"Hello, Siri," the words of the oldest Black sister cut like a knife through the uncomfortable silence that had fallen over the group. "It's been a minute."

"It's been a minute?" Hermione sighed thinking to herself. You haven't spoken to the man in over a decade and you go with that? It's times like this when she wished she had magic so that her girlfriend could hear her thoughts.

"So I'm the only one who is going to speak, it seems," Bella continued her mini monologue. "Well let me start off by saying, you were a complete ass, Siri." She saw him open his mouth slightly accompanied by a furrowing of his brow, "let me finish. You were an ass. You didn't see past your own stupid biases. I didn't kill her and now you know that. However, if I was on the other side where you were sitting, I would've reacted the same way. I would've been just as pig headed as you. I loved Lily more than anything," she peeked over and saw a twinge of hurt cross Hermione's face, "at that time in my life and I would've done anything to protect her. I was stupid as fuck for getting wrapped up in the shit show with Tom. You and I both know our parents sucked and it was my way out. A stupid fucking way out." She sighed and poured a round of bourbon shots for everyone, "and now I need out of this once and for all. I'm not ready to risk anyone else here so let's work this shit out." She held up her shot glass, "what do you say Siri? Are you in?" She raised an eyebrow waiting for him to respond.

Sirius cleared his throat and reached for a shot glass, "I loved Lily too. She was the closest thing I had to a sister. I was gutted when she was killed and yes I jumped on the bandwagon that you killed her or at least were the reason for her murder. I truly believed what everyone was saying. Clearly," he swallowed and looked her in the eyes, "I was wrong." He cleared his throat again and looked between all of his cousins, "apologies don't come naturally in this family. Are you really going to make me say it?"

Andy scoffed and raised an eyebrow, "it would behoove you to apologize to not only Bella for your wrongful accusations but also to Cissy and myself for basically writing us off as well. It was heart wrenching to watch you so easily say those horrible things about Bella on the stand. Nobody believed her except the two of us and we were right." As she continued, the words poured out of her with a venom that was unexpected. "Bella may not have been entirely innocent but she didn't commit the crime you accused her of." Andromeda's hands were balled at her sides, knuckles turning white. "Growing up, Bella wasn't perfect but she was the closest thing that any of us had to a mother and you wiped her off like a piece of shit on the bottom of your shoe. Frankly, I think she's being a little too generous right now. If it were me, I'd have punched you already." The middle sister was heated and it was a side of her that Hermione had never seen before. To say that she was a little intimidated would be an understatement.

"Mum," Tonks grabbed onto her mother's shoulder to ground her, "calm down. He gets it. Look at the bloke," she pointed to Sirius. "He looks completely fucked over the situation."

"Completely fucked," he nodded in agreement, "couldn't have said it better myself." He smirked. "I knew Nymphadora would turn out to be a little spit fire."

Tonk's face turned serious, "don't call me Nymphadora."

Sirius held up his hands, "apologies. No way do I want you on my bad side." He sighed, "look when Harry texted me the address I knew right away what I was heading into. I truly apologize for what I did to you Bella and if I could take it back I would but we both know that's not possible," he looked at her earnestly, "I can't change what had happened but hopefully I can help you get closure now and we can finally put Tom behind bars where he belongs."

"I suppose that's the very minimum of a start," Andy grumbled.

"Dora, take your mum outside to calm her down," Bella looked over at her niece and winked.

"Come on mum," Tonks guided her mom out of the back door.

Before they exited Sirius called, "wait she gets to call you Dora?"

"Well I like Aunt Bella," Tonks shrugged, "the verdict is still out on you."

"Fair enough," he said as she exited pulling Andy through the door. The heated woman looked back through the window still glaring at Sirius. "So?" He raised his glass. Bella poured herself another shot and raised her glass followed by Cissy, Hermione and Harry. "Truce?"

"I suppose," Bella said casually clinking her glass with his and everyone threw their shots back. "Andy will calm down. Eventually."

"She loved you like a brother Siri," Cissy finally spoke. "We all did and it's not going to be easy to forgive and forget but if we can make things right now then it's a start." She walked over and gave him a small hug.

"So how can you help my girlfriend not get killed?" Hermione spoke quietly after the reunion.

"Well," Sirius looked between Bella and Hermione with a smirk, "why don't we go sit down and you can tell me everything."

Everyone made their way into the living room and Bella went into the long explanation of the man who came into the shop and hit on Hermione and how she had seen the same man pass by on a couple different occasions then finding the letter and Polaroids which Sirius had already examined. She also went on to say that Tom wasn't stupid and he would suspect anything coming but his people weren't alway the smartest and most capable employees. Suggestions were thrown into the mix from everyone. Nothing really seemed like a truly safe option and Hermione was getting more and more anxious as the conversation went on. She kept shifting uncomfortably next to Bella who would reach out to stroke her knee to try to calm her. "I need to breathe," Hermione whispered to Bella before excusing herself out the back door joining Andy and Tonks who were both smoking.

"Come for some fresh air?" Tonks smirked as she blew her smoke towards the sky. Hermione rolled her eyes and took a seat next to her friend and rested her head on her shoulder. Tonks reached her arm around the girl's shoulder and brought her in for a reassuring snuggle.

"Has anyone punched out Siri yet?" Andy took a long drag of her cigarette before flicking the butt on the ground and stepping the burning end out with her boot. She bent down and picked up the butt.

"No," Hermione offered a sympathetic smile. "Everyone in there seems to be getting on. Seems they've decided to put the bad blood behind them and work towards the solution together." She saw Andy grimace then nod. "I'm not sure how I feel about all of this. It seems like any solution they come up with is going to be dangerous for Bella and I'm not ready for any of this." A few silent tears slipped down her cheeks and Tonks held her tighter, "I'm not ready for her to risk her life. I've just found her. I can't lose her now."

"Hey," Tonks whispered, kissing the top of her friend's head, "Aunt Bella's many things but easy to get rid of isn't one of them." The sentiment earned a small chuckle from the girl crying in her arms.

"Bella loves you too much to do anything too risky." Andy added. "Did you ever talk about the supposed proposal?" She raised an eyebrow and smirked when she saw Hermione's mouth fall open.

"Bird shit," Tonks chuckled.

"She told you?"

"She did," Andy confirmed. "And to me that means she's serious about you. You are, after all, the first woman she's ever introduced us to. Cissy and I have already been fighting over who gets to be maid of honor."

Hermione laughed genuinely for the first time all day, "thank you," she clutched her stomach. "I needed this reprieve. Though I'm not sure there will be a chance for a potential proposal, a real one anyways, if we don't get back in there and help."

"Ready mum?"

"I suppose I can play nice and just slap him later," she rolled her eyes as the three of them rejoined the group.

—————

Hermione did not feel confident. She was jumpy and her anxiety was at an all time high. Deep breathing just felt like a slap in the face at this point. The only way she would feel at peace would be when Tom and his men were behind bars. Harry and Sirius left the same day so they could debrief their few close associates on the police force but the Black family stayed the rest of the weekend. "We might as well enjoy the time away before shit gets serious," Bella reasoned when Hermione asked why they weren't leaving as well. However the weekend went far too quickly for her liking and it was just another Tuesday at work. She was shuffling through client files when there was a knock at the door, "Dr. McGonagall, come on in," Hermione did her best to get the fear out of her voice.

"You can drop the niceties around me, dear." The older lady smiled, "I just got off of the phone with Bella and she filled me in on the plan everyone came up with and how everything is going to happen." Hermione's face paled, "I know it's a lot and I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need an ear, I'm here." She watched a minute as Hermione seemed to be weighing her options silently.

Minerva was just about to get up when she heard Hermione quietly say, "I'm just so scared." Desperate brown eyes looked up, "anyone of us could die over a stupid decision that was made over a decade ago. It's a completely unfair situation."

"Do you blame Bella?"

Hermione's mouth dropped, "no, of course not. I'm just scared of losing her or any of them."

"What about you?"

Hermione stopped and furrowed her brow, "I haven't actually stopped to think about myself dying in this situation. I mean, I don't want to die but I'd rather it be me than any of them."

"And I'm sure that's exactly how Bella feels."

A small laugh came from Hermione's nose, "I guess we are all too worried about protecting each other that nobody has given much thought to their own survival. Hmm," she looked at the picture of her and Bella that was framed on her desk.

"It's funny how those things tend to work out," Minerva gave her a knowing look. "Now would you like to discuss this further or should we get onto your case review for the upcoming week?"

"Well," Hermione looked at her picture frame again, "the plan goes down tomorrow night so I may or may not be alive to discuss my cases after that," she tried to laugh it off but was fixed with a stare from her boss. "No jokes about murder in front of a criminal psychiatrist. Sorry."

"It's fine dear. Self deprecating jokes are normal during times of crisis and anxiety. Talk me through the plan and we can go over the things you are feeling that you aren't telling Bella."

"How did you…"

"Let's just say it's a safe assumption that I know everything," she winked at the girl and nodded for her to start talking.

"Did Bella tell you about her cousin, Sirius?" Minerva nodded and Hermione bit her lip but pressed on, "so last night, Bella approached that man who had been stalking the shop. Turns out, he does work for Tom and he was sent to watch us. Bella had given him a message to take back to Tom saying she wanted back in and she would be waiting for him tomorrow night at the park across from the Dark Mark."

She hesitated slightly and the older woman pressed, "go on, dear. Whatever you say here stays between us…"

"I just think the whole thing is underdeveloped and rushed. I have this horrible gut feeling that something bad is going to happen tomorrow night and no amount of positive reinforcement is going to squash the feelings." Minerva nodded. "So Harry and Sirius got a few members of their force on board and they are setting up camp in the shop tomorrow, trickling in throughout the day under the guise of clients. They will have equipment in backpacks so they hope it's inconspicuous because the shop is most likely under surveillance. Which is another reason I think this whole thing is rushed. They want to mic Bella to try to get some sort of confession from Tom on tape. Whether about the drugs, Lily or stalking her family, they aren't picky. They don't need much to convict him since they still have all the evidence from the first trial."

"And you think this is hasty?"

"I mean, in theory it could work but to me," Hermione sighed and looked out her window, "to me it seems like Bella is sacrificing herself for the cause. I fear that tonight will be my last night with her."

"I can see why you feel the way you do and it's a justified feeling." Hermione turned back to look at her, "but on the other hand, I bet Bella is hoping that tomorrow will be her first night with you as a completely free woman."

"Nothing in life is ever easy and relaxed is it?"

"I'm afraid not, dear."

Minerva let Hermione head out shortly after their discussion. There was no use having her stay at the office when the young woman's head was clearly somewhere else. She took the train back to their town and when she got off that feeling of dread came back. She started the slow walk to the shop, casually looking for that car that had been following her for a while and she was surprised nobody was there. "Peculiar," Hermione said to herself as she picked up the speed and walked a little faster.

She got to the shop in record time and walked through the front door, surprised to see no clients and an empty tattooing area. "Hello?" Hermione called out quietly, she heard rustling coming from the back and Bella emerged wearing a confused smile.

"What are you doing home already?" She leaned in to peck her on the cheek. "I wasn't expecting you for another hour or two."

"'Minerva let me go." She shrugged, biting her lip.

"I'm going to guess you were too anxious to be at work so she sent you home for a mental health break." Bella smirked, pulling her girlfriend into a hug.

Hermione inhaled the intoxicating scent of Bella's earthy shampoo, "you two know each other far too well." She felt a chuckle ripple through the shorter woman.

"She and I have spent countless hours together and yes I'd say she knows me pretty well," Bella wrapped her arms around her girlfriend tighter, "not as well as you though," she said in a huskier tone.

"Well I shouldn't hope not," Hermione pulled back and smirked, "because then I'd have to kill her and I like her too much to do that." Bella finally released the embrace she had her in but kept hold of her hand, "what were you doing back there?"

"Just clearing my office so Harry and Siri can have more room tomorrow but I've been upstairs for the majority of the day."

"What why?" Hermione asked, confused. "I thought you and Tonks were booked."

"Tonks had a few clients. Small tattoos but I canceled mine for something far more important," a mischievous twinkle shone in her eye. "Come upstairs."

"Why?" Hermione asked suspiciously. "What's up there?"

"Our house?" Bella rolled her eyes. "Just come on," she pulled Hermione through the door leading up to the living room. The living room and kitchen were full of nice smelling candles that Bella had already lit. She saw nice tableware set on the table and the apartment already smelled delicious. "I wanted to surprise you by making dinner. It's not ready yet," she blushed just a little and scratched behind her ear. "I also went to that little book store and got you a few books that I saw on your TBR when I borrowed your phone the other day when you were in the tub." She smirked before adding, "I call it stalking with purpose."

Hermione's face lit up, "you didn't have to do all this."

"This is the least I could do," she closed the distance bringing Hermione into her arms, "you deserve the world my love and this is only the tip of the iceberg." The two shared a few kisses before Bella broke away, "okay now," she walked Hermione over to the couch, "sit and read. I need to go make dinner."

The brunette bent down and picked up the small stack of books, her thumb running over the spines, "I feel so spoiled."

"Oh pet," Hermione could hear the smirk coming from the other woman without having to look, "if you think this is being spoiled you haven't seen anything yet."

"I'm going to go change out of my work clothes then start on these books," Hermione looked up and smiled before excusing herself to the bedroom.

Bella looked out from her position in the kitchen and her heart warmed seeing her girlfriend snuggled up on the couch under a blanket reading one of her new books. "This is what I'm living for," Bella thought to herself. She wanted more of these little moments throughout the rest of her life. She was prepared to do whatever it took tomorrow to get Tom out of her life once and for all. "I'm going to marry that girl," she smiled and went back to preparing the salmon filets. "How is your book?" She called out, looking through the window in the kitchen towards the couch.

"Amazing," came the enthusiastic reply from the other room.

The older woman had never seen anyone get so excited over a book before. Yet another simple joy that she planned to experience to the fullest extent. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes," she called out as she took the pan out of the oven with the salmon and roasted potatoes. "I just have to sauté the veggies."

"It smells delicious," the reply came out soft and distant as the brunette was lost in her book causing the old woman to chuckle.

After dinner, the women found themselves cuddling up on the couch just content to be in each other's company. Hermione had gushed about how delicious the food was and that she had no idea Bella could cook so well to which she replied, "I'm a woman of many talents, pet." The younger woman insisted that Bella needed to cook more, "take away is more convenient and easy but I suppose I can make a few exceptions for special occasions."

"And what's today's special occasion?" Hermione asked looking up from her book.

"You," the older woman put her book down and stared at her girlfriend with one eyebrow raised. "You are always the occasion. There will never be enough hours in the day or months in the year for me to tell you how special you are to me." Hermione noticed the lump forming in the back of Bella's throat as her words started to waver, "remember how much I love you."

"No," Hermione put her bookmark in and closed her book. "This sounds too much like a goodbye speech and I won't hear it. We aren't doing this tonight," she said with finality.

"We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow," Bella said softly, shifting to bring her body closer to her girlfriend. "I just need you to know that I love you, very much. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me." She was inches from the other woman now, lips brushing just so but not quite touching. "I can see my future clearly with you and it scares me that tomorrow it could be ripped away before it even begins."

The raw emotions pouring out of the older woman broke Hermione's heart down the middle. These were her fears as well and to hear them verbalized was killing her inside. "You don't have to do this tomorrow, Bella. There has to be another way."

"No," she said sadly, "it has to be me. I have to be the one to finish what I started all those years ago."

The emotion filling the small space between the two women was palpable. Hermione swallowed, eyes looking from Bella's lips to her dark orbs. She reached her hand out and placed it over Bella's heart then reached down, picked up Bella's hand and placed it over her own heart. She wanted to speak to be able to say anything eloquent enough to convey what she was feeling but she didn't trust herself to be able to speak without her voice wavering. Closing the distance, hands still on their hearts, she tilted her head, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss, slowly adding pressure, pouring every emotion possible into the simple action they had been doing for almost a year. Her hand moved slowly from Bella's heart and settled on the back of her neck, caressing the baby hairs she found there, causing a small gasp to escape the older woman's mouth.

Bella's hand hadn't left Hermione's heart, it's where she belonged but her fingers closed around her shirt material, bunching it in her fist and pulling the younger woman towards her, deepening the kiss ever so slightly, swiping her tongue across the girl's plump lower lip. Their tongues slowly danced together in the familiar routine for ages before Bella suddenly pulled back, desperate for air. Hermione moved her attention to the dark hair woman's neck, sucking just below her jawline. "Your leg," she managed to breathe out. It was hard to think when her girlfriend was sucking on her neck and scratching her scalp. She was actively feeling herself come undone by the younger woman. "We shouldn't…" her sentence was cut off by teeth sinking into her collarbone, a wet tonguing soothing it directly after, the pain a pleasure.

Hermione pulled her mouth away from Bella's neck with a wet tearing noise and looked into her lover's eyes, hooded and black. "Make love to me, Bella." It was like a silent prayer being whispered into the quiet room.

Bella caught her lip between her teeth while looking toward Hermione's healing tattoo. It was still sensitive but she couldn't deny her girlfriend this request. Slowly, she let her eyes gaze along her body to her lips then up to her eyes, smoldering her like the harshest fire. Bella nodded once and stood up, reaching down to pull Hermione up into her arms. The younger woman jumped up, legs wrapping around Bella's waist as the older woman grasped her around her thighs and carried her into the bedroom.

They made love for the rest of the evening, neither one wanting to admit exhaustion as the silent fear that it was their last night together lingered in the back of both of their minds.

——————

Bella was in her office with Harry and Sirius as they set up multiple computers and a load of other various police equipment that she didn't care to understand.

"So you'll have to put this mic on," Harry looked at her and then her outfit. "Are you sure we can convince you to wear something more so you can put on the Kevlar?"

Bella rolled her eyes and shoved the mic up her shirt and nestled it in her cleavage. "No," she sighed, "if I show up with more than a tank and shorts Tom will be suspicious. This is me," she shrugged her shoulders and tucked the battery pack into the back of her shorts. She spun around, "can you see it?"

"No," Sirius said looking up. "And we can hear you loud and clear," he said, taking the earphone out.

"Good," she was wringing her hands trying to shake her nerves out. "And the other officers?"

"Various points around the park and shop. Did you see any of them when you took that walk earlier?" Bella shook her head no. "Good, that's what we want."

Hermione knocked on the door and made her way in. "Show time, pet." Bella gave her an unsure smile. "I want you to stay in here with the guys. Understand?"

"No Kevlar?" The brunette asked sadly. Bella shook her head no and brought her into a tight embrace. She pulled back enough to bring their lips together in an emotion filled kiss that had the guys turning back to their equipment, the kiss broke with a small wet noise. "You'll be okay?" Hermione looked up with tears in her eyes.

"I will do my best to come back to you." Bella tried her best to give her girlfriend a soft reassuring smile.

"It's time, Bella." Sirius said pointing at the clock, he and Harry came around to join the girls. Bella had Hermione tucked into her side, Harry stood next to Hermione and Sirius on the other side of Bella. They took a moment looking around at each other. Bella nodded and everyone put their hands in. "Whatever it takes," her cousin said, the words turning up into a slight question.

Bella nodded, "whatever it takes," before kissing Hermione on the head and whispering her parting "I love you," and exiting the office.

Harry and Sirius were gathered around the desk with wireless earphones in listening to Bella whistle as she waited for Tom to announce his arrival. They had a few cameras set up at various angles so they could see her standing there examining her nails attempting to look casual which would be amusing in a less dangerous situation. Hermione couldn't sit down. She was beyond nervous about the situation and her gut was sick with worry. She also had earphones in and she kept having to hold herself back from rushing out there to be with Bella. "I can just wait in the shop," she tried to reason with the guys.

"No," Sirius said firmly, "if Tom sees anyone in the shop, he might get suspicious. We don't want to risk Bella's safety." He sighed, "she knew what she was signing up for tonight."

"Maybe you should take a seat," Harry tried to calm his friend down but it was a worthless venture. Hermione wouldn't calm down until this was over and Bella was safe.

"Why couldn't her family be here?"

"For the same reason you can't go out there, Hermione," Sirius was using a pacified tone trying his best to calm the girl. "It's too dangerous for any of you to be here. I'm surprised Bella didn't ship you off to a foreign country."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "she knew I wouldn't budge."

Just then they hear noises in their earphones, the shuffling of more than one set of feet. They looked at the cameras and Bella was being approached by a tall man wearing a dress suit. "Tom," Bella greeted the man as he approached, still keeping a fair distance between the two. He seemed to be looking around trying to gauge the situation at hand. "I'm glad you came."

"I'm honestly surprised you conceded so quickly on the matter. I was expecting it to take longer to get you back," came the overly confident and smug tone of her companion.

"And miss out on the opportunity for money and excitement. You know me Tom," she saw Bella straighten up, "I live for that kind of excitement. We both know I was born to do this kind of work."

"So just like that?" Tom asked his voice even, "you just want to come back and all is forgiven? It seems a little odd to me, Bella. After all, you turned me in. Is this something you truly want? Why now?"

"You approached me, Tom. You stuck the letter in my door. I'd be a fool to waste this opportunity." Bella shrugged.

"I must admit, I was surprised when Tony said you had already approached him. It hasn't even been a full week since I reached out to you."

"Well when my family is on the line, I tend to act quickly."

"So this is about your family and not about you," Tom appeared to have a shit eat grin on his face.

"I won't risk their safety."

"And what about your shiny new little play thing? Does she know about all of this? Does she know about Lily?"

"Keep Lily's name out of your mouth," Bella spat. "My girlfriend has nothing to do with this just as Lily didn't all those years ago. Why bring it up? You said you didn't kill her."

"I didn't pull the trigger," Tom smirked, "that doesn't mean I didn't order the attack. That bullet was meant for you, love. You had gotten too big for the company and I could hardly trust that you wouldn't have come for my position. Now the tables have turned and I feel like you learned that your actions have consequences."

Sirius looked over at Harry, "we got him." The mic in Bella's shirt started to become staticy and fuzzy and they could no longer hear the conversation coming from outside.

Harry spoke into his radio, "get ready officers. We lost the mic feed and it's getting hostile."

Someone responded back on the radio, "we are in motion. We have eyes on that car Bellatrix described."

Hermione was watching the video feed with wide eyes, a car drove by the front of the shop, Tom looked up and nodded just as the police car passed by following the car in question. She saw Tom as he reached into the back of his trousers under his suit jacket, "no!" she shouted at the tv, when Harry and Sirius looked, all three took off out of the office, Sirius grabbing his gun as they ran. Before they made it to the front door, a loud gun shot was heard and they saw Bella collapse to the ground. Hermione screamed as they exited into the street, Sirius raised his gun and shot the man standing over Bella's body, he too went down with crumpled limbs.

The three rushed over to the scene, Harry calling on his radio and the rest of the officers arriving at the scene within a minute. Hermione threw herself onto the ground and pulled a bleeding Bella into her lap. "It's okay," she heard the older woman cough out, barely above a whisper, her voice strained with pain. Bella's eyes fluttered while Hermione attempted to stop the bleeding with pressure from her hand. Harry threw his button down at Hermione who held it to Bella's chest while they waited for the ambulance to arrive. "Is it over?" more broken words came from the woman below her.

"Shh," Hermione said reassuringly, trying to hold back her tears. "Try not to speak. Yes, it's all over, my love. You are free."

"I'm so cold," were the last words spoken before Bella's eyes closed, her breathing strangled and her body went limp. Hermione clutched to her tighter, silently praying to anyone listening to save her girlfriend.