Just a Brand-Rewrite

by Aerolysia

A simple rewriting of my fanfic Just a Brand. Hermione and Bellatrix are bonded together. They have to get along to save Hermione and her little sister/daughter from her stepfather all while others plot their downfall...The story hasn't fundamentally changed just my writing I hope.

10. BR-24(29-24-265)

It was a sharp painful feeling around her heart, the sudden stab of insecurity, jealousy and fury she felt at seeing Viktor Krum standing so innocently behind her wife. It was almost frightening the visceral reaction she had to his presence. An almost irresistible desire to curse the hell out of him. The voices whole heartedly agreed, begged her to hurt him, to take Hermione away where there was no chance he could convince her to leave. Where he couldn't convince Hermione to leave her for him. They argued about the how but they all agreed on the why. The girl was hers.

Her wife.

Her bond.

Just Hers.

And she wasn't going to share.

She stepped forward unconsciously, not entirely sure what exactly her intentions were. The out of control rage nearly reminded her of what she felt the night she found Peter with Hermione. She had wanted to kill that man….

And Krum…. she wanted to….

She sucked in a breath and felt cold dread still down her spine. She forced herself to take a step away, to pull her gaze toward the openly concerned gaze of her wife. A gaze that told Bellatrix she had at least some inkling of just how hot her sudden anger ran. Just where her thoughts were headed.

Immediately she put up her shields, refusing to burden Hermione with the chaos and voices burning and swirling around in her own mind. The bond was growing stronger between them if her emotions were spilling through, she would have to be far more careful in the future. Hermione shouldn't have to experience the emotional roller coaster that was her wife's mind.

"Bella? Are you okay? You just stopped…oh! Hello Hermione." Weiss Khotalo, in all her beautiful blonde glory leaned around the dark witch and smiled brightly at the two younger people standing just in the doorway. The blonde placed a hand casually on Bella's bicep and her green eyes went from Bella's rigid figure to Hermione's still one. "How are you?" Her voice was soft and kind, as if she actually cared about their wellbeing. Which she probably did.

Hermione hated her.

What's worse she hated that she couldn't seem to hate her. Truly she only hated the ease with which Khotalo seemed to be able to touch Bellatrix, the ease with which the two seemed to settled back into a friendship that had ended ages before if everyone were to believed. And she hated the ease with which they seemed to be growing closer all the more.

"I'm fine. Just…. the party is too loud so we thought we would find somewhere more private." She ignored Viktor's confused glance at her vague insinuation and the irritation she felt briefly from her professor. Viktor knew how she felt about Bella so she hoped he would remain quiet and let her save what little face she had left. He may not realize the two women in front of him were an item but Hermione was nearly sure of it and she didn't want Bella to think she was-she wasn't sure what she wanted Bella to think. She wasn't trying to make the woman jealous; she wasn't naive enough to think she would genuinely care.

She just had the sudden urge to not appear so lonely, she didn't need Bella thinking she was something to pity.

"Hermione," Weiss sounded slightly unsure, cast a speculative glance toward Viktor and her companion before letting out a resolved sigh. "I had needed to talk to you- "Bellatrix turned sharply before she could say more and squeezed the wrist of the hand resting on her arm. Dark eyes bore into the green ones a few long seconds before Khotalo shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Yes, fine it can wait." She shot an apologetic smile toward Hermione before her gaze shifted back to Bella. "But not too long." There was clear warning there and it made Hermione sick to her stomach.

Were they going to tell her about their relationship?

As if she couldn't already tell how close they were. She couldn't remember a time she had seen Bellatrix allow such a relaxed touch. The woman could even be standoffish with her friends at times and she and Weiss had only gotten reacquainted at the hospital and that hadn't been so terribly long ago. Not long enough at all to rekindle such a deep friendship, but apparently plenty of time for old feelings to resurface.

"But it can wait until after the holidays." Bella stared at Weiss until the woman let out a defeated sigh and nodded.

"Fine, yes I suppose it can." She shook her head as if she didn't like it and Hermione supposed she probably didn't. She should have told the witch just to get it over with, to tell her now and spare her hours of hopeful pining and daydreaming that the two were just friends.

But she couldn't find the courage. She didn't want to know, not definitively. She didn't want to imagine the two of them together…touching, kissing, laughing…..

She shook her head to rid it of the unwelcome image and suddenly remembered she couldn't move her feet.

"Damn it." She felt three sets of eyes land on her and turned wearily toward Viktor. "I think Fred and George are up to their old tricks. I'm stuck to this spot." She tried to grin apologetically at him but she knew that he knew she was hurting and the smile fell flat on her face. He hadn't missed the ease between the two women either and while he wasn't sure what it meant he knew that it meant something.

His kept his expression soft and moved toward her, placing a gentling hand at the small of her back, an action Bella watched through narrowed eyes. Weiss's hand contracted when it seemed as if Bella would move but she kept her attention on the brunet.

"Should I try and free you then?" Viktor asked knowing just how much she hated to be held still, a fear Peter had left her with long before Bellatrix had saved her. He went to reach for his wand but Bellatrix stopped him with a sharp shake of her head.

"It's mistletoe." She ground out through clenched teeth, she jerked her head up toward the doorframe and sure enough there was a beautiful spring of the stuff nestled just above Hermione. "Fred and George's holiday collection. I told them…." She trailed off angrily on a sharp breath and despite her anxiety Hermione felt a slight twinge of jealousy when Weiss trailed her arm up to squeeze Bella's shoulder.

"Should I go and fetch them? Have them give her the counter-"

"The only way to get free is by a kiss." Bellatrix glared at her friend. "It's mistletoe, Weiss."

Weiss glared. Of course, she knew that would likely have been the way to free the girl but she didn't want to say aloud Hermione very likely wouldn't have wanted to be kissed just to be free. Not after everything she had recently been through.

"Sterling then?"

Hermione clenched her fists tightly, something that did not go unnoticed by Viktor. The distraction of seeing Weiss with Bella had kept her from really focusing on her own predicament but now that the focus was on her, now that she remember she was helplessly frozen to the floor she found the familiar feeling of panic creeping up her spine. She did not want to have a panic attack in front of the perfect Khotalo.

She flat out refused to look so weak.

Viktor moved his hand from her back and down to her hand, he gently forced her to open her palm and while the two older women bickered he peered at the damage her nails had done to her hand. He grimaced at the helpless look she shot him and sucked in a sharp breath.

He knew what had to be done, he only wished Bellatrix could get her head out of her ass and do it herself.

Without a word Hermione shot him a small jerky nod.

Permission.

He released her hand, careful not to touch her anywhere else as he leaned over and placed, what could barely be considered a kiss, at the corner of her lips.

The temperature around them dropped.

"Bella-" Weiss's cry had them turning back to the dark witch.

She looked frightening. Like she had before only this time Hermione could sense nothing. There was no indication of what the witch was feeling except for the purple jets of magic arching around her fingertips and the furious expression on her face.

She had pulled her wand, when exactly, Hermione had no idea, but it was trained on the floor between them and Weiss was doing the best she could to keep the witch from raising it up toward the boy.

Viktor raised his hands in surrender and confusion and backed away, putting as much distance between himself and the woman as he dared. Bellatrix was infamous because of her dueling. She was likely the best in the entire world. He didn't even attempt to pull his wand; he never would have stood a chance.

"Hermione!" Weiss's words were a harsh whisper that begged the girl to do something. Only Hermione had no idea what to do. She had no idea why Bellatrix was so damned pissed off. "Something! She's too-I can't-"

She was floundering for the only reason she could come up with as to why Bellatrix had reacted so negatively to that small kiss.

She remembered Bella telling her she couldn't give her a normal life. She couldn't let her leave her. If Bellatrix believed the rumors from the Prophet she could see the woman believing Viktor wanted a serious relationship with her. Which made him an enemy, a threat to her very life. And Hermione had only fueled the fire by insinuating they had come outside for privacy.

Whether it was the problem or not she didn't know but it was her only lead. And it would have to do because the dark witch was doing her best to get out of her girlfriend's hold , and Hermione knew Viktor wouldn't go far in case she needed him so unless she wanted him a hexed mess on the floor writhing in pain she had to do something.

She sucked in a deep breathed and moved, grateful the kiss that started this mess had at least freed her from her prison. She placed a gentle hand on Bella's arm and the witch stilled, dark black eyes moved from Viktor down toward her and she stilled enough for Weiss to step away with a relieved breath.

It wasn't enough, the touch alone. Not like it had been back at the house. Not when she had kept her from killing Peter. Bellatrix had been worried for Hermione then, she had something else to focus on other than her rage. Hermione instinctively knew she had to give more.

She had to lower her own walls; it was the scariest thing she had ever attempted. If she failed to keep Bellatrix where she wanted the woman could go anywhere she liked, would see everything Hermione had endured…perhaps every thought she had. She shook off the knowledge and forced herself to be brave, to reach out.

'Bella, please don't hurt him. I'm not leaving with him, I remember what you said, okay?"

The dark witch jerked; eyes flew open in shock as the mental barriers she had never been able to break fell from around Hermione's mind. The girl was reaching out. Using their connection and whether she was even aware of it or not she had grasped Bella's rage and unraveled it.

She was pushing memories, snippets of her relationship with Viktor. It was all so platonic. No lingering touches, no late-night visits. Only many nights up at a desk unable to sleep, writing letters and answering them. Talks of Quidditch, of Sterling, school…of her stepfather….of Bellatrix-

Hermione forced her away from those memories despite the witch trying to cling. She stumbled a bit as she tried to put her walls back up and force the woman from her mind. Bellatrix didn't want to be stubborn, didn't want to take more than what was offered but she couldn't help herself.

She wanted to know more of Hermione. She wanted to know what she talked about when she talked of her.

Unfortunately, the only thing Hermione had close enough to the surface to hide was something Bellatrix had no need to know.

Viktor's words about Karkaroff.

His fears, anguishes and pain. Things he had shared with her with the knowledge that she would never tell another soul. Experiences they shared. The knowledge that they were in similar situations, that they could only be victims not yet survivors because it wasn't over. Because neither wanted to admit, even on paper, they weren't sure they would live through it.

She broke the connection with a cry, her eyes misting as she turned away from the confused people around them. She hadn't meant to share so much of her friend with her wife. It wasn't her business what Viktor had suffered, not even if it helped her understand their friendship, not even if it brought her back to herself.

"Hermyowny? Are you okay?" He moved bravely toward them, bolstered by the fact Bellatrix's fingers no longer sparked with magic and the witch had seemed to calm. He wasn't expecting her dark eyes to raise toward him, he wasn't expecting to see the understanding and regret in them rather than the rage that had filled them before.

Her look left him feeling vulnerable and raw, like she knew too much. He swallowed thickly and was grateful when she turned back to her blonde friend. He tried to catch his own friend's eyes but she was avoiding his gaze, leaving him dreadfully confused about what had just transpired between the two.

"Weiss, I think it's time you went home." The blonde hesitated only for a second before nodding. She patted Hermione's shoulder gently as she passed and forced a smile toward Viktor. "And Weiss," The blonde turned back before she could get too far, "I will speak with her." Green eyes flickered down to meet Hermione's only for an instant before she nodded.

Hermione let out a shaky breath and only then realized she was still holding onto Bellatrix. She released her as if the very touch of her burned and turned toward Viktor. "You- "She sucked in a breath and mentally shook herself. "You're going to be late. If you're not already. I should- "She motioned passed Bellatrix but the woman didn't move.

"Krum," Soft words pulled him back to face Bellatrix, her eyes cold and hard. "Next time don't kiss someone else's wife, no matter the circumstance." His eyes flew wide and he turned his gaze toward Hermione in shock.

"Vife?"

Hermione tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She wanted to curse the other woman but knew it wouldn't do any good. She knew exactly what Bellatrix was doing. Despite Hermione's efforts the woman was making sure Viktor knew he could never take her away. It was a moot point; Hermione had already agreed to stay with the witch. She had made that deal back at the hospital, she wasn't going to go back on her word, the consequences were far too high if she did.

"Let's go, Viktor." He wanted to say something else, he wanted and probably deserved answers but Bella had finally moved out of the way and Hermione was already leaving him behind as she trailed across the garden in haste. He spared the smug woman one last quick glance before he rushed off after her.

Viktor reached out and snagged her hand when they got far enough away, he was fully aware Bellatrix was still watching them but he didn't care. He could see his friends pain and he couldn't let it sit, he didn't care if he was late for everything, if Karkaroff pitched his usual bitch fit, he had no intention of leaving Hermione until he got some answers. Until he knew she was safe. Bellatrix terrified him and that show of temper…he was afraid for Hermione if it was ever directed her way.

"Hermyowny, stop, please." He hated the defeated slump of his friend's shoulders. "Vat did she mean, someone else's…?"

He let her collect herself, watched as she stubbornly squared her shoulders and finally told him everything that had happened over break, everything except the bond she shared with her wife, it seemed too personal a thing to share even with him. He listened, just as she had done so many years ago, without interruption. He knew how difficult it was to speak about abuse, knew the guilt that came from it despite knowing there was nothing to feel ashamed of.

"So," His voice was soft and careful. "She has married you to save Sterling from the muggles. Made her an heir to a Sacred Twenty-Eight." He turned his eyes back toward Bellatrix, he didn't know if it were possible for the woman to hear them but he had a sneaking suspicion she could. The knowledge didn't influence his next words. "You could marry me instead," He raised a hand when Hermione made to cut him off and he hadn't missed the sudden tensing of the woman trying so hard to lean casually against the Weasley's eccentric house. "I could not offer all Black could, true. But Sterling could remain Black's heir even if she lived with us. It could give Bellatrix Black an out, her life back if she vants it, she need only be responsible for Sterling's name."

Hermione closed her eyes on the anguish. "Oh, she wants it I'm sure." Especially with Weiss in the picture again. Hermione had to be hell on their budding romance. A unique dependent and all of her baggage. At least Sterling made up for her intrusion in her life by being cute and lovable. "But I can't'. It wouldn't be fair to you. And Sterling loves Bellatrix, I think it's mutual, they wouldn't agree to splitting up now." He didn't miss that Hermione left out her own feelings on the matter but he let it go.

He let so many things go, he was only just now starting to notice. He had no idea Hermione's home life had gotten so bad because he had let it go when Hermione refused to let him push. He had let her be.

The sinking feeling of not being enough for her rose like acid. He wasn't in love with her.

So why did it hurt so bad that she still wouldn't chose him.

And why did he feel like crying out the injustice of it, why did it hurt so bad to know he could never be what she needed.

He glanced back toward the pissed off witch who held the young witch's heart in her callous hands. The blasted woman didn't even realize, she had no clue how lucky she was. That was a bitter pill to swallow.

Somehow Bellatrix was what Hermione wanted. What she needed and there was a part of him that wanted her to figure it out but there was also a selfish part of him that wanted Bellatrix to crash and burn. He pushed that part into the far back of his mind and turned away.

Hermione deserved happiness. He would wish only for that from now on.

"I love you, my friend. If you need me I am always an owl and a quick few pops away." She gave him a small smile and a tight hug. He savored it as long as she allowed before he was forced to turn and walk the remaining distance to the Weasley's boundaries…. alone.

~H~

Bellatrix shoved off the wall and moved the short distance out to meet her as she moved back toward the house. The woman still looked irritated; the effort Hermione had taken to calm her hadn't lasted as long as she had hoped, but at least Viktor had made it out unscathed. It had been the first time Hermione had ever taken her mental walls down and allowed the woman to see inside.

She felt remarkably vulnerable and she wasn't sure she had been particularly effective in the long run. Especially not when the first words out of Bella's mouth were:

"Done with the boy toy then?" She leveled her with a glare but the witch wasn't apologetic at all. "Tell me, dear wife, will I have to see him coming in and out of my house at all hours of the night?"

Hermione bristled. She'd had just about all she could stand of people insinuating she was a bloody whore. She felt her anger flare at the thought of it, at the thought of having to endure something she had thought was left behind when she was free of Peter.

"Viktor is my friend," She said through a forced calm. "You do not have the right to tell me I cannot see him. And you don't have the right to tell me who I can be friends with either. You don't rule me, Bellatrix. If I wanted an affair I'll have one, all I promised you is not to leave." She stared at the dark witch defiantly. She would likely never have a lover but she wasn't going to tell that to the woman before her, especially not since Hermione would have to deal with Weiss warming the woman's bed.

The only indication that Hermione had been heard was the slightest twitch of an eyebrow. Her eyes settled on the brunette with an intensity that unnerved her, a strange swirling darkness swimming in their depths.

"I see." She remarked quietly breaking the silence between them. She said no more, however, instead she turned and moved passed Hermione, toward the area Viktor had disappeared from, not so long ago. Hermione remained still, watched her go only for a second before her heart stuttered in her chest as she realized the dark witch would apparate away.

"Wait!" She didn't want the woman to leave. She wanted to talk, not fight, but talk. She had a sinking feeling if she let Bellatrix evade her now it would be the last time she saw her until term restarted.

With no more thought than keeping the woman with her, she raced after. Her hand reaching out at the last possible second to grasp at a thin wrist. She grimaced as she felt the familiar pull under her naval that told her she had been too late to stop the woman leaving. At least she wouldn't be getting away, at least as long as she could maintain her grip until they arrived.

It was a dizzying arrival. Hermione clung to Bellatrix just to keep herself from falling to her knees. Bellatrix turned around and grasped at Hermione's shoulders, her grip strong enough to bruise as she glared hotly down at the woman.

"You stupid, foolish girl. You could have been splinched." Hermione merely snorted, only just that morning Bella had grabbed her and apparated them both without a word. It was a bit hypocritical of her to be worried about it happening now.

"Well I wasn't." She pulled herself away as she finally gained control over her protesting stomach, at least the world had slowed its dizzying spin. She really hated apparating.

Bellatrix scoffed and moved towards a set of beautiful wooden doors. They swung open of their own accord as the two drew closer, showing Hermione the view of beautiful marbled floors and a sparsely decorated foyer. She desperately wished she had the time to take in the glorious architecture but the slower she moved the further away Bellatrix got.

She sped up her pace and reached out again for the witch, her hand tugging on the dark cloak hanging precariously on the woman's shoulders. "Stop already," She huffed irritably and tugged when it seemed Bella meant to ignore her. "We have to talk. We can't keep going on like this Bellatrix." She blew out an irritated breath as the dark witch just kept going, her hand slipping from the robes. "Stop running away!" Her voice echoed, bouncing off the marble and filling the silence all around them.

"I wasn't running away." Bellatrix protested softly but at least her steps halted. She let out her own heavy sigh and turned to lean up against a dark grey wall. Her arms crossed defensively over her chest and Hermione blushed at the way it drew attention to her low neckline.

She forced her eyes up and did her best to keep the blush rising from her neck in check. She couldn't lose sight of what she had followed the witch for. She was angry at her words and the way she had behaved toward Viktor. She was angry they hadn't talked about Sterling and she was confused about what the hell was going on in the woman's mind. She couldn't let everything else slip to the wayside because of her ridiculous unrequited feelings.

"You do run away. You spent nearly the entire time I've been out of the hospital running away from me and I don't know why. We don't get along, I know this, but now we don't have much of a choice." Hermione took in a deep breath and forced herself to look into Bellatrix's gaze. It was dark and unsettling and she could see nothing of what the witch was feeling reflected there.

"You were the one to run this afternoon." Bella reminded her defiantly.

"Because I'm tired of fighting!" Hermione was practically yelling now, her words loud and echoing in the nearly empty room. "We can't continue like this, we are always fighting about something, anything- everything! And I'm so tired of it. I can't live like this, on eggshells it's..." She trailed off. Painful. It was so painful, but it wasn't nearly as bad as living with her stepfather, even in her foulest mood Bellatrix was a better keeper than he was. But the uncertainty between the two was killing her. With Peter she knew where she stood, what he wanted. With Bellatrix she had no clue. No idea. It was exhausting.

She didn't want to go back to her old life, she would be eternally grateful to the woman for setting her free but she also couldn't continue on as she was.

Whether Bellatrix hated her or not she needed answers. She needed to know what the future held for them. She needed to know why the hell Bella couldn't stand to see her with someone else when she certainly didn't want her.

How could Hermione keep her from snapping like she had over Viktor, why had she done it to begin with? She needed answers, and they needed to set some kind of boundaries. She couldn't be Bella's pet, she couldn't live forever without some kind of intimate relationship, even if it were not with the woman she loved.

"What made you so angry back there? And why the hell did you tell Viktor we were married? What did that even matter?"

Bellatrix ran her eyes over the drawn face of the teenager before her. She seemed unwilling to answer but Hermione could feel the anger radiating from her. Even stronger at the question. She wondered what Narcissa had said. Had she perhaps hinted to Hermione running around with men and embarrassing her with it in public? Like Hermione would advertise her affairs, like she even wanted their marriage to come to light in the first place. It wasn't real and she wanted to keep it hidden for as long as possible.

"Look, if it's about your sister, about what she said to you, I-" She didn't know what to apologize for, she didn't know what Narcissa had said. She was sure her conversation with the blonde was far different than the one Bella had with her.

"My sister?" Bellatrix stared down at her, anger still swirling around in her dark eyes.

"Yes-"

"You think I'm upset about…." Bellatrix trailed off and sucked in a deep breath. Her arms fell from her body as she made to move away again, to retreat further into the home.

Hermione was getting tired of trying to keep her still but her fingers once again wrapped in the cloak refusing to let the woman distance herself. Refusing to give up just yet.

She nearly fell back, unbalanced when Bellatrix suddenly turned and advanced on her instead. "You let him kiss you! How could I not be angry about that!" She raged, her eyes darkening as Hermione stared up at her, hand outstretched and palm spread against Bella's chest to hold her back as she gaped at her outburst.

"What-" She stuttered, her anger fading away to make room for utter confusion. "Viktor? It was just a- it was mistletoe! I don't understand how that's what has you so worked up, especially not after I showed you we were only friends." Not that she was sure what the hell her relationship with Viktor even had to do with Bellatrix outside of the bond. So long as Bella was assured he wouldn't be trying to take her away that should have been the end of it. And the damn witch had been angry from the get-go. It couldn't have anything to do with that pathetic kiss. She had been raging the minute her eyes had landed on Hermione.

"Just tell the truth, if your angry about your sister I'm a big girl I can take it. Pretending to be jealous is ridiculous." Even if the thought alone did make Hermione's heart jump at the possibility. "Besides it's Viktor for Merlin's sake, it's not the first time I've kissed him and we didn't run off and get married then, so I'm pretty sure your safe from me running off into the sunset with him now."

Oh, that did not have the desired effect she had expected. She had meant to assure the woman she wouldn't be going anywhere. She wanted her to see how ridiculous this fear she seemed to have was. But as with most things between them that wasn't how it was taken. Of course, she probably should have chosen her words a little better…

Bellatrix belted out a vexed screech and spun away. Hermione had to fight to keep up, still unwilling to let the witch escape even if she had to chase her from one room of the unknown house to the other. She hoped the owners weren't about to show up before she got any actual answers out of the difficult woman.

"No, you don't." She reached out and latched her hand around the fabric at Bella's back and dug her feet into the marble floor until the woman came to a stop at the foot of the grand spiral stairs.

It had the desired effect, Bellatrix spun around and seemed to tower over Hermione. She looked wild with rage, even her eyes had turned quite nearly to her namesake, and if Hermione could honestly believe her eyes the very light around them dimmed until everything was cast into shadows.

"Let go of me you inane child. Do you not know how dangerous I am right now? You should be terrified of me." Magic was sparking from her fingertips again but Hermione ignored it.

"Dangerous?" Hermione scowled. "Your ranting and raving because someone else kissed your wife. One you don't even want." She reminded her, "And you're still acting like a possessive and jealous teenager."

"I would never be jealous of Viktor Krum." Bellatrix vehemently denied, her face scrunched up in disgust. She didn't bother to deny the possessive bit, they both knew it was true.

"Oh, trust me I know, you hate me after all, but bond or no bond I am not your property. I've had enough of being owned. If I want to kiss half the fucking school you have no right to say anything to me about it, much less throw a temper-"

Long cold fingers wrapped around her chin and forced her to look up at the feral woman she was taunting. Surprisingly enough those eyes had faded back to their brown hue and the madness that had lurked in them had faded, giving way to something she couldn't quite discern.

"Do not think to tell me how I feel about you." The words were spoken softly, a sharp contrast to the previous ones she had uttered. "And you will not be kissing half of the school." She scowled down at her captive. Merlin the thought alone terrified Bellatrix, look how much one innocent kiss under mistletoe had undone her.

"I will do what I damn well please but if it bothers you so blasted much you know what you can do?" Hermione jerked herself loose, the soft tone of Bella's voice had thrown her off, but she refused to relinquish her anger so easily. Bella got to do what she damn well pleased with Weiss while she cowed Hermione into a loveless marriage with no hope of companionship. It wasn't fair and she wouldn't stand for it.

"What?" Bellatrix growled dangerously, eyes swirling with turbulent emotions she was barely restraining.

"The next time an opportunity opens up for someone to kiss me how about you pluck up the courage to do it yourself instead of bitching about it aft- "Her eyes widened as Bellatrix descended on her with a swiftness she couldn't have hoped to avoid.

With a gasp of surprise, the dark woman had claimed her lips with her own. A strong arm wrapped around her waist to pull her closer and long fingers ran up her neck to tangle in her hair as Bellatrix pulled her closer against her lithe frame.

Secured in those arms there was no hope of escape.

But Merlin she didn't want one.

Her eyes flickered in surprise only in that one quick instant before they fluttered shut. She surrendered everything into the kiss, everything she felt, all her fears, all the love she never believed would ever be reciprocated. And Bellatrix gave it back...desperately.

There was a desperation in their kiss that spoke to something buried in Hermione, something old…..something familiar. Kissing Bellatrix felt like coming home. Felt as natural as breathing. And it was better than anything she could ever remember having experienced before.

She leaned up on the tips of her toes and wrapped her arms around Bella's neck, capturing hair and all as she lifted herself closer.

She never wanted it to end. She certainly didn't want to wake up from whatever dream she was having now.

She couldn't stop the slight moan when Bellatrix's teeth nipped at her bottom lip, just as she couldn't stop herself from breathlessly chasing the witch when she pulled away.

Hermione sucked in a sharp lung full of air as soon as she remembered she had to breath and stared up cautiously through hooded eyes. Bellatrix had initiated it, but she looked far more surprised than she had any right to be. Which pulled Hermione down from her high kicking and screaming as she realized it was probably the bond between them that had sparked such a volatile reaction from the woman.

Nausea replaced the coiled desire in the pit of her stomach as she remembered Weiss. The woman Bellatrix was seeing. How could she have forgotten her?

"Hermione-" Bellatrix's voice cracked in desperation. Something she had never expected to hear from such a self-assured woman. "I shouldn't have done that I-"

She held up a hand and shook her head, she didn't want to hear the apologies, the platitudes, the why they shouldn't. She didn't want to hear how Bellatrix didn't feel the same way, that it was only a reaction to the high emotions swirling around inside her. She would break if she heard those words. The words reinforcing what she already knew.

Bellatrix didn't love her. She was only stuck with her.

"No. I get it okay. It was just the bond." She pulled herself further out of the woman's grasp. Took a step back and looked anywhere but toward the dark eyes she knew would hold pity and knowledge, knowledge she had never wanted Bella to know. She sucked in a shaky breath and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt at comfort. "And who knows maybe one day we'll find a way to break this bond and you'll never have to look at me again." She made to turn, to head outside, anywhere really, as long it was away from the woman currently breathing the same air as her.

"Oh no you don't. "Bellatrix moved quickly, latching on to Hermione's sweater before she could escape. "No running for you either. You said we need to have a talk and we do. It's been long overdue."

Hermione tried to jerk herself free but Bella held steady. She felt the unmistakable sting in her eyes and refused to turn around. She couldn't let this woman see her break down. "Let me go, Black. I can't- "

"You're not running away. And I will not let you break this bond. You have no idea how dangerous even trying could be."

Hermione stopped her struggling. "I know okay, I've read some more of the journal and I did my research. I know if I'm not careful I could hurt you-"

Bellatrix grasped her shoulders and spun her, shaking her as if that would make her see reason, her fingers digging far too deeply in the tender flesh. "You could die!"

"And you could lose your mind, I know!" She grasped the woman's hands to stop the shaking and shook her own head at the panicked glint in the dark eyes before her. "I'm not reckless, and I don't have a death wish. But even you have to admit neither one of us wants to be stuck with someone who doesn't want us." She had hoped to assure the woman that she would be careful but she had never seen such a sad and forlorn expression on her beautiful face. "Bellatrix?"

"Is it so bad, Hermione? Being bonded to me?" She let her go, turned away and faced the grand staircase laid out before them. Her hands shook as she ran them through her tangled mass of hair.

"What?" Hermione didn't know how to answer her. Was it bad? It was everything she had ever wanted and it sickened her to feel so selfish. To know that Bellatrix had absolutely no choice in it.

Bellatrix let out a heavy sigh and turned back to face her, her eyes were dull and her face drawn. "I know what I said in the hospital, hell I know how I just acted about Krum but…" She hesitated, almost as if the next words were physically painful. "But I won't stop you if you want to leave. I will find the strength to let you and Sterling go. You can be with Viktor…You won't have to worry about me." She shook her head harshly. "I won't imprison you like your Step-father did. I won't let myself become that."

Hermione barely restrained a harsh cry, she moved toward Bella and had to stop herself from reaching out. She wanted to take Bella in her arms but she didn't dare. Already they were retreating from one another, already the walls were falling back into place. The kiss had taken away the anger and left only the guilt, the fear and the uncertainty and Hermione wasn't sure how to bridge the ever-widening gap that had surged in its place.

The only thing she was sure of was Bellatrix could never be Peter Salt. No matter how hard Hermione pushed she had no doubt now the woman would never hurt her. "You're nothing like him." Her voice was soft but determined. "I know you wouldn't hurt me."

Bella swallowed thickly. She didn't want to hurt her, never that. But she had taken something Hermione hadn't given, had forced herself on her not minutes ago, something she was sure the man had tried. And the worst was she didn't trust herself not to do it again. She wanted the girl with something so basic and primal it was nearing hell to try and resist. And always the thought of keeping Hermione close, of locking her away from everyone else so she wouldn't ever be tempted leave, of keeping her to herself…. It was an ugly yet seductive thought in her mind. One many of the voices wholeheartedly agreed with.

She was so afraid Hermione would run away, but more than that she was afraid if she tried, she wouldn't let her go. That she would chase her to the ends of the earth and drag her back.

Hermione had been clear. She wasn't property and Bellatrix had no claim over her. Nothing but the bond kept them together and she had no right to ask for anything else, for any assurances, for any promises.

She smiled sadly. "Be free, Hermione. Grow up, get married and have kids. I'll help you and Sterling escape Salt permanently and then I'll set you free. You'll have enough money to live comfortable for the rest of your life and after graduation you won't ever have to see me again."

Her heart ached at uttering those words. The pain that engulfed her nearly brought her to her knees but she refused to let Hermione see. Refused to keep the girl prisoner because of her own failings. She would be strong for her. Give her everything she could to make her happy and she knew it couldn't be with her.

Which meant that the house they were standing in would never be what she had wanted it to be. It would never be the home she had so desperately craved.

While Bella's newfound resolve broke her own heart, she had no idea the damage it was doing to Hermione's. The girl was screaming in her mind, trying to cling to the courage she had when she'd followed after the witch. Where was it when she needed it? When she needed it to explain to Bellatrix that she never wanted to be free. That she wanted a partner, a lover…. someone to share the rest of her life with. She wanted to be what Weiss was, why couldn't she find the words?

"I-" She sucked in a sharp breath and blinked furiously at the tears falling from her eyes. Her heart felt as if it were breaking. The thought of never seeing Bellatrix again hurt more than she had words to express. And she couldn't contain the pain, she couldn't hide it the way Bellatrix could.

"Hermione?" The soft voice was followed by a tender hand wiping the tears from her cheeks. Confusion pulled her soft lips into a frown.

"What?" she stuttered before pulling herself back together with a sharp breath. "No. I'm fine." Oh, but how she wasn't. Pulling herself together was the hardest thing she had ever done. Her entire mind screaming at her, begging her to say something, to beg Bellatrix to explain why she couldn't seem to return her love.

"If you won't let me break the bond I won't leave." Bella shook her head, her eyes filled with pain but Hermione would never budge on this. "You can't do that to yourself and I don't want to do it either." She wiped the remaining tears from her eyes with a furious swipe of her hand. "It's nothing for me to stay with you. I- I don't see myself wanting to get married and have children. I just don't want to always be alone," Bellatrix flinched, knowing exactly what the girl was implying. "I can't have you scaring off or cursing any potential…"

"Lovers." Bellatrix finished for her, a mask of indifference settling on her face. "If that ever changes, if you ever want marriage or children…"

"Then you'll be the first to know." Hermione hadn't meant the words to come out so sharply. Bellatrix had been valiantly trying to do what was best for her, she didn't know it was breaking Hermione's heart that she could let her go so easy, that there was nothing holding the dark witch to her but the bond because surely if the woman returned even a semblance of her feelings for her she wouldn't be so willing to set her free. "We…need to talk about Sterling and where we will live, I can't keep imposing on the Weasley's and I can't- I don't think my mother left the home to me."

Bellatrix nodded; she could still give Hermione this home. She could do that at least.

She just wouldn't be in it.

Not while Hermione's skin remained marked only by Bella's brand and unless that ever changed…. she shook off the hopeful thoughts and ushered Hermione toward the grand staircase.

"Come on. There's furniture in the drawing room." She moved off further into the house without looking back to see if Hermione was following. "We can have our discussion there."

~B~

Bella led Hermione through the large home into a smaller drawing room. It was one of the few rooms that already had furniture. Personal effects she had Rippley bring over from her sister's home, old couches and wingbacks that had once belonged to her grandmother. Furniture she hadn't wanted to leave behind when the three sisters abandoned Black manor. She wouldn't leave it as it was though, it was too dark for the happy home she had hoped to build. For the moment though it would serve her purpose.

"Come on and sit down," She took her own seat in one of the wingbacks. "Rippley?" Hermione stared at her in confusion as she spoke out into the air but a second later the small figure of a house elf appeared right beside her, a brilliant smile on his face as he took in his mistress.

"Rip is right here, mistress. So good to have you home."

"Home?" Hermione's startled words surprised him and he turned to look at her. His expression of joy was almost palpable.

He bounced excitedly on his feet and clapped his hands on his little black slacks in joy. "Oh, the young mistress is finally here! Hello! Hello! So good to finally see you and where is the little one?" His large doe eyes searched around for Sterling, as if they had hidden her somewhere. He even tucked his head low to the floor and peered under Bella's chair.

"She's not here, Rippley. Hermione and I have some important things to discuss and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to fetch up some tea." She managed a smile down at the happy elf as she spoke despite her tumultuous emotions.

"Right away, I will, the kitchen is all set up, Mistress. It wont take but a jiffy." He popped off as quickly as he came.

"You really do have him employed." Hermione smiled softly toward her and Bella remembered her fondness for house elves. She distinctively remembered the girl going on about elf rights one year and driving the staff and her friends crazy with it, the elves, if she recalled correctly, pretty much ignored it. "His butler outfit is adorable."

Bella had always thought so too but she didn't say it. She was withdrawing back into herself, exhausted from her emotional outbursts earlier and from her difficult decision to give Hermione space.

"You said we need to talk and we do." She leaned forward in her chair, her elbows on her knees as her dark gaze settled on Hermione. "I want you and Sterling to live here. In this manor, that will at least solve the living situation. Rippley can watch Sterling while you attend-"

"No." Bellatrix's frown deepened at Hermione's quick cut off. "I don't want Sterling staying here with only a house elf."

Bellatrix bristled. "I stayed with a house elf; he is perfectly capable of raising her."

"I didn't say he wasn't." But the teen shook her head anyways. "I still don't want it. You had siblings besides the elves to keep you company." Bellatrix looked as if she wanted to say something but something dark crossed her pale features and she remained silent. "We will both be at school and contrary to what you want to believe I want to raise Sterling myself, not have a house elf do it. I know I can't be there for her as much as I would like right now but I can at least give her some muggle interactions. I think that's important since she isn't magical."

"Well, what do you suggest? I don't know any non-magical people willing to help me with a child." Hermione was curious about the type of muggles the witch did know but she let it go.

"Her sitter now is more than willing to keep her during the days. We could keep the same agreement I had with her when we lived with-with…" She couldn't force his name out; it froze in her throat and she took a deep breath to quell the rising panic.

"I understand." Bellatrix watched her carefully, tensed on the edge of her seat as if she wanted to move forward and comfort her. She didn't and the panic passed as quickly as it had come.

"Anyways." Hermione forced out her words in a rush, trying to pull her mind away from horrible memories. "She can stay there till the evening and then someone can collect her. Bring her back to Molly's. I- don't know how exactly, by car maybe. It'll be a long ride to make every day." Hermione sighed and scrubbed her face with her hand. Maybe she was just being stubborn. She didn't want to add any more work onto anyone but forcing them to drive like a muggle to pick up Sterling sure sounded like a lot of work. "I thought I had all this figured out. But I don't, I don't have any money to pay her for keeping Sterling and I can't make people drive all the way back to my town just to pick her up."

"I have money, Hermione. Money isn't an issue."

Wasn't it? Hermione remembered Malfoy's words about her being after money. Of course, it wasn't true but she feared if she let Bellatrix pay for everything Narcissa would one day convince her it was in fact the only reason Hermione had agreed to marry her. In truth all she wanted was to keep Sterling safe, and, though she couldn't see herself admitting it aloud, she wanted to make Bellatrix happy. She wanted to at least keep the witch from suffering at the hand of their bond.

"Listen, Arthur has a blasted flying car. Molly could drop her off and pick her up with no problem. It would take maybe twenty minutes if I'm being honest and she would probably love to do it." Hermione didn't doubt the witch would do it even if she didn't want to, she just hated that she was forcing something else on the woman. "And since you seem to want to raise Sterling all on your own-"

Hermione flinched at her bitter tone and held a hand up to stop her from finishing the sentence. "That's not what I meant."

"I know. I'm-I shouldn't have said it." Even though those words had hurt to hear she had known Hermione hadn't been insinuating she didn't want Bella's help. "We need to come to some kind of compromise that's good for Sterling too." Hermione nodded. "What if every weekend she comes and stays in my rooms at Hogwarts? And on vacations and summer break the two of you could stay here."

Hermione's eyes widened. She could see Sterling every weekend. That was heavenly, and far more than she had hoped for. "Is that okay, will Dumble-"

"He owes me." Bella muttered darkly, leaning back and running a hand through her already tousled hair. "I won't give him a choice."

"And your okay with me staying here during the summer. This is Black Manor isn't it?"

Bella's expression darkened. "No. This is not Black Manor." Hermione flinched at the tone; she had thought…. well, she should have remembered what Malfoy had said. There was no way Bellatrix would take her to her family home. "This is…" Bellatrix hesitated and squared her shoulders. "This is a home I had built when the paperwork for our marriage was final. I thought you and Sterling would like somewhere to call home that wasn't the Weasley's. I had meant for it to be a Christmas surprise."

Hermione stared at her in shock. Unsure of how to process that information. Bellatrix had built her a house. Well, her and Sterling but still, that was an excessively big gesture. One she wasn't sure how to take.

But Bellatrix made no mention of her staying there as well and for whatever reason that took some of the joy out of it.

"Will that work, Hermione? Obviously, it still needs to be furnished but it can be done quickly, you and Sterling can pick out some things and Rippley can begin to furnish it by next week. It'll be ready by Easter break for sure."

"Y-yes, it's fine." She wanted to ask the woman to stay as well but the words froze on her tongue and were followed by the sinking thought of Bella staying with Weiss instead.

"Is that all we need sorted?" Rippley popped back in with two steaming cups of tea. He beamed at Hermione as he passed her to her and bowed so low his nose hit the lusciously carpeted floor before he popped back out.

"Sterling should be starting school next year. Muggle school. We have time but I was checking out some options during the summer if you want to take a look as well." She was grateful she mentioned it when she saw the relieved breath Bella let out, her shoulders lost some of the tension and she smiled slightly into her cup. It was Hermione's way of showing Bella she meant for them to raise Sterling together, despite her earlier remark and the woman appreciated it. Hermione wasn't good at reading her wife, she was fully aware of that fact, but she did know losing Sterling would already break Bella's heart and she couldn't find it in herself to let that happen.

"I don't want to sound pretentious but I have enough money to send Sterling to the best. If it's agreeable with you I would like to check out some more of the exclusive, private schools offered. Maybe even a few with her disability in mind." That hadn't been an option for Hermione before but she nodded. School would certainly be easier for the child if she didn't have to worry about being unable to understand her teacher.

"She would probably like that better." Hermione agreed.

"There is something else I want to talk to you about. I thought I would let it go, unless you mentioned it, but I can see you never plan to speak to me about it." Hermione's eyes narrowed and she tilted her head slightly at Bella's words. "My sister, Draco told me what she did, and some of what she said at the manor."

Hermione felt herself still, felt a cold sweeping sensation creep down her spine as she waited for the shoe to drop. Whatever Malfoy said likely mirrored whatever his mother said, she didn't expect the boy to tell the truth about whatever he saw.

"I don't care who it is, no one has the right to touch you when you do not wish them to." Bella's expression hardened, "Not even me."

"She-what did he tell you?"

"The truth, or what he saw of it. His mother hexing you, pinning you against the stacks." Bella growled at the memory; she had barely restrained herself from harming her sister. Narcissa had no idea just how close she'd come to a hex or two of her own. "Do you want to tell me more?"

The teen shook her head and swallowed thickly. "Is that why you were so angry when we left?" Bella's lips parted in surprise before she nodded. Hermione let out a rough chuckle. "I thought she had said I'd done something. I thought your anger was directed at me."

Bellatrix groaned at the honesty. "I can never do anything right when it comes to you." She admitted with a small self-depreciating laugh. "I was angry at myself, for not knowing how she would behave, and I was furious at my sister for causing you more pain."

"She didn't, I mean I think she's just worried about you. And well she's-" She trailed off, unsure of why she was trying to defend the cruel woman to begin with.

"A blood purist." Bellatrix finished for her. "But she had been warned, Hermione. I won't tolerate that kind of behavior towards you. I should have told you in the beginning, at least then you might have told me when it happened." Hermione didn't say anything although she doubted she would have really told her, she would never have expected Bellatrix to take her side over her siblings, even if she had been told otherwise.

"It's-" A sharp look from Bellatrix let her know not to finish that sentence. It wasn't okay. But Hermione already knew that, she just wanted Bellatrix to forget about it. If she never saw Malfoy again that would be fine with her but Bellatrix was her sister and they cared for each other. She didn't want to cause strife between them. "As long as she doesn't do it again."

"I'll make sure of it." The dark witch nodded sagely and took a small sip of her tea. "There's something else. I've given Molly some funds for Sterling, clothes, shoes, whatever else she wants or needs. I figured you would want your own, for Hogsmeade and the like…." She trailed off as Hermione's expression darkened.

"I don't really need anything, and I have money from my grandparents from birthdays and Christmas, it's more than enough to buy what I need." She shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Bella might have been furious about the hex Narcissa had used on her but she still didn't want to take her money. Perhaps it was pride, or just a way to show Narcissa she was wrong but she was firm on her decision. If Bellatrix pushed she would simply give it to Molly for Sterling.

"Alright." Bella swallowed the remainder of her tea in one quick gulp and set the china on the floor beside her chair. "There is something else to." She sounded like she didn't actually want to mention it and Hermione stilled herself to hear about her and Weiss. "The Salt's," Hermione's cup shook on the saucer, aware whatever Bella was going to say she wasn't going to like. "They wanted to see you both for Christmas, I said no. But if you think-"

"No!" Hermione blushed at her outburst and sucked in a sharp breath. "No, I don't want to go, and right now I don't want Sterling to go either. I don't want to keep her from them, but-" She trailed off at Bella's understanding nod.

"They have also expressed interest in filing for custody when your stepfather loses his case." If Bella had expected Hermione to be shocked over this news she was mistaken. The girl had fully anticipated them trying, they had always expressed their displeasure with her so she hadn't expected them to leave Sterling in her care.

"I thought it would just be a matter of time before they tried it. Do you know what the custody battle will be like? Magical or…?"

Bellatrix shook her head. "Weiss will be handling it too; she's pushing for magical so we can hope. She wanted proof they knew what was happening if you can think of anything that will help."

"I wrote them a letter. I still have the one they wrote back but I'm sure the one I wrote them is long gone. If it might help, it's in the desk at my house." Bellatrix swallowed her anger as best she could.

"I'll get it to her." She promised, wondering just how many people had failed her little bond over the years. Just how many people had turned a blind eye to the suffering of a child?

~H~

Bellatrix had disappeared after she'd dropped Hermione back off at the Weasley's, she had said she was going to get the letter and take it to Weiss immediately and Hermione figured she must have stayed because she never returned to the party. She tried not to let it get to her, to remind herself that she had plenty to be thankful for already, but she couldn't help the sadness that filled her the longer the woman stayed away. It was as if she was avoiding her all over again and Hermione had the vague suspicion it had to do with their quick and inappropriate kiss before the holiday.

She had still held out hope Bellatrix would make an appearance for Christmas day and while she had indeed, it was hardly long enough to do more than speak to Sterling and drop off a few presents for the child. It was like coming back from the hospital all over again. Even their talk at the manor hadn't seemed to bridge the gap between them.

She missed the woman and she hated that she did.

"Hermione dear, you in there?" The knock on the bathroom door made her jump. She had been so lost in thought she had forgotten about their impending trip to Diagon Alley for term supplies.

"Yeah. I'll be right out." She heard Molly's muted response as the witch turned back toward the stairs to scream up at Ron to come down already because he was making them late. She chuckled. She was probably the one actually making them late, she'd been hiding out in the bathroom wallowing in her Bella-less life for half an hour already.

She took one last look at herself in the mirror before she headed back down into the den, Ron was trailing right after her, muttering about how he had been down there hours ago and they weren't ready to leave then. He glared at his mother as he took his place beside his siblings in front of the fireplace.

Sterling rushed over from George and tugged at Hermione's robes. She was practically bouncing with emotion. She reminded Hermione a bit of Rippley and the witch couldn't help but smile down at her. But as she watched George disappear in a gulf of green flames she found herself frowning.

"Is this really safe for Sterling? I didn't think when we made the plans…." Sterling stared up at her in excitement, excitement that faded when she made out her words and turned into a pout. She knew the girl was excited over seeing the magical town. She didn't want to take that away from her but she was worried what would happen if Sterling said something wrong in the fireplace, and they didn't know if the floo powder would even work for a muggle. She was starting to think she should just cancel the trip and let the Weasley's go without them, she could take Sterling back by train another day. Or even to Hogsmeade one weekend when she came to visit.

Molly exchanged a look with Arthur and he shrugged. As far as anyone knew it had never been tried with a muggle before. Sterling had just become such a part of their every day lives they had forgotten she wasn't one of their brood, or extended brood as they liked to refer to Hermione, Lilly and Bellatrix.

"I honestly don't know. We can take my car to London though, Hermione, if you would rather not risk it." Hermione nodded. Then at least Sterling would get to go, even if it were a little later than everyone else. "Right you are." He tapped his nose with excitement. Of course, Arthur was just excited he got to use something muggle. His fascination amused her.

"Fred, you go on now. "Molly told the remaining twin. "And Arthur I suppose you had better go and get everything sorted, it's been a while since we drove that thing you might want to check the invisibility booster still works." He grimaced and nodded, pulling his pointed hat down over his ears as he headed toward the door to face the growing snowstorm happening outside.

Sterling tugged on Hermione's hand and stared up at her with a frown. "I can't go?"

The teen shook her head. "We can, we just won't get there with everyone else. We'll take a car." She gave the child a pointed look when she folded her arms over her chest and pouted. The tiny child had taken to pitching quiet a few temper tantrums lately and Hermione knew she was letting her get away with far too many. She didn't want to smoother the bit of Sterling that was finally starting to come out but she also didn't want to have an unruly and spoiled child either.

"She wont miss much," Molly assured her. "We will just go and fetch the supplies and then we can do all the fun things when you get there." She pulled out a small bag filled with clinking gold. "Bellatrix left this for you two, and it's more than enough for her to have ice cream and get new clothes and toys and the like. She also said for you to get whatever you need for classes or anything else."

Hermione shook her head, barely sparing a glance as Fred disappeared with a whoosh in the fireplace. "It's okay. I have everything I need for classes; you can give her back whatever Sterling doesn't use. Just…. don't let her talk you into buying her a broom." She gave the redheaded witch a pointed look.

Molly looked slightly guilty. "I promise, nothing so dangerous-Sterling!"

Hermione turned to see the little girl standing in the fireplace with her hand full of powder. Ginny and Ron had been arguing over who would go next and they tried to make a grab for her but she tossed the powder down and in the clearest calmest voice she told the green flames exactly where she wanted to go, and off she went.

There was a sudden, still, silence in the room as they were too shocked to panic. When it broke it was chaotic. Molly shouted for Ron to fetch their father and Hermione grabbed the powder Ginny offered and made to follow after her stubborn daughter.

Only she stuttered. And instead of coming out at Diagon Alley as she had meant she ended up in the tiniest cottage she had ever laid eyes on, very nearly in the lap of a seventy-year-old wizard by the name of Dagon Alice. He was thoroughly amused although he did help her get more powder and sent her on her way as quickly as he could once she explained she was trying to chase after her child. His stern warning for her to be clear and concise slowed her down just enough to get the words right which finally led her to Diagon Alley and face to face with six very relieved Weasley's and one not at all repentant Sterling Black.

"Good! Now we can go have fun see, we don't have to wait!" Sterling clapped her hands together before she grabbed Ron's hand to try and drag him off down the street, a quick look at his furious friend had him digging his own feet in the cobblestone.

Hermione called out Sterling's name but of course she couldn't hear. It didn't matter, she wasn't going to let the child use that excuse now, not when Sterling knew she was in trouble.

Hermione snapped her fingers and the very air around them vibrated. Witches and Wizards everywhere stopped to look for whatever magic had caused it and Sterling's little shoulders slumped as she let go of her Uncle Ron's hand and turned back to her furious guardian.

Hermione crooked her finger and knelt down at eye level when the child shuffled herself closer. She had to reach out and tip her chin up so Sterling would read her lips because her hands were shaking far too much for her to be able to intelligently sign.

"Do not ever do that again. You could have been hurt or you could have ended up somewhere I couldn't have found you with people who might not have been kind." Hermione wanted to yell but there was no point, Sterling wouldn't have heard and she wouldn't have been able to understand as easily. And at least this way no one else could hear her and the attention her bit of magic had garnished quickly dissipated.

"I'm sorry." The child's bottom lip trembled but Hermione wouldn't give in. Sterling was blossoming in this new world, finding her own personality, one that wasn't smothered by her father. But Hermione had let it go too far, given her far too much leeway and freedom because she was afraid she was losing her place in the girl's life. If she didn't do something to change that she would, she couldn't focus on everyone else anymore because whatever they thought didn't matter. Hermione was her mother; had always been her mother and it was time she started acting like it again. Sterling had to remember there were rules and consequences and that when Hermione told her something she was supposed to listen, not do whatever she wanted.

"Sorry, won't cut it. I'm going to tell Bellatrix what happened today," Sterling's eyes widened and tears spilled down her cheeks. Not because she knew Bellatrix would punish her, Sterling nor Hermione had any idea what the witch would even consider a punishment, but Sterling knew Bellatrix would be disappointed and in her little world that was a terrible thing. "And since she sent you money for toys you will not be getting any." Sterling sniffled and Hermione waited to continue to speak until she had wiped her eyes. "Did you understand?" She asked to make sure Sterling had read her lips right through her tears.

Sterling nodded. "No toys."

"You're going to go with Molly to get clothes because you need them. Pick out ones you like, but do not ask for toys, do not ask for books or for ice cream." Hermione would decide later based on how she behaved with Molly whether she deserved the sweet treat. Once she had the chance to calm down and when Sterling showed her she had gotten the message and understood what she had done was wrong.

"Okay." Sterling's quiet voice broke her heart.

"Go, and if you ever run off like that again the punishment will be worse than no toys. If you run off anymore today I will take you straight home," And she likely wouldn't allow the toddler to visit Hogwarts, at least not for a while. But she wasn't about to tell her about it now, it would defeat the purpose of punishing her. Sterling needed to think about her punishment and what she had done. If she told her about Bella's plan to have her visit them every weekend the child would just be excited.

Sterling made to move back toward the Weasley's but she turned back and signed quickly to Hermione. Hermione managed to move her hands in the correct response and nodded toward the little girl.

Peter had often told her he couldn't love a bad child, Hermione had made it a priority to tell her she did, especially when she was in trouble. Sterling sought that assurance now, and Hermione would never deny her the small gesture. There was nothing in the world that could make her stop loving Sterling, that wasn't how being a parent worked.

She watched as Molly took the little girl's hand and headed off toward clothing shops. She watched them until they were swallowed up by the crowd before she turned to Ginny and Ron. They were the only other two who had waited while she had her talk with Sterling.

"So…that was the snaps then." Hermione raised an eyebrow in question. "Sterling told us all quick like one day that if we were talking to her we had to do the snaps because she couldn't tell when we wanted her attention." She mimicked snaping her fingers but the air around them remained still. "How did you even do that?"

Ron chuckled and slung his hand around Hermione's shoulders. "She's brilliant, right." Hermione elbowed him in the ribs, a little uncomfortable with the easy nature of his touch and shuffled away toward a bookstore.

"I want to check out the books," Even if she couldn't afford any.

Ron groaned in response. "Always books with you. You sure you don't want to come with me and Ginny, we wanted to check out the brooms and Fred and George's joke shop." He sighed despondently when Hermione shook her head but he didn't try and convince her. "Alright. We'll see you back at Fortescue's in hour or so?"

"That's where we are all meeting up after." Ginny told her.

"Yeah, I'll try not to lose track of time." She grinned at her friends and turned away. She needed some peace and quiet after that ordeal, and there was nothing better than a good book to act as therapy.

~H~

Time passed all the faster after their trip to Diagon Alley. It seemed like hours had passed instead of days when the Weasley's were loading up in the car and heading to the station. Part of Hermione was sad to be going back, sad to be saying goodbye to Sterling again. She knew things were different now, Sterling wasn't bawling her eyes out and begging her not to go, in fact she was excited for Hermione to be going because the girl had finally broken down and told her about Bella's plans to have her stay weekends with them at the castle.

Hermione had to admit she was probably just as excited for that change as Sterling. She was looking forward to being able to see Sterling more during the school year than just the holidays. Which might mean she would get to see more of Bellatrix than just in the classroom. She cursed her heart for leaping at the thought of it.

"Alright you lot, get your trunks out so Arthur can find a parking spot, quick now." Hermione glanced up; she hadn't even noticed they'd arrived. She supposed it helped when they flew most of the way but she hadn't expected to arrive so quickly.

"Hermione," Ginny nudged her until she clamored out of the enchanted vehicle. Hermione moved to the side with Sterling as the boys pulled out all their luggage. She amused herself by watching the disbelieving faces of the muggles as trunk after trunk was taken from the car's boot.

"Mommy, I wanna ride the train! Can I?" Sterling stared up at her with curious excitement.

"I dunno, I don't think it'll be running every weekend, Sterling." Which meant she wasn't a hundred percent sure just how Sterling was going to get to school. She hadn't thought to ask Bella when she'd written to her about the girl's stunt in Diagon Alley.

"Oh." Sterling's expression morphed into a slight frown. "But at least I get to see you." She nodded her head as if concluding that that was the most important thing. Hermione couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips.

"We got it all, Hermione, you coming?" Ron waved her way and motioned with his shaggy head of fiery hair toward the entrance. She lifted a hand in response and pulled Sterling with her inside the busy station.

When they got to the barrier she squeezed Sterling's hand so the child would pay attention to her. "Don't let go, okay?" Hermione wasn't sure what would happen if Sterling tried to enter and then let go before she got to the other side. She imagined it wouldn't be good. There had to have been muggle charms on the barrier.

"I promise." The small hand in hers tightened and Sterling got an adorably determined look on her face as she stared at the unsuspecting brick pillar.

Ron nudged her with his elbow and motioned for them to go first. Arthur had Hermione's trunk now that he had parked the car and they were all ready to depart. "You go first. Just in case something happens." He made sure Sterling wasn't looking when he spoke.

Molly had written Dumbledore and asked about Sterling moving through the barrier. The old man had been very cryptic in his response but he had assured them the child would be fine. He said, "No barrier would repel Sterling Black." Hermione wondered if it had something to do with her being elevated to a pureblood through her adoption, despite not having a magical cell in her tiny body. But still they were all weary she would crash right into it; Hermione knew if that happened the rejection would be far worse than the pain for the three-year-old.

"Mommy, let's go." Sterling tugged impatiently at her hand and Hermione let herself be pulled along. Sterling didn't let herself stop at the barrier, she walked right on through it as if she had done it a thousand times. Fearless. "Oh look!" She didn't give Hermione any time to feel relieved or surprised, she tugged her right on toward the huge red and black train. "It's so cool!" She squealed happily.

"Glad that worked." Ginny moved up beside her and pulled Sterling's attention away from the train. "We have to get on now, Sterling. I need my hug!" Ginny laughed as the little girl launched herself into her arms and squeezed the teen tight around the neck. Ginny set her down and she repeated the process with Ron, he was surprised but managed a bright smile over her wild head of hair that told Hermione he didn't mind the affection.

He set her back down on her feet and ruffled her curly locks. "See you later, lil bit, yeah?" She beamed up at him before turning her attention back to Hermione.

She didn't launch herself at the girl, instead she held up her arms to be held properly and leaned against her shoulder so she could burry her face in the crook of her neck. "Miss you." Her words were muffled but heard, even over the noise on the platform. Hermione forced her to lean back and kissed her cheeks until she wiped the sad look from her face.

"Stop, stop!" Sterling chuckled and put both her tiny hands on each of Hermione's cheeks. "Love you."

"Love you to." Hermione kissed her again on the forehead and set her down next to Molly and Arthur. Molly took her small hand in hers and Hermione bent down once more to be at eye level. "Be good. No more of those tricks you pulled."

Sterling nodded. "Or I won't get to come visit, I know. Bella told me." Hermione tried not to let her surprise show, she hadn't known Bellatrix had even spoken to Sterling about the scare she had caused, but she was glad they had agreed upon the punishment if Sterling didn't behave, that at least had been in the letter she had sent. Hermione just hadn't remembered to tell Sterling about it.

"Right."

"We'll take good care of her Hermione and get her to Ms. Swifts we promise." Arthur smiled brightly. He was super excited about driving that car more.

"I know. I just-" Worry. She probably always would.

The train whistle blew and Molly shooed her off. "Go on now, before Arthur has to drive you to school in that blasted car." He looked excited for a second before he realized she was only joking; Hermione swore even his ears turned downward in disappointment.

She chuckled and rushed off with one last wave to the three before she climbed aboard the train that would take her back to the one place that had always been her refuge.

~H~

One week, she hadn't made it one week without Cormac annoying the hell out of her. Bellatrix had taken to avoiding her again but at least she had seemed to give up on the frequent and unnecessary detentions she used to give her, something Hermione was grateful for since it left her more free time after studying and homework.

Free time which Ginny often monopolized. Which was how she ended up at the Quidditch pitch on the first Friday back watching her friends' practice for the upcoming Quidditch games. Unfortunately, that is also where McLaggen finally cornered her.

He hounded her through most of the practice, until she was fed up and decided going to Hagrid's to wait for the others to finish would be far better than enduring his presence any longer. At least Hagrid would be able to shoo him off for her as he didn't seem to take, "Leave me the bloody hell alone," as anything but some kind of ploy to play hard to get.

She waved to Ginny, not bothering to try and tell the girl she would wait at Hagrid's; Hermione knew Ginny would never understand all that being so high in the air. She would just wait until she saw them track back towards the castle and meet up with them then. She shoved past Cormac in the stands until she reached the stairs and did her best not to trip as she took them two at a time hoping against hope to leave him behind.

Of course, he was far to nimble to trip and she was far too clumsy to attempt to go any faster. It infuriated her that he was able to keep pace with her so easily.

"Look, McLaggen can't you just…bugger off." He frowned at her irritated tone. "I'm really not in the mood." She nearly tripped down the slope and Cormac reached out to steady her. She tried to shake off his grip but he tightened his hand and tugged her toward the tree line a little away from Hagrid's hut. "What the hell-" She felt panic grip her throat as she stumbled along in his wake. She remembered what happened to her and Bella in that forest. She didn't want to be anywhere near them and despite his arrogance and her hatred for him she didn't want Cormac in there either.

She tried to jerk herself free. "It's not safe in there, let me go." He ignored her, giving her something else to worry about aside from the monster lurking in the shadows as he jerked her around and shoved her against a large tree just out of sight of the castle. Bark dug at her back as she tried to twist away from him. Her hands landed on his chest as he released her but pushing did her no good when he put all of his weight into keeping her where he pleased.

"All you do is tease," He complained leaning forward and growling as she turned her head, making his searching mouth land on her cheek instead of the lips he had targeted. Her stomach recoiled at the wet opened mouth kisses he left along her jaw and neck but despite shoving as hard as she could she couldn't break free. She cried out when he sucked at the pulse in the hollow of her neck, felt him smile against her skin as he marked her.

"Come on, I can feel your heart racing. You don't have to play hard to get anymore." His voice was husky and lazy and he chuckled softly at her continued struggles.

He wasn't aware of the panic creeping up her spine. At the way she fell back into her past, when different hands were tugging at her, another mouth attempting to claim something she wasn't willing to give.

"No, get off, oh God please get off." Her voice shook and her hands were weak but even still she shoved against his larger frame.

Whether it was her terrified voice or her shaking body that got through to him she didn't know, she didn't care. She wasn't sticking around to find out. As soon as he leaned away from her, confusion etched across his ridiculous face, she shoved at him as hard as she could. He stumbled backwards, tripped over an exposed root, and fell back on his ass with an audible oomph. She didn't give him time to recover. She turned and fled blindly into the trees; the only place she knew she would be safe from him.

She ignored his calls, ignored the sound of his rushing feet as he crashed through the brush after her, his panicked shouts growing more distant with every step she took. She wasn't going to stop. Not when she was running from the memories in her mind, not when the thought of stopping meant far worse than Cormac McLaggen pawing at her.

Every harsh breath, veiled threat and promise Peter Salt ever made ran through her mind. She could smell his favorite cognac in the air, smell his cologne growing stronger with every step she took. It consumed her.

Her lungs burned, her legs ached and her face was being cut by every branch she passed. Almost as if the forest itself were reaching out, trying to slow her down, to stop her panicked flight.

She wished it had succeeded.

She damn sure wished she hadn't stumbled on that damn root again, took the same tumble down that ravine. Landing on her back knocked the breath from her lungs and the buzzing ache from smacking her head against the cold hard ground calmed her faster than any breathing exercises she had ever tried. Probably because there wasn't any room beyond the sudden pain for her to panic.

She groaned once she could breathe again and reached up to her head. Sticky warm wetness coated her fingers and though she couldn't see it in the dark she knew she had split her head open.

She tried to sit, tried to force past the nausea and the dizziness to climb to her feet. She had a vague idea of where she was now that the panic had receded. She also knew it wasn't a good place to be. Even in the darkness she could tell this was the same place she and Bella had run into the creature that had stalked them that night in the forest.

She cursed her idiocy.

She cursed McLaggen more.

She shouldn't have let things get so far with him. Damn it didn't she swear to herself she would curse the little prick if he tried anything like that again? She was very likely going to curse him for the heck of it now, if she ever found her way back that was.

She pushed herself carefully to her feet but found herself collapsing to her hands and knees as the world spun around her. She sucked deep breaths in and dug at the dirt with her fingers until it stopped.

"Merlin that hurts." She let out another groan and forced a hand to move, to search the pockets of her robes. It wasn't easy steadying herself on one hand and her knees but she managed. Only to find her wand wasn't there.

It must have fallen in the fall or during her crazed dash through the trees. That meant she was completely defenseless.

She sucked in a steadying breath and through sheer willpower forced herself to stand. She couldn't stay there, especially not without her wand. She had no idea where that creature could be but if it were close it would have heard her running, if it were back at the tree line then it would have known she'd fled this way from Cormac. It was far too intelligent and she couldn't take the chance of it finding her. She couldn't even wait to search the darkness for her wand.

She scrambled up toward the top of the ravine, toward where she hoped the direction of the castle lay. She thought she could vaguely see lights, for a second she believed Cormac may have gotten Hagrid, that perhaps it was their lanterns off in the distance. Two yellow….lights….

Only.

Lights didn't blink.

Every instinct inside her screamed at her to run and run fast but just as her legs tensed to do just that those blinking eyes move. Moved with a speed she had never seen and something hard and strong crashed into her, sent her tumbling back down the ravine and had her entire body alight with pain. She ignored it, tried her best to climb to her feet and escape again, despite knowing she would never make it back up. Especially not with how fast the creature was.

She was right of course, strong hands grabbed at her waist and flipped her onto her back, a heaviness settled across her thighs as the creature straddled her. Holding her still with its weight and pressing both of her arms against the ground in its vise like grip.

She bucked and fought to no avail. She tried screaming but a hand released her arm and settled threateningly on her throat, it squeezed until she quieted. "Don't spoil my fun, like you did last time. I had my prize within my grasp and you took it from me." Its breath smelled of death and she whimpered, unable to turn her head with its hand around her neck. She hit its shoulder with her free arm but it did nothing, she doubted the creature even felt it. "Now be still and I might make it quick!" It chuckled happily over her. The hand at her throat left and pulled a sharp knife from somewhere, it glinted menacingly as it caught the moonlight before the figure brought it down to her left arm and sliced away the fabric there. She tried to reach around and grab it but a sudden elbow at her throat had her freezing again. "I said to be still." The elbow was removed and it traced the soft skin of her arm with the knife, \ almost lovingly as it spoke to her. "I like to toy with my food. We have plenty of time."

She couldn't hold back the painfilled scream as he made the first slice into her tender flesh. He didn't seem to care, in fact he laughed manically as he delighted in her anguish. She screamed and screamed, knowing no one was around to find her, no one would be coming to her rescue.

"Stop, please, oh please." She was breathless from her cries and even though she knew it would only egg the creature on she couldn't stop the pleas spilling from her lips.

"Oh, I love it when they beg." His words were accompanied by a particularly deep swipe and he leaned back as if inspecting his work. "Almost done, I did promise to make it quick and you've done so well." Hermione didn't like the sound of that. Whatever it would do when it was finished wasn't likely to be any better than what it was doing now.

She reached around with her free hand, trying to find a rock or something. She knew there was something nearby. She could feel it, trying to reach her through the haze of her pain. Something calling to her. Reaching for her, telling her it was right there if only she could get to it.

She bucked harshly again and the creature knocked her sharply across the face, it hurt but it had worked. For that split second it had lost its place seated on her thigh and she had managed to shift closer to the wand calling out to her.

It wasn't her wand.

But it would help.

It was willing.

And it was powerful.

"Done. It's beautiful." The creature sat back, released her hand and Hermione only had seconds to react.

She brought the wand up and cast incendio. It had helped before and it worked now. The creature howled with rage and pain and Hermione was able to buck him off, to climb to her feet and launch herself out of the ravine with a well-placed ascendance spell. She had no idea how to get back to the castle, and she had no idea how long she could actually keep away from the vile monster. The only thing she did know was she wasn't going down without a fight.

"Accio!" Her own wand flew into her waiting hand but she didn't wait to celebrate, instead she took off into the forest. She didn't care that she didn't know where she was going, her only concern was staying away from the creature so hell bent on killing her.

Her arm and lungs burned as she ran, blood flowed from her wounds but she couldn't stop, not until she found some kind of safety. She could hear hoofbeats in the distance and she ran toward the sound, hoping it would lead her to the centaurs. She knew they despised most of wizard kind but she hoped they would still see her as a foul, or at least show her enough pity not to harm her further.

Just when she thought her legs couldn't carry her further she burst through the dense trees and fell to her knees in a clearing. She looked up, hoping to see centaurs staring curiously down at her….except there were no centaurs.

In the dark the silvery light of dozens of unicorns nearly blinded her. She half expected them to take off at her sudden arrival but they simply stared at her, regarding her haggard appearance in a calm and nonchalant manner, almost as if it were a regular occurrence to have humans stagger into their sanctuary.

She sucked in lungsful of air as the silence descended on her. She couldn't hear the creature anymore although she knew it was out there somewhere. Her thoughts turned to worry for the innocent creatures and she tried to get up. Intending to lead the creature away from them but her legs failed her and her vision blackened.