February had rolled into March and then quickly into April. The girls had fallen into a routine. They would spend their days teaching or in Hermione's case taking classes then they would either meet in the library for NEWT study prep or retire to Bella's room to catch up and their new favorite extracurricular activity. Hermione was very fond of the new physical relationship that had developed between the pair. She remembered her first fumbled attempt at pleasing her witch on Valentine's Day but she was an apt and quick learner and she was more confident in her bedroom skills as their experiences grew.
Bellatrix's head fell back into the pillow. She was panting as Hermione crawled out from under sheet that was covering Bella's lower half wiping her mouth on her bicep as she made her way up to face her lover.
"Have I told you how good you are at that?" Bellatrix said catching her breathing bringing Hermione in for a slow and languid kiss. She would never tire of tasting herself on Hermione's lips.
"You are quite the adept pupil. I'd give your oral skills an outstanding." She added with a chuckle as Hermione laid beside her and rested her head on her shoulder. Mindlessly tracing circles on the older witch's stomach she replied, "well I have always strived for greatness."
Bellatrix laughed and kissed Hermione on the tip of her nose. Realizing the display of gentleness she just showed she quickly added "tell no one of that. It'll ruin my reputation."
"The secret of soft and sensual Bellatrix stays with me to the grave." Hermione reassured her girlfriend.
They laid together in comfortable silence and Hermione felt Bella's breathing starting to even out. "Hey, so what are you doing for the upcoming Easter Holiday?"
"Hmm haven't given it much thought. I suppose you are going to see your mum and dad?"
"Yes but only for two days. I planned on staying around here to study. NEWTS are coming up at the beginning of next month."
"Well maybe I can stay here too. I had plans to go stay with Cissy but I'd gladly blow her off for more time with you."
"I'm going to go home for two days and stop by Harry's for an afternoon before I come back. Maybe we can meet back up and finish out the week off together?"
"Hmm perfect." Bellatrix said pushing Hermione back and rolling on top of her to continue their previous activities.
—
Hermione landed just outside on the street in front of Grimmauld place. Shaking her head to clear the air from her apparation, Hermione sighed as she walked up the steps to Harry's house. She hadn't been to this house since they were on the hunt for Horcruxes. If she was being honest with herself, Hermione never wanted to come back here. Harry had been living here since the war and he invited her over to see the changes he had made inside and to catch up.
"Pull off the band aid, Hermione. Just go in." She scolded herself after knocking quietly on the door to number 12.
"It's open," she heard Harry call from somewhere inside the building.
Hermione carefully pushed the door open and prepared herself to be met with an unwelcome spirit like the last time she went inside. To her surprise, no spirits were around but a small boy toddled his way over to Hermione offering her a big goofy smile and a wave. Hermione knelt down offering the boy a kind smile, "well hello there and who might you be young sir?"
The boy cocked his head to the side trying to process Hermione's words, "Me, Teddy." The boy then giggled and ran from the hallway towards the dining room.
Harry the appeared from the stairwell. "Ahh I see you've met Teddy. He spends a few nights here a month to give Andie some time off. He's a good lad. Can be a bit of a handful though. Takes after his mom I reckon and has a bit of his great-aunt's temper I presume." Harry laughed pulling Hermione into a hug.
"Thankfully I haven't been graced with her temper in quite some time," Hermione laughed as the two walked in the direction of Teddy. Teddy was seated in a booster seat eating a sandwich and carrot sticks.
"Teddy loves eating here because he gets to eat muggle foods like peanut butter and jam sandwiches." Harry laughed as kreacher popped into the room.
"What can Kreacher get for master Harry and the misses?" Kreacher asked in a slightly more pleasant tone than the last time Hermione encountered him.
"Care for some tea and sandwiches, Hermione?" Harry asked looking at his friend.
"That would be lovely. Thank you Kreacher." Hermione said with a smile taking a seat across from Harry and Teddy.
Kreacher popped back into the room with the food. Harry and Hermione got lost in conversation. When Teddy finished with his food, Kreacher came back and took him into the living room to play with his little toy firebolt.
"I just can't believe how much you've change 'Mione. You seen so happy and confident. Honestly the most shocking part is that Bellatrix may be due some thanks on this. Ginny always reports back with how much you two adore each other."
Hermione blushed at the sentiment. "Had someone told me a year ago, that I would be in a relationship with Bellatrix Lestrange, I would've thought them insane. However, I honestly can't imagine this past year without Bella Black in my life. She has such a wonderful heart and I think I've fallen in love with her."
"That's brilliant Hermione. Have you told her that yet?"
"Well no. I don't want to scare her off. She's finally starting to open up about her past and sometimes she is still rather fragile about feelings."
"From what Ginny says in her letters, I'm sure she feels the same about you. Have you two talked about what happens after you graduate?"
"No. We haven't but I'm hopefully her probation will be over and we can move on from Hogwarts together."
"Hermione and Bellatrix... shacking up together." Harry laughed and Hermione blushed.
Just then there was a pop in the living room and a woman who looked a lot like Bella walked into the room holding Teddy on her hip. "Did I hear someone say my darling sister's name?" Andromeda said rolling her eyes.
"Err... umm yes we were just talking about Bellatrix, Andie." Harry responded looking awkwardly at Hermione. Hermione shrugged her shoulders and waited for Andromeda to speak again.
"And just what has my sister been up to? I still can't believe they let her around all those children."
"I'm sorry?" Hermione sputter out.
"She deserved to spend her remaining days in Azkaban and everybody knows it."
"Clearly not everybody knows that or else the minister wouldn't have suggested her to serve her probation with McGonagall." Hermione responded tight lipped.
"I'm sorry but I think I know my own sister better than you. Hermione is it?" Hermione nodded. "She's been torturing and killing people since she left Hogwarts. Hell she spent 14 years in Azkaban for torturing the Longbottoms."
"No offense meant here, Andromeda but you haven't spoken to Bellatrix in over 20 years. How would you know that she's incapable of change?"
"Please. People like My sister can't change. She's always had anger issues and it is just impossible for her to care for anyone other than herself. She is in this program for her benefit. She's sitting pretty and biding her time. I guarantee as soon as she's free, she will be right back out there doing what she does best." Andromeda said passing Teddy to Harry and crossing her arms.
"How can you say that about your own sister? I've seen the changes she's made. Minerva believes in her as well. Ask Harry, ask Ginny. We've all spent time with Bella." Andromeda's eyebrow raised at the nickname. "She's trying and I am confident that she will succeed in whatever she chooses for her future. And I'll be damned if I let someone with a grudge pull her backwards."
"Did you know she hasn't once tried to contact me?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact I do know that. She's scared. She's afraid of being rejected by you and from what I can tell from our short interaction here today, she's just in her fear of rejection." Hermione said raising from her seat. "I'm sorry Harry but I can't stay here while Bella is being attacked without being here to defend herself."
"You act as if you care about her."
"I do." Hermione spat back at Andromeda. "I love her." Hermione was seeing red.
"Silly girl. You best get over your crush fast because I'm telling you, Bella is incapable of loving anyone besides herself."
"Bella has changed and I refuse to give up on her. If you took a moment to pull your head out of your arse and contacted her, you would see it too." Hermione all but yelled as she made her way to Harry's fireplace, tears threatening to stream down her face. "And by the way, Andromeda, Bella didn't kill Nymphadora."
"Oh and what she just told you this?"
"Yes."
"And you believe her. Just like that."
"Yes, I believe her and if you ever had the guts to contact Bell she'd tell you the same and since she is so desperate for your acceptance, she's even let you see her memory of the event. I've seen it so I know the truth. But don't you dare even think about contacting Bella unless you are ready to accept that she has changed and she's not the person you think she is." Hermione turned on her heel and left via the floo, tears running down her cheeks.
—
Hermione exited the floo in the headmistress's office in tears still reeling from her encounter with the middle Black sister.
"Mrs. Granger, dear. What is the matter? Come." Minerva said rushing over to the young witch. She lead her to the seat with a protect arm around her shoulder. "Please tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can be of some assistance." Minerva added handing Hermione a handkerchief.
"Oh professor, I feel I just made a terrible mistake." Hermione said in between sobs.
"Whatever happened, I'm sure it's nothing that warrants these tears and that can not be fixed." Minerva said rubbing Hermione's shoulder out of comfort.
"I was visiting with Harry. We were having a lovely time. Then..." Hermione looked away. Her sobbed starting to quiet.
"Go on dear..."
"Andromeda showed up to pick up Teddy. She just started attacking Bellatrix without context or reason. It made me so angry."
"Oh my dear girl. Ms. Tonks hasn't had any connection to Bellatrix for over 2 years. She isn't privvy to the changes that have happened."
"I know. It started out calm enough and I tried to explain to her how Bella has made progress but she just wasn't hearing me. Then she said Bella would never be capable of loving any one but herself and I just couldn't help but feel that as a personal attack."
"Hermione, dear, Andromeda has no idea of the relationship between you and Bellatrix. As I said, they haven't spoken in over 20 years. In this moment, it's safe to say that you my dear, know Bellatrix better than she probably knows herself."
"I'm just so worried that I initiated this conversation with Andromeda without Bella's consent and that she will be mad at me. You know she's a very proud person and doesn't seek help from anyone."
"Yes dear, she is rather consistent with her insistency that she never needs help. However, when you are in the picture, I feel like she won't be upset that you were defending her honor."
"Do you honestly think that? I just want Bella to be happy and I know she wants to mend things with Andie but after today I'm not sure she will ever be at a place to accept Bella as she is now."
"Never say never dear. Things always have a way of working out for the best. If I'm not mistaken, Bella returned from Malfoy Manor earlier today. Perhaps, it's best for you to go talk to her about all of this. Just be honest with her and let her know that you were coming from a place of love."
Hermione blush. "Well I haven't actually told her that I love her just yet."
"Well dear, anyone with eyes can see clear as day how the two of you feel about each other. Off you go now and don't hesitate to come back whenever you need to talk."
"Thank you Minerva." Hermione said offering a small smile to the Headmistress as she left the office.
—-
Hermione reached the dungeons and paced back and forth outside of Bellatrix's door for a few minutes.
"You love her and you know she cares for you as well. She'll understand. Everything will be okay." Hermione gave herself a small pep talk before knocking on the door.
Bellatrix opened the door smiling. Her face quickly changed to that of worry. She pulled Hermione into a hug. "Dove, you've been crying. Is everything okay?" Breaking the hug, Bellatrix pulled Hermione into her living room and shut the door. Hermione was playing with the hem of her shirt looking down at the floor. "Hermione, what is it?" Bellatrix placed a finger under her chin lifting her face up to meet her eyes.
Hermione sighed, "Bella, I have to tell you something and I'm not entirely sure you are going to like all of what I have to say."
