I have deprived you and I am sorry, but here is an update with a lil bit of smut in it. Was a little tough to write because I can't think of a single word for vagina that doesn't make me slightly uncomfortable for some reason. But anyway, hope you're all good and thanks for the positive feedback xx
A new day had begun, and Bellatrix was lost in hazy thought, her body exhausted from restless nights. Constantly she woke up with dreams of her life before her father's arrest, walking on eggshells around her parents, never daring to speak out against any of her father's belief. Though she supposed that hadn't really changed, her life was different now. She had Hermione, someone who saw everything she wanted to see in herself. They had spent a number of weeks meeting in the night to talk and sending notes to each other in the day, clever ones with codes and hints to books. In a moment they could go from easy fun to dark conversations about their pasts and fears and for once Bellatrix felt as though she was truly being heard. She felt they both challenged and complemented each other in such an unexpected way and that fragile goodness terrified her. She couldn't risk losing Hermione now, she needed her. If she wanted things to stay this way and to grow in this direction, then she her father needed to be out of the picture for good. The end goal was to remove her father as a problem without losing Hermione. In the letter her father had suggested Bellatrix enact revenge, but really all he wanted was Potter, since that was the dark lord's main target for some reason. She couldn't make a deal for Hermione but perhaps she could convince him to just take the boy.
"The fact that most people forget about the killing curse is the effect it has on the witch or wizard doing the casting, some say it tears the soul in all instances and other believe this is only when taking the life of an innoc…"
If there was one thing Bellatrix was familiar with, it was dark magic. She could simply sit with her thoughts and not miss anything she didn't already know. Hearing the curses aloud made her think of her father, and how he had shown them all the curses so that they would never forget them she though darkly but that was the past. Now, all her father wanted was Potter, for a bit of revenge over his lord. He would do as he planned and then be shipped back to Azkaban. He was a very capable man and if he were to get Harry then Hermione would likely be with him. The only time he was alone was in summer, but Sirius and the rest of them would have him safer than a Gringotts jewel. So, her father would try for him in transit at some point, unless she did something to sway his methods. She hadn't a way to stop her father, but she could at least keep Hermione out of the way. Besides, the Potter boy had had it coming for a while now.
"You're in good spirits Hermione" Harry said as they walked to their next lesson. He smiled genuinely but seemed overly interested.
"Well It's a nice day and I'm ahead in all my work so I have an easy week" This wasn't technically a lie she thought, just a touch of omission. She was truly happy, despite the recent bad news about her father, Bellatrix seemed calm. Hermione supposed that logically Bellatrix had put off worrying until Christmas which is when she would be most likely to see her Father. Hermione did suggest telling Dumbledore about the letter, but to her surprise he has left on "urgent business" so instead they settled into sweet comfortable denial. Sweet being the main point as they had continued their night time rendezvous and had even got into the habit of exchanging coded notes with Hogwarts: a history being their codebook (much to Hermione's delight).
"Fair enough 'mione... so anyway. Have you sorted out a date for the Halloween ball?" Harry casually questioned. "I was going to ask Cho but… I think me, and Ron are just gonna go it alone, or we could just all go together? If you fancy it?" Harry wondered if Bellatrix had asked Hermione about the ball, he doubted she would compromise herself like that.
"Oh, the ball, I completely forgot. Um… I'm not sure actually so I'll uh, let you know" She chuckled nervously and went a little red, it would be stupid to ask Bellatrix. Yes, she confirmed as they walked into potions class, stupid.
Maybe she should ask Bellatrix as a gesture, since they were meeting in the middle of the night to be more than friendly, unless she did that with other people as well. Not that she couldn't since they weren't official or anything. Hermione was calmly swirling her quill on parchment as her mind made leaps and bounds to various scenarios. Maybe Bellatrix had a date and Hermione was just a bit of experimental fun, or she might not even be going after all. But, how will I know if she's going unless I bring it up, she might even ask me first. Don't. Be. Stupid. Hermione. She might like you enough to kiss you, but that doesn't mean she's ready to admit that to other real human people. It's fine, I'm just going to ask her what her plans are and then play it really cool. Not that she was a stalker, but she knew that Bellatrix currently had defence against the dark arts. She could linger nearby and hopefully the Slytherin girl would come over to "bully" her. They knew that neither was ready to be open about their new relationship…or whatever it was, and so had agreed to maintain their previous roles as bully and victim in order to not arouse suspicion. Hermione began the walk slowly, knowing she couldn't be waiting directly outside the door, mulling over her words as she did. It was difficult to decide how to bring the subject up, or if she should at all. The more the doubts creeped in, the faster she walked. Perhaps it was better to leave it, and not risk being seen with her. Suddenly as her eye refocused she found herself staring right into the eyes of a brutish seventh year in green robes.
"Move it Mudblood" he barked as he puffed his chest out and nudged past her.
She didn't even know him or recognise how he could have known her. She was used to taking these things on the chin so often, but in her inattentive state it had left her a little bewildered. It was funny how magic could heal wounds and stop time but couldn't stop the human nature to be cruel.
"Well hello there Muddy"
Hermione turned to meet Bellatrix's hollow expression of disgust, she knew it was fake, but the twist of pain came regardless. Instantly she began to walk around the older girl, who in turn followed her for a few moments to an abandoned stairway.
"I assume I'm not just following you for fun, Granger" Bellatrix jibed, leaning coolly on a bannister.
"Um…it actually doesn't matter." Hermione went to walk away again but Bellatrix stepped into her path too quickly.
"what's wrong?" With the words came Bellatrix's outstretched hand hooking loosely around Hermione.
The younger girl looked down at the gesture, that was new. Touching definitely wasn't but tender affection in broad daylight was. "Sorry, just when you called me that name I just, had a run in with another Slytherin so I guess it just stung a little today"
"who was it? I'll go set fire to their bed or something" Bellatrix replied with a smirk.
"I don't care about him saying it, it was when you said it "Hermione dropped the other girl's hand.
"oh, you know I didn't mean it, we just agreed to keep up the whole act, so I just assumed it was fine"
"You can keep up the act without using that name"
"I just, didn't think it bothered you that much" Bellatrix shrugged
"Well, you would think that wouldn't you, not like you know what its like to be treated as less than, little miss pure blood" Hermione shot back, the colour rising in her cheeks.
"Merlin sake, if you didn't want me to say it then you should have just told me" Bellatrix sniped back, trying to keep her voice low.
"I just thought you were smart enough to know the weight of your own words, my mistake" with that Hermione stormed past Bellatrix towards the nearest crowd.
Hermione walked fast and breathed slow, if only she could argue without her eyes instantly watering. At least she had an answer about the ball, since it was tomorrow night and there was no way Hermione would be asking Bellatrix about it now. she just wouldn't go, it wasn't like it was her scene anyway. She was just going to have some time to herself and take advantage of a mostly empty castle. Lost in thought she barely saw the figure blocking her way into the Gryffindor common room.
"Hi Hermione" a soft voice caught her attention.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Luna I didn't see you there, uh…what's up" Hermione hoped it would be quick, she liked Luna sure, but they were very different.
"well, I was speaking to Harry about the dance tomorrow and he invited me to go with him and Ron, he said you were thinking about coming so I came to see what you'd decided."
"oh uh… I was actually just going to stay in, dances have never really been my thing." Hermione flushed slightly and brushed her hair back hoping that her eyes didn't look as watery as they felt.
"you know, I haven't had much experience with friends, but I find being with them makes me feel better when its been a trying day. We can go in together if you like and meet the boys there, maybe have some girl time as they say" Luna gave the request tentatively with a small but hopeful smile.
Hermione felt her heart ache for Luna a little, she didn't often think about how lonely it must be for her, and instantly she felt lucky, not only to have Harry and Ron, but also to be able to help. "You know what that sounds great Luna, the dance starts at 7 so why don't you meet me here at 6:30 and we can do our hair together"
The soft smile on the blonde girl's face grew into a broad one "that sounds great, I'll see you then"
Hermione had just finished putting the last touches onto her makeup, she had pushed the boat out a little by wearing a dress her mum had snuck into her trunk in the hopes she might have a date at some point. It was a thigh length, white dress with thin straps and flowing material making up the skirt, she had matched it with some golden eyeshadow as her mum had suggested. Despite her lack of experience, she decided she looked okay when she passed a mirror on her way to fetch Luna from outside the common room.
"wow Hermione, you look like a tribute to a very dashing hippogriff I would say" Luna said with a hearty smile, she was wearing a lacy, ice blue dress with a lot of layers. Odd by pretty, as was fitting for the girl.
Hermione knew to take her statement as a compliment "Why thank you Luna, you look lovely"
They headed up to the dormitory to do their hair. Hermione had never tested bringing a non-Gryffindor into the common room before, but the fat lady just waved them in. She was so curious about how the castle's magic was so fine tuned to people without ever being obvious. She shook away the thought and carried on, they had some hair to sort out.
Luna decided to create an eccentric up do for herself, Hermione on the other hand had used her wand and a heating charm to create a flow of ringlets in her hair, turning her usually somewhat frizzy hair into a neat build of curls. Just as 7:30 had passed, the two girls decided to go and meet the boys at the party. When they walked in, everything was already in full swing and they went in seemingly unnoticed, Hermione allowed her eyes to scan the room for her friends, but also for Bellatrix. It didn't matter if she was mad at Bellatrix or if she didn't want to talk to her, she still always searched for just a glimpse of her, almost like she was a drug. She didn't find the raven hair but did spot a mop of ginger and so began to lead Luna towards that instead of continuing her pointless search.
In the corner of the room near a freshly spiked punch bowl stood Bellatrix, hidden by a circle of her friends. She had just dumped the contents of a healthily sized flask into the punch when she saw two girls enter the party, her face had flushed at the sight of the young Gryffindor. She looked just like an angel, and the serious expression on her face as she had scanned the room made her eyes shine. Then Bellatrix had seen the girl with her, a petite blonde whose name escaped her, she was odd looking, but undeniably pretty. Bellatrix felt a rage bubble in her stomach as Hermione, her Hermione had grabbed the blonde's hand and led her away from view. Bellatrix took a large swig of the punch and began to strut to a better vantage point of the younger girl, leaving her friends in confusion. After a short search she found the girl and her blonde with Potter and the Weasley boy. Was Bellatrix a bit of secret side fun? Had Hermione been with this blonde all along? Long enough for Potter and ginge to embrace her so warmly, since they hadn't all come together, it felt like a strong possibility. Well, fuck her then. Bellatrix downed her glass of punch to clear the horrible, tight feeling in her throat, and scanned the people near Hermione's group. She spotted a good looking Slytherin boy in her year, she recognised him and knew instantly his father had died a death eater, he wouldn't say no to a dance. She walked over and tapped his shoulder, he turned to give her a surprised but cocky look and instantly accepted her hand.
Getting Hermione's attention without actually doing anything to get her attention was difficult. Then, as the music was slowing down, Bellatrix allowed the naïve boy to pull her closer and when they turned she looked across his shoulder and saw Hermione. Her eyes were glassy and her face red. She pulled the glass up to her mouth to cover it as she took long painful glances at Bellatrix whilst trying to maintain her conversation with her friends and a few others who had joined them. Then her eyes shifted to the male hand sliding down Bellatrix's back and suddenly she excused herself. The Slytherin girl watched her go and realised the blonde wasn't there anymore, but instead seated across the room with some chubby boy, laughing and patting swatting around his large head. She instantly felt sick and rushed out of the hall in search of Hermione.
The stone beneath her was cold as she sat down, she was in a deserted hallway sitting on a step to a dead-end doorway. All around her was silence, and so she let the tears roll down her cheeks. She had been stupid to believe that their secret meetings and notes and talks with Bellatrix were anymore than a few weeks of fun for the older girl. She had been used as a play thing while Bellatrix was out there pursuing real relationships with athletic Slytherin boys, the types she was destined to marry. As she waved her wand across her face to remove the stupid makeup, Hermione heard the click of heels going at a fast pace. Before she could sense where they were coming from, a figure appeared at the end of the hall. As it came closer, she saw a short, tight, shoulder-less dress clinging to curves, the dark material causing the red painted lips to pop out of smooth large curls that hung around the figure's face.
"Hermione I…"
"save it" Hermione sniffed "I get the message so just leave me alone" she stood to leave but before she could move far Bellatrix was in front of her, with a guilty expression.
"Look, I saw you come in with the blonde girl and grab her hand and my mind just started jumping to conclusions, so I went over to that random guy to get back at you. Until I saw blondey flirting with that chubby kid and saw my mistake. It was a mistake, okay" Bellatrix went to grasp Hermione's hand.
"You really thought that after one small argument I would just find someone new? In the space of a day?!" Hermione shook her hand away from Bellatrix's, her sadness turning to anger.
"I might have wondered if she was a permanent fixture and that I was just a new temporary thing for you" Bellatrix looked away, annoyed at her own impulsivity.
"And you didn't try and talk to me about it, you just decided to find the first guy you could and get back at me. How far do would you have gone?" Hermione braced herself for the reply
"What are you even saying it was just a dance and it would have only ever been a dance" Bellatrix raised her voice a little.
"If you say so" Hermione went to leave again but Bellatrix grabbed her wrist.
"It was a mistake because I was jealous, I don't know what we are, but I know that I want it so just, don't leave okay" Bellatrix softened her grip and looked deep into Hermione's eyes, hoping the younger girl would see her honesty.
Hermione looked at the ground but didn't move.
"I just want you, Hermione" Bellatrix tentatively lifted the other girls chin up and leant in slowly to kiss her.
Hermione reciprocated the slow and simple peck and suddenly she let go of something inside of her that was keeping her still. Her arms were around Bellatrix in a second and she had struck for another, more passionate kiss. She felt the older girl's arms grip her tightly as they embraced and allowed their lips to steal each other's breath until they were forced to stop for a moment, for fear of suffocating.
"Let's go somewhere" Bellatrix huffed out as she composed herself, her eyes dark and predator-like. She took Hermione's hand and walked fast until they came to an empty classroom in a soulless part of the castle. Bellatrix dragged Hermione in and flicked her wand to lock the door. Then, with delight, she ripped some heavy curtains from a nearby wall and laid them on the floor, luckily the room had a fire place too and with its quick lighting, an ambience that mirrored their passion was created. Bellatrix grabbed Hermione's waist and kissed her again before lowering them both onto the nest of curtains. She made quick work of Hermione's dress by lifting it over her head as she knelt opposite her, she then did the same with her own. Then, she slowed just to look at the other girl. The orange glow of flames lit up her hungry eyes and casted shadows across her smooth breasts and bare stomach. Bellatrix felt as though she could drink the sight in forever, but Hermione's hand was snaking around her own bare stomach, and the need to feel hot skin on her own was undeniable. They came together again in a kiss as Hermione worked her way to unclasp Bellatrix's bra and Bellatrix mimicked the movement to do the same to Hermione, until their uncovered chests were pressed together as their tongues swiped at each other. Naturally, Hermione leaned back until she felt the curtain covered floor beneath her, and Bellatrix held herself above the younger girl. Bellatrix took a steady inhale and determined her next move, she wasn't exactly a sex guru, but she knew enough. She began to pepper kisses across Hermione's body, starting at her neck and working down across her breasts, shifting her pace from delicate frenzied passion to delicate anticipation. She pecked every faint freckle she could find splayed across pale ribs and felt the increased breathing beneath them. She worked down Hermione's stomach, where she slid off the other girl's underwear, she felt Hermione tense and quickly moved her kisses to the bottom of her thigh, where she slowly made her way up, before switching to the other leg and teasing back towards the girl's centre. Finally, she drew her tongue in one long sweeping motion up to Hermione's clit. Instantly she let out a long high moan that made Bellatrix almost melt as she continued her movements.
"Bella" Hermione whispered as her thighs began to lightly tremble and her lungs heaved in air. The more she trembled, the more Bellatrix would concentrate her tongue on Hermione's clit, getting faster and firmer as she went. Before long a hand came down and weaved its fingers into Bellatrix's hair, desperately holding her where she was until shaking thighs let out a violent shudder and Hermione's head was thrown back in bliss, her mouth open but silent. Bellatrix rose slowly, drinking in the beautifully dishevelled girl beneath her, before leaning in to let Hermione taste her plump lips.
They spent hours exploring one another, touching and kissing to the point of ecstasy. They mapped every inch of each other's skin, every scar and freckle until they lay, tangled in one another on the curtains in front of a dying fire. Hermione played with the slim strong fingers of the girl whose head laid on her chest.
"Bella" She whispered
"Mm?" came a tired reply
"We have to go; the sun is coming up" She looked out the window and heard the birds beginning to chirp.
Bellatrix groaned and turned her face toward Hermione to hide, but after a few moments reluctantly rose. They got dressed and put the room back in order, stealing looks and touches as they did. It wasn't long before they were strolling down the hallway in the direction of their beds.
"Mione. so I know we can't really advertise ourselves just yet but, I want you and me to be a real thing, not just secret meetings you know?"
"so…you want me to be your girlfriend" Hermione smirked at the Slytherin.
"I guess that's what I'm trying to say, yes" Bellatrix blushed but smiled.
"hmm…well it doesn't sound too bad so…alright" Hermione jibed, expecting a nudge back. Instead Bellatrix brought their clasped hands to her mouth and pressed a kiss to Hermione's knuckles with a soft smile. The gesture widened Hermione's eyes and throw a lump into her now tender throat.