I'm so sorry I've been so slow to update but I haven't neglected the story! Enjoy this chapter I finally managed to finish. Merry Christmas to everyone who's celebrating it, and Happy New Year to everyone too, hope you guys are ok:)

And just a quick reminder I don't own the characters.

Christmas

A few minutes after letting her owl out the window, Bellatrix wished she hadn't. Physical closeness to Hermione was the last thing she needed. Or the thing she needed most. Bellatrix flicked her wand and the sofa burst out in flames. Oh well, she'd never liked how it stood in the room anyway.

Sighing, she gave her wand another flick and extinguished the fire before it spread. It wouldn't do to set the whole house aflame. Since she had been presumed dead and Andromeda was disowned this house belonged to Narcissa. Her baby sister didn't like her possessions being destroyed.

Thinking about her sisters threw her into the circle of grim thoughts that had plagued her ever since the first camera flashed at her. She hadn't had the courage to reach out as all sorts of horrible scenarios swirled around in her mind. From them cursing her at first sight to them ignoring her completely. She didn't know which one scared her more. Bellatrix wandered aimlessly through the large empty house until her feet carried her outside to the garden. There he was, the owl stood perched on a tree branch, exactly where she had left him yesterday. She knew Hermione had a cat ("He's half-kneazle really" Hermione had said), but the younger woman had complained about having to wait for her to come take the letters. So she hoped Hermione would like her Christmas present. She stroked the bird's golden-brown feathers. Apollo. A fitting name. Bellatrix had planned to send the owl early on Christmas morning, but it seemed the opportunity was presenting itself to give it to Hermione in person. For the first time in her life, she was doubting her agreement to a date. She was sure Hermione had aske her out. And Hermione was a beautiful young woman, but… but.

That girl was her nephew's age for Merlin's sake! And Bellatrix herself was still married, even if divorce was first thing on her to-do list after her trial. What had she been thinking? Then again, the moment she had seen Hermione's smile when she healed her scar (that she herself had given her) Bellatrix was a goner. And now she was having a Christmas date with the Muggle-born. Oh, how she hoped her parents were rolling in their graves. That was two out of three sisters falling for a Muggle-born. With that thought in mind she setout to prepare herself for the big day.

Hermione was trembling. Why was she trembling? It couldn't be because she was going out with one of the most dangerous and notorious witches alive. Apparently.

"Stop jittering, will you?" Ginny snapped, finishing her make-up. "You'll be done in a second then you can go to your bloody date."

"Technically, it's a Christmas present."

"Technically, you're melting over a Death Eater."

"Ginevra!"

"Okay, okay, you're done. You can go now. Without hexing me please."

Hermione was ready to snap at her but then she saw her face. It didn't look bad at all. Suddenly, impressing Bella didn't seem that impossible. Wait, no. No! This was about introducing her friend to a new culture. Focus, Hermione. She took a deep breath.

"I'm ready."

"Of course you are" Ginny encouraged her, sounding happy to be let off the hook.

"Well then I should-"

"You should definitely go" Ginny cut her off. "I don't know how long Harry will be able to distract Mum and Ron."

"What did you tell him?"

"That we had some urgent business."

"Thanks" Hermione smiled at her friend and tried to stay calm as she slipped quietly through the door and crept through the house. Ginny came with her to the door and hugged her.

"And tell Lestrange to have you back by five or Mum will go crazy. You know how she is when waiting for guests."

"What are you planning to tell her?"

"That you're out with some Muggle friends" Ginny shrugged. Hermione barely contained her laughter. Oh, Bella would certainly hear this cover story.

"Thanks, Gin" the brunette smiled widely and Disapparated just beyond the door.

She appeared just behind the Leaky Cauldron on the Muggle side of the building. Luckily the Muggles seemed to be as oblivious to her as they were to the pub next to her. Looking around she noted that she was the first one to arrive. Good. She had some time to compose herself. Now that the day had come she didn't think she could go through with what she and Ginny had talked about. Bella was a gorgeous woman. Even when she still terrified the world with the face of Bellatrix Lestrange there was something enthralling about her. What would she want with a girl like her?

"Am I here on time?" a quiet voice startled her. She turned to see Bella smiling at her. She was dressed in a slightly more modern and Muggle-like dress today, but Hermione noticed the corset wasn't missing from her outfit.

"I can hear the wheels turning."

"Merlin, I'm sorry, I-" Focus, Hermione! "-Merry Christmas."

"Why, thank you. But you forgot to put a ribbon on my present. Though you look gorgeous anyway."

Bella winked at her, and Hermione felt heat rushing to her cheeks.

"I didn't-I mean I'm not-I-" She paused and took a deep breath then glared at Bella who was snickering. "Something funny?"

"Pardon me but your reactions are just so funny. It's a delight to tease you."

Hermione ignored her smirk and cleared her throat.

"Right, your present then. Off we go."