A/N: My sincerest apologies for the long wait. The last few months have been hectic and I had a bit of writer's block, but with any luck, it's passed and I will be back to at least semi-regular updates.
There was nothing particularly exciting about today to Hermione. The last time she had faced a Boggart, it had taken the form of Minerva telling her she failed, and she had been too distraught to do anything. Although it hadn't been that long ago, it felt like several lifetimes had passed. She had been on the run, been tortured, fought in a war. A lot had happened, and she certainly didn't feel much about anything anymore. Hermione was numb to it all. Well, almost. The raven on her shoulder was the only sense of comfort she found in the world. Bellatrix made her feel less alone.
"I hope you've all done your homework. Today will not be easy on all of you. It might not be easy on any of you, but know that I am here and will allow no harm to come to you," Hermione announced to her class, murmuring under her breath, "As much as I wish I could sometimes."
Bellatrix fluffed her feathers in amusement, eyes gleaming. Hermione turned her head ever so slightly so Bellatrix could see the small smile on her face. The faces of some of her students paled slightly as the wardrobe holding the Boggart chose that moment to violently shake, prompting a frown from Hermione.
"Professor? Are you really going to let it out?" one student asked, gulping nervously.
"Not right away. I would hardly be a teacher if I didn't prepare you to defend yourselves first."
"You're talking about the Ridukkulus spell, right?" The student shifted nervously in his seat, uncomfortable under Hermione's intense gaze.
"Correct. Ten points to Hufflepuff," Hermione ignored the groaning of the Gryffindors, "You will be using that spell today, and I suggest you be ready. A Boggart is not something to mess around with. It will feed on your fear and it is not a docile creature. Do not let your fear overwhelm you, and remember that laughter makes it weaker. You will not tease anyone about their fear, and if I hear anything about it happening outside my classroom you will serve detention and house points will be deducted. Is that understood?"
The students nodded, eyes nervously fixed on the cabinet behind Hermione. She nodded, thankful that Minerva had made the decision to separate the Gryffindors and Slytherins this year. She remembered how classes were with the rival house and didn't want to deal with it as a teacher. Bellatrix fidgeted on her shoulder, drinking in the fear on the students' faces. The wardrobe behind Hermione rattled again and the students flinched at the violence of it.
"When you face a Boggart, you have one weapon available to you. Laughter is your strongest ally, but not everyone can laugh when faced with their fear. The Ridikkulus spell will make things a little easier for you, if you can cast it. When you do so, imagine the silliest thing your fear could turn into. Any questions?" Hermione had paced the area in front of the wardrobe while she talked and she came to a stop, looking out over her students. "Any volunteers?"
Hermione wasn't surprised when a Gryffindor stood up, oozing bravado. She quietly wondered what his fear would be, and if he would still act so arrogant. Her eyes followed him as he swaggered to the front of the room. Hermione stood unimpressed as he stopped in front of her, a cocky smile on his face. Bellatrix's eyes bore into him, analyzing him. She too wondered what his fear would be and if he would still act like a hotshot. He began to struggle not to fidget under the heavy gazes of the two, his smile faltering only slightly.
"Draw your wand," Hermione whispered, turning to face the wardrobe. She drew her own, and without checking if the student- she didn't know his name- was ready, flicked her wand. There was a thump from inside the wardrobe and Hermione moved to stand behind the student, nudging him forward a few steps with the tip of her wand. The room was silent, so silent Hermione wasn't sure if her students were breathing.
The boy's earlier confidence was entirely false now. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, the wardrobe door creaked open and a shadowy thing slipped out. It seemed to think for a few moments, staring at the boy with his wand held in a white-knuckle grip. And in the next moment, it wasn't there anymore. In place of the Boggart was a female-shaped thing, wearing black robes and a silver mask that was so familiar. It was a Death Eater mask. Bellatrix's mask. The dark witch couldn't help but puff her feathers out of pride, and she certainly noticed the small smirk on Hermione's face. Otherwise, the young witch betrayed nothing; her index finger tapped idly on her wand, the same wand currently in the Boggart's hand.
The student faced with the Boggart trembled slightly, his wand raised but no words leaving his mouth. Hermione's eyes were glued to the Boggart, watching its every move for signs of attack. She wouldn't let it get too close to her student, even if she couldn't help but dislike him a little. When the Boggart stepped forward-not as animalistic as Bellatrix, Hermione noticed-the boy took a step back. Hermione whispered the spell to him, breaking him out of his fear and giving him the push he needed.
"Riddikulus!" he cast. The spell hit the Boggart square in the chest, and the creature lengthened, accentuating the gauntness of Bellatrix and turning her head of curls into what looked like the end of a mop. The students burst out laughing, and the Boggart retreated to the wardrobe. Hermione watched impassively as the boy turned, looking much paler than he had been, and walked to his seat. Several of his classmates smacked his back and he faked a cocky smile, eyes betraying the nerves he felt. Quietly, Hermione scanned the room, waiting for the noise to die down. Her brain faintly registered the increased pressure from Bellatrix's talons, and she unconsciously shrugged her shoulder to calm the witch.
"Form a line. No pushing or shoving. We leave after everyone has successfully cast the spell at least once," Hermione said as the voices of her students died down. They obeyed, forming what faintly resembled a line.
Hermione watched with seeming uninterest as each student faced the Boggart. Some students took several attempts to cast the spell, which was understandable. She herself had not been able to cast the spell for her exams. It was almost laughable how different she was now. Idly, Hermione wondered what her Boggart would be now. If it would be anything. She wasn't entirely sure she could be afraid. She imagined Bellatrix's Boggart was a dementor. It was common for prisoners of Azkaban to have an intense fear of dementors. But nothing about Bellatrix was common.
As the last student successfully cast the spell, Hermione decided it didn't matter what her Boggart was. She couldn't find it in herself to care enough about it. "You're all dismissed. Don't forget to read the next chapter in the book, we'll be discussing the material next class.
The students gathered their belongings and filed out of the classroom, chatting with each other as they did. Hermione stayed in her position long after the last student had left. Her mind was elsewhere as she flicked her wand, satisfied when the door closed and the lock clicked. Bellatrix hopped off her shoulder and landed on the desk, shifting back into her human form. She crossed one leg over the other, eyeing Hermione curiously.
"What are you thinking?" she asked, leaning back on her hands.
"Does a Boggart take a form for everyone?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at the dark witch.
Bellatrix curled her fingers around the edge of the desk, tapping a lazy rhythm as a wry smile formed on her face. "Are you asking because you think the Boggart won't take a shape for you?"
"I don't know," Hermione shrugged.
"Make no mistake, little witch, you still have plenty to fear." As Bellatrix spoke, her eyes darkened and Hermione couldn't help the slight shiver that ran down her spine.
"Like what?" Hermione challenged, attempting to hide the slight quirk in her lips as Bellatrix rose to the challenge.
"For starters, you should always fear me," Bellatrix purred, advancing slowly on Hermione, noticing the change in the young witch's stance.
"A given, of course," Hermione breathed, resisting the urge to move toward the dark witch.
"Yes, of course. Now, what else do you have to fear? Let's see," Bellatrix hummed as she ran her nails almost tenderly down Hermione's cheek, "There's always the fear of being caught, but that's just part of the fun."
Hermione suppressed a shiver as Bellatrix's breath ghosted over her neck. "Just because I have something to fear does not mean I do."
Bellatrix's lips twitched into a satisfied smile as she moved next to Hermione, laying her head lightly on her shoulder. "Yes, but that would make you a fool."
"Perhaps." Hermione stepped away from Bellatrix as she heard footsteps echoing through the hall.
"It seems you are not a fool," Bellatrix whispered, taking her cue to transfigure. Hermione flicked her hand to unlock the door as Bellatrix perched on her shoulder, taking great care to squeeze tightly as she got comfortable.
A second later, a knock sounded throughout the room. Hermione had just sat in her chair as the door opened and a head of red hair peeked through the crack.
"Hermione?" Ginny asked, coming more fully into the room as she peered around for the young professor. She caught sight of her friend as Hermione rose to greet her.
"What's up Ginny? The Fat Lady being a pain again?" Hermione asked, moving toward the door.
"No, she hasn't been a problem. I was just wondering if I could talk to you about something."
Sure, what's on your mind?" Hermione sat at one of the desks, waiting for Ginny to join her.
"Well," she started as she sat down, "Hermione, why didn't you come to the funerals?"
Hermione sat in quiet shock for a moment. "I didn't know there had even been funerals until after Neville had mentioned it. I wasn't told about them, maybe it's for the best. There was a lot going on, I don't think I could've handled it."
"That makes sense, I guess. It was hard for all of us and I know you went through a lot. Mum wanted me to give this to you. Said Ron would have wanted you to have it." Ginny held out a hand, palm up. The Deluminator Dumbledore had given Ron sat on Ginny's palm.
Hesitantly, Hermione took it from the redhead. "Thanks, Gin."
Ginny nodded, slightly uneasy at the hollowness in Hermione. She shook the feeling off and left Hermione to her thoughts. Silently, she slipped out of Hermione's classroom, casting one last look of concern at the young witch sitting vacantly at the desk.
Hermione stared at the Deluminator in her hand, not quite comprehending what had happened. A small from adorned her face and she hardly noticed Bellatrix taking it out of her hand.
"What's this rubbish?" she asked, scoffing as she turned it in her hand.
"It's a Deluminator. Dumbledore gave it to Ron. I guess it's mine now. It'll probably come in handy at some point." Hermione stood from the desk, letting Bellatrix examine the object.
Bellatrix hummed, setting it on the table and turning her attention to Hermione. The young witch was facing away from Bellatrix, the fingers of one hand tapping absently on the table. Bellatrix reached toward Hermione's fingers, gripping them tightly. Hermione's frown disappeared as her fingers were crushed in Bellatrix's palm and she turned her head to watch Bellatrix out of the corner of her eye.
"Stop that," she hissed darkly.
"Make me," Hermione said, pleased when the dark witch's face hardened.
"And how would you have me do that?" she whispered, tugging Hermione's hand to force the young witch to face her.
"However pleases you," Hermione said, looking directly into Bellatrix's eyes. Both witches were acutely aware of how close they were, of the dark thread pulling them together.
Bellatrix grinned, placing Hermione's hand on her shoulder and grabbing her by the waist. "If that's what you want, then I am more than happy to oblige."
Hermione unsuccessfully suppressed a shiver, resisting the urge to slide her hand into Bellatrix's curls. Bellatrix leaned forward, catching Hermione's earlobe in her teeth before pulling away. Hermione's hand fell as Bellatrix stepped out from under it. Hermione's waist was suddenly cold as Bellatrix removed her hands. Satisfied, the dark witch sat on the table, her attention returning to the Deluminator.