Here you are, guys, I really apologize for the wait. Hope you like it:)

Confession

Telling Harry, Ron and Ginny about everything that had happened with Bellatrix was easier. Hermione told them every single thing to the smallest detail. When she was done, the brunette was faced with three different expressions. Ginny's face was shocked, Ron looked angry, and Harry seemed thoughtful.

"Bellatrix Lestrange under the Imperius Curse?" Ginny broke the silence.

"No way!" Ron growled. "She was Voldemort's most loyal supporter, this can't have simply been the Imperius. She was mad, Hermione, mad!"

"But that's exactly what the Imperius can do, Ron – make you do things you normally wouldn't do" Hermione defended her stance. "Do you think I'd be standing here if she was a mad killer?"

"This doesn't even make sense, Mione, how would she have survived?" Ginny interjected.

"I told you – the ring-"

"You know, I don't remember you telling me you found a ring in Grimmauld Place" Harry said calmly.

"I know," Hermione turned to him and bowed her head, "and I'm sorry. I didn't want to worry you with more cursed items. Then everything happened and-"

"And you decided it was best to keep the knowledge of a potential serial killer being on the loose to yourself?"

Merlin, Harry rarely lectured anyone, but when he did, everything he said was on point.

"I told McGonagall."

"To help Lestrange! You said it yourself. But she tortured you, Mione. Do you not remember that?"

And Ron could really give in to his emotions and say things he didn't think.

"Of course I remember it, Ronald. Clear as day, seeing as I relive it every night" Hermione snapped.

"And you still believe Lestrange wasn't herself when she did that? That she did it unwillingly?" Ginny asked. There was the situation resolver Hermione needed right now.

"Yes. If you speak to her now – I mean it's not that she isn't haughty but imagine Draco Malfoy. Do you think he could kill anyone? Or torture?"

"That git is simply a coward" Ron spat.

"It sounds like Kingsley will be hearing about this anyway" Harry said. "It doesn't really matter what we think – if they think Bellatrix may be telling the truth, they'll give her a trial. I just hope you'll tell us next time, Mione. Whether it's something about a lover, or a Death Eater at large" he grinned at her, and she knew she was forgiven. Ron grumbled something but opened the door for her all the same when the four of them decided to go up to Gryffindor Tower.

The boys said goodnight quickly and left for their dormitories. Hermione made to leave too but Ginny caught her hand.

"You should give them both some time" Ginny muttered, her face tense. "Ron is still grieving Fred and-and Harry hasn't forgotten she killed Sirius. He trusts your word that she's changed, but don't expect him to greet her with open arms."

"I don't, Gin" Hermione replied, pulling the redhead in for a hug. "It's not easy on either of you but I'm grateful you listened to me."

"Ah, what else could we do?" Ginny pulled away and grinned at her. "See you tomorrow at breakfast."

"Night, Ginny" the brunette said and walked inside her dormitory with a smile on her face.

When she closed the door behind her, Hermione took out Bellatrix's note from her pocket and read it again. The Dark witch had taken the time to say thank you. How sweet. Hermione sat down on her bed and scribbled a reply.

B.B.,

It's nice to hear a thank you from you. You're right, trust me, you don't say thank you often. But hey, people change, right? I don't know when McGonagall will speak to Kingsley, but let me know if she contacts you again, okay? I hope this letter finds you well… whenever it finds you. Hey, I've got to wait for your raven to show up so I can send it to you. Maybe consider telling me where you live, so I can send you letters whenever I want?

H.G.

She rolled it up and put it in a drawer in her nightstand. It wouldn't do for someone to find it before she could have the chance to send it. The brunette reminded herself to ask Ginny not to do any more poking around while she wasn't here. With that in mind she pulled out a book from her bag and settled on the bed, quickly becoming immersed in the pages.