A/N: Welcome back, my dear readers! I am on time, as promised! I hope you're all healthy and safe and all that jazz. The next update will, once more, be in about 4 weeks.

Enjoy!

Oh, these three worn words

Oh, that we whisper

Like the rubbing hands

Of tourists in Verona

I just want to love you in my own language

-3WW, alt-j

Bellatrix didn't know how she was going to make it through an entire summer of being away from Hogwarts- and Hermione. There was only so much 'exploring' she could do of the house and grounds, not to mention that she knew them well because she had lived at Black Manor for the past sixteen years. Even Narcissa seemed more bored than she usually did at their last 'tea party'. To be fair, it was almost the only thing they could do without worrying about angering their father. It had only been a few days and she was already miserable. At least today they would be going to Diagon Alley. Normally, it was a family outing, but her father had business to attend to and had decreed she was old enough to oversee the shopping trip with her sisters.

"Come on, Bella!" Narcissa shouted, tugging at her arm in an attempt to make her move faster.

She shushed her sister, sending her a stern look. "I'm coming but don't shout unless you want to disturb father."

Narcissa quieted and Bellatrix felt a little guilty, sending Andromeda a pleading look. The middle Black just shrugged and shook her head.

"Cissy," Bella tried, "I am very excited to be able to spend the day away from the manor with you and Andy. I don't want Father to change his mind and I can't seem like I'm in a rush to leave when I grab the portkey from him."

Narcissa looked up at her oldest sister, sliding her hand into Bellatrix's. "I'm sorry. I'm just excited to go Christmas shopping."

"And there's nothing wrong with that. I promise I will be as quick as I can. Wait for me out here with Andy," she said, squeezing her hand before extracting it.

Her father didn't even look up as she entered his study, he merely pointed to the portkey on the table by the door and shooed her away. Once she was back in the corridor, she breathed a sigh of relief that he had been too busy to acknowledge her. She would've loved a more attentive, loving father, but theirs was neither of those things and she would rather brief interactions than his full attention.

With a smile at her sisters, Bellatrix held the pocket watch up victoriously. They huddled together, each of them grabbing hold of a piece of the chain. Suddenly, they were in front of the Leaky Cauldron and Bellatrix placed it in the outer pocket of her robe. The alley was not terribly busy given the imminent arrival of Christmas and the time of day, but that suited the trio of sisters perfectly fine. They would be able to get more shopping done in less time and they could spend their remaining time enjoying their one day of freedom.

"Where to first?" Bellatrix asked.

There was nothing she wanted for herself that she could think of, so she had no particular stores in mind, but Narcissa and Andromeda were sure to. Sometimes she wondered if her father took them shopping so he didn't have to waste time guessing what they wanted, having it wrapped, and then watching them unwrap it. He had always just taken them shopping and allowed them to pick whatever they wanted, which was easier for all of them. It was the same for their birthdays. As far as Bellatrix knew, her parents didn't even exchange gifts with each other.

"Flourish and Blotts!" Narcissa said, dragging her sisters in the direction of the bookstore they all cherished.

Bellatrix herded her sisters inside, all three of them grateful for the respite from the cold. She browsed through the books with no interest in any of them as Narcissa hunted through the shelves for what she was looking for. Andromeda was looking through the new releases for anything that might catch her eyes. There were two books already in her arms as she continued searching. As different as they were, they all shared a love of reading. Different types of books, but it didn't matter. A bookstore was the one place they could all get lost in. Today, though, Flourish and Blotts lacked its usual ability to keep her attention. Her thoughts kept wandering to Hermione, wondering what she was doing, if she had found a good book to read in the library, if she was lonely.

"Psst." Andromeda waved her hand in front of her sister's face. "Earth to Bella."

She shook her head, realizing she had been standing there staring at the shelves long enough for both her sisters to find what they wanted. "Sorry. I was lost in thought."

"What could you possibly be thinking about?" Andromeda grumbled rhetorically.

"Or who," Narcissa added.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, nudging her sisters toward the counter. "As if you wouldn't do the same. Come to think of it, Cissy, weren't you just daydreaming about Lucius the other day?"

The youngest Black's face turned crimson as she whacked Bellatrix with the books in her hand.

"Owww," she muttered, rubbing her arm, "I was only teasing."

"I didn't mean for it to be that hard," Narcissa insisted, "But they're heavy."

Bellatrix pried the books from her hands, setting them on the counter. Andromeda placed her selections next to Narcissa's, the three of them smiling at the clerk.

"Happy Christmas, girls," she said cheerily, ringing up their purchases for the day, "Nothing for you, Bellatrix?"

She shook her head. "Not today. Father said to send the receipt to Gringott's, by the way."

"Maybe next time," she said with a knowing smile.

With their bags floating near them, they chorused, "Happy Christmas," before heading back out onto the street.

"To Twilfitt?" Bellatrix asked, not waiting for a reply before setting off in that direction.

"Can we go to the apothecary after?" Andromeda asked, glancing longingly at the store.

Bellatrix nodded. She was happy to just be away from her father for the day. It didn't matter where she was, as long as she wasn't anywhere near him. She would've been more than happy to skip Twilfitt and Tatting's, but their mother insisted they stop by and be fitted for dresses with enough time to make changes before the annual Christmas party. Narcissa was the most excited about it, as she always was. Andromeda was indifferent to it, recognizing it for what it was. A show for the other pureblood families.

She regretted not getting a book as she waited for her sisters to be fitted. She had gone first, and the experience had never been one she enjoyed. Andromeda had her nose buried in one of her books, enraptured by the contents of the pages. Bellatrix almost wanted to ask her what it was about, but she hated when people interrupted her reading so she refrained. Narcissa was finished with her fitting faster than both of her sisters, being much more cooperative and less prone to fidgeting.

"Finally," Bellatrix breathed, grabbing Andromeda's arm and pulling her up, "Let's go before we run out of time."

Narcissa trotted after her as she dragged Andromeda out the door, her eyes flicking rapidly across the page until she got to a stopping point and put it back in her bag. As they made their way back to the apothecary, Bellatrix's eyes landed on the Magical Menagerie storefront and an idea began to form in her head.

"Let's go to the menagerie when you're finished, Andy," she mused.

"Are you mad? Father will actually kill you if you get a pet," Narcissa said, pulling on her sleeve.

Andromeda chuckled, glancing back at her. "It's not for her, Cissy. It's for Hermione."

"Ooohhhh," she breathed, loosening her grip on Bellatrix's sleeve.

Her face had never been so red before as she muttered, "I think it'll help her be less lonely when we're not there."

"That's sweet, Bella," Narcissa whispered, causing her face to turn redder.

"I don't think I've ever seen you blush so much in my life," Andromeda teased, pushing open the apothecary door.

She made a rude gesture to both her sisters as she entered, trying to force the redness of her cheeks to go away.

They looped their arms through Bellatrix's and Andromeda said, "It's not a bad thing. I like how much more open you are with us."

"And we both adore Hermione," Narcissa added, "You two are great together."

"We aren't even officially together," Bellatrix grumbled.

Andromeda had already grabbed what she wanted, placing it on the counter as she said, "Well, maybe after the break you can be."

She shrugged. They hadn't even talked about what they wanted. Was either of them even ready to be in a committed relationship? They both had feelings for each other, sure, but should she even get in a relationship with Hermione when she was set to marry Rodolphus? Would she even feel for Hermione a year from now? She had asked Hermione to promise, and she was sure she would keep it even if they didn't have relationship level feelings for each other. Bellatrix didn't want to think about losing feelings for Hermione, or the brunette no longer having feelings for her.

"You're thinking too hard," Narcissa mumbled, tapping her cheek.

"Am I?" she mused, realizing they were in front of the menagerie.

Andromeda pushed her through the door. "What kind of pet should we look for?"

Bellatrix didn't bother responding, already spotting the perfect one. Curled on a stack of books was a solid black cat, its tail swishing back and forth lazily. It was small but didn't look like a kitten. She approached, mesmerized by the creature that was small enough to fit onto her palm when it was curled up. How she had even managed to spot it amidst all the other animals was beyond her.

Its ears twitched in her direction as she approached and it lifted its head, blinking up at her with eyes as dark as her own. She smiled, reaching her hand out toward it. The cat sniffed it, deciding it was acceptable, and ran its sandpapery tongue along the side of her palm. Bellatrix scooped the small cat into her hands, carrying it to the counter.

"I was wondering if anyone would ever want her," the shopkeep said, "Bought her weeks ago. She's a pygmy jaguar that was fed only unicorn milk for the first two weeks, so her eyes never pigmented. Creeps everyone out, but I'm glad someone finally wants her."

"She's perfect. Is it possible for you to deliver her to someone on Christmas Day? Hermione Granger at Hogwarts?" she asked, stroking its ears, "And could I write a message?"

He nodded, sliding her a quill and a scrap of parchment. She hastily scribbled a message to Hermione, sensing that their time was almost up. She folded it in half, sliding both the note and the quill across the counter to him.

"You can send the receipt to Gringott's. The Black account," she said, gently tipping her hands so the pygmy jaguar had no choice but to go onto the counter.

"Will do, miss," he assured, chuckling as the animal stretched.

She frowned in thought, knowing something was missing but not sure what until it suddenly struck her. "Do you have a green collar with a bell on it?"

Her sisters snickered behind her, making a comment about subtlety.

"How's this?" the shopkeep asked after rummaging through some baskets behind him.

He was holding an emerald green leather collar with a single silver bell in the center. When she nodded with a broad smile, he gently coaxed it onto the jaguar.

"Thank you so much," Bellatrix said, "And have a Happy Christmas."

"You three take care," he said.

Bellatrix could feel the pocket watch growing warm in her pocket as they stepped out into the street, pulling it out of her pocket and extending the chain to her sisters. Suddenly they were back at the manor, their taste of freedom leaving them unsatisfied within its oppressing walls. She beckoned to her sisters to wait in the corridor, knocking on her father's office and pushing it open when she heard him respond. He held his hand out for the pocket watch, not even looking up from the documents on his desk.

When he felt the weight of it in his palm, he inspected it with narrow eyes before looking up at his eldest daughter and flicked his eyes to the door in a silent command for her to leave. Bellatrix could barely refrain from bolting out of the room, but she did move quickly lest she anger him by taking too long. When the door was shut firmly behind her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She had never gotten so lucky to be sent away without comment twice in one day.

A soft, tinkling bell awoke Hermione on Christmas morning. She bolted up, searching for the source. Her eyes eventually landed next to her, where a note rested on her pillow next to a small, curled creature. Noticing its green collar and the silver bell attached to it, she smiled, stroking the soft fur of its back. It meowed at her, opening its eyes and eliciting a gasp from the brunette witch. Even without reading the note, she knew exactly who the animal was from. She plucked the parchment off her pillow, anyway, unfolding it and reading:

For you, a pygmy jaguar. Happy Christmas, beautiful.

Bellatrix

Hermione smiled, tracing the thoughtful witch's signature lovingly. She looked back at the creature who was now nudging her hand with its head and purring. Now that she was no longer startled, she lay back down, smiling happily when her new pet hopped onto her chest, curling into a ball between her breasts. It continued to purr once it was comfortable, lulling Hermione back to sleep for a little longer.

When she woke up again, the pygmy jaguar was stretched out on her chest, its tail flicking back and forth and its head resting on the front paws. It meowed at her in greeting, though she supposed it only sounded like a meow because it was so much smaller than a normal jaguar. She wasn't sure if jaguars could meow at all.

"I suppose I should give you a name, huh?" she asked, scratching under its chin.

It purred in response, pushing its head into her hand.

"How about Odin?" she asked, frowning when it swatted at her hand. At least the claws weren't out.

Hermione hummed in thought, scratching under its chin until it rolled over, ending up on her lap. She sat up, scooting back until she was supported by the headboard. As she ran her hand through the soft fur of the jaguar's exposed belly, she realized her mistake.

"Serket?" she asked.

She pulled her hand back when she received a light nip in response.

With a sigh, she mumbled, "I'm running out of ideas. Eos?"

A purr sounded from her pet as it blinked up at her in satisfaction. Hermione smiled, scooping Eos off her lap and placing her on the pillow. She wasn't sure what to do with herself most of the time. There was only so much time she could spend in the library, and though she loved it there, she was beginning to grow restless. Hermione never imagined herself as the type of person who would grow bored of being in a library, but she found herself unable to focus on what she was reading.

After pulling on jeans and a hoodie, she gently lifted Eos from her pillow and placed her in the center pocket. There was a meow of protest and she held her up to her face, scratching behind her ear. Eos jumped off her hand, managing to find purchase on her shoulder after scaring Hermione half to death that she would fall. From there, she hopped up onto Hermione's head, nestling in her bushy brown hair. She didn't have the heart to protest, and the gentle purring vibrating over her skull was actually quite calming, so she proceeded to shove her feet into her trainers and make her way to the Great Hall.

Hermione didn't really enjoy sitting with the other Hogwarts students. She was the only Slytherin to stay over the holiday and while there were Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws that didn't mind her presence, the Gryffindors that had stayed made it very clear they didn't want her there. It was easy enough to ignore, but it hurt her heart that members of the house she had grown up in were so hostile to her. It really made her think back to how she had treated Slytherin students and she was ashamed to realize she had been the same way.

"Miss Granger, might I have a word with you in my office once you've finished your breakfast?" McGonagall asked as she was leaving.

She swallowed her bite of toast, nodding and answering, "Of course, Professor."

In return, she received a small smile as the Deputy Headmistress continued walking. Hermione wondered what she might want, scowling at a Gryffindor that had drawn a finger across their neck. The other Gryffindors burst into a fit of loud laughter, and Hermione decided she was no longer that hungry. She held her toast between her teeth as she grabbed an untouched piece and chucked it at the student as she left. Hermione could feel the other professors' eyes on her, but none of them tried to stop her or take house points, so she didn't care.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" Hermione asked, stepping through the open door and shutting it behind her when she was motioned to do so.

"Yes, you've seemed rather...reserved since the break began. I know I'm not your head of house, but Albus told me about the Time-Turner you used and that you used to be a Gryffindor. I can only assume I had a lot of my trust placed in you and a great deal of respect for you as well, which is why I've been keeping an eye on you," she explained.

Hermione sat across from her, deflating a little bit. "It's a little lonely without my housemates, and the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are nice enough, but whenever a Gryffindor is around, well, they don't like me very much."

"Hmm. I'm disappointed to hear that," she mumbled, "Regardless, I know you've been spending most of your time in the library trying to keep yourself busy, but if I'm correct, it hasn't been working, has it?"

"No, it hasn't," Hermione mumbled, looking down at her hands, "I've had a lot on my mind that not even books can distract me from."

McGonagall arched a brow knowingly. "Are you and Miss Black still not speaking?"

The brunette witch's face began to turn pink as she looked between McGonagall and the floor as she said. "Actually, we made up. She even sent me a Christmas present."

"I take it there's more to it than that," she said, holding up her hand when Hermione opened her mouth, "It is not technically my business, you do not have to confirm or deny. It was merely an observation. The reason I bring any of this up at all is because I am in need of an apprentice of sorts and I would like it to be you."

"Me?" she asked, dumbstruck.

McGonagall nodded. "Yes. You are a brilliant student and I would like to take you under my wing, as it were, as I'm sure I did in your original time. You will help me with lesson plans for the first, second, and third-year classes, help grade essays, assist students in and out of class, and if you feel comfortable with it, I will even let you lecture on occasion. Over the summer, I will assist you in putting together a plan for fully teaching a first-year class. And you will be paid, naturally."

"Professor, I-thank you, so much. I'd love to," Hermione stammered, astounded by the offer.

The older witch clapped her hands together excitedly. "I'm so glad. Let's get the paperwork done so Albus can approve it and we can get started."

"Professor," Hermione began.

"When it's just the two of us, you may use my first name, Hermione," she politely interjected, turning and grabbing a stack of parchment from behind her.

Hermione swallowed hard. "I actually could use some advice, if you don't mind."

"About Miss Black?" she asked, setting the stack of parchment to the side so she could focus on Hermione.

She nodded slowly, her mouth opening partly and closing a few times as she worked out what to say. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but according to Andy and Cissa it's pretty obvious, that Bella and I...have feelings for each other."

Minerva's eyes twinkled and she smiled knowingly, giving Hermione a small nod of encouragement.

The young witch let out a breath as she continued, "I want to do something for her, as a Christmas gift, but I...I'm not good at...I've never really...I don't know how..."

Sensing Hermione's growing frustration at not being able to articulate herself, she supplied, "You aren't accustomed to having such strong feelings for someone else and you're afraid you don't know how to show it without overwhelming her?"

She nodded, biting her lip and looking at the floor. "Yes. I know that things are...complicated, I guess. And we only just told each other how we feel the night of the Christmas party, I don't want to move things faster than either of us are ready for, especially since I do really like her. I know she's supposed to marry Rodolphus once she finishes school and part of me hopes she'll choose not to and part of me is afraid that she'll go through with it and I feel selfish for even wanting her to disobey her father to be with me."

"Look at me." Hermione looked up, finding a slightly amused expression on Minerva's face. "It's always scary, trust me. The changes I've seen in both of you over the course of the term have me convinced that the two of you are going to be very compatible together, even if it doesn't last forever. What matters is that you express how you feel to her while you have the chance. You won't scare her away."

"But what if I do?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

Minerva shook her head. "You won't. Bellatrix is an intense person, she feels things more strongly and deeply than most people do. Her feelings for you run just as deep as yours for her. You said she got you a gift, what was it?"

Eros took that moment to extricate herself from Hermione's hair, hopping down onto her shoulder and then onto Minerva's desk, the bell on her collar jingling as she did. She looked up at Hermione, demanding head scratches with an indignant meow before looking at Minerva.

"Her name is Eos," Hermione said, leaning forward to scratch her ears, "And she's a very symbolic gift. Her eyes match Bellatrix's, her collar is our house color, and the bell...My nickname for her is Bells. And I used to have a cat, although she's actually a pygmy jaguar, according to Bellatrix."

"That's a very thoughtful gift," Minerva said, reaching forward for the jaguar to inspect her hand.

She slumped in her chair. "I know. It's the best gift I've ever received and I don't know if I'll be able to get Bellatrix something so meaningful."

"You're overthinking things. Bellatrix is from the wealthiest family in the Wizarding World, but that comes at a price. She has been robbed of affection and love expressed through actions. The best gift for her is nothing something you can buy, but something you can do that shows her she is valued for who she is." She looked up from Eos to Hermione as she spoke, scratching the jaguar's head.

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, sitting up straighter in her chair. "Thank you, Minerva. I think I've been needing to talk to someone with more wisdom."

"I am always prepared to guide you in any aspect of life," she said with a smile, "Now, how about we fill out that paperwork?"

Bellatrix did her best to hide her scowl behind a false smile. At least Narcissa was enjoying herself and Andromeda appeared to be faring better than she was. Of course, the weight of their responsibilities had yet to hit them with its full force. Andromeda's arrangement had yet to begin, and Narcissa was too young to even think about her inevitable future, but the Malfoys had a good enough pedigree that she might get lucky and marry Lucius. Bellatrix wasn't sure she would still be so enamored with him when the time came.

"You look beautiful, Bella," Rodolphus said as they danced.

"Thanks," she mumbled noncommittally, inwardly cringing as his hand squeezed her waist. She couldn't wait until the party ended so she could take a scalding shower and scrub the entire ordeal off her skin.

He gave her a curious look as he spun her, placing his hand back on her waist as he asked, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"What do you think?" Bellatrix snapped quietly.

"Well, I was hoping you would say yes," he admitted, sounding disappointed, "Because I do enjoy dancing with you."

She felt some of her scowl slip through her mask, catching herself as quickly as she could. His disappointment didn't make her feel at all guilty, just annoyed. "You know how I feel, Rod."

He smiled sadly at her. "Yeah, I know. I just wish you would give me a proper chance to show you what I have to offer."

"We don't even like the same things. We don't want the same things. The only thing we have in common is our blood status," she hissed, not caring if she came across as rude.

"I know that Bella, but if we're going to spend our lives together we might as well try," he whispered, "I know you have feelings for another witch, I don't care if you see her behind closed doors, or if you see anyone other than me. As long as it's a secret from everyone else, including our children."

She frowned at him. "That's not what this is about."

Annoyance flashed across his face and his words were laced with undercurrents of anger as he said, "I'm really trying to work with you, Bellatrix. You can either accept that we're getting married and having children or you can waste your time trying to fight it. We both know you're too afraid to disobey your father or run away."

Her eyes flashed dangerously and she had the urge to shove him away from her and leave, but she didn't want to draw that kind of attention to them. He faltered under her gaze, realizing he had made a grave mistake. It was in his best interest to leave and give her time to forgive him.

"I'll take my leave. See you at school," he mumbled, guiding them off the dancefloor and giving her a slight bow.

Bellatrix watched as he approached her father, shaking his hand and thanking him for the invite before spouting some excuse about how he had to go home. Andromeda and Narcissa drifted over to her, glancing at their father as he finished talking with Rodolphus. As he approached, Bellatrix moved them slightly behind her, not enough to be obvious, but enough to make them feel a little safer. Their father would never do anything to them publicly, but they were always wary of him.

"Bellatrix," he said, his voice gruff but not angry.

"Yes, Father?" she asked, tilting her head slightly up.

"You and your sisters go upstairs for the night," he instructed.

She nodded obediently, herding her sisters toward the stairs. It wasn't until they were fully upstairs that she let out a sigh that was mixed with relief and annoyance.

"Bella..." Andromeda mumbled, placing her hand on her older sister's bicep.

"Not now, Andy, please," she breathed, pulling her arm away, "I just want to wash this night off me and try to forget it ever happened."

Andromeda nodded, mumbling, "We love you, Bella."

"And I love both of you," she whispered, pausing at her door.

Once the door was closed behind her, she sunk down to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. Right now she wanted nothing more than to be back at Hogwarts with Hermione. She couldn't believe Rodolphus had the nerve to say what he did. What upset her most was that she sort of believed him. She wasn't brave enough to stand up to her father, and unless she could bring her sisters, she wouldn't leave.

Her shoulders shook with sobs and she pushed herself to her feet, stumbling to her bathroom. She turned the shower on, waiting until steam began to fill the air before shedding her dress and getting in. The hot water burned a little, but it wasn't worse than what she was feeling. Bellatrix turned her face into the water, letting it wash away the tears she had shed.

When the water began to turn cold, she began scrubbing herself clean. By the time she had finished, she was shivering, her teeth chattering loudly. The longer she was home, the more she felt herself regressing to how she had been before she met Hermione. She didn't even want to think about what summer might be like

"I miss you, Hermione," she mumbled to her empty room, pulling on the pajamas Hermione had Transfigured her clothes into the night she had gotten drunk.

Hermione stood on the platform at Hogsmeade, rocking back and forth on her feet. She could see the Hogwarts Express returning her peers for the rest of the school year. Eos was nestled on the crown of her head, burrowed into her hair to stay warm and unbothered by the constant movement of the witch.

She could hardly wait for the students to begin disembarking, moving onto her tiptoes so she could search the crowd for the three Black sisters. When she spotted them, a huge grin broke out on her face and she saw Narcissa point her out to Andromeda and Bellatrix. They pushed through the crowd toward her, assaulting her with hugs.

"We missed you!" Narcissa said.

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" Andy asked.

"I missed you all, too. And there were a few...surprises," she directed her smile at Bellatrix, "Which made it very nice."

Bellatrix shuffled her feet, looking down at the frozen ground and mumbling, "Did you like your present?"

"Yes, Bells, thank you so much" Hermione breathed, clearing her throat, "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks. I have news."

"Oh, Hogsmeade, how I've missed you," Narcissa said, spreading her arms out to her sides.

The four witches laughed, falling into step with each other.

"How was your holiday?" Hermione asked them.

Bellatrix just shrugged, Andromeda rolled her eyes, and Narcissa said, "It could've been worse, but it also could've been better. At least father was busy most of it."

"Well, I think we should spend the last few hours of the holiday making it better," Hermione answered, hoping some of her enthusiasm would cheer them up. She was disconcerted by how withdrawn Bellatrix was and it was worrying her.

The Three Broomsticks was packed with Hogwarts students when they entered. Most of the booths were taken, but Hermione spotted one in the far corner and quickly pointed it out to her companions.

"If you three grab us that booth, I'll grab the drinks," she said.

"Bella can help you with the drinks," Andromeda said over her shoulder, pulling Narcissa along as she weaved through the tables.

Hermione pulled the sleeve of Bellatrix's robe, urging her to move. "Are you okay?"

"Am I allowed to lie?" she asked, half-serious.

She fixed her with a concerned look. "No."

"Can I tell you about it later? When it's just us?"

Hermione smiled softly at her. "Of course. I have something for you, by the way."

Bellatrix blinked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Four hot Butterbeers, please," she ordered, turning to her and saying as if it were obvious, "I have a Christmas present for you."

"You do?" she asked, cursing herself for sounding so inarticulate.

Hermione rolled her eyes, shoving two of the mugs into her hands and grabbing the other two off the bar. "Yes. I'm not sure how many other ways I can say it."

Bellatrix began walking toward their booth, mumbling, "I just wasn't expecting you to get me something. You didn't have to."

She rolled her eyes again, setting a Butterbeer down in front of Narcissa and sliding into the booth next to Bellatrix. "I know that, Bells. I wanted to."

"We aren't really used to gifts," Andromeda said helpfully, "Our parents usually just let us go shopping and get whatever we want."

"So, what's your news, Hermione?" Narcissa asked, saving her from feeling awkward.

"Right!" she set her mug down, "McGonagall asked me to be her apprentice. I'll help her with classes and next year I'll even teach a class."

They congratulated her enthusiastically. Her cheeks reddened and happiness spread through her. After another round of Butterbeers and a meal, the three Black sisters were in much higher spirits. The weight of having been home had finally fallen off their shoulders as they walked back to the castle, trying not to slip on the icy path that had formed from the other students. Bellatrix caught Hermione just before she slipped a few times, the two of them hanging back for a semblance of privacy.

"Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked quietly, grabbing Bellatrix's arm for balance.

"A little," she mumbled, sliding as she hit a slippery patch, "Being home wasn't as awful as usual. Well, Rodolphus upset me the night of the party and it all went downhill from there. It's good to be back with you, though."

Hermione pulled the curly-haired witch to a halt. "Did he hurt you?"

"No," she shook her head, "He just said some things."

"Not Rodolphus, Bells. Your dad. Did he hurt you?" Her brows were slightly furrowed and her eyes were full of worry.

Bellatrix opened her mouth, turning her head to the side. "It's nothing, Hermione."

"It's not nothing," she said, louder than she intended.

"Well, at least let me pretend it is," she mumbled, continuing the walk back to Hogwarts.

Hermione stared after her, worry and anger fighting for dominance. It wasn't until Bellatrix looked back at her with a raised brow that she realized she hadn't started walking. She let her worry win out, deciding that right now, she wasn't able to do anything about it. In her rush to catch up, she slid across a patch of ice, reaching out and grabbing Bellatrix's shoulder to stop herself.

"I'm sorry for asking," she mumbled, "I know it's not my business."

"You just have to stick your nose into everything, don't you Granger?"

It took Hermione a moment to realize that Bellatrix was teasing her. The usual smirk she had when they were joking was subdued and her eyes didn't shine as bright. Still, she continued to walk close enough that their shoulders brushed every few steps.

"It's in my nature," she responded, becoming serious, "I care about you a lot, you know, and I worry about you being home."

Bellatrix swallowed hard. "I do, too."

They were inside the castle by now and Hermione said, "Your present is in our room."

"Hermione?" she asked, glancing at the brunette witch with a slight smile, "Have you always had tiny cat ears?"

She reached up to feel the top of her head, her fingers brushing against Eos's soft fur. "I completely forgot Eos was even there. I've gotten so used to it."

Bellatrix chuckled. "I was hoping you'd like her."

"I love her," Hermione corrected as they squeezed through the entrance to the Common Room.

It was nearly empty since most of their housemates were in the Great Hall or unpacking, and they slipped up the stairs unbothered. When they reached the door to their room, Hermione paused. With her hand on the knob, she turned to face the witch just behind her.

"Just a warning, it might look a little different than it was before you left," she said, shifting her weight nervously.

Before Bellatrix could respond, she turned back to the door and pushed it open. She held her breath as Bellatrix surveyed the room, her mouth falling open as she took in their two beds shaped into a couch and a strange device next to it. The couch faced a wall that had a large white sheet suspended from it. Directly in front of the couch, their nightstands had been turned into a table, which had a small, corked vial on it. Bellatrix picked it up, the chain attached to it dangling from her hand as she read the label. In Hermione's neat script was her name, written with more care than Bellatrix had ever seen.

"What?" she began, tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

"Sit down," Hermione interrupted softly, taking the vial from her as she fell numbly onto the couch.

She watched Hermione as she uncorked the vial and gently tipped its contents into a dish that reminded her of a Pensieve. Her attention was drawn to the white sheet as light from the device shone on it. Hermione sat next to her, not offering any explanation as to what was happening, but sliding her hand into Bellatrix's. The light in the room dimmed until the only source was splayed across the sheet. Bellatrix gasped as an image of her came into focus. The tears in her eyes were more insistent as she recognized the scene from one of the days where they had been sitting at Black Lake. She had felt Hermione's eyes on her but never put the pieces together that she had been admiring her.

The picture shifted to show her laughing, her shoulders shaking as she reached out to deliver a light shove. Bellatrix felt her heart skip a beat. This was how Hermione saw her. She gripped Hermione's hand tightly as she continued watching. All the moments they had shared, all the times Hermione marveled at her, they were all on display for Bellatrix to see, crafted into a single, silent movie from Hermione's memories. How much time had it taken to do all of this? For her? She wasn't sure if she was in some surreal dream or if it was actually real.

Bellatrix didn't realize she was crying until it was over, a frozen image of her with her face in a book flickering on the sheet. Her mouth opened and closed as she stared at it, lost for words. She didn't even know where to start. She knew she should say something to the witch sitting beside her, who had put so much effort into this present for her. Bellatrix hadn't been expecting anything remotely like what had just happened and wasn't prepared to feel so overwhelmed by it.

"Hermione," she murmured, turning her head to look at her, "You did this for me?"

The brunette nodded, cupping her face and stroking her cheek with her thumb. "I wanted to show you how special you are to me in everything you do. I've never felt as in tune with anyone as I do with you. Bells, you deserve to know how incredible you are. I've seen sides of you that you don't even see in yourself and I love every single one of them. You deserve to be shown how much you matter."

Bellatrix stared wide-eyed at Hermione, unsure if she had heard correctly. She was still astonished that Hermione had put in so much effort. The brunette waited patiently while Bellatrix formulated her thoughts. It was difficult when Hermione was looking at her with pink cheeks and an expression that just screamed love. She didn't think anyone had ever looked at her the way Hermione did, and now that she had seen herself through Hermione's eyes, she noticed it. It didn't feel rushed and the time they spent apart reminded her just how important it was to love and be loved.

"I-I love you, too," she whispered.

Hermione chuckled in relief, leaning their foreheads together and pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm a little late, but Happy Christmas."

"Thank you, Hermione," she breathed, burying her face in Hermione's neck.

Eos poked her head up from Hermione's hair, glancing at the two before hopping onto Bellatrix's head, to the couch, and onto the table.

"I forgot she was there," Bellatrix mumbled.

Hermione laughed, the vibrations traveling through Bellatrix. "She's so quiet when she's there."

Bellatrix hummed, threading her hands into Hermione's hair as the brunette rubbed her back. "Does she sleep in your hair, too?"

"No," she answered, still laughing, "She curls up on my chest."

"Speaking of curling up," Bellatrix whispered, tilting her head up to Hermione and chewing her lip.

Hermione smiled down at her, laying back gently. Because the beds were still set up like a couch, Bellatrix was more or less on top of her, lying between her legs. Bellatrix traced the lines of Hermione's face with shaking fingers, her cheek resting on Hermione's collarbone. Hermione's arms were resting on her lower back, inhaling sharply as Bellatrix traced her lips. The dark-haired witch felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched Hermione's lips part slightly when her finger passed over the bottom one.

She flicked her eyes up to Hermione's uncertainly, finding warmth in them. Her fingertip lingered on the center of Hermione's lips and her eyes widened when she pressed a kiss to her finger. Hermione's lips twitched upward into a smile at Bellatrix's dumbstruck expression. The dark-haired witch pushed herself up, pausing right before their lips touched. She swallowed hard, looking to Hermione for permission.

Hands threaded into dark curls as Hermione leaned up, pressing their lips together softly. Bellatrix sighed into the kiss, her teeth grazing Hermione's bottom lip and causing the brunette the shiver and her hands to tighten in her hair. She smiled, gasping when Hermione captured her bottom lip, letting it slide slowly through her careful teeth. A whine left her as her lip was released.

"Hermione," she breathed, her eyes fluttering open to meet a steady gaze.

"What is it?" she asked, concern pulling her eyebrows slightly together.

Bellatrix ran her thumb down the space between her eyebrows, whispering, "My arms are weak."

She realized then that the arm beside her head was trembling slightly. Hermione brushed her lips against the inside of Bellatrix's wrist, catching her as her arm buckled. "I've got you."

"Promise?" came the soft whisper, muffled by her shoulder.

"I promise." Hermione placed a gentle kiss to Bellatrix's head.

Bellatrix buried her face in Hermione's neck, pushing brown hair aside with her nose. She could feel Hermione's pulse pounding beneath the surface and she pressed her lips softly to it. Blunt nails dug into her robes as Hermione inhaled sharply at the contact, subconsciously tilting her head to the other side. Experimentally, Bellatrix sucked on the skin, smirking when a gasp sounded from the witch beneath her. She bit down gently, noting how Hermione pulled away slightly.

"Sorry," she mumbled against her skin.

"Take your time," came the breathless response as fingers massaged her scalp.

She nodded into Hermione's neck, moving her lips just under her jaw. As she kissed the skin gently, Hermione's hands tightened in her hair and her head tipped back. Bellatrix smiled, nuzzling the spot with her nose. It was so natural to familiarize herself with the brunette in such an intimate way. Hermione pulled Bellatrix's head back, smiling up at her. She leaned up, nipping her earlobe playfully and delighting in the shiver that shot through Bellatrix.

Her breath hit Bellatrix's earlobe softly as she whispered, "For as long as you'll let me, I'm never letting you go."