Soo, I'm finally back on track and updating often. My time and motivation are back so I hope we see this story through before the end of the year. Stay safe out there and enjoy:)
Plans
Despite knowing she shouldn't be this excited, Hermione almost ripped the parchment while trying to open the letter. She ignored Harry and Ron's looks of puzzlement and began reading the beautiful cursive as soon as the envelope was out of the way. Bellatrix had sent her this letter with an unsuspicious brown screech owl which had swooped down towards her at the Gryffindor table nearly knocking over a first-year's cereal bowl.
Dear Hermione,
I apologize for taking so long to answer. I do sometimes close myself off when emotions get in the way. This can come out wrong, so I'll clarify. Relationships with family members have always been hard. You should thank Merlin for not knowing what I mean, but let's just say the only people I felt safe around were my sisters. Well, now one hates me and the other one… I was actually hoping you could tell me something about my relationship with Narcissa. How about we meet in Hogsmeade next weekend? It is Halloween after all. I suppose you schoolchildren will be allowed to go down to the village. Send me an answer. I'll meet you in Honeydukes if it is positive.
Hope to see you soon,
B.B.
"Lestrange again?" Ron asked as soon as she was done reading.
"Shh!" Hermione hissed, looking around horrified.
"Don't you worry about shushing us now" Harry said rather coolly. "Unless she plans on living like a fugitive her whole life everyone will have to hear about her sooner or later."
"Then kindly let it be later" Hermione said and smiled at him awkwardly. She knew how hard this must be for him, but he had shown in the past few weeks that he was willing to believe Hermione if she said Bellatrix was different.
"What are you two – pen pals?" Ron asked when he saw her take out parchment and ink and then a quill.
"She asked me if I wanted to meet her in Hogsmeade" Hermione muttered.
"On Halloween?" Harry guessed and the brunette nodded.
"She'd risk coming to Hogsmeade?" Ron gaped. "Merlin, the woman hasn't changed at all. It's like she's daring people to find out she's alive."
"Which might actually be her goal" Harry said darkly. "Do you need company, Mione?"
Hermione was really moved he would suggest this even though he hated Bellatrix but couldn't risk a duel breaking out in the middle of the Main Road.
"I'll be fine" she assured both him and Ron, then stood up to go send her letter. She hoped the owl had flown to the Owlery and was waiting for her there. Bellatrix still hadn't told her where she resided but had promised to tell every bird she said to wait for a reply.
"Hermione, wait up!" she heard over her shoulder. Turning around, the brunette saw Harry striding towards her.
"Hey Harry" she said casually when he caught up to her and began walking once again.
"I wanted to talk to you" he began slowly but determinedly.
"About what?" Hermione asked though she was sure she knew the answer.
"About Bellatrix. Listen Hermione," he hurried after she tried to dismiss the topic, "I do try to trust you on this whole innocent Death Eater situation but-"
"She has been abused in the-"
"-but I still need to make sure you're okay, as your friend" he finished as though she hadn't interrupted him.
"I am, Harry, really" she sighed, though a small smile appeared on her lips. Here was Harry, who still grieved over Sirius, and still wanted to make sure Hermione was all right with Bellatrix. She hooked her hand with his and looked thoughtfully in the distance. "Tell you what," she began, knowing he would continue thinking about this, "I'm going to ask Bellatrix if she would feel comfortable seeing you then we can send an owl or something."
Harry smiled at her kindly and accompanied her to Gryffindor Tower. There the two of them separated and Hermione walked inside her dormitory. There, the brunette took out a quill and a small piece of parchment from her bag and scribbled a quick note to Bellatrix. She then left it on the windowsill and dropped down on the bed. The boys and Ginny had mentioned going out to play Quidditch after dinner so she decided she would catch up on some homework to have Sunday free. Somewhere in the back of her mind there was a tiny voice that was whispering she also wanted to catch Bellatrix's raven when it came to take the letter. The young woman quickly immersed herself in her textbooks, however, and completely ignored the tiny voice.