A/N: Hello my lovely readers! I'm so happy to bring you another update when I said I would. I anticipate another update in about a month, maybe a little longer, but definitely before April is over.
I hope you're all well and please enjoy!
One, two three
Counting out the signs we see
The tall buildings
Fading in the distance
Only dots on a map
Four, five, six
The two of us a perfect fit
You're all mine, all mine
-You Picked Me, A Fine Frenzy
When their Seeker caught the Golden Snitch, all of Slytherin jumped to their feet, screaming in victory. The Quidditch Cup was theirs, and they were in the lead for the House Cup, too. The match hadn't been all that exciting. It was cold and pouring, and they were barely able to see anything, but when the commentator had announced their triumph over the Gryffindor team, it didn't even matter. They would celebrate vigorously, that was for sure.
Hermione and Bellatrix snuck out of the stands as soon as it was announced, the brunette pulling the slightly shorter witch along. Laughter trailed after them as they ran across the grounds even in the rain, their hair sticking to their foreheads. Hermione pulled Bellatrix to her once they were well out of sight, pressing their lips together.
"Told you we'd win," she laughed, breaking the kiss.
"Okay, okay. You were right, is that what you want to hear?" Bellatrix teased.
"I want to hear the sound of celebration," she said, brushing her rain-soaked hair away from her face.
The dark-haired witch rolled her eyes. "Then why are we going away from the Common Room?"
"Because I really wanted to kiss you," she murmured, running her thumb across Bellatrix's bottom lip.
She shoved the other witch playfully, rolling her eyes before grabbing her robes and pulling her in for another kiss. Hermione smiled into the kiss, keeping it brief.
"Let's go inside before we catch our death," Bellatrix said, her teeth chattering.
"What do you say we have our own celebration?" Hermione suggested, placing her hands on Bellatrix's hips.
She arched a brow, one side of her mouth twitching upward. "And how would you propose we do that?"
The brunette leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "I was thinking something along the lines of a hot bath, maybe some wine."
"And how do you plan to get wine?" she husked, though she had to admit it sounded much more enticing than celebrating with their housemates.
Hermione smirked at her. "I already have it."
Bellatrix smiled, allowing her to pull her towards the castle. "You never cease to amaze me."
"Good," she said, glancing back before letting go of her hand.
Despite their distraction, they managed to get back before everyone else, heading up the stairs and to their room without running into a single person. With the door closed behind them, Hermione pulled Bellatrix to her, kissing along her jaw as she undid the buttons of her blouse. Bellatrix sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and Hermione pressed into her as trembling hands slid her wet robes off.
"I'm fucking freezing, Hermione," she complained.
"If you start the bath, I'll get the wine," she said.
"Deal," Bellatrix whispered, "And I do want to hear how you managed to get it."
Hermione nodded, urging the shivering witch toward the bathroom. The cold was starting to get to her, too, so she hurriedly grabbed the bottle of wine from the bottom of her trunk and followed Bellatrix. The dark-haired witch had already stripped and slid into the water, rubbing her arms to facilitate the return of warmth to her body. Hermione handed her the bottle, discarding her own soaked clothes and getting in across from her. They eyed each other with appreciative glances before Bellatrix moved to sit between her legs.
"You forgot glasses," she teased, presenting the bottle.
Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes, reaching for her wand and summoning two glasses. As she handed one to Bellatrix she asked, "Better?"
"Much," she said, tilting her chin up happily as she poured a glass for Hermione and then herself, "I do believe I was promised a story."
"I was working on a lesson plan with Minerva and the subject of the Quidditch Cup came up. She said there was no way Gryffindor would lose, and I said there was no way they'd win. Well, after bickering for a bit, we came to an agreement." She took a sip, the fingers of her free hand idly grazing Bellatrix's hip. "If Gryffindor won, I would have to grade all the essays from all the classes I help with for the rest of the year. If Slytherin won, she would have a house-elf deliver a bottle of Elvish wine and place it in my trunk."
Bellatrix leaned back, pressing her back flat against Hermione as she took a sip. She could feel the swell of her breasts and the soft patch of hair between her legs. "She has great taste. And so do I, apparently. Not many people can say their girlfriend is buddied up with McGonagall, the strictest person at Hogwarts."
"She's always had a soft spot for me," Hermione smiled, "It helps that I already knew her. She became like a mother to me, and I think she viewed me as a daughter. It's nice that even as far from my time as I am, there's one person that nothing has changed with."
"Do you miss them?" Bellatrix asked, turning slightly to look at the brunette as she filled her own glass again.
"Of course I do. But I wouldn't trade you for the world, Bells," she whispered reassuringly in her ear. A shiver ran down her spine as Hermione punctuated her sentence with a squeeze of her hip.
She hummed, her eyelids fluttering at the sensation. "That feels nice."
Hermione smiled, setting her empty glass down and moving Bellatrix's hair to one side. She nuzzled the skin of her neck, trailing kisses from behind her ear to her shoulder, caressing her hips and drawing sighs from the dark-haired witch. Bellatrix nearly spilled her wine, saved only by Hermione's hand reaching up to catch it and pry it from her grasp. She felt a chuckle spread across her shoulder as teeth grazed her ivory skin.
"Hermione," she breathed, reaching back and burying her hand in messy brown hair.
"Tell me," she whispered, her hands drifting teasingly lower before returning to her hips.
A soft whine escaped her against her will as she squirmed. "Please."
"Please what?" she asked teasingly, stroking the soft black curls between Bellatrix's legs.
"Touch me," she whispered, bucking her hips up.
Hermione chuckled again. "I am touching you, Bells."
The growl that she released was quickly turned into a moan as Hermione sucked on her pulse point, her hands sliding up to roll semi-hardened nipples between her thumb and forefinger.
"I'm still waiting," she husked, pinching the soft flesh.
Bellatrix arched her back as she gasped. Breathlessly, she managed, "Just like that."
"Are you feeling warmed up?" Hermione asked, nibbling her earlobe as she pinched her nipples again.
"Yes," she breathed, both as an answer and as encouragement for the brunette to continue.
Hermione slid her hands down to Bellatrix's hips ignoring the protest from the other witch as she pushed them forward and whispered, "Bed."
"No," she protested, turning to straddle the brunette.
She arched a brow, swiping her thumbs across Bellatrix's nipples. "I don't fancy turning into a raisin tonight, Bells."
"Can we at least bring the wine?" Bellatrix whispered, arching her back, "It's so good."
"Don't spill it," she whispered, complying with her request, earning a bright smile.
Bellatrix pushed herself out of the tub, shivering as the air met her skin. She grabbed the bottle of wine and their glasses as Hermione reached for her wand. With a flick of the vinewood, they were both dry, wearing fluffy black robes.
"Merlin, just marry me already," Bellatrix said, half-joking as she melted into the soft fabric and took a drink from her glass.
Hermione grabbed her waist, pulling her close and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Someday, I will, Bellatrix Black."
The shorter witch shivered, deepening the kiss before Hermione had a chance to end it.
"Bed," Hermione reiterated with a whisper against her lips, prodding her hips.
Bellatrix pouted at her, rolling her eyes playfully. "Pushy witch."
She yelped when Hermione pinched her arse, snagging both the bottle and her empty glass. As she poured herself a new one, Bellatrix sipped hers, walking over to their bed. They had combined their two beds into one large one after Hermione had made it into a couch. Occasionally, they put it back into a couch, watching memories play on what Bellatrix quickly learned was a 'projector' Hermione had modified to act as a Pensieve- with McGonagall's assistance.
Bellatrix sat with her back against the headboard, finishing her glass as she watched Hermione set her empty glass and the bottle on the nightstand before slowly shrugging off the robe. Dark eyes roved approvingly over the bare body, dipping down to her breasts, wandering to her hips, lingering on the short brown hair between her strong thighs. Hermione took Bellatrix's glass, setting it on the nightstand as she moved to straddle her. She draped her arms around her neck, tilting her head down and taking Bellatrix's lips.
She tasted like wine, sending Hermione's already slightly foggy brain into even more of a daze. Bellatrix wasn't faring any better, intoxicated by the sensations Hermione elicited. The soft rocking of her hips, her nails on her scalp, her tongue sliding against her own. Bellatrix dragged her nails down Hermione's back as she moaned, causing the brunette to arch into her. Hermione made a noise in the back of her throat as she broke the kiss, tilting Bellatrix's head to the side and dragging her teeth along her defined jaw.
"Hermione," she groaned, pushing her hips up.
The brunette teased her throat with her teeth, nipping along her exposed collarbones as she eased her robe open. Her hands skimmed her sides, coming to rest on her breasts and giving the firm flesh a gentle squeeze. Bellatrix buried her hands in Hermione's hair, urging her lower. She complied, nipping along her chest before wrapping her lips around one of Bellatrix's pink nipples. A moan tore out of her throat and she arched her back as her grip tightened and she pressed Hermione closer. Hermione pressed her tongue flat against it, pinching her other nipple.
Bellatrix pushed her hips up more insistently into Hermione, groaning as Hermione released her nipple and moved to the other, giving it the same treatment. The brunette continued to rock her hips, giving Bellatrix a semblance of the pressure she wanted.
"Hermione, please," she gasped, "More."
Hermione smiled against Bellatrix's nipple, sliding a hand between them, not quite where Bellatrix wanted it, but close. She delighted in hearing Bellatrix's pleas, the way she relinquished control to her so willingly. She would never beg anyone else for anything, and Hermione knew this. That she felt comfortable enough to give what control of her life she had to Hermione meant the world, and she made sure to treat her with the utmost care each time.
She moved between Bellatrix's legs, smiling brightly at her as she coaxed her further down the bed. Bellatrix took the opportunity to shrug off her robe and toss it out of the way, sliding down the bed with Hermione. Hermione kneeled between her legs, brushing her thumbs over Bellatrix's nipples once before leaning down to kiss them.
"Tell me when," she whispered, circling her clit once and sliding a finger through Bellatrix's slick folds to enter her.
She held as still as she could as Bellatrix tipped her head back and moaned softly. Hermione nipped along her chest, waiting patiently. Hands gripped her hair and she looked lovingly up at the witch beneath her, who nodded.
Hermione stretched up to kiss her, moving her finger deeper into her, curling it before pulling it out and repeating the process. Bellatrix's hands tightened in her hair and she broke the kiss, squeezing her eyes shut and panting out small moans.
When she began rocking into Hermione's finger, she added a second, keeping her thrusts slow but firm. Bellatrix gasped, pulling her closer as moans, gasps, and sighs spilled from her throat in no particular order. Hermione continued to nip across her chest, occasionally returning to her nipples to keep them hardened. Bellatrix felt her body getting slowly hotter, as pressure built between her legs.
"Hermione," she moaned softly.
"Are you ready to?" the brunette whispered, kissing along her jaw.
She nodded, gasping out a soft, "Please."
Hermione increased the pace and force of her thrusts gradually, brushing her thumb repeatedly over her clit. "Let go, Bells."
The command was soft, barely uttered in the space between them, but it was enough. Bellatrix's back arched, her mouth falling open and a moan seeping out as she held her hips up as Hermione continued moving in and out, slowing down and becoming gentler with each stroke. She placed kisses along her cheeks as hands slid from her hair to her shoulders, gripping her tightly. She pulled her fingers out of the witch beneath her, sliding her other arm under her and rolling so their positions were reversed.
"I've got you," she mumbled into dark curls, tightening the arm around her waist.
Bellatrix braced her hands on Hermione's shoulders, burying her face into her neck. A hand stroked her back tenderly as she caught her breath. Hermione always treated her with more love than she had ever been given, as if she was a world to cradle to her chest and protect at all costs.
"I love you, Bells," she whispered softly.
"I love you, too, Hermione," Bellatrix managed to say, a dopey smile on her face as she lifted her head and clumsily pressed their lips together, "More than I ever thought I was capable of loving someone."
Hermione brushed a stray black curl out of her face, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Bellatrix Black."
She swallowed hard, her heart flipping wildly in her chest. "I'd give up everything just to be part of your life, Hermione Granger."
Bellatrix leaned down, kissing Hermione softly. The brunette sighed into the kiss, giving Bellatrix the opening she needed to slide her tongue against hers. Hermione buried her hands in dark curls, sucking on Bellatrix's tongue. Bellatrix groaned, dragging her nails lightly over Hermione's chest. She had quickly learned that Hermione was not a fan of bites, but she did enjoy being scratched so long as it wasn't too forceful. She broke the kiss, sliding her nails down Hermione's sides as she sucked on the skin at the base of her throat.
"Bells," she gasped, squirming underneath her.
She sat back on her heels, dragging her nails agonizingly slow along the tops of Hermione's thighs. The brunette spread her legs wider, angling her body in an attempt to get her hands where she wanted them. Bellatrix smirked at her, sending fresh desire through her veins to rest between her legs. She pushed her hips forward, but Bellatrix shifted back enough to be just out of reach. Firm hands pressed her hips down and held them there as Bellatrix leaned over her to whisper in her ear.
"Use your words," she commanded in a whisper, tracing the shell of her ear with her lips.
"You know what I want," she panted, tilting her head to the opposite side.
Bellatrix hummed, sucking her way down Hermione's neck slowly, ignoring the insistent hands in her hair. "Do I?"
This was where she got control back. All the control she surrendered to the brunette was given back two-fold when their positions were reversed. Control without crossing a line, making sure everything was what the other wanted, while forcing them to give in and beg. As she waited for an answer, she dragged her nails over one of Hermione's breasts. She pushed up into the touch, biting her lip.
"I'm waiting," she husked, circling her pert nipple with the nail of her index finger.
"Fuck me," she whispered, bucking her hips, "Please."
Bellatrix smiled sliding her hand lower to brush against her clit. "Tell me how you want it, Hermione."
A moan delayed her answer, but before Bellatrix stopped she managed to say, "Your tongue...on my clit...please."
The dark-haired witch hummed against Hermione's collar, squeezing her thigh. She dragged her nails along the inside of her thigh as she kissed her way to Hermione's clit. Hands tightened in her hair as she brushed the tip of her tongue against the swollen nub and she looked up, smirking at the needy expression on Hermione's face. Bellatrix watched Hermione throw her head back with a loud moan as she flicked her tongue over her clit.
Hermione pushed her hips into Bellatrix's mouth, causing her to slide her hands around her hips and hold them still. She untangled her hands from Bellatrix's hair, digging her nails into her shoulders. Her breaths came in fast pants and she squirmed under Bellatrix as she worked her tongue faster. Hermione's moan caught in her throat and Bellatrix pulled away teasingly.
"No, no, Bells, don't stop, please," she begged, trying to pull her closer by digging her heels into her back.
"Just admiring you before you come undone," she breathed, pressing a kiss to the inside of her knee.
Hermione whined, pushing her hips closer to Bellatrix's mouth against her grip. A low chuckle registered in Hermione's brain just as she returned her mouth to her clit. A cross between a sigh and a moan tore from Hermione's throat as she bucked wildly against the tongue working her clit.
Bellatrix felt Hermione's rhythm become more erratic and her thighs tighten around her head. She knew the brunette was close and she was tempted to pull away again just to hear her sweet pleas. Instead, she snaked one hand up, dragging her nails down from the center of her chest. Heels dug into her back as Hermione arched her back, her hips stilling in midair and her thighs taut on either side of Bellatrix's head.
She continued gently licking her clit until hands nested in her hair weakly pulling her up. Bellatrix brushed her thumb over Hermione's hipbone as she pushed herself up, stretching her jaw as she moved to lay next to her. Small whimpers continued to leak from Hermione's throat and Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her, kissing her temple as the brunette nuzzled into her.
"You. Are. So. Amazing," Hermione's whispered softly, punctuating each word with a lazy kiss.
Bellatrix laughed, feeling her cheeks redden at the praise. "I happen to think you're pretty amazing, too."
"What a fortuitous coincidence," Hermione mumbled, "This was a much better way of celebrating winning the Quidditch cup."
"I think so, too. As much as I did enjoy you carrying me to bed last time, I much prefer laying in bed with you after a bath." As she spoke, she traced the small scars along Hermione's shoulders.
Hermione hummed, nudging Bellatrix's head up and pressing her face into her neck. "Me, too. You are exceptionally great at cuddling."
"Is that all?" Bellatrix teased, stroking Hermione's hair.
"You know it's not," she huffed, squeezing her playfully, "I thought I made that perfectly clear."
Bellatrix chuckled, patting the pillow for Eos when she poked her head up from the nightstand. "I just like to hear you say it."
"She's gonna be grumpy that I'm not on my back," Hermione mumbled, "Should go pee, anyway."
"Real quick," the dark-haired witch agreed.
Both were hesitant to leave their mutual embrace but forced themselves up, deciding to get it over with sooner rather than later. Bellatrix returned first, fluffing Hermione's pillow as she yawned. Between the wine and sex, she was feeling sleepy, and she was sure Hermione would be, too.
"You're so sweet," the brunette mumbled sleepily as she slid under the blanket.
"Only for you," she whispered, slinging her arm over Hermione's waist once she stopped moving.
Hermione yawned, burying one hand in wild curls. "I must be the luckiest person alive, then."
Bellatrix chuckled, resting her head on Hermione's shoulder as Eos jumped onto the bed and padded over to curl up in the center of Hermione's chest. She scratched under her chin, eliciting purrs from the pygmy jaguar that reverberated through Hermione. She watched as the purring put Hermione to sleep as it always did, a loving smile on her face as the brunette's breathing slowed and turned into gentle snores. Even after Hermione was sound asleep, Bellatrix scratched under Eos's head until she was too tired to keep her eyes open.
"Bells," Hermione whispered the next morning, running her fingertips over her bare shoulders.
"No," came the soft protest, "It's Saturday and I don't have any studying to do."
The brunette chuckled. "I know, but I need to get up, I have to meet with McGonagall."
A grumbled protest left ruby lips, muffled by the shoulder she buried her face in.
"You know I don't understand you when you talk like that," Hermione teased.
Bellatrix picked her head up, pouting down at her, "I don't want you to go, you're warm."
"You are a witch," she reminded her with a kiss on the nose, "Surely you can cast a basic warming charm?"
The dark-haired witch sighed dramatically, unwinding her arms from around Hermione and letting her up. "Tell McGonagall I don't appreciate her taking my joy from me."
"I won't," Hermione laughed, kissing her tenderly as Eos stretched on her chest before hopping onto the pillow to wait for Hermione.
"I love you, beautiful," Bellatrix whispered, her eyes still closed in bliss even though their lips were no longer connected.
Hermione smiled, stroking her hair as she sat up. "I love you, too, Bells. See you at lunch."
"Mhm." Bellatrix pulled the blanket tightly around herself, snuggling into the pillow that Hermione had been using.
Her eyes roamed over Hermione's body as she watched her dress with an awed smile. Hermione leaned down to give her one last kiss, which Eos used as an opportunity to jump into her hair. Bellatrix lazily cupped her face, reluctantly letting her pull away. The brunette smiled serenely to herself as she left, nearly colliding with Rodolphus as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey, Granger," he called as she brushed past, causing her to stop and look back at him with a raised brow, "Was Bellatrix up there?"
She shrugged cryptically.
"Next time you see her, tell her to talk to me" he ordered.
"Is there a reason I should?" she questioned, raising her brow and bristling slightly.
He shifted his weight. "I've been trying to talk to her, but she's been avoiding me. Pretty hard for her to avoid you, though, since you're roommates."
Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "If she wanted to talk to you, don't you think she would?"
"She can't avoid me forever, Granger," he warned, his eyes flashing dangerously.
The brunette had faced witches and wizards that were far more threatening than he was, and she didn't cower as she stepped closer to him and hissed, "If you really care about her as much as you say you do, you'll leave her alone for however long she wants. Our door is warded with ancient wards that will peel your skin from your body, so don't even think of knocking."
Hermione turned abruptly, smiling darkly to herself. There was no such ward on the door, just the standard ward that prevented anyone but them from opening it, with a few silencing wards thrown in for good measure. Rodolphus didn't know that, though, and from the look on his face, he believed her. It wouldn't keep him away forever, but it would give Bellatrix a little more peace, and she would lie to Voldemort himself to give her even an extra second of it. She only hoped Rodolphus didn't pick up on their feelings for each other and that he had taken it as a threat not to go near her space.
Purrs vibrated from Eos against the crown of her head, drawing her out of her thoughts. She realized how tense she was, rolling her shoulders and shaking out her arms before she opened the door to McGonagall's office. Had she stomped all the way here?
Her mentor was seated at her desk, looking at a stack of parchment in her hands. When the door closed behind Hermione, she looked up over the rim of her glasses, arching an eyebrow at her protege's demeanor.
"Something wrong?" she asked nonchalantly, as if she didn't already know the answer.
"Rodolphus Lestrange," Hermione groaned out, sinking into the chair across from her, "And the fact that he feels so entitled to Bellatrix because of their betrothal."
Minerva set the stack of parchment on her desk, anticipating a rant from the brunette. She set her glasses on the top of her head, looking at the young witch expectantly.
"Just because they're supposed to get married in a little over a year he thinks he has every right to bother her. And this morning he had the nerve to demand that I tell her to talk to him because she's been ignoring him since some Christmas party. And when I refused, he tried to scare me, as if I haven't looked death in the face countless times already." Hermione took a deep breath. "He has no right to demand anything from her just because their fathers made a deal. Bellatrix is not his! She doesn't belong to him! They aren't even married yet and he treats her like his property!"
It was at this point Hermione realized she was pacing, and she stopped, looking sheepishly at Minerva.
"Are you finished?" she asked kindly.
Hermione huffed. "Our time is slipping away from us and there's nothing I can do to stop it! I don't have a plan to help her and I promised I would. What if I can't keep that promise? Will everything still happen the way it did? Can I even interfere the way I intended to without causing some temporal paradox? There's no way I can get back to my original time, which must mean I'm supposed to be here, but how much can I actually do? How much can I actually change? Is it even ethical for me to use my knowledge of the future to stop the war before it truly begins? And if I don't change it, what was the point in coming back at all?"
Minerva sat patiently as Hermione rambled, asking questions that didn't have an answer. This had clearly been building up for some time now, and there were only a few people who knew of her situation. She very well couldn't load all of it onto the Black sisters, and it was clear she was wary of revealing everything to Dumbledore, which was smart of her. That left her, who would never betray her trust and always listened attentively.
"What if it all just happens again?" Hermione asked, sinking numbly back into her chair and staring at the edge of the desk with tears in her eyes.
The older witch sighed, standing and coming around the desk to place her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "Before you got here, Bellatrix was a very lonely person. Most people who tried to befriend her did so only because of her intelligence or her name, so she shut herself away. She didn't bother to apply herself the way she does now, because she has someone who can finally keep up with her. She isn't lonely anymore, Hermione, she isn't as complicit to the fate her father decided for her."
"I-"
"You are not without influence on the timeline," she interrupted before Hermione's thoughts could spiral, "You have already changed things. You will continue to change things as long as you are here."
Hermione nodded, rubbing her forehead to ease the tension residing there. "I don't know if it will be enough."
"We do what we can," Minerva said, squeezing her shoulders and returning to her chair, "Whether it's enough remains to be seen."
"Thank you, Minerva," she whispered, clearing her throat, "So, what are we doing today?"
Minerva paused, straightening the stack of parchment on her desk. "You've heard of Self-Transfiguration?"
The brunette nodded warily.
"I'm going to teach you how."
"What?" Hermione asked, blinking at the older witch.
Her green eyes glittered as she said, "It is not a skill I advertise to all. I believe you are capable of it, though, and I will be here with you every step of the way. We can only spend so much time on lesson plans for next year and you will need to be occupied."
"Are you...staying at the castle all summer?" Guilt flooded her system at potentially taking away Minerva's opportunity for a vacation.
"No, and neither are you. I believe Albus should be requesting your presence once exams are finished, and he will explain more. I wish he would tell me what he's planning so I could tell you what to expect, but," she shrugged, "Just don't make any decisions lightly."
Hermione nodded, looking at the stack of parchment Minerva slid toward her. "Am I supposed to read this here?"
"Preferably. Once exams are over and the other students have left, I will allow you take it," she answered, "You don't have to start it now, I'm sure you'd like to spend time with Miss Black. You may come read whenever you have free time."
The brunette chewed her lip, debating between the knowledge in front of her and spending time with Bellatrix. There were only two weeks until exams, and then there would only be two days before the students were sent home for the summer. Minerva placed her glasses back on her nose and returned to reviewing Hermione's grading.
"Thank you, Minerva, I'll come back and read it another time," Hermione said quietly, sliding the stack more solidly onto the desk.
"Of course, Hermione, enjoy your time with Miss Black, and try not to think about Mr. Lestrange," she said, looking up at her with a smile.
The brunette made her way back to her room, stopping by the kitchens for some sandwiches. An idea bloomed in her head and she grinned to herself. Politely, she asked them to pack grapes and cheese into a basket with the sandwiches and set it out with a blanket near the lake. They nodded emphatically, their big ears flopping as they did. Hermione hurried up to their room, finding Bellatrix still lounging in bed. She smiled at the sight of the witch sprawled on the bed, a book in her hands and the blanket sitting around her hips, leaving the span of her back bare.
Hermione smiled, shutting the door quietly. She tiptoed over to the bed, making sure Eos was secure before she leaned down and licked up her spine. The dark-haired witch buried her face into her book, a low moan slipping out. Hermione pressed kisses along the span of her shoulders, brushing curls out of the way.
"I have a surprise for you, Bells, down by the lake," Hermione whispered against her ivory skin.
"You're too good to me," she muttered, "Let me get dressed."
She smiled, moving back to allow Bellatrix up. The dark-haired witch pressed a quick kiss to Hermione's lips, slipping out of reach before she could deepen it. She pulled on a set of robes, bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly. Hermione chuckled, jerking her head for her to follow. Bellatrix followed her, stifling her questions about the cautious way she peered around the Common Room and rushed into the corridor. They slowed down once they were away from the entrance, the two of them brushing shoulders every now and then.
It was still a bit cold out, but with the sun at its height, it was rather perfect for a picnic. Upon spotting the basket and blanket, Bellatrix smiled broadly, looking up at Hermione. The brunette chuckled, pulling Bellatrix with her as she sat down. Still smiling, Bellatrix sat across from Hermione and reached for a grape.
"Is there a reason you set this up?" she asked, popping it into her mouth.
She shook her head with a smile, earning an indignant meow from Eos. "I just wanted to. And I didn't actually do anything, I asked the house-elves to set it up."
"But you thought of it," Bellatrix pointed out, "And decided to go through with it."
"I just...I want to make you happy while I can. I want you to have good memories when..." Hermione trailed off, her eyebrows furrowing.
Bellatrix leaned forward, smoothing her forehead with her thumb. "You think too much sometimes."
"I know. Thank you," she whispered, grabbing her slender hand and pressing a kiss to her palm.
"Here," Bellatrix said, grabbing a grape, "Open your mouth."
Hermione did as she was told, opening her mouth wide for Bellatrix to throw the grape into. She missed, the reddish sphere bouncing harmlessly off her chin. She tried again, this time hitting Hermione's nose. They were both stifling laughter as she tried a third time, making the grape into Hermione's mouth successfully. She had thrown it a little hard and the brunette had almost choked, but managed to avoid that. She laughed, quickly echoed by Bellatrix as they took turns throwing grapes into each other's mouths.
When they were out of grapes, they both moved to lay on their backs, looking up at the bright blue sky and pointing out shapes in the clouds. They were so enraptured in their game that they failed to notice the grumpy wizard approaching them purposefully. His shadow fell over them, causing their lighthearted mood to evaporate.
"What the fuck, Bella?" Rodolphus hissed, "You're seeing the mudblood?"
Hermione didn't flinch at the term, clenching her jaw as Bellatrix pushed herself up and said, "Don't tell my father, Rod."
"I won't, but you have to promise to stop this nonsense. Now." His features had darkened and he was leaning over them, looking larger than he actually was.
"No," she said stubbornly, rising to her feet and tilting her chin up, "I will not."
He seethed, clenching his fists tightly as he ground out, "You will, or I'll tell your father. Be reasonable, Bella."
Hermione cast a quick glance at Bellatrix's face, the war going on in her mind clear only to the brunette. Subtly, she drew her wand, pushing herself to her feet and leveling the vine wood at him.
"Leave her alone, Rodolphus," she whispered dangerously.
He scoffed. "As if some know-it-all with stolen magic could do anything to me. I let your disrespect slide earlier, but I won't be so kind this time."
Hermione ignored the inquisitive glance from Bellatrix, Obliviating the wizard before he could fumble for his wand. Before his eyes could focus, she stowed her wand up her sleeve and stood on her tiptoes to reach his ear.
"Imperio," she whispered, too quietly for Bellatrix to hear. When she had successfully overpowered his will she continued, "Walk back to the castle."
He blinked as she lowered herself back down, turning and walking back to the castle stiffly.
"What did you just do, Hermione?" Bellatrix whispered, staring at her with a conflicted expression.
"I made him forget he saw us," she shrugged.
"I know what Obliviate does," she rolled her eyes, "I meant after."
Hermione looked at her with eyes that softened as soon as she saw the troubled expression on her face. "I suggested he go back to the castle."
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes at the brunette. "Did you use the Imperious Curse?"
"If I say yes, will you be upset with me?" she asked, not as upset by the slip in her morals as she once would've been, "He isn't a risk I'm willing to take, not when your father will hurt you if he finds out. I will protect you, Bells."
The dark-haired witch shifted uncertainly. She was unused to such callous behavior from the brunette. She understood, though. It only unnerved her because she never expected Hermione to use those means to accomplish her goals.
"I should take house points, considering it's an Unforgiveable," she mumbled to the ground before looking up at the witch in front of her, "But I know I would do anything to protect the people I care about. Just...be careful, okay? I know it was necessary. We should be more careful."
Hermione clenched her jaw, looking toward the castle as she nodded. For a moment, she worried Bellatrix would be appalled by her. The slightly shorter witch reached out to her, placing shaking fingertips on her jaw. The urge to pull away and retreat into herself briefly made itself known before she squashed it down in favor of looking back at Bellatrix.
"There are things I have done that I thought I did only because I needed to in order to survive. Things I consider horrible. Questionable. 'For the greater good,' I was always told. But I don't think such a thing ever existed," she whispered hoarsely, "I think part of me enjoys that I can take away someone's will...someone's life...I don't like to think of myself as that type of person. I don't regret it and I would do it again without hesitating if I felt like I had to."
Bellatrix cupped Hermione's cheek, letting her nails gently scratch the skin. "We all have darkness inside us."
The brunette leaned into the touch, letting her eyes fall closed. "I don't want you to be afraid of the things I'll do."
"I won't be," she assured in a whisper, "We don't live in a pretty world, I know that."
Hermione nodded, swallowing hard. "I guess we shouldn't have a date in a place so easy to wander by."
"At least he won't be back next year," Bellatrix said, smiling slightly.
"Thank Merlin." She leaned forward, brushing their noses together.
"Let's go inside. I'm in the mood for some Exploding Snap."
Hermione chuckled, bumping her shoulder as they walked. "You are so on."