasing and ended up taking her seriously when they shouldn't. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth to mask her smile, clearing her throat awkwardly.
"I'm not sure how hungry you are," she started, changing the subject, "But I usually wait for my sisters. I know Dumbledore gave you a tour, but things can get pretty confusing, especially when the staircases move, so you're welcome to join us."
"That would be great," Hermione said. She, of course, knew the castle's corridors as well as any sixth year, but Bellatrix didn't know that.
"And I'd be happy to walk you to your classes until you're used to things. What are your classes?" Bellatrix asked, closing the lid of the piano so she could focus on the conversation.
"No idea. Whatever schedule you have." She rested her hands on the lid of the piano, the wood smooth under her fingertips.
Bellatrix looked at her in disbelief, one eyebrow raised. "We have the same schedule? Like the exact same schedule?"
"Unless you aren't the top of your year," Hermione challenged with a smirk.
"I am," she quickly countered, "I just meant are you sure that's what you want?"
Hermione looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Are you calling me stupid, Black?"
The range of expressions on Bellatrix's face was priceless to Hermione. She could see the mental facepalm Bellatrix gave herself and she had to fight to keep the smirk from her face. Who knew Bellatrix could be so flustered?
"That's not what I meant to imply," she quickly backtracked, hoping she hadn't just ruined her chances at making a friend. She was seriously bad at friendships and relationships in general. Even her sisters wanted nothing to do with her sometimes.
"I'm only teasing," Hermione quickly assured, regretting taking things that far, "You didn't offend me."
Bellatrix sighed in relief, tipping her head to the chairs. "Mind if we move over there? My sisters should be down soon and I don't want them to see me at the piano. It's easier for everyone if they don't know."
"Sure," Hermione nodded.
"You sure I didn't upset you?" Bellatrix asked once she had sat down.
Hermione threw her legs over the arm of her chair, letting her head fall all the way back. "I'm sure. Even if you do think I'm stupid, it won't be long before you learn otherwise."
Bellatrix's cheeks colored slightly and she retorted, "I don't think you're stupid. Not entirely."
Her pink lips twitched upward so quickly Hermione almost missed it. Almost. As it was, she was so entranced by it that she nearly forgot how to respond. "Well, that's more than I can say about you."
Upon seeing the playful smile on Hermione's face, Bellatrix laughed again. Hermione willed herself not to stare in awe, suddenly realizing her mouth was hanging open and quickly closing it. Bellatrix hadn't noticed, having tipped her head back as she laughed.
"I think we're going to be thick as thieves, Granger," she said, sinking further into the comfortable chair.
"The scandal!" she mock exclaimed, fanning her face overdramatically.
It sent Bellatrix into more light laughter, and Hermione decided at that moment that if it was the last sound she ever heard from Bellatrix, she could be okay with that. There was no time for Bellatrix to respond because, by the time her laughter died down, she could hear Narcissa's clumsy footsteps on the stairs.
"Good morning, Bella," she said, her bear hanging from her hand as she sat down, blinking hard, "And Hermione."
"You okay, Cissy?" Bellatrix asked, moving to the couch and throwing an arm around her shoulders, pulling her tightly into her side.
"I had a bad dream," she said softly, clutching her bear to her chest.
Hermione felt her heart clench. Witnessing such a tender moment was almost too much for her. She felt for the younger witch, having had countless nightmares herself. Slowly, she moved over to the couch, kneeling on the floor in front of Narcissa.
"You have a very beautiful bear, Narcissa. I forgot to ask you yesterday what its name is." Hermione knew from experience that gentle refocusing was the best way to handle the moments after waking up from a bad dream.
The blonde stroked its back, the soft fur dancing through her fingers as she answered softly, "His name is Lokke."
"After the Norse deity of mischief," Hermione smiled, "It's a wonderful name. May I?"
Narcissa hesitated to hand her bear over to Hermione. She held it tighter before deciding she trusted Hermione enough to hold him for a little bit.
"Be careful with him," she said, holding him out to her.
"I will," Hermione assured, gently wrapping her hands around his torso. She stroked the soft fur, lifting his ear so it was level with her mouth and whispering softly into it.
Narcissa watched anxiously, grabbing Bellatrix's shirt. The dark-haired witch watched Hermione like a hawk, trying to make out what she was saying while also comforting her sister. Hermione offered a soft smile as she handed Lokke back, glancing at Bellatrix, who was studying her intensely.
"Thank you for trusting me," she said, touching her fingers to the floor as she wobbled so she didn't lose her balance, "I used to have nightmares, too, and a friend of mine once told me if you face it, it gets easier. The spell I whispered will make Lokke appear in all your nightmares so he can help you face the monsters."
Hermione did lose her balance when Narcissa threw her arms around her, catching even Bellatrix by surprise. A rush of air left Hermione as her butt hit the floor, but she managed to get an arm around Narcissa and behind her to keep them from falling backward. Bellatrix had shaken off her shock and was looking at Hermione in amazement. Her sister had a difficult time opening up to people, and she had never seen Narcissa hug anyone that wasn't family.
"Thank you," Narcissa whispered, burying her face in Hermione's hair, "I'm sorry I knocked you over."
"It's okay," Hermione said, laughing a little.
It was the first time Bellatrix heard the sound from the brunette, but she immediately decided she would give anything to hear it again. Narcissa let go of Hermione, mumbling another apology with red cheeks as she returned to her spot next to her oldest sister. She crossed her legs on the couch, pulling the bear to her chest and burying her face in its head. When Hermione looked at Bellatrix, the witch was staring at her with a smile on her face, but as soon as she realized Hermione was looking at her, she shook herself out of her stupor and offered her a hand. Hermione took it, marveling at the softness of her skin as Bellatrix helped pull her to her feet. Narcissa looked over to find them looking at each other with stupid smiles on their faces that neither seemed aware of. It was Andromeda's grumpy footsteps that made them realize they were staring. Hermione shuffled her feet and Bellatrix cleared her throat, drumming her fingers on the couch.
"Morning Andy," Narcissa greeted first, receiving an unintelligible grumble.
"About time," Bellatrix teased, trying to distract herself from Hermione's eyes. Every time she looked into her eyes, she lost all sense of everything around her and couldn't think of anything except how inviting they were.
As they left the Common Room, Bellatrix pulled Hermione's arm so they were slightly behind Narcissa and Andromeda and whispered, "I've never seen my sister hug anyone that wasn't family. I appreciate what you did for her."
"It was no problem," Hermione muttered, letting her hair hide the slight blush on her cheeks.
"Seriously," Bellatrix said, pulling them to a stop, "I appreciate it, and I know she does, too."
Hermione shrugged, feeling slightly awkward. Bellatrix's hand on her arm had felt so nice, she wasn't sure if it was because it had been so long since someone had offered her such a simple gesture or if it meant something more. She was certainly beautiful, and they had natural chemistry if her friendship with her ghost was any indication.
"Everyone has their demons," she finally said, turning her head to look at Bellatrix, "But that doesn't mean we have to fight them alone."
Bellatrix desperately wanted to ask Hermione what her demons were, but it wasn't her place, especially since she wouldn't have shared hers if Hermione had asked. Some things were better kept from other people, especially ones she had just met. Even if it felt like they had already been good friends. Even if Hermione was someone she wanted to share her demons with. Even if the way Hermione looked at her made her feel like she was seen. She began to feel her chest tighten. There was a reason she kept people at a distance, even her sisters.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, noticing the way Bellatrix's breathing had changed.
"Yeah," Bellatrix managed, her throat feeling tight, "I, erm, I think I left something in the dorm. You can catch up with Cissy and Andy, I'll join in a bit."
Hermione wanted to reach out to Bellatrix, but she wasn't sure if it was welcome. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
She nodded tersely, willing herself to keep it together until she was out of sight. "It's fine."
"Bellatrix," Hermione began.
"I said it's fine," she snapped, anger setting in, fueling her panic.
A brief look of hurt flashed across Hermione's face and Bellatrix wished she could take it back. Before Hermione could reach out to her, she turned around and sped through the corridors, leaning against the wall as soon as she felt far enough away. Normally, she would go to the Room of Requirement, but she didn't have the time to get there. She inhaled deeply through her nose, dragging her hands through her hair and gripping it by the roots. The cold stone was rough against her back as she slid down but she ignored it, drawing her knees to her chest and feeling tears begin to slip down her cheeks.
By the time Hermione had shaken off the surprise, Bellatrix was well out of sight. She wanted to go after her, to be there for her the way Bellatrix had been there for as a ghost. Setting her jaw, Hermione set off after her, not sure how far she would've gone, or if she would've gone back to their dormitory. She checked around every corner, just in case. Even if it took all day, Hermione wouldn't stop looking for her. It was as she peered around the corner to their Common Room entrance that she found Bellatrix clutching her knees to her chest and burying her face in them. She kneeled in front of her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Bellatrix," she whispered, "Are you okay?"
It was a stupid question and they both knew it. Bellatrix considered ignoring her or pushing her away for a while, long enough that Hermione began to wonder if she was ignoring her, but she waited patiently, still offering the small comfort of a hand on her shoulder. In the end, Bellatrix shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
"I'm not going anywhere. I know you're afraid, and it's easier to turn that into anger, but you don't have to do that with me. There's nothing you can do to scare me away." She slowly slid her arms around Bellatrix's shoulders, leaning forward to hug her when she showed no signs of objecting.
"You can't know that. I've done it to other people, why would you be any different? You'll find someone better than me," Bellatrix rasped. The brunette was so gentle and warm. Bellatrix couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged her so tenderly, as if she was the entire world embodied into a person. She wasn't sure if anyone had ever hugged her that way.
Hermione smoothed down wild curls and mumbled, "But I do know that."
"How can you?" she asked, fighting with herself to keep from hugging Hermione back. Merlin, she wanted to. She wanted to wrap her arms around Hermione and never let go. The brunette was quiet for so long, Bellatrix thought she wasn't going to answer. In reality, she was trying to push down the desire to tell Bellatrix everything right then and there.
When she felt Bellatrix's head move to try to look at her, she pulled away and said, "I'll tell you after breakfast."
Bellatrix regarded her with a confused expression. What was there to tell? She was going to brush it off, but the sincerity in Hermione's eyes captivated her and she found herself nodding. Hermione smiled nervously, pushing herself to her feet and offering Bellatrix a hand. She stared at it, unused to anyone helping her to her feet, still clutching her knees.
"You're supposed to take it," Hermione whispered, snapping her out of it.
Hesitantly, she reached out to take it, almost afraid that Hermione would pull her hand away at the last second. She didn't, and her warmth permeated Bellatrix's skin as her hand tightened around her own, pulling her to her feet.
For a moment, Bellatrix was lost for words but quickly remembered her manners. "Thanks."
Hermione smiled at her, a full bright smile, not the playful smiles they had previously exchanged. Bellatrix felt her jaw slackening at the sight, quickly clearing her throat and looking down at her feet. The way Hermione's eyes lit up when she smiled was indescribable, but if she had to put it into words, it would be something like watching the sun's rays color the clouds gold as it was setting. She couldn't recall ever feeling so nervous around anyone this way and she wondered if she should stop by the Hospital Wing after breakfast.
"We should get going," Hermione gently prompted, breaking Bellatrix out of her thoughts.
She wiped her face on her sleeve, nodding and walking slow enough that Hermione could walk next to her and grow accustomed to the corridors. They were silent as they walked, which was fine with Bellatrix because she didn't feel like reliving her breakdown. She wasn't sure what had prompted Hermione to come after her, but she was grateful. Having someone there wasn't something she was used to, and it scared her a little bit. She was afraid of confiding in other people, afraid of anyone seeing her weaknesses. People weren't trustworthy and the desire to pull away from Hermione was strong, but she was so tired of being alone.
"What took you guys so long?" Andromeda asked, much more pleasant now that she had eaten, "We didn't even notice you weren't behind us until we were here."
"I forgot my wand in the dormitory and Bellatrix came with me so I didn't get lost on my way here," Hermione answered smoothly as she slid into a seat, catching Bellatrix's grateful glance from the corner of her eye.
"But how did you do the spell on Lokke?" Narcissa asked, pushing her finished plate away.
Hermione finished chewing her bite of sausage before answering, "Well, I'm pretty good at wandless magic, but that doesn't mean I should wander around without my wand."
"Bella is pretty good at wandless magic," Andromeda said, sipping her apple juice, "But she won't teach us."
"You'll learn in time," she responded, turning to Hermione, "Did your tutor already teach you the basics, then?"
She smirked into her cup. "Not exactly. I mostly figured it out myself."
Bellatrix's jaw went slack, so did Andromeda's and Narcissa's. "You mostly figured it out?"
Hermione shrugged. "Yeah, I ended up teaching myself a lot of stuff. Well, I had some friends that taught me stuff, but not many."
A slightly sad expression formed on her face and she looked down into her juice. "I never thought I'd miss them so much."
"How did you know other witches and wizards if you never went to school?" Narcissa asked, "And what about the Trace?"
"My parents registered my tutelage with the Ministry. I was at school for a little, but some stuff happened and I had to leave." Hermione continued looking into her cup, resisting the urge to brush her fingers over her scar. She could feel her eyes welling up with tears at the memories of her friends, everything they had been through together.
"Actually," she said, chancing a glance up at them as a feeling of guilt settled in the pit of her stomach at the lie, "Come with me and Bellatrix after breakfast. I don't mind keeping it from everyone else, but I don't want to lie to you."
The three sisters shared a confused look but complied. Narcissa and Andromeda waited for the two of them to finish, keeping themselves occupied. Pretty soon, Hermione and Bellatrix were both finished, but it had felt like an eternity for all of them. Hermione acknowledged the nervousness she felt, hoping that by doing so, she would be able to keep going.
"Follow me," she said quietly, weaving expertly through the corridors.
Before her sisters could ask questions, Bellatrix sent them both a stern look. She had plenty of questions herself, but it would do them no good to pepper her with questions before she was ready to answer them. Hermione was leading them to the clock tower, her favorite place to think alone. The steady rhythm that sounded through it as the pendulum swung back and forth always put her at ease, coercing her thoughts to slow down. It wasn't terribly far, but the stairs to reach the top made the journey feel like ages had passed.
"This is my favorite place to come think," she said, sitting against the wall and looking out over the courtyard, "Aside from the library."
Bellatrix sat across from her, peering over the edge. Being so high up reminded her a little bit of flying. She could see why Hermione liked it. It was peaceful without being oppressively silent. Her sisters sat next to her, keeping away from the edge.
"I did come to Hogwarts. Or I will," Hermione started, still looking out over the courtyard and pulling out her Time-Turner, "I came back 32 years to be here. My friends and I were thrust into a war we were lucky to win, especially considering we were eleven when it started and had no idea what we were doing. Even toward the end, we didn't. The war interfered with school every year, so we did have to teach ourselves a lot and learn as we went along. It was less than ideal, but we managed, somehow. A lot of our friends died, our family, our enemies."
Hermione paused, collecting her thoughts, and tucking the Time-Turner back into her shirt. "A...friend gave me the idea to come back. In a way, she asked me to make things better, but she would never admit it. That's all I can say, I just didn't want to lie to you three."
"Why not?" Andromeda asked.
Hermione glanced at them, her gaze lingering on Bellatrix the longest. "Because of who asked me."
"You won't tell us?" Narcissa asked. She offered Hermione her bear, wanting to make the witch feel better. In many ways, she reminded her of Bellatrix. She was strong but carried deep despair and vulnerabilities, which drove her to protect people. Just like her sister protected her and Andromeda.
"I can't," Hermione said, her voice cracking as she shook her head.
Narcissa pulled Lokke back, feeling tears form in her eyes at seeing Hermione so sad. Bellatrix studied Hermione closely, reading the conflict and sadness on her face and in her eyes. She knew there was more, but not for her sisters to hear. She wasn't sure if Andromeda had figured it out, but Bellatrix was pretty sure the friend Hermione was talking about was one of them. The only reason she didn't say anything was that Hermione clearly didn't want them to know. Hermione pulled her knees to her chest, looking back out over the courtyard. The three sisters moved closer to her, unsure if she would welcome a hug but wanting to comfort her. Bellatrix was the first to reach out, placing a hand on her shoulder like she had done just over an hour ago. Narcissa leaned her head against Hermione's other shoulder and Andromeda placed a hand on her knee.
"We're here for you, Hermione, and if you ever need space, just let us know," Andromeda said.
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. They stayed with her for several minutes, the pendulum's ticking the only sound. Narcissa began to fidget from sitting still so long and Andromeda was beginning to get antsy as well, but she did a better job of concealing it.
"You don't have to stay," Hermione whispered, "I usually stay up here for a few hours by myself, I'll be okay."
"Are you sure?" Narcissa asked.
At Hermione's nod, Andromeda and Narcissa stood up, enjoying the feeling of sensation returning to their legs. They looked questioningly at Bellatrix, who shook her head, before leaving. Bellatrix moved so she was next to Hermione, her legs dangling over the edge. She leaned back on her hands, her gaze alternating between Hermione and the courtyard.
"I do have more to tell you that I didn't want your sisters to hear," Hermione whispered, "I just need a minute."
Bellatrix swung her legs back and forth, fixing her gaze on the witch next to her. "Take all the time you need. Despite what you might hear, I'm a patient person."
Hermione chuckled, turning so her legs could dangle as well. "A lot happened between us in my time. I'm not sure where to start. I'm not sure where the beginning really is."
"Start wherever you can," Bellatrix said, content to wait. She was fully aware that this discussion couldn't be rushed.
"Would you prefer if I work my way up to it, or if I just jump right into the worst of it?" Hermione asked, looking at her with sad brown eyes.
Bellatrix froze, unsure of what to answer. "Get it over with, I guess."
She had expected Hermione to say something, but what she actually did was roll up the sleeve of her left arm to the elbow and show Bellatrix the word carved into her skin. Bellatrix felt her stomach twist in horror, bile rising into her throat that she forced herself to swallow. She did, however, pull her legs away from the edge, afraid the dizziness that flooded her head would make her fall.
"This was cut into my skin using a cursed knife after I had endured several Cruciatus curses. You were trying to get information from me while my friends were locked in the cellar. It happened after your side seized control of the Ministry and we had been captured by Snatchers. We ended up escaping with the help of a house-elf who died by the very same knife after you threw it at us. Narcissa watched. Her son, too." Hermione paused to give Bellatrix time to process everything. "You died in the final battle and ended up a ghost. I ended up stumbling across you while helping rebuild the school and I was so afraid I ran away. Then I saw you again and we ended up talking a little bit. Dying had changed you. You said it gave you clarity you didn't have while you were fighting us. You were more like you are now. We ended up becoming friends, you even taught me some stuff, you shared some of your past, you helped me move on. I helped you, too. And then I asked how you'd feel if I went back and changed it all. At first, you didn't think it was possible, but I already had an idea, so you said yes."
Bellatrix was silent for such a long time, Hermione thought she had broken her. Or that she would run away and not want anything to do with her. In reality, it was a lot for Bellatrix to process. She did think about running away, but not for good. Just to try to escape the shame she felt. It wouldn't help her feel better, she already knew that. Her instinct was to delay the reaction so she could shove it down deep inside of her.
"Is that why nothing I can do will scare you away?" she finally asked in a small voice, refusing to look at Hermione, "How could you forgive me after that?"
Hermione leaned back on her hands, turning her gaze back to the sky. "I was tired of being afraid and angry. I was so angry all the time. You didn't attack me the first time, you looked...sad...and lonely. The next time I saw you, you still looked sad and lonely. I was curious and I couldn't stop myself from asking questions. You answered every single one. See, I was lonely, too. My friends, they didn't come back to help, they were tracking down the people who got away but I didn't want to. I had no parents to go home to, well I did, but they wouldn't have remembered me and they were on another continent. You weren't insane as a ghost, you let me curse at you and shout and cry and it helped me get closure. It was messy at first, but you were there when I really needed someone to understand. You needed someone, too."
She turned Hermione's words over in her head several times, keeping her eyes deliberately focused on the courtyard. "What about Andy? You said Narcissa was there but what about Andy?"
"Andy was on our side. I didn't meet her until the war was almost over. I knew her daughter, but..." Hermione shook her head, "Anyway, she lost a lot. We didn't really start becoming friends until after the last battle, but I was at Hogwarts all the time and she had a grandson to take care of. You were the only one I talked to regularly, once I stopped running away from you. We met in the Room of Requirement every day after dinner. You would fill in the gaps in my knowledge, mostly dueling, or we would just talk about the past, the present, each other. You started to seem a lot happier. I was happier, too. I'd never had the type of friendship that was so even."
Bellatrix risked a glance at Hermione, surprised at the peaceful smile on her face and she mumbled, "I've never really had a friend."
"You do now," Hermione responded, looking over and smiling reassuringly. Bellatrix's eyes widened and she found herself at a loss for words.
"Can I tell you something?" she finally asked, starting to feel more at ease. When Hermione nodded, she continued, "I do feel like I already know you. I'm not sure I can describe it, but it just feels like we were already friends when I first saw you. I've never felt that way before."
"That's because we already were friends. You just didn't know it, yet." Hermione was touched at the vulnerability Bellatrix was showing. It wasn't even 24 hours that she had known Hermione and she was already opening up, but of course, it was easier after hearing they were already friends she was sure.
Bellatrix let her legs dangle back over the edge. "Well, I think I'm at a disadvantage."
"What do you want to know?" Hermione asked, laying all the way back with her legs still dangling.
They spent the next few hours in the clocktower talking. Bellatrix, understandably, had a lot of questions for Hermione, and the brunette was more than happy to fill her in on everything they had already shared. Despite the fact that they could hear the ticking of the pendulum, they easily lost track of time and didn't realize they had missed lunch until the sky was beginning to darken. It was at this time that Bellatrix pointed out that they should change and get to the Great Hall. The welcome feast would be starting soon and as Prefect, she was expected to be on time. She really should've been on the train, but it just wasn't possible this year.
The Common Room was deserted when they entered and they rushed to their dormitory, changing into their school robes. Walking (almost running) to the Great Hall was a silent affair, and they just managed to arrive with the bulk of the other students so it wasn't obvious they were late. Both witches sighed in relief, searching for Andromeda and Narcissa amidst the other Slytherins. Narcissa's pale blonde hair made her easy to spot, though Hermione did almost mistake Lucius for her even though his hair was much shorter.
"Where have you two been all day?" Andromeda hissed in a whisper, leaning across the table.
"We never left the clock tower," Bellatrix answered easily, punctuating her statement with a bite of chicken.
She had timed her response perfectly because before either of her sisters could respond, the sorting ceremony was starting. They sat respectfully through it, cheering whenever someone was sorted into their house and ignoring the jeers from the Gryffindors.
Hermione leaned closer to Bellatrix to ask, "Do they always boo whenever someone is sorted into Slytherin?"
"They've done it for years," she answered, frowning at them.
"I don't ever remember that happening," Hermione mused, mostly to herself. Had they booed the Slytherins and it was just so seemingly normal that it didn't even matter? The thought disturbed her.
Bellatrix nudged her with her foot, silently bringing her out of her thoughts. Hermione turned her attention to her plate, letting the chatter of Hogwarts fill the air. It had been a long time since she had seen the Great Hall so full and with such a light mood. She ended up joining in the conversation, becoming acquainted with some of her house members in the process. They ignored the fact that she wasn't a pure-blood, welcoming her to the house with open arms and open minds. It was drastically different than what she had been told Slytherin was like because even in her time, she had been the subject of plenty of ill-wishes from the Slytherins.
The Common Room was much livelier with the entirety of the Slytherin house now at Hogwarts. Several games of Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snap were going on, most of them enjoying the time away from their homes while they could. It was just as noisy as the Gryffindor Common Room usually was, but Hermione found that she didn't mind. Andromeda ended up coaxing her into a game of Exploding Snap with a few other Slytherins, some older and some younger. She had declined at first, but Narcissa looked at her with pleading big blue eyes and she found herself unable to argue. By the time Bellatrix had finished with her Prefect duties, Hermione was heavily invested in the game, on a winning streak that had garnered the majority of her housemates' attention. They were all crowded around the table to watch her play, cheering her on. Her opponents groaned when she won again, earning cheers from her housemates and victorious laughter from Hermione.
"Bellatrix! You should play Hermione!" Rodolphus exclaimed, giving her no opportunity to respond as he pushed her into a chair.
She smirked at Hermione from across the table pulling her wand from her sleeve. Hermione met her gaze without flinching, both of them tuning out the noise of their housemates. Bellatrix was the current champion of Exploding Snap in the Slytherin house, and she wasn't about to lose her title now. The deck shuffled itself and dealt, the entire Common Room falling silent to watch the two witches play. Hermione matched Bellatrix pair-for-pair, neither of them gaining a lead on the other. They could feel the entire weight of their house around them as they matched cards at the same pace, shooting each other competitive glares when the other matched the pair they were planning to. They were still tied when the remaining cards exploded, leaving them at an impasse.
"DRAW!" a brunette announced for the ones that were in the back.
Hermione and Bellatrix looked up at each other, narrowing their eyes and chorusing, "REMATCH!"
They continued this way for two more games, each one ending the same as the first. Some of their housemates had grown bored and returned to Wizard's Chess or their own games of Exploding Snap, but neither wanted to concede to the other. It was only when Bellatrix noticed the burns littering Hermione's wand hand after their third game did she insist they stop. Hermione had tried to protest at first, but her housemates were content to give them both the glory of house champion. Bellatrix remained at the table with Hermione even after everyone had dispersed, watching Narcissa and Andromeda play Wizard's Chess across the room.
"You're not bad," Hermione complimented with a smirk, tucking her wand up her sleeve and hissing as the pain of the burns set in.
"Neither are you," Bellatrix turned to look at her, flicking her eyes over her hand. "How long were you playing?"
"No idea," Hermione shrugged, "But it's been a long time since I've had fun like that, so it's worth it."
"May I?" she asked, gesturing with her wand to Hermione's hand.
Hermione looked down at it, pulling her sleeve up slightly and wincing. "Please."
"Episkey," she cast, smiling when Hermione sighed in relief after the burns healed.
Bellatrix turned her attention back to her sisters' game in time to see Narcissa declare checkmate, nodding when Hermione thanked her. Although it wasn't late, she felt weary from the day's events. Or rather, she felt weary after learning about the horrible future that would've been waiting for her. She couldn't imagine ever becoming so unhinged, but...but it wasn't too far off. She had always been more of a loner, which caused people outside her house to gossip. Sure, her housemates knew of her, but they didn't know her, they knew who she wanted them to see. It didn't help that she wouldn't allow them to, but she had felt better by herself than with the company. She could imagine what losing one of her sisters would do to her, being forced into a marriage she didn't want with a husband that didn't deserve her, and finding a way out with someone that promised her power.
"You okay?" Hermione asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.
She nodded, smiling as Narcissa stuck her tongue out at Andromeda after winning their argument over whether she had actually been in checkmate.
"I think I'm going to turn in. Goodnight, Bellatrix," she said.
"Night," Bellatrix said, watching her say goodnight to her sisters. She had whispered something in Narcissa's ear that caused her to nod emphatically and Bellatrix couldn't help but smile at the sight.
It wasn't much longer until Bellatrix grew tired of sitting by herself, so she also wished her sisters goodnight. She warned them not to stay up too late before kissing their heads and making her way to the room she shared with Hermione. It was dark when she entered, and she waited by the closed door while her eyes adjusted so she didn't disturb Hermione from her sleep, or from falling asleep. She would never admit it to anyone, but she was glad she didn't have the room to herself, even though she should've as a Prefect. She imagined it would've been lonely.
"Goodnight, Hermione," she breathed, crawling into her own bed across from the brunette's a smile on her face at the prospect of having a proper friend.