Hi all! I realize that I keep apologizing for updating slowly with these chapters, but I really am sorry for my tardiness.

Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter and the next.

Thank you again for all of the reviews!

Now, without any further ado, Enjoy!


Chapter 11

Hermione wakes up in her designated bedroom that she had been residing in for a month now and she still couldn't get over the grand design of the room, or suite, would you rather. Besides the fact that it was significantly bigger than her own back at Grimmauld Place which was already bigger than her room at her parents' house, this room was designed in an elegant manner that one could say that could only befit a royal. "They went all out, huh?" she muttered to herself. She looked over to one of the giant windows that lined one wall of her suite. She noticed the sun was beginning to rise over the Manor's garden. She didn't typically wake up this early, however, since she couldn't fall back asleep, she opted to get up and enjoy a crisp morning walk.

Walking into her en-suite bathroom, she took a quick shower. She didn't want to miss the technicolor sunrise, so she dressed simply in a pair of dark washed skinny jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, wrapped in an oversized cardigan before leisurely making her way down to the back patio of the Manor. "Tippy?" Hermione called out while gazing at the light fog that rested lowly in the garden.

Pop!"Good morning, Miss Hermione! Does Misses be needing anything from Tippy?" The teen looked down to the small creature with a smile as she heard the happy elf's enthusiasm. When she first moved into the Manor, Tippy was gifted to her by the Malfoys. Narcissa and Lucius reasoned that a lady must have an attending elf. Hermione originally refused as she was completely against the notion of the slavery of house elves, however, she quickly realized how happy it made them be of assistance to their human. In this short period of time, Hermione found herself in complete adoration of the small elf.

"Good morning, Tippy. Yes, please. Can you get me some tea?" she asked with a smile.

Tippy smiled broadly at the request. "Yes, Tippy can do that!" and with that, the small elf disappeared with a pop. The ghost of a smile stayed on her face while she looked back up to the horizon. After another moment of gazing, Hermione heard another familiar pop. "Here's Miss Hermione's tea, just the way you like it." The small elf handed the teen a steaming mug of chamomile tea with a dash of honey. Since she was raised in the muggle world before going to Hogwarts, there were a few things that Hermione brought with her to the Wizarding World. One of them being her muggle clothes—much to Narcissa's chagrin; they were far more comfortable than the wizarding robes that most tended to wear. And another was her love of mugs. They were easier to carry around while walking around, and you didn't have to worry about refilling as often as a teacup—not that it was really an issue, but definitely an added plus.

"Thank you, Tippy, it's perfect. Please, go back and rest, it's still early. I'm sure that I will be calling for you later, so you should be well rested." Hermione said while smiling at the small elf. Tippy smiled broadly back at her human, mostly due to praise. "Thank you, Miss Hermione. Tippy wills do that. Please let Tippy knows when Misses be needing anything." And with that, the jubilant creature popped away.

Hermione looked for a moment at the spot that Tippy previously occupied before moving her gaze to the garden, taking a sip of her tea. Letting out a sigh filled with content, she began her quiet walk. As she ventured throughout the expansive garden, Hermione couldn't help but think onto the reason as to why she couldn't fall back asleep. There were many current changes in her life, which all of them, she had no say in. She had been lied to her entire life and she wasn't who she thought she was. She was deceived by those within the Order, now not knowing who she could or couldn't trust. Along with the deception, she was also betrayed, however, didn't know by who. However, despite all of the lies and deceptions, it wasn't as heartbreaking as one thought that it should have been. She wasn't as close to the Weasleys as Harry had been; she imagined that he was having a harder time than her. She, also, couldn't trust most of the adults in the organization; there was just some that called for some speculation, and now, she realized her instincts were justified. All of this was really just shocking for the witch, nothing more, really.

Drifting from her thoughts, Hermione found herself enjoying the sights of the topiaries that she just walked past. Now she was walking underneath a long canopy of willow trees that lined a long, simple, yet elegant mirror pool. Halfway down the aisle of willows, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, halting the witch mid-stride. Initially, the teen froze, however, at the familiar smell of cinnamon and vanilla, Hermione immediately relaxed into the strong, yet feminine arms. Speaking of changes, "Bella," she smiled softly as leaned back into the dark witch's embrace. Bellatrix was one of the changes that she had no say in, and surprisingly to the young witch, she had no problem with adjusting to this one. It was surreal to think that she was destined to be bonded to one of the darkest witches in history and find out that said witch was secretly a softy on the inside, so to speak. She had witnessed but a sample of the manic and deadly Bellatrix Black, and it scared her to the core—initially—but she has also had the opportunity to witness and get to know the compassionate and warmhearted Bella Black. Especially, when it was just the two of them, and even when there were certain others in the room, Bella always exuded an air of love for the young witch. It was scary realizing how close the two of them were becoming in such a short amount of time.

"Hello, little dove," the onyx-eyed witch spoke as she tightened her arms around the girl's torso. "You're up earlier than usual. I'm assuming there is a reason for that," she said offhandedly. "Have you been enjoying your walk?" Bellatrix asked as she shifted to the teen's right side while one arm was still wrapped around the girl's waist.

Slowly, the two resumed the morning walk. Hermione looked up at the soft face of the older witch with a small smile. She didn't know why but she couldn't help the warm feeling that spread across her chest whenever she looked at the adoring look of the usually dark witch. "Yes, I have. It has been nice—quiet and serene," she said as she looked at the row of purple harebell flowers that lined the edges of the mirror pool. "But, it is equally nice and serene with you being here," she said with a blush. She looked up into Bellatrix's eyes before giving the witch a soft and loving kiss. The raven-haired witch smiled as they parted before leaning in again before giving the girl a chaste kiss. Turning back to the greenery in front of them, the two witches continued their walk. "And you're right, there is a reason for my early start," she said as they strolled along the pathway. "I was thinking on all of the recent changes in my life; the Order and Dumbledore and their deception, my real identity and the lengths in which your family went through to protect myself and my…umm...Neville. And you…"

"Oh," was her only reply, though, Hermione thought she heard a pang of hurt. Which she correctly assumed. The teen had coupled her thoughts on the revelation of the truth and deceit and her budding relationship with the dark witch. Bellatrix did feel a little hurt by the way her dove spoke of her, but before she allowed herself to get worked up, she gave the girl some time to continue on with her explanation.

"It was all a shock to me, still is on some aspects. It sort of…irritated me that I have no say in all of these current events." At this, Hermione felt the witch's arm tense, so she quickly continued on, "but there was one that has since became revealed to me that I have happily accepted." The auburn-haired witch stopped walking, turning to her witch, "Bella, as irritated as I am about everything, I am not irritated about this with you." Hermione, herself, now wrapped her arms around the taller witch's waist. "I couldn't help these feelings that I have for you. I've never experienced anything like this before, let alone be in a relationship. So, it is all scary for me because I'm not really sure how to go about this." At this point, Hermione was looking deeply into Bellatrix's eyes trying to convey all of her emotions into her gaze. "But, Bella, I embrace this. I embrace us."

Bellatrix was silent for a moment, just looking back and forth at Hermione's light brown eyes. Finally, her face portrayed an emotion that can only be shown through a look of cherishing, smiling eyes and a small, soft smile before kissing her dove slow and longingly. Breaking apart, she rested her forehead on the shorter witch's, "you have no idea how much that means to me, Hermione. You are also not the only one feeling that way. It's scary for me too. I have never felt this way before either. I've never been able to trust my heart with another before I met you," this confused Hermione. She remembered that they first met when she was four years old. At seeing the girl's expression, Bellatrix continued on, "yes, since I first met you. Your prophecy came about the night my Great Aunt fled the palace with you. So, I was already aware of our destined union. And when I first saw you, you immediately captured my heart, and I never wanted to take it back. The day that you had to leave to go live in the muggle world, was the most heartbreaking day of my life, but I did make you a promise. Do you remember that promise?" She asked softly.

Looking through her memories, she remembered the last dream she had before the big reveal. "You said that one day we will reunite, and when we do, we will never be parted again," she replied while looking into the dark witch's eyes.

"Yes, little dove, and I was speaking true. As promised, we have reunited, and now, I am never letting you go." Hermione couldn't stop the small smile that found its way on her face. Again, she felt that warmth spread across her chest and wrap itself around her heart.

Closing her eyes, she uttered the words that she thought she would never be able to say to another, "I love you."

Bellatrix froze at the words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing; her dove just spoke the words that she had been longing to hear since she first saw the teen at the Department of Mysteries. Letting out a deep breath, she lifted her head from the teen's. Taking ahold of Hermione's jaw, Bellatrix gently lifted her dove's face to look deeply in those warm light brown eyes, which were still closed. "Hermione," at the utterance of her name, said witch opened her eyes to find a pair of onyx eyes staring deeply at her. "Hermione, I love you too," and then she softly, yet passionately kissed the teen slowly. They only parted when they desperately needed to breathe. After which, they simply hugged. It wasn't until about three minutes later did they break apart before sharing another chaste kiss.


There was a faint knock on a set of maple double doors. And at the sharp allowance of entrance, the visitors entered the large study. And the person who was sitting behind the desk was none other than the Dark Lord. The two quickly bowed before addressing their Lord. "My Lord," they stated before sitting in the pre-offered chairs before the Dark Lord.

"Good morning, what is it that brings you here on this quiet morning," he spoke with an uncharacteristic jovial tone.

"My Lord, we apologized for not coming sooner, but we have news that is of great importance that concerns the Duchess."

The Dark Lord seemed thought of this announcement, "hmmm, well then, it is best to call for a meeting so the others can hear them as well. And you can explain to me as to why you felt it necessary in delaying such vital news." Both followers flinched at the sharp tone, but nevertheless, they nodded their heads.