A/N I am so late and I am so sorry. I really struggled with the ending of this chapter because I am trying to develop their relationship in a way that fits with the story. There are key lines that I need the two of them to cross and this was one of them because their relationship is so much more complicated than Bellatrix owning Hermione. I'm shooting for Sunday for the next update because I have two Secret Santa party-things on Saturday and I'm trying to finish Blinded by the Light (the key word is trying). Anyway, I hope you enjoy this overdue chapter and if you have exams coming up this week or next, good luck. If you've already taken your exams, I'm very jealous but I hope you did well.
I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
-Sonnet XVII, Pablo Neruda
The students were outside near the treeline of the Forbidden Forest. They eyed it warily, dividing their attention between Hermione and the shadowy trees. Hermione hadn't told them why they were having class outside today, not that they would complain. The weather was pleasant and sitting inside for long hours was boring. Hermione seemed uninterested in the students, eyes scanning the surface of the water behind them. A black raven perched on her shoulder, as usual. They had grown accustomed to the bird, even if it did appear to take pleasure in tormenting them.
"What's the one thing all of you are forgetting?" Hermione asked the group. She watched as they whispered to each other, all too afraid to answer.
"We don't have our wands drawn?" One student ventured.
"That has nothing to do with anything. Your wand is an extension of yourself, but it is not wholly necessary. Try again."
"Our textbooks?"
Hermione chuckled, the statement similar to something she would have uttered a few years ago. "In all the time we've been outside, none of you have looked behind you. Why is that?"
"The Forest is dangerous, Professor," a student toward the back.
"And the water behind you is not?"
The students were quiet. They knew Grindylows lurked in the depths, but this close to shore there wouldn't be any. There were rumors of a squid living in the water, too, but none of the students had ever seen it for themselves. Aside from that, they hadn't considered it to be a threat in the way the Forbidden Forest was.
"The water is more unknown to you than the forest. You cannot breathe underwater. The Grindylows are vicious and will not hesitate to swarm and drag you down to the bottom. The forest is still land. You can still breathe. It has its own dangers, this is true, but do not discount something because you think it is harmless to you," Hermione continued. On her shoulder, Bellatrix's eyes glittered with amusement.
"Professor, have you ever seen the squid that supposedly lives in the lake?" a student asked, raising their hand to be seen.
"That would be telling," Hermione said, an amused smile on her face. The students looked disappointed at not having an answer.
"Something's moving in the forest. Look," one student whispered to another, trying to point discreetly. Hermione noticed it and turned, eyes scanning the trees. She prepared to grab her wand, waiting for any indication of an attack. A twig snapped, and Hermione stepped closer to the trees, motioning her students back. She said nothing, listening for anything that might be a clue as to what might be just beyond the trees.
"Go back to the castle. Send McGonagall out here. Don't come back out. I want a paper from all of you on chapter five by Monday," Hermione said. She heard discontented mumbles from the group of students but ignored them, focusing on the treeline. The students complied, trudging back to the castle dejectedly. Hermione waited until they were out of sight to approach the treeline. Bellatrix was a wary presence on her shoulder, scanning their surroundings with her keen eyes. It reminded her of what she had seen on her flight a few days ago. She hadn't mentioned anything because it didn't seem important but now she wondered if it was. It could have been a Death Eater, but they would have to be stupid to attack Hogwarts again.
Hermione twisted Bellatrix's curved walnut wand in her fingers, taking quiet steps forward. Channeling everything Bellatrix taught her, Hermione scanned the trees, eyes finding a shadowy figure. Bellatrix cawed in warning and she ducked as a spell rushed over her head. Standing, she raised her wand, pointing it at the shadowed figure. She had become the predator instead of the prey.
"Stupefy," she cast quietly. The figure just barely dodged it, forced to leave the cover the trees provided.
"Well, if it isn't Bellatrix's little Mudblood. I suppose you aren't hers anymore, though," Greyback said, laughing. He grinned ferally, hoping to scare the girl. Hermione's face remained blank, her eyes cold as she levelly stared at the Death Eater. On her shoulder, Bellatrix bristled, wishing she could hex the foul man.
"And if it isn't Voldemort's lapdog. Looking for your master? You won't find him, he's dead. I guess you'll have to wander like a lost puppy," Hermione taunted. Greyback growled, face contorting in anger. Bellatrix took the opportunity to leave Hermione's shoulder, settling on a nearby branch so she would be out of the young witch's way. Her eyes glittered with excitement. Hermione was doing well so far.
He flung a spell at her, one she easily dodged, and then she had the audacity to laugh. Enraged, he sent a barrage of spells at her. She dodged or deflected them all easily. Too easily. At the battle, she hadn't dueled with such ease. It was almost reminiscent of Bellatrix. She was even using the dark witch's wand. Greyback continued casting an onslaught of spells, hoping to bombard the young witch and at least hit her with something. It was infuriating. She shouldn't have been able to keep up with him so easily.
Hermione was growing bored of evading. She was mostly doing it to anger the Death Eater casting them, but she also didn't have an opening. She continued dodging and deflecting with a smile on her face. Bellatrix taught her well. The moves came naturally; sidestep, deflect, lean, duck, roll. A dance. She would rather be doing it with Bellatrix. Greyback was decent but he was nowhere near the dark witch's skill level. No one was. Training with Bellatrix made dueling anyone else seem like child's play. She was merciless, overwhelming Hermione with spells. This was easy compared to practice.
Greyback growled, lunging for Hermione. He almost caught her by surprise but she spun out of the way just in time. His fingers closed on air and laughter. He lunged again, this time catching Hermione's waist and tackling her to the ground. She laughed as she hit the ground, the sound weird from the impact. Greyback was physically stronger than her, she knew, and he easily pinned her to the ground. He leaned close, breath rancid.
"I guess you belong to me now. I've always wondered what being inside a Mudblood feels like," he growled.
Hermione stopped laughing, face turning cold as she looked the werewolf dead in the eyes. "I only belong to one person, and it will never be you."
"The person you claim to belong to is dead. No one will save you in time," Greyback chuckled.
"Lucky for me, I don't need saving." Hermione twisted her wrist violently, pointing her wand at the werewolf's chest. A blast of magic hit him dead on, sending him flying off of her. He hit the ground with an almost sickening thump. She rolled into a standing position, her wand leveled at the unmoving form of Fenrir Greyback. She kept her distance, unsure if he was going to grab her as soon as she was close enough. She switched her wand to her other hand, shaking out her wrist. Bellatrix alighted on her shoulder, watching the Death Eater for any sign of movement.
Bellatrix pecked her sharply, drawing her attention. As Hermione turned her head, she caught sight of Minerva rushing toward her. A group of students-her students-were standing where the Headmistress had been. Hermione ignored them, cautiously approaching Greyback with her wand still drawn. She stopped in front of him, nudging his inert form with her shoe. He didn't move, didn't even make a sound. She nudged him harder, rolling him onto his back. Oh. His neck was bent sharply from the impact, his eyes lifeless as he stared up at the sky with wide eyes.
"Oops," Hermione murmured insincerely to Bellatrix.
"Hermione, what in Merlin's name happened?" Minerva asked, standing next to the young witch. Her face twisted in disgust at the sight of the dead werewolf.
"He was in the forest. I was doing class outside and one of my students saw movement. I had no idea he was in there. I sent them away, we dueled, I'm sure you saw the rest."
"Yes, I saw him tackle you and then whatever you did to get him off. We'll have to alert the Aurors. Will you send a Patronus?" Minerva asked.
"I can't," Hermione said bluntly. She crouched next to Greyback's body, throwing her robe over him, leaving herself in Muggle clothes. She didn't want to look at him anymore.
"Oh." Minerva frowned, concerned with Hermione's state. This wasn't how she had expected Hermione to act upon finding out she killed a man. It could just be the shock of everything. She had forgotten Hermione hadn't been able to cast a Patronus for some time now. She cast her own, instructing it to take a message to Kingsley.
"If they ask." She pulled a vial from her robe and pressed the tip of her wand to her temple. She extracted the memory of what had just occurred, guiding it into the vial and handing it to Minerva.
"They might want to speak with you," Minerva said.
"It's not like they won't be able to. I'm going to check the forest. Will you tell my class I expect a three page paper on werewolf physiology on my desk before dinner on Saturday?"
"Very well. Are you sure you'll be okay alone?"
"I've got Polaris. And you can burn the robe. I don't think I want it back."
Hermione felt Bellatrix lift from her shoulder, flying above her head as she entered the forest cautiously. She flew in small circles over the young witch, checking around her for signs of Death Eaters. Hermione had her wand drawn, ready to use it if she needed to. Her battle with Greyback had given her a rush of adrenaline but it wasn't enough. She needed more. Systematically checking the Forbidden Forest for other Death Eaters yielded no result, but Hermione did warn the centaurs to be on the lookout. She leaned against a tree, holding her arm out for Bellatrix to land on. The dark witch was tired of flying. Hermione's arm was much more comfortable and it was easier to hurt her. Hermione trudged slowly through the trees back to the castle. It was nearly dinner time but she wasn't in the mood to be stared at. Still, she supposed she should go anyway.
"I hope you're hungry," Hermione whispered to Bellatrix. She earned a single peck on the cheek. Hermione increased her pace, arriving at the Great Hall in no time. The students were already sitting and eating and she strode past them, paying no mind to what she heard the students whispering. She knew the students were excited to have seen such a thing. They were probably greatly exaggerated, too. She took her seat at the table, looking out at all the students. Bellatrix hopped onto the table, pecking at the plate in front of Hermione. The young witch nibbled on her food, enough to make it look like she was eating. Bellatrix pecked her finger, gesturing with her head to the plate. Hermione sighed, eating more of her food until she couldn't anymore. Bellatrix bobbed her head up and down before returning to the plate, pecking at the chicken. She yearned to eat in her human form again and almost couldn't wait to go to the Muggle world just so she didn't have to be a bloody bird all the time.
Hermione sat at the table for an appropriate amount of time, dismissing herself when she was no longer required. She wanted to be back in her chambers so she could talk to Bellatrix about Greyback. She flexed her wrist, trying to ease the soreness. She had nearly broken it to get her wand pointed at him. Not that she was bothered by the discomfort, but she would need to be able to move it with ease. She caught sight of her door and rushed to it to avoid anyone that might try to stop her. Not that anyone would, but she yearned for Bellatrix's human presence. Hermione closed the door solidly, turning to find Bellatrix right in front of her.
"You performed well today. A bit slow, but you managed," Bellatrix whispered. She backed Hermione against the door, one arm pressing against her collarbones to keep her against the wood. The other slid slowly down Hermione's arm to her injured wrist, leaving small welts from her nails. Hermione shivered, staring into dark orbs. Her eyes flicked to ruby lips pulled into a smirk, quickly returning her gaze to Bellatrix's eyes.
"You always know just what to say to make a girl feel good," Hermione gasped, a small smile on her face.
"Trust me, I know much more than that," Bellatrix husked in Hermione's ear. The young witch's breath caught and she couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine at Bellatrix's warm breath against her skin.
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to teach me?"
"I could probably be persuaded," Bellatrix said. Her dark eyes glittered predatorily as she brought Hermione's wrist to her lips. She ran her teeth over the sensitive flesh, basking in Hermione's thinly veiled restraint. She wanted to know how far she could push the girl before she reacted. She wanted Hermione to embrace what was inside her, even if everyone else would call it a monster.
"Probably?" Hermione managed. She eyed Bellatrix, the wicked smirk on her face, the darker-than-black eyes glittering with mischief and something Hermione didn't have a name for. Bellatrix abandoned Hermione's wrist, letting it fall against the door as she roughly tangled her hand in Hermione's hair. She pulled, tilting the young witch's head up and to the side. The dark witch leaned into Hermione, tracing the nail marks on her cheek with the tip of her tongue. Bellatrix smirked victoriously when she heard the young witch's slow, controlled inhale, felt the clenching of her jaw as she fought to maintain her sense of self.
"You have to let go, Hermione. It's going to eat you alive if you don't," Bellatrix whispered.
"I can't," Hermione muttered. She tried to distance herself from Bellatrix but she was already backed against the door.
"It's just me. No one else is going to see. I understand you. We're the same, you know we are. Let go." The last part was almost a hiss and Bellatrix tightened her grip on Hermione's hair.
"Do you promise I'm yours?" Hermione asked, her voice flat. She stared straight ahead, face and eyes blank.
"You said it yourself, you'll only ever belong to me. I own you." Bellatrix ran her teeth down Hermione's jaw, biting roughly but carefully into the flesh of her throat. She heard Hermione's quiet moan and pulled back, blood staining her lips. Hermione's control broke, the desire to hurt people becoming her priority. She lunged at Bellatrix, latching roughly onto the dark witch's shoulder. The arm against her collarbones retreated, winding around her waist and keeping her close. The hand in her hair tightened but it barely registered as the sweetly metallic taste of Bellatrix's blood bloomed on her tongue. Her nails dug into the dark witch's arms, sinking into pale skin. Bellatrix made a noise in between a hiss and a sigh as Hermione's tongue ran over the bite.
"Easy. You have to learn the best way," Bellatrix said when Hermione made to bite her again. She held the young witch's head still with the hand in her hair but she could feel the resistance. Hermione growled as Bellatrix pinned her back against the door easily. The dark witch was still physically stronger than Hermione and she knew it was pointless to struggle but she didn't want to stop.
"Look at me," Bellatrix commanded, gripping Hermione's chin tightly, "I'm going to teach you what to do but you have to look at me."
Hermione's struggling gradually ceased, her strength diminishing quickly against Bellatrix's iron grip. Her eyes burned with fire, chest heaving and a light sheen of sweat coating her skin. Her hands dropped from Bellatrix's arms and her gaze settled on the dark witch. Bellatrix's own eyes shined with victory and what almost looked like pride. She felt Hermione relax and she eased her grip, not needing as much force to keep the young witch still. Hermione's struggle was written on her face and Bellatrix traced the cuts on the young girl's cheek almost tenderly.
"It's intense, isn't it? Don't worry. You'll get used to it, I'll help you. Tell me, when Greyback had you pinned how was it different from when I have you pinned?" Bellatrix whispered. Her lips just barely brushed against Hermione's cheek, breath fanning over her flushed skin.
Hermione steadied her breathing, fighting the urge to push against the dark witch. "It's-when you do it, it's for me, right? He did it for himself. When you do it I feel alive, on fire."
"Good girl." Bellatrix slid her hand to Hermione's neck, brushing her thumb over the still bloody bite mark. Hermione let her head fall against the door, biting her lip to stifle a moan. The dark witch chuckled, admiring the bruising on Hermione's throat. It was a lovely shade of purple mingling with the bright red of Hermione's blood. Bellatrix tilted Hermione's head, nudging her jaw with her nose. Her tongue darted out, cleaning the blood from her neck.
"Bellatrix," Hermione mumbled. Her hands tangled in ebony snarls, tugging sharply.
"That's it," Bellatrix cooed, smirking pridefully.
"Is this how you do it to everyone?"
"No." Bellatrix tugged Hermione's hair sharply.
"Because I belong to you?"
"Such a smart little witch."
"Then what about other people?"
"You don't need anyone but me."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Hermione nodded, leaning her forehead on Bellatrix's shoulder. She could almost hear the dark witch's pulse, strong and steady and solid beneath the skin of her neck. Bellatrix ran her hand through Hermione's hair, the other gripping her waist possessively. Nails dug into pale skin, leaving a tidy pattern of bloody crescents. Bellatrix hummed approvingly, lifting Hermione easily. She could sense the struggle for control in the young witch, the need to leash the thing inside of her. It would take coaxing on her part for Hermione to learn full control. Bellatrix made soothing noises against Hermione's temple as she carried the young witch to the bed. Hermione held tightly to the dark witch, forcing Bellatrix to lie with her. The former Death Eater found she didn't mind. Hermione belonged to her, and as much as she wanted to break her, she felt the desire to help keep her together. She could only do what she knew. Guiding Hermione to her would satisfy both parts of her.
"So beautiful," Bellatrix murmured, running her thumb over the bite mark on Hermione's throat and healing it.