"I'll follow you and make a heaven out of hell, and I'll die by your hand, which I know so well."
-William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Bellatrix lounged on the couch in Hermione's room, idly playing with the Deluminator. She stared at the same spot on the ceiling as the lights came on and went out with a flick of her thumb. She quickly grew bored, leaving the light off and throwing her arm over her eyes. She carelessly tossed the Deluminator onto the table, satisfied by the noise it made when it bounced off and landed on the floor.
"Do try to be more careful with that. We need it for the plan," Hermione said, aggravation lacing her words.
"I don't care, I'm so bored. When can we leave?" Bellatrix almost whined.
"I'm concerned about using Minerva's floo. I don't really know how they work so I don't know if it will give you away," Hermione explained, flipping through the book in her hand for answers.
"It won't. They aren't able to distinguish multiple magical signatures. As long as I'm with you we'll be fine."
"Oh. Can people distinguish an individual's magical signature?" Hermione couldn't help the curiosity bubbling in her chest, something she hadn't felt for a long time. She had a lot to learn from Bellatrix.
Bellatrix smiled tenderly at her witch's curiosity. "It has been thought to be possible, but as far as I know it hasn't been documented."
Hermione recognized the gleam in the dark witch's eyes, knowing she wasn't telling the full story. "You can do it can't you?"
"Good girl," Bellatrix purred, satisfied with the rapidness that Hermione pieced it together, "And before you ask, the answer is yes."
Hermione beamed, excited at the prospect of learning from Bellatrix. Or even having something to learn. She stood, holding out her arm and waiting for Bellatrix to perch on it. As soon as she was comfortable, Hermione left her chambers and headed toward Minerva's office. Bellatrix could barely contain herself at the idea of going out in her human form. Maybe she could convince Hermione to make regular trips even after they found what they needed. She knew it wouldn't be hard.
"Hermione! So nice to see you. Are you ready?" Minerva asked as Hermione entered her office.
"Yes, I'm really looking forward to being in the Muggle world for a bit. I think it'll be good for me."
Minerva smiled brightly, gesturing Hermione toward her floo. Hermione grabbed a handful of powder, contemplating where she wanted to go. She didn't want to go somewhere populated with witches and wizards so she would be left alone. Bellatrix was already antsy enough and she didn't need anyone distracting her. The Leaky Cauldron would certainly be too busy, unless she cast a Disillusionment charm over herself. She supposed it wouldn't be too difficult, and she couldn't think of a better place. Hermione stepped into Minerva's floo, letting go of the powder as she clearly whispered her destination.
Hermione emerged in the Leaky Cauldron, casting a see-me-not charm as she stepped out of the floo. Bellatrix fluffed her feathers in pride, staying quiet until Hermione navigated herself out of Diagon Alley and into the Muggle world. Slipping into an alley, Hermione nodded her head at Bellatrix, keeping an eye on the street. Bellatrix stretched, glad to be in her body and not having to worry about getting caught. She trailed her fingers along Hermione's arm, drawing the young witch's attention.
"It feels great to be out again. It's been so long."
Hermione smiled, eyes flicking over Bellatrix's face. For once, there was no impatience lacing her features, and there were hints of a smile lacing her face. Hermione transfigured the dark witch's clothes into something more normal for the Muggle world. Bellatrix looked at their outfits in disgust, but wasn't going to complain because she was just happy to be out in the open. Hermione beckoned to Bellatrix, leading them out into the street.
Bellatrix walked near Hermione's side, their arms occasionally brushing together as Hermione leisurely made a path through London. She knew Bellatrix would want to eat something while they were outside of Hogwarts.
"Bellatrix?" Hermione asked, low enough for only the two of them to hear.
"I'm right here," she reassured, sensing the discomfort Hermione wasn't aware of yet.
"Where's your home?"
Bellatrix was taken aback, her steps faltering slightly before she caught herself. She was quiet for a few moments and Hermione surveyed the witch quietly, not pushing the issue. Bellatrix's face twisted in a way Hermione had never seen before, almost like...sadness.
"I guess I- There isn't really anywhere I'd considered home before," Bellatrix whispered, voice barely traveling to Hermione.
Not knowing what to say, Hermione placed a hand on Bellatrix's elbow, squeezing reassuringly.
"Get your hands off me, you filthy mudblood!" Bellatrix hissed.
Hermione retracted, leading them into an unoccupied house, locking the doors. Bellatrix sneered at the Muggle paraphernalia, dragging her nails roughly across the couch.
"This house belonged to my parents," Hermione murmured, not afraid of Bellatrix but not wanting to anger her further.
"So?"
"So, we can stay here when we come to the Muggle world. They technically still own it but they won't be around."
"You want me to stay in this filth?" Bellatrix turned toward Hermione, exuding rage from every pore.
"You don't have to. I just figured it's better than my room at the castle. You don't have to be a raven and it's bigger. Nothing in it really matters either, so if anything were to break it wouldn't matter. Not that we couldn't fix it.
Bellatrix stalked toward Hermione, more feral than she had been since they went to Hogwarts. Hermione suppressed a shiver, excited about the beast that was Bellatrix Black. Eyeing the young witch up and down, Bellatrix predatorily circled Hermione. There was no fear, there never was, but Bellatrix could see Hermione quivering in anticipation. She could feel the need radiating off of Hermione, hitting her in waves. The air crackled with magic, building underneath Bellatrix's skin and Hermione knew this would be the most powerful Crucio she had ever felt. Silently, she held out her wand to the dark witch, letting her arm fall after it was snatched out of her hand. The moment her hands met walnut, she pounced on Hermione, tackling the young witch to the floor.
"Crucio," she breathed, digging her wand violently into Hermione's hip.
Hermione's mouth gaped, eyes torn between opening wide and shutting tight. Her entire body was crackling with the power radiating from Bellatrix's wand, worse than her every nerve ending being on fire. It was the most delicious pain she had ever experienced, her pupils dilating until her usual hazel couldn't be seen. Bellatrix held the spell until Hermione was on the verge of passing out, only releasing it long enough for the young witch to catch herself. It was more than she had ever given Hermione before, but she knew she could take it. Hermione's eyes began to roll back again, and Bellatrix released the spell, waiting for the flicker of recognition in Hermione's eyes before starting again. She was starting to feel better, but it wasn't enough. She needed something more, something different than magic.
"It's...upstairs," Hermione managed through grit teeth, unsure of how she was able to speak at all. Bellatrix knew in an instant what it was, and she was off Hermione and up the stairs so fast Hermione's eyes couldn't even follow. The young with let her eyes rest on the ceiling, unable to move except to breathe, and even that was difficult. Bellatrix returned, recreating the way they had been at Malfoy Manor.
"Such a good little mudblood, keeping everything of mine," Bellatrix crooned, dragging the dagger lightly over Hermione's flesh, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
Hermione couldn't respond, electricity flowing through her veins. She had stolen it away when no one was looking, keeping it safe here. She knew it was safe here, knew her parents would never come back to London, but also knowing they weren't even aware of this house. She didn't erase just their memory of her, she erased their memory of their life here, leaving them with only the knowledge they needed to be dentists.
Bellatrix smiled cruelly, eliciting shivers from Hermione. Slowly, Bellatrix traced the letters she had carved into Hermione's arm, accentuating each new letter with a prick. Leaning lower, Bellatrix dragged her tongue slowly across Hermione's arm, sighing as blood touched her tongue. Ruby red clung to her lips, and the metallic taste of Hermione's blood made every muscle in her body relax. She tossed the knife carelessly to the side, holding her wand to Hermione's chest.
"Crucio," she whispered, holding the curse until Hermione passed out. Panting, she pulled the young witch into her lap, smoothing the sweaty chestnut tangles roughly. Back against the wall, Bellatrix idly massaged Hermione's arms. She didn't know why, but she was...happy. Happy Hermione had kept her dagger safe, and that she hadn't run away, and that she knew what Bellatrix had needed. She knew the young witch didn't mean to cause so much anger with her question, but she also knew Hermione didn't regret it. Bellatrix didn't either. She supposed that the closest thing to a home she had was Hermione, but before then, she had never truly felt like she belonged. Hermione made her feel wanted, and she genuinely enjoyed the young witch's company.
Bellatrix didn't know how long she sat there, cradling Hermione, but she woke with a start as Hermione groaned, signaling she was coming to. Bellatrix shushed her gently, running her fingertips soothingly over Hermione's arms. Hermione blinked slowly, her eyes taking several tries to focus. She groaned again, her entire body aching. She could vaguely feel some kind of sensation on her arms and warmth under her head. As her eyes focused, she opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
"Easy," Bellatrix soothed, shushing the young witch. Hermione let her eyes fall closed soaking up the sensations. Her body was quivering, teeth chattering from the force of it. Bellatrix put her hands on either side of Hermione's face mumbling a sleep spell alongside a healing spell. Hermione settled into Bellatrix's lap, features and body relaxing into content. Bellatrix couldn't stop the soft smile from gracing her blood-stained lips. Slowly, she shifted the young witch into her arms, lifting her and carrying her upstairs. She had always preferred to do some things without magic.
Hermione woke, instinctively curling into the warmth in front of her. Her entire body was achingly sore, and every breath she drew burned, but not as bad as it should've. She felt a warm hand on her back, rubbing small circles across her shoulders.
"Bellatrix?" She mumbled, voice muffled by what she slowly realized was the witch in question.
"Easy, take it easy," Bellatrix whispered, holding Hermione to her when she tried to move. Hermione complied, stilling herself and inhaling the wild scent of Bellatrix. Bellatrix was stubbornly untamed, remaining wild just to spite those who disapprove of her. Hermione felt the stiffness of her body easing with each pass of Bellatrix's hand across her shoulders. She sighed contentedly, body relaxing into Bellatrix's warmth.
"Hermione," Bellatrix whispered after several long, quiet moments. Just like the first time her name had fallen off the dark witch's lips, warmth flooded Hermione and her heart stuttered, the seconds stretching into minutes, and the minutes into hours.
"Hmm?" Hermione tilted her head to look at the older witch, breath catching at the dark beauty surrounding her.
"We should eat."
Hermione nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Bellatrix and her warmth. She sat up, the motion mirrored by Bellatrix.
"We should go out to eat," Hermione suggested.
"Not before you shower," Bellatrix said, drawing Hermione's attention to the blood crusted on her arm. Hermione was suddenly aware of how filthy she was. She was sticky with dried sweat, her hair was matted, and blood was dried on her arm.
Kingsley sighed, running his hand down his face in frustration. He had hoped it wasn't what he thought but now he wasn't so sure. The evidence in front of him greatly worried him and he didn't want it to be true. He wanted more than anything for his mind to be playing tricks on him. It could be stress related, he supposed. Rebuilding hadn't been easy, and there was a lot of pressure as Minister regardless of the aftermath of war. This is what he tried to convince himself, but he knew it was no use. He sighed again, dropping the file onto his desk and resting his face in his hands.