Before I posted this, I realized just how close I am to finishing this work. Bear with me for a little longer. Enjoy the chapter:)

Secret's out

Hermione smiled to herself when she saw that her letter had disappeared from the windowsill overnight. She had left a reply to Bella's last letter. In which the other witch had asked her to call her Bella and not Bellatrix. She still felt giddy from reading that; she was perhaps going to keep this memory like she still remembered Bellatrix's laugh on their outing more than two weeks ago. That had been the purest Hermione had ever seen the other witch. The brunette got ready quickly since she had promised the boys and Ginny that she would have breakfast with them before they left for the Quidditch pitch to get ready for their match. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Hermione shook her head and smiled wondering if Bella liked Quidditch. Grabbing her cloak so she didn't have to come back here after breakfast, the young woman left her dormitory and the Common room and walked down to the Great Hall. The corridors were empty, and she wondered if she had risen too late but then she heard the chatter coming from the Great Hall she smiled and walked on. Inside, everything seemed normal. The usual chatter filled the tables as people were conversing amongst themselves. There was the occasional dirty look towards the Slytherin table; Hermione wondered if the House rivalry was ever going to cease entirely. As she found Harry, Ron and Ginny she noticed the first odd thing. All three of them were huddled close together, poring over something propped on the milk jug in front of them. The brunette couldn't make out from this far away, but it looked like a newspaper. Walking further she looked around the Hall. People all around her were huddled in groups, looking at issues of the Daily Prophet and talking amongst themselves. She noticed the looks the Slytherins were getting and this time it dawned on her that it might not be because of the upcoming game. Reaching her friends, she sat down next to Ginny and whispered.

"Why are people acting like there's war all over again?"

"Maybe because they fear there might be" Ron said, barely lifting his eyes from the paper.

"Let her read it, we already did. Not that it's anything new for you, Mione" Ginny added very quietly. Hermione raised her eyebrows but took the offered newspaper issue, gasping upon seeing the front page.

On the first page there was a large picture of Bella under the headline Deceased Death Eater back to life – Bellatrix Lestrange has come back to haunt wizarding Britain. Hermione opened to page three where the article took place and scanned it over quickly. It seemed that a reporter had managed to see her inside the Ministry on her way to a meeting with Kingsley. The article mentioned that the Minister had given an interview to explain the situation. Hermione looked at the part where Kingsley was quoted but didn't see her name pop up anywhere. She silently thanked him for keeping her out of this for now.

"The secret's out then" she said, looking at Harry, Ron and Ginny. "There's nothing concrete here though" she murmured more to herself than others.

"They'll probably reveal more after her trial." Harry sighed. "We didn't need this right before our Quidditch game."

"Relax, you're starting to sound like Wood" Ginny grinned and kissed him on the cheek. "Come on, we'd better go change. Hear your pep talk."

"Good luck" Hermione said when the three of them stood and gathered up the rest of the team.

"Thanks, Mione."

"See you after the match."

With them gone, Hermione poured herself a cup of coffee and read through the rest of the Daily Prophet. She wondered why Bella hadn't mentioned the date of her meeting with Kingsley. She also wondered if she had contacted either of her sisters. Merlin, she hoped they hadn't found out about this from the paper. Grabbing some eggs and sausages she made herself a quick breakfast then made her way outside to get a good spot in the stands.

The match finished rather quickly with Slytherin's Seeker almost plummeting to the ground in his efforts to catch the Snitch. He did manage a fantastic save even in Hermione's opinion and the green-clad team were soon celebrating their quick win. Harry landed close by and exchanged a few words with the opposing Seeker, thumping him on he back before going to see his teammates. Hermione smiled at the show of fair play and decided that she would meet everyone in the Common room. Making her way towards the castle, she couldn't help but notice a distinct black bird circling Gryffindor Tower. Hermione's heart leaped and she recognized the large raven even from this distance and she sped up. She didn't question why she was in such a hurry to reach her dormitory. She didn't even question the somersault her heart seemed to make when she saw the roll of parchment on the windowsill. The brunette just made her way over enthusiastically and took to reading the beautifully curved letters.

Dear Hermione,

You've probably already got the news but still. It's nice to tell someone I'm finally free. Well, not exactly but I'm a step closer to being free. Since that's all because of you it seems only fitting to ask you to see me tomorrow. I can only imagine the chaos the news in the paper has released. Besides, I don't want you to be seen with me yet. So, I'll come to the Shrieking Shack tonight at midnight. Hope your adventurous side hasn't been bored to death since our last outing. See you there.

Bella

Hermione wasn't sure how she was supposed to sneak out. Harry had been furious she hadn't sent him an owl like she had promised the last time she saw Bellatrix. The boys shouldn't know then. Well, she didn't necessarily need Harry's Invisibility Cloak. She could get out of the castle on her own… with a Disillusionment Charm perhaps…

It took the brunette a long while before she worked out that the thought of not seeing Bella hadn't even crossed her mind. Well, that's what friends do, she told herself. Even inside her head she sounded uncertain.