It hadn't even been 12 hours since Bella had last seen Hermione and she would be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to their next encounter. She hadn't been this intrigued by another person in quite some time. The younger women seemed genuinely kind, intelligent, stubborn, a little feisty and very sexy. Bella wouldn't say that she's bed a lot of women but she's had a few important relationships over the years. It had been awhile since she had her sights on someone and she would again be lying if she said she wasn't interested in the brunette. She had debated sending the girl a good morning text but didn't want to come off as overtly interested. She had a reputation to uphold.

"You are getting ahead of yourself, Black." Bella scolded, giving the once over in the mirror before nodding and heading out of her apartment door. "You've only spoken to this woman twice. Don't start this again. Last time you fell hard, remember where it got you." She shook her head and descended the stairs and pushed through the door.

"Her royal highness has arrived." A voice called to her. Bella smiled and made her way from the back of the shop towards the front desk. "Cissy. You are here... bright and early I see."

The blond woman scoffed at her sister. "Hardly. It's noon. If it wasn't for me coming in and opening nobody would know this shop existed." She smirked at her sister. "Speaking of the shop...have you ever thought about buying a house and moving out of here? It's not like you are hurting for money."

"And why would I do that? The loft upstairs is perfect for me. Easy access to work, I just roll out of bed and my lovely little sister or my niece has already so graciously opened the shop for me every morning. Honestly, I can't think of a reason to move."

"Well what about a family? You can't possibly raise a family up there."

"Ugh" Bella moaned. "You are just as bad as Andy sometimes. Always on about settling down and having a family. Can't a woman just enjoy her life?" She said running her hands through her hair and plopping down in the other seat behind the counter.

"Yes but Bella. You are going to be 37 this year. Time isn't slowing down for you darling."

Bella rolled her eyes. "That's why I'll find a nice young woman who wants to have the babies or not to have the babies. Children aren't a deal breaker for me Cissy."

"Speaking of young women..." Narcissa said, nodding towards the front. Hermione had just sat down on the bench outside the shop. "How is the new girl? Two days in a row. That's gotta be some record. Between you and Dora they don't last that long around here."

"She's good. Eager to learn and she's funny. I'd like to keep this one around for a while."

"Never in all the years I've been here have you said anything other than 'she's fine' about a shop girl."

Bella and Narcissa watched as a scene unfolded outside. Nymphadora sat down on the bench outside next to Hermione. She offered Hermione a cigarette from her pack while the brunette shook her head and said "no thank you." The two seemed to be getting on and laughing outside. Bella's jaw tightened at the exact moment that Narcissa looked over at her. "Do you fancy Hermione?" That brought Bella's attention back inside the shop. "What? Don't be silly. Of course I don't 'fancy' the girl. She will just be a good fit for the shop and I don't want Dora to mess it up of course." Bella looked back outside and she saw her niece putting her arm around the other girl as they sat together on the bench. Hermione neither scooted away nor towards her niece but that was enough for Bella to be on the move.

"You don't fancy her at all. Keep telling yourself that Bella and maybe it'll be true." Narcissa called after her as Bella left the shop.

"What do we have here?" Bella asked, coming to stand in front of the girls. Hermione had a slight blush on her cheeks as she moved away from Dora's touch.

"Just hanging out. Shooting the shit." Tonks said as Bella nodded her head.

"Looks like you two were getting awfully cozy out here." Bella said, trying to keep her tone light.

"Oh no. Nothing of the sort. She was just telling me about her band and asked if I wanted to go out for drinks with her friends after work tonight." Hermione said trying her best to make her friendly intentions with the older woman's niece known.

"Oh did she now?" Bella said looking at her niece.

"Just as friends. Swear it aunty. I like having Hermione around. I'm not going to mess it up by trying to put the moves on her. Plus I've kind of been seeing this lass from Scotland. She's been down a few times to watch the band and I quite fancy her a lot. She'll be around tonight."

Bella looked back and forth between the two women. And Tonks spoke up again, "please join us tonight. It'll be fun to have you there. We are just going to sit around and get piss ass drunk. Playing some darts. It'll be fun."

"You want me to get together with a bunch of twenty somethings?" Bella asked, laughing.

"Oh piss off. It's not like you are that much older than us."

"I suppose it might be nice to go into a pub with you now that you'll be going in as legal. Always seemed a bit shady with your fake ids." Bella laughed. "I suppose I can make an appearance but I refuse to drive anyone to the hospital tonight." She said getting up and heading back towards the door. "Hermione, want to come inside in ten minutes and then you can help me set up for our first client today?"

"Sure sounds good." Hermione smiled at her boss and she nodded and went back inside.

"So you fancy Aunt Bella?" Tonks said, lighting another cigarette.

"What?" Hermione said, turning to face the other woman. "Of course not. We've only just met."

"Ahh of course. There's no great love story that ever started with love at first sight before." Tonk's laugh blowing out her puff of smoke and rolling her eye dramatically.

"I suppose she intrigues me. I don't know anything about her yet and I'm dying to learn more. I got so mad last night when this little slag kissed her on her way out of the shop. I've never had such blinding jealousy over someone I just met."

"Sounds like you fancy her to me." Tonks said matter of factly.

"Hmm." Hermione thought. "I haven't fancied anyone in a long time. My last girlfriend cheated on me and I've been taking a break from even thinking about women."

"How long has this break been?"

"Two years."

"Oi. You are a bloody saint." Tonks said, winking at Hermione. "Look I don't know what's going to happen with you and my Aunt but I can tell you she never got that pissed off from me having my arm around one of the shop girl's before. Maybe it's time to come out of dating retirement. Let's go in before Bella comes back out with the shotgun." Tonks stood up and offered her hand pulling Hermione from the bench. "Two years. That's some fucking will power, girl."

Hermione laughed and pushed Tonks into the shop as she opened the door for them.

—-

Tonks had already left the shop to meet up with her friends while Bella and Hermione stayed behind to close up properly. Hermione slipped her phone into her back pocket as she saw Bella coming from the back. "Ready to go?" Bella inquired.

"Yeah. Aren't you going to turn those lights out back there?"

"Oh those? I'll get them after the pub." Bella dismissed the thought with a wave of her hand.

"You'll be coming back? Why?"

"I live here. Well not here," she said, moving her hands out in front of her then pointing up. "I live up there." Realization washed over the younger girl's face. "I have an even shorter commute than you do, love." The nickname earned her a smile from her companion and a slight pink of her cheeks.

"Very convenient."

"That's what I keep telling Cissy." The women left the store and Bella locked the front door. "Why would I want to move into a house when the loft upstairs is perfect for me right now."

"Makes sense to me." Hermione looked over as Bella lit up a cigarette. "Oh you smoke as well?"

"Yes. If it bothers you I can put it out." Bella said releasing the drag she had inhaled.

"No, not at all. It doesn't bother me. I just didn't know you smoked as well as Tonks." Bella just nodded her head and continued to smoke, walking close enough to the other woman that their arms brushed every couple of steps. "So where is this pub?"

"Just a block over. Not far at all."

A comfortable silence fell over the women as they walked to the pub. "Ahh here we are," Bella said, stopping them just outside the window of the pub. Looking through they could see Tonks sitting at a table with two women, one of which she had her arm around. "That must be the lass she was speaking of earlier." Hermione hummed in response. "Or could be one of her many many conquests. I swear that girl has had more relationships in her 19 years of life than I have my entire existence." Bella laughed at the thought.

"And how many years have you been in existence?" Hermione questioned the older woman.

"All in due time, love. Shall we go join them?" She opened the door motioning for Hermione to enter first.

Bella had to admit to herself that she was having fun with her company tonight. It was always fun to tag along so she could try to embarrass her niece and she enjoyed spending time with Hermione when there wasn't the pressure of work, clients or her sisters. She had noticed Hermione was a couple of drinks in and starting to get a little tipsy. Bella leaned over close enough for Hermione to hear, "care for a game of darts?"

"I'm no good at darts. You'll absolutely annihilate me." Hermione confessed.

"Even more of a reason to play. I could always use a little ego boost." Bella wiggled her eyebrows and Hermione laughed at her.

"Okay one game. But let's make it interesting."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "Oh pet. Do go on."

"If I win... I want information."

"Information? Seems rather innocent."

"I want to know what those tattoos on your arms mean. 'AvadaKedavra.' It must have some meaning. I've been looking at them for three days now and I'm stumped."

Bella stiffened at the request but she didn't let any emotion show on her face. "All right. Fair enough. I'll play along with your request." Bella was so close to her face she could feel every puff of breath from her enunciated words. Hermione visibly gulped at the closeness of the other woman.

"And what do you want if you win?" Hermione knew it was a leading question but she couldn't help it with the alcohol running through her veins. Her eyes kept wandering to the older lady's lips and slowly back up to her eyes.

Bella gave the woman a sinfully wicked smile, "I'm sure we can work something out should I come out on top." Bella backed away making sure the P popped at the end of her sentence.

Hermione couldn't remember the last time she had been so physically affected just from hearing another woman speak to her before. She was trying to convince herself that it was just the alcohol she consumed but she was having a hard time thinking of anything other than Bella on top of her with her thigh pressed into her core where she so desperately needed her at the moment.

Bella stood and offered her hand. "Let's go, love. I have a game of darts to win."

Hermione had been proud of her effort in the game and her performance wasn't that bad. Her ability to throw darts effectively was apparently in direct correlation to the number of drinks she had consumed. She was no longer drinking because she was feeling way past tipsy and moving into the slightly drunk category. Having switched to water did nothing to stop the heat rising through her every time Bella had purposefully ran her fingers up her arm or whispered in her ear. Hermione was about to take the last shot of the game. It all came down to this shot. Hermione needed a high score to pull past Bella and come out as victor.

Hermione found it increasingly difficult to breathe as the older woman came to stand directly behind her. She pushed her chest against Hermione's back and stood on her tiptoes to whisper in her ear. "No pressure pet. Take your shot." Hermione let out a shaky breath as she extended her arm and let her dart fly. "So close..." Hermione could hear the smirk on her face without having to turn to face the other woman.

"Damn it." Hermione said as she went over to collect the darts and return them to the barkeep.

"No hard feelings, love. You gave me a run for my money there. You weren't as bad as predicted."

Hermione turned around to see Bella watching her. She didn't know how it was possible but she swore the dark haired woman wore both a shit eating grin and a look that she wanted to absolutely devour her at the same time. It had to be the alcohol. Hermione was definitely seeing things. "I'll be right back. I'm just going to pop to the loo." She excused herself, pushed past Bella and took off towards the single stall bathroom. She went right over to the sink and splashed her face with cold water. Hermione heard the unmistakable sound of the door opening and shutting and she internally cursed herself for not making sure it was locked properly. She lifted her head to look in the mirror at the woman coming up behind her.

"You know love, it's awfully dangerous to leave the bathroom door of the pub unlocked. You never know what kind of undesirable person could follow you in here."

Feeling emboldened by the alcohol, Hermione turned and put her hands on Bella's shoulders while the woman encircled her arms around Hermione's waist. "Good thing you are very desirable then." Hermione didn't look away. Bella's eyes dilated at the compliment and she stepped impossibly closer into the other woman's personal space.

"Is that so?" Bella asked, raising a challenging eyebrow. She was curious to see how far the alcohol would take the other woman's bravery.

"Quite."

"We never did discuss my victory out there." Bella said as she rubbed her thumbs in circles over the slit of skin that revealed itself when Hermione wrapped her arms around the back of Bella's neck. Hermione's breath hitched when Bella touched upon a particularly sensitive spot by her left hip.

"What is it that you want from me, Bella?" Hermione asked, her lips a hair's breadth away from the other woman.

"There are several things I want from you at this moment, darling."

"I think I know one thing you want." Hermione whispered.

"And what is that, pet?"

Hermione surged forward and kissed the other woman with such vigor that it made the dark haired woman take a step back. Hermione wasted no time running her tongue across Bella's lower lip. Granting permission immediately, Hermione's tongue found the other woman's and danced together in a way that could only be described as pornographic. Bella dug her nails in Hermione's hips and lifted her to sit on the sink. Hermione spread her legs and Bella came to stand in between them and pulled Hermione's bottom lip into her mouth. As she sucked on her lip, Hermione let out a guttural moan that made Bella move onto peppering her jawline with open mouth kisses.

"Fuck Hermione. You have no idea how much I've wanted to kiss you tonight." Bella said, pulling back to look into the other woman's eyes. Hermione's eyes were heavy and lidded as she locked her finger's into curly hair and pulled Bella back down onto her neck. Bella chuckled as she licked up the column of her throat and bit a little too hard on her pulse point. Hermione gasp at the sudden pain then pleasure as Bella lapped over the bite mark with a gentle tongue. Hermione grabbed Bella's hair a little harder and pulled her back into another searing kiss. This time Bella moaned and a surge of wetness spread between Hermione's thighs. Hermione swore that the sound of Bella moaning was the most erotic thing she had ever heard in her life.

Bella had one hand resting on Hermione's leg and the other was traveling up her shirt and came to rest over Hermione's covered breast. Bella groaned when she felt how hard Hermione's nipple was just from a few moments of kissing. She pinched the hardened bud which had Hermione moaning into her mouth. Bella's hand started the rub circles up her thigh until she got to the apex of her legs. Bella cupped Hermione's center over the rough material of her jeans. Hermione ground down into Bella's palm searching for the friction she desperately needed. This caused Bella to moan in response to the girl's apparent need. She was about to reach for the button on Hermione's jeans when there was a knock at the door. The women pulled away from each other. Both in a lust filled haze staring straight into each other's eyes and breathing hard trying to slow down their rapid heart rates.

"Everything okay in there?" came Nymphadora's voice from the other side of the door.

"Everything's fine. Be out in a minute." Bella shouted back to the woman on the other side.

Tonks must have accepted the answer as they heard her boot steps walking away. Bella helped Hermione down off the sink and wiped her lipstick off of Hermione's mouth. The younger woman fixed her hair and pulled her shirt down.

"Listen, Hermione..." Bella started to say when Hermione cut her off.

"No, don't. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. You are my boss and I'm drunk. I have to go..." Hermione said as she ran out of the bathroom leaving a shocked and disappointed Bella staring after her.