A/N: okay guys, I feel like I should tell you something about this story. As you could see, Bellatrix is a psychopath. Unhinged. Maybe even a sociopath, but I haven't decided yet cuz that would be even worse. This relationship will be very toxic until it isn't. I do have a solution, but it will take the whole story before we get there. People with antisocial personality disorder are manipulative as fuck. They don't care about your wellbeing, they don't even acknowledge feelings as they themselves don't really have them (again, if I'll go with Bellatrix being a sociopath then that's what we'll get). I am convinced that Bellatrix is a sociopath outside of the magical world. She has all the signs – even though the obsession with Voldemort doesn't fit the picture much. Thankfully we can use that for our own purposes here since it is in canon.
She won't hurt Hermione physically, I can promise you that. BUT it won't be healthy. Relationship with such person CAN'T be healthy. As I said, I do have a solution in mind, but really, it will take time before we get there.
And Hermione is not "normal" either. She has her own issues, she won't realize many things (as you probably already noticed).
What I'm trying to say is that it will be toxic and might be triggering to some. The abuse won't be happening physically, but it will be there I'm afraid. Unless I throw all the notes on sociopaths out of the picture ;)
The only reason why I "want" her to be a sociopath is because that's who she is in canon. But Im not sure if it won't be too hard to write. Well, too hard to read really.
You can tell me your thoughts, I can still go either way. Psychopaths have many similar signs, but they can still somehow live a normal life. The biggest difference is that psychopaths are born while sociopaths are created (see? We all know Bellatrix didn't have a lovely childhood, don't we).
So yeah, those that want to keep going, let me know your thoughts. Those that think this is not for them, thank you for trying and go read fluff (I don't mean it in any nasty way!), I don't want you to trigger yourself.
X X X
X X
X
The soul healer was pulling another late night at work. Well, it wasn't late yet, but yesterday she was here until 11pm. Today it was few minutes past 8pm and she didn't want to repeat yesterday. And the day before. And the day before…
It's not like she had anything better to do, but still. It wasn't healthy to bury yourself in work and she knew it. Although Hermione had a tendency to do just that. It didn't matter if it was school or work, she just had to be the best. Study harder than the rest, work better than the rest.
People had always underestimated her since she was a kid. Look at the stupid mudblood, they always said. She loved to prove them wrong. Hermione was anything but stupid. She was anything but weak. Some wizards believed they were better because both of their parents had magical blood while her parents were both muggles, but the truth was that the muggleborn bested them even in magic. Maybe it was thanks to the fact that it was suppressed throughout her childhood, maybe she just got a nice dose of it from Merlin. She didn't know, but she surely enjoyed the look on these pureblood kid's faces when she could cast a Patronus charm and they struggled.
When it was ten past nine, she decided to call it a night. She didn't spend all her money on bathroom reconstruction to never use the bath that was so hard to fit in there. It was a habit from the time when she was a Prefect at Hogwarts and therefore had access to the huge bubble bath on the fifth floor.
She had recently purchased some bath bombs and intended to use them. Poor wizards didn't even know what they were missing. There was nothing like Lush.
The soul healer grabbed her coat, securely pocketed her wand for Floo travel and turned to leave.
"Ehm, Missus?" a small house elf in a dirty cloth entered her office.
"Hello," she smiled at the creature. "What's your name?"
"Wonka, Missus," he replied politely.
"Hello, Wonka," she greeted him. "What can I help you with? I didn't even know we had house elves here."
"Missus wants to help Wonka? Wonka can't let that happen!"
"It's a saying, Wonka. You did nothing wrong, please don't punish yourself."
He looked unsurely at her with big eyes, but didn't run to the nearest wall to bang his head against it. "You is very kind, Missus."
"How many elves do we have here?" she asked. She really was not aware of them. She hadn't seen one and no one had mentioned them.
"Just me and Winky. We cook and serve the food, Missus."
"Ah, I always thought the Aurors did that. Well, what brings you to me, Wonka?"
"Wonka thought young Missus should know that Miss Bellatrix is not eating," he said, pulling at his pointy ears.
"For how long?"
"Three days now, Missus."
"She hasn't been eating for three days?!" Hermione gasped and startled the small creature with her reaction. The house elf whined and started to hit his head against the chair. "Stop, Wonka! Stop!" she scolded him. "You did nothing wrong. I am grateful you told me. Thank you."
"Missus is thanking Wonka?" he stopped his punishment and looked at her quizzically.
"Yes. It's very important information."
"Missus is not angry Wonka failed to make sure Miss Bellatrix is well fed?" he sniffled.
"No, Wonka. You brought her food as you were supposed to. You can't force it into her."
"Wonka tried," he shrieked. "Miss Bellatrix was not happy."
Hermione chuckled despite her better judgement. She could imagine…
"Next time you come to me so you don't need to try it yourself. Deal?" she smiled encouragingly.
"Missus is so kind," he squeaked and hugged her leg.
"There there," she petted him. "So, she's skipped all the meals for three days?" she asked to clarify.
"Yes, Missus."
"Okay, thank you, Wonka. I will take care of it, you can leave."
"Thank you, Missus! So kind, Missus!" he bowed and disapparated from her office.
Hermione rubbed her temples and sighed deeply. She hadn't seen Bellatrix for exactly three days. She left after the dismissal and didn't want to give in to her demand of sessions continuing only in the criminal's cell. Clearly the raven-haired woman had enough privileges at it was.
Was this hunger-strike a protest against that or did something else happen? She could be sick. Dammit. Only one way to find out. She hung the coat back on the hanger and made her way to the last floor of the prison occupied by Bellatrix only.
Most of the prisoners were already asleep – probably a habit from the Dementor days when they tried to get as much sleep as possible with those foul guards. She wondered if the raven-haired woman would be the same case.
When the soul healer reached her cell, she immediately noticed the untouched tray of food and Bellatrix sitting on her bed with a book in her hand. The older woman even had a kerosine lamp here. Seriously?
A huge grin split across plump red lips when the older witch noticed her young thing finally making an appearance. "How very sweet of you to visit, pet," the criminal cooed, immediately getting up from the bed and going to the bars.
Hermione unconsciously took a step back and tried not to get affected by the witch. She almost forgot how utterly mesmerizing she could be. What did she want to say again? Why did she even come here?
"My my, aren't we a confused little thing?" Bellatrix breathed out. "It's not polite to back away from someone that can't reach you now, is it?" she cocked her head to the side.
"What would be the point of backing away from someone that can?" she forced out, still trying to calm her racing heart.
"Hmmm, come inside and I'll show you," she faked an innocent smile, but the dark circles below her eyes and hollow look gave her away.
Hermione shuddered. "W-why are you not eating, Bellatrix?" she managed to ask, finally realizing why she was here. This couldn't keep happening. One person simply couldn't affect her this way. Damn her beautiful mind and eyes, high cheekbones and pale skin, red lips and chin held high. Skin like that would surely bruise easily under attacking lips. Fuck. No. You can't save this one, Hermione. She berated herself. But what if I can? Of course the other voice in her head had to make itself known. The one that needed to help others no matter the cost. The one that didn't see how deranged the older woman was. All that voice saw was a very lost soul that would change with proper care and love.
"I simply didn't like the selection these past few days," the criminal shrugged, watching the girl intently. Hermione felt as if she was reading her mind.
"It didn't change, as far as I know. Tell me the real reason, Bellatrix," she lifted her chin a little higher, not to be intimidating – she knew she stood no chance against the woman behind the bars, but to look a little convincing.
"Maybe I just missed you?" the criminal pouted. "You abandoned me for three whole days," she said looking like she was about to start crying at any second.
"I -," she gasped. "I didn't abandon you!" she defended, outraged. "Seamus was here to pick you up every day, you just wouldn't go."
"Sorry to have no interest in walking with one of your pets," she hissed. "I told you I am done talking outside of this cell."
"But we can't do that, Bellatrix!" she raised her voice in frustration. "It's against the rules."
"Against the rules?" she cackled. "And who exactly set the rules?"
Hermione huffed. "I promised you that we wouldn't get interrupted again. Why are you being so difficult about it?"
"I. Am. Not. Leaving. This. Cell," she said through gritted teeth.
"Well, by all means, Bellatrix," Hermione smirked. She had the upper hand, not the other way around.
"Ah, so that's it then?" the woman said in a cold voice that made Hermione's breath hitch. She froze on the spot instead of turning to the side and walking away as she intended. "You don't get your way so you will abandon me again. Like I'm nothing. Like you don't care," she said and left the bars to go sit on her bed. "Sure, discard good old Bella. Run to your pathetic excuse of a boyfriend."
Hermione stood there, astonished. "I didn't abandon you!" she repeated once more. "And he's not my boyfriend!" she added.
"You didn't?" the criminal barked out a laugh. "Tell me then, when exactly did you plan on visiting me, hm?"
Okay, she had a point. But the soul healer was just trying to do things right. Sessions in cells were unprofessional.
"That's what I thought. Go on then, leave," Bellatrix shooed with her hands. "You don't have to pretend that you care."
"I do care!" she roared. "That's why I'm here! I care, Bellatrix."
"Yes, clearly. You won't even step close to my cell, let alone inside!"
Hermione sighed. She had to show Bellatrix that she was here for her. She had to let her know that she was serious and wasn't going anywhere. Damn. She took few steps to the cell and placed her hands on the bars, closing her eyes. She let her head drop against the metal and she waited. "I'm here. I'm right here."
"Now that wasn't so hard, was it, little bird?" the raven-haired woman cooed.
"It's just unprofessional, that's all," she breathed out, slowly opening her eyes to look at the source of the soothing voice.
"There are many unprofessional things I want to do to you," Bellatrix smirked and Hermione blushed. "But of course, you have a boyfriend for that," she barked out.
"I don't have a boyfriend!" she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Plus, you only say this to make me flustered and to distract me."
"Really?" the raven-haired woman smirked. "You think I don't want to kiss you all over your body?"
"I think you don't," Hermione replied slightly out of breath, her cheeks coloring in a shade of red.
"Come here then," she breathed out and got up from the bed, waiting for the girl's next move.
To the surprise of both women, the younger witch unlocked the cell and stepped inside. She stopped right in front of the metal door, locking it behind herself again. She wouldn't let the criminal have a free pass. Even though it meant she was now locked inside with her.
"My, my," the raven-haired woman purred. "You've grown some balls, little bird."
"Just stay where you are," Hermione said, once again trying to calm her racing heart.
"Why? Afraid you might give in?" Bellatrix smirked.
"Give in to what exactly?" she crossed her arms over her chest protectively.
"Me," the older woman breathed out and raised an eyebrow.
"That's preposterous."
"Hmmm," she grinned.
"You need to eat, Bellatrix," she said to change the subject and with it the temperature of the room. It suddenly got very hot.
"Come and feed me then," she beckoned with her finger, but so far kept her distance.
"I am not your mom," she chuckled.
"My mom never fed me, little bird."
"Never?" she asked perplexed. She should have taken her notepad, but then again, this wasn't a session and she had a feeling the older woman wouldn't appreciate if she wrote things down. She would just have to remember it.
"Never. I had a nanny for that. Well, a house elf."
"You were raised by a house elf?" Hermione gasped.
"No," she hissed. "I was raised by my parents. The house elf merely took care of my basic needs."
"But house elf is not suitable to –" she started to say, but thought better of it when she saw the look on Bellatrix's face. "How was your childhood?" she asked instead.
"I don't wanna talk about it!"
"Why not? Did something happen?"
Apparently it was a bad thing to say – Bellatrix was in her personal space in a matter of seconds. Hermione took a step back, but the criminal took a step forward. Very soon she was pressed by the older witch against the brick wall next to the bars.
"And what happened in yours, my little thing, hmm?" she cooed, mere inches from Hermione's lips. "Surely something must have since you're here," she cocked her head to the side and tucked a loosened strand of hair behind the girl's ear. "Why don't you tell me about that?"
The soul healer swallowed. She was here alone. No one would come if she screamed for help. No one would notice for couple of days probably. Well, the Aurors might notice she wasn't in her office, but would they alert someone? Probably not. They would think she took a day off or went on vacation. No one except Ron knew her here and he was also lacking in that department because a chat over morning coffee can only get you so far. And it's not like anyone would be coming to this particular cell. Where she foolishly stepped inside.
"N-nothing happened," she tried to say, but her voice trembled. Thinking of it, her whole body trembled. Sure, Bellatrix was fascinating, beautiful… but she was also a dangerous criminal. The woman in question cupped her cheek and Hermione's breath hitched. Fuck.
"No?" Bellatrix said barely above a whisper. The air tickling thin pink lips. The soul healer forgot what they were even talking about. She could feel her heartbeat in her ears, it was so loud and so fast. She was scared, but she could also feel the proof of her arousal slowly licking her underwear. Oh no.
She nodded her consent. That was what the woman was asking earlier, right? She must have said no, but she wanted to scream yes. Unfortunately she couldn't find her voice. She could only jump from red lips to black eyes and back. So she nodded. She could do that at least. For now.
"Oh, pet," the criminal purred, licking her own lips. "The things I want to do to you…" she whispered to the girl's ear.
"Do them," the soul healer rasped out, brain foggy.
"Not yet," the criminal smirked and left Hermione's personal space, breaking the spell she had over her with the distance.
"What?! Why?" she whimpered. The older woman got her into a zone. Her brain still wasn't functioning properly.
"You're not quite…" she paused for dramatics, "desperate enough," Bellatrix grinned.
The soul healer gasped and blinked her eyes a few times. She was ready to challenge the woman, push her buttons to get her where she wanted her, but the spell was finally broken and she realized where she was. With whom.
She straightened herself and cursed Bellatrix for doing this to her. So much for not getting affected by her. "This won't happen ever again," she clarified, trying to sound convincing.
"Oh, it will. Many more times, pet," the criminal smirked.
"Absolutely not. I simply lost my better judgement. You are my patient, Bellatrix."
"Mmmhmm," the woman purred, sitting on her bed. "The thing is, my lovely little soul healer, that I can reduce you to this puddle absolutely anywhere and anytime I please."
"I don't think so!" Hermione exclaimed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I will see you tomorrow," she said and unlocked the cell after few deep breaths. "Eat your food," she added when she was about to leave.
"And here I thought you'd feed me to make sure I did," the raven-haired woman pouted.
"Good night, Bellatrix!"
"Nighty night, little bird, nighty night," she cackled so loudly that Hermione heard it on the floor bellow on her way to the office. This couldn't keep happening. She would have her bath, probably have a very nice evening with her purple friend and tomorrow she would get a grip. Tomorrow she wouldn't let Bellatrix get inside of her head so easily. Or between her legs, because had Bellatrix kept going, that's where she was sure she'd end up. Dammit.
A/N: I think I've made my decision cuz my beta had the chapter for few days so I had time to think. I'll throw some notes on people with antisocial personality disorder out of the window. It really would be too hard to read and we're here to have a good time. Ofc if all of you will say "no, we want the real deal" then I can rethink my decision, but I truly doubt you know what you'd be getting yourself into. So yeah, that's it. Thank you for reading.