A/N: So, we are working toward some key changes in our two favorite witches. If you need some clarification to the beginning of this chapter, I would suggest going back to Chapter 9. It's been some time since regular updates, so I did have to go back and read through everything to make sure what I've been working on doesn't horribly conflict with what's already been written. I could ramble on or I could let you get on with your lives (and this next chapter). As always, I wish you well and hope you enjoy.

'Twas grief enough to think mankind

All hollow, servile, insincere;

But worse to trust to my own mind

And find the same corruption there.

-Emily Bronte

I Am the Only Being Whose Doom

Kingsley sat across from Minerva, steepling his fingers pensively, "Minerva, I've come across something concerning. It's about Hermione."

"What about her, Kingsley? I know she's been struggling with the aftermath of everything, but that's normal."

"I was reviewing her memory of the attack and something didn't sit right with me, so I did some digging into some files. I think you should take a look for yourself," he explained, handing Minerva a file from his robes.

Minerva opened it, sorting through the parchments within patiently, taking her time to read them all, before focusing on one in particular and breathing out, "Oh. I see."

"It's not that I don't trust Hermione, but it seems too coincidental. I hope you understand."

"Yes, of course, but surely there's another explanation. I mean, this is Hermione we're talking about. She knows more than anyone how dangerous Bellatrix is."

"Maybe she's under the Imperius curse-" Kingsley began, hoping to reassure Minerva.

"Absolutely not. Hermione is too stubborn, even at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange she would not succumb to an Imperius." The statement was said with more force and conviction than Kingsley had ever seen from the normally docile witch.

"Minerva is quite correct," Dumbledore chimed in, his eyes twinkling, "Hermione is not under the Imperius curse. She is acting of her own will and however confounding we find it, we must trust her. This seems to be what they both need. Have you not seen the improvement she has made, Kingsley?"

"You know I respect your words, Albus, but as Minister, it isn't something I can risk. Bellatrix is dangerous."

"You are looking at this through a narrow perspective, Kingsley. Bellatrix has yet to cause any harm while within these walls. Perhaps Hermione is the key to her sanity as Bellatrix is the key to hers."

"Albus, is it really Bellatrix?" Minerva asked.

"I cannot say for sure, but I've had my suspicions. Regardless, we should put our faith in Hermione. She is stronger than we give her credit for." Albus placed a jelly bean on his tongue, humming contently as apple pie bloomed on his tongue.

Kingsley opened his mouth to protest but he supposed Albus was right, "I will make an exception this once because I trust the both of you. However, should anything come of this I will hold you accountable. You're both capable enough to determine if she poses a threat."

"Thank you, Kingsley," Minerva sighed, grateful that he was letting it go for the moment. She trusted Hermione and had a strong desire to protect her no matter what. She would not tolerate any harm befalling the girl and would do anything in her power to keep the girl safe. It worried her that Bellatrix was more likely than not the constant company to the young witch, but she had seen a marked improvement in Hermione. Bellatrix was dangerous when she was hellbent on destruction, but so far nothing terrible had happened. She even seemed to be protecting Hermione, for whatever reason, and Minerva would not play a part in separating them unless it became necessary. Sure, there had been some...darker changes in the young witch, but even those seemed to benefit Hermione. She would not push the young witch for a definite answer, but she hoped Hermione would trust her with the information in time. Until then, she was content to be a defense for Hermione.

"Well, I'd call that a successful day, wouldn't you?" Bellatrix said, stretching her arms above her head as they exited the library.

"Yes, I've missed the library. The Hogwarts library smells better, but it was nice to be surrounded by so many books again," Hermione smiled contently, turning her face to the sun.

"I haven't felt this good in a long time," Bellatrix whispered, almost too quiet for Hermione to hear.

Hermione felt her lips twitch in a smile but didn't say anything. She was content to walk in silence with the dark witch. For once, the beasts were nowhere to be found and the constant whispers were entirely silent. It was a peace she hadn't known since before the car crash. Even Harry and Ron couldn't make things this peaceful. Bellatrix was different. Insanity drew them together, blurred the lines between Death Eater and Golden Girl. They were neither here nor there, neither good nor bad. They just were.

"I want you to teach me more," Hermione said suddenly.

Bellatrix blinked, "Of course. You have a lot to learn. Since we're limited to Hogwarts I'll have to teach you something quiet."

"Magic signatures. I want to learn that."

Hermione said it with such conviction that Bellatrix didn't even try to convince her otherwise. She had a feeling Hermione possessed the capability and it would be a welcome challenge for both of them. She knew Hermione felt sequestered as a teacher rather than a student. Hermione was brilliant and talented, but she was still young and had so much to learn herself. Bellatrix was never particularly patient, but something about teaching Hermione didn't get on her nerves. It was unusual, but she chalked it up to them being similar in many ways.

"We should get back," Bellatrix whispered dejectedly.

"Yeah, I'm sure my extended absence hasn't gone unnoticed."

Bellatrix hummed in agreement, following Hermione out of sight and transfiguring into a raven. She perched comfortably on Hermione's shoulder, tracing her beak from Hermione's temple to her chin. Hermione smiled, making her way back to the Leaky Cauldron. As she entered, she cast a notice-me-not and made her way to the floo. Minerva startled as Hermione emerged from the floo, shaken out of her reverie. She smiled gratefully at Hermione's safe return. Before she could say anything, Hermione sat across from her and summoned a pot of tea.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I checked my parent's house and it was empty, but it felt nice to spend a little time there. It's been a long time."

Minerva was speechless. She hadn't expected Hermione to be forthcoming with an explanation or in the mood to have tea with her.

"I know we haven't had much time to sit and talk. Things have been...intense. It's just a lot. Dealing with everything."

Minerva reached out, placing a hand on Hermione's knee, "I can only imagine. You've been through a lot in the past year alone, but you've been a central part since you were 11. It's too much to put on someone so young, and I'm sorry you had to be a part of it."

"I just...I guess I never realized how many people would die." Hermione held a sugar cube up to the raven on her shoulder, waiting until it had been taken to lower her arm. Tears welled in her eyes, and she took a sip of her tea to distract herself. Minerva gazed sympathetically at the young witch before her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you as much as I should've been. I realize that I was busy with the school while you needed me."

"It's okay. I wanted nothing more than to be alone, but I'm grateful you let me stay at your cottage. I'm not sure where I'd be if you hadn't. Being there helped more than I thought it would."

Minerva smiled, sipping her own tea happily. Hermione was starting to seem more like her old self again. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed the brilliant young woman across from her.

"Minerva, I was wondering if I might be able to access the restricted section? I came across some subjects I'd like to know more about."

"Hermione, you are a teacher here, not a student. Of course, you have access to the restricted section. All I ask is that you be careful, and please feel free to come to me."

"Thank you. I should go, I have to prepare for classes tomorrow." Hermione stood and as she reached the door she hesitated. "Minerva? I missed you."

"I missed you too, Hermione." Minerva smiled as Hermione left, the soft click signaling her exit.

Hermione headed straight for her room, weaving through the hallways until she reached her door. As soon as it was closed behind her, Bellatrix was on the couch, stretching out and letting her head loll toward Hermione.

"Shall we get to it?" Bellatrix asked, gesturing to the floor in front of the couch. Hermione nodded, coming over to sit between the couch and the fireplace, facing Bellatrix. She waited patiently for Bellatrix's instructions, letting her eyes fall closed so she could focus.

"Such a smart girl," Bellatrix crooned, "It helps to keep them closed in the beginning. Now, you have to be able to feel the magic before you can determine who it belongs to. So, focus on feeling the change in the air when there's magic present."

Hermione kept her eyes closed, sitting as still as she could. Bellatrix gathered her magic, letting it simmer under her skin and leak into the air. Hermione's brow furrowed, sensing a force pushing and pulling in the air. She focused her attention on it, trying to grab it with her mind. She grit her teeth, growing frustrated at the way it kept slipping out of her grasp. Bellatrix pulled her magic back, putting her hands on Hermione's shoulders and giving her a light shake.

"Easy. Don't force it, you'll only make it more difficult."

Hermione huffed, nodding so Bellatrix would continue. She felt it again, the charge in the air as Bellatrix's magic seeped into it. She let it settle in the air, slowly reaching her mind toward it and letting them wind together. She felt it pulling her and she couldn't resist, following it back to Bellatrix. The energy settled beneath Bellatrix's skin, but Hermione could still feel it, was drawn to it the way she was drawn to Bellatrix. She could feel the residual magic from the dark witch and the way it seemed to curl around her protectively.

"Hermione," Bellatrix said, applying pressure to the young witch's shoulders as she shook her. She could hear it at the edge of her mind, the gentle calling of Bellatrix's voice. It was difficult to pull away from the magic surrounding her, wrapping around her mind and pulling her with it. It felt right. Bellatrix's magic was warm but also cold, a scorching desert and a freezing tundra. It was firm but soft, everything Bellatrix was herself. Hermione couldn't get enough. This was more of Bellatrix than she could've ever imagined being able to see. Her magic danced around Hermione's mind, pushing and pulling, coaxing her into its rhythm.

"Hermione," Bellatrix said louder, shaking her harder. Hermione could feel the magic calling to her, hypnotizing despite the outside disturbance.

Bellatrix growled, strongly pulling her magic back but using caution so Hermione wouldn't go with it. She detangled her magic from Hermione's mind, calling her name to bring her back. She hadn't expected Hermione to take to the magic as much as she did and worried she might have moved too quickly. Hermione's eyes opened slowly, her pupils dilated and her breath coming fast.

"Why did you do that?" she asked aggressively.

Bellatrix bared her teeth, daring Hermione to challenge her, "You were trapped in it. Magic is dangerous. It sucks you in and keeps you there."

"Again."

"No."

Before Hermione could open her mouth, she was flat on her back with Bellatrix on top of her. "Don't argue with me, girl."

Hermione's breaths were coming fast for a different reason now. Part of her wanted to push Bellatrix, to bring back the feral witch from yesterday.

"No. You're spiraling into it too fast," Bellatrix hissed as if she could sense Hermione's thoughts.

"I want it," Hermione protested.

"Listen to me, Hermione. Magic isn't something you want to get lost in, it's worse than insanity. It consumes every part of you. Insanity leaves you broken but still here. Magic doesn't. Magic takes everything, and as much as you want to destroy yourself I need you here at my side. You can't leave me." By the time Bellatrix finished speaking, she was slumped over Hermione, barely holding her wrists against the floor. Hermione stilled, blinking and shaking her head.

"I-I won't leave you. I promise," Hermione rasped, suddenly aware of herself again. Bellatrix nodded into Hermione's shoulder, resting her weight onto the young witch. Hermione let her body relax, easing her wrists out of Bellatrix's grip and winding them around her waist. She had never seen Bellatrix so vulnerable before and it scared her. There was something about it that seemed so wrong, and she wasn't sure if she was supposed to comfort the dark witch.

Hermione made soothing circles on Bellatrix's back, enjoying the feeling of Bellatrix's warmth on top of her. Something about the dark witch called to her, that's why her magic was so irresistible. She desperately wanted Bellatrix to consume every part of her, to take the monsters away from her, to make her into a monster. She wanted Bellatrix to destroy her, corrupt her. She could teach Hermione so much, more than she could learn from anyone else. Bellatrix would give her power no one else would, and she could use that power for self-destruction.

"Hermione," Bellatrix whispered, her breath tickling Hermione's neck, "You have to be careful with how much you take, with how much you let yourself get lost. You need to travel down the path of insanity at my side."

Hermione stifled a moan, Bellatrix's breath warm on her neck, making her hair stand on end. She managed a nod, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. Her breaths were shaky, the closeness of Bellatrix making her mind fuzzy. She wanted it more than she had ever wanted anything before.

"Yes," Hermione breathed, reaching for Bellatrix as the witch moved back onto the couch.

Bellatrix needed the distance between them. Being close to Hermione messed with her mind, making it fuzzy in ways insanity didn't. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but the more time she spent around Hermione, the more she let her carefully constructed walls down. She had never felt this way before, never needed somebody as much as she needed Hermione. She yearned to drive the girl further into insanity, to destroy every vestige of sanity, and at the same time, she yearned to save her. It was conflicting, part of her wanting one thing and the other part wanting the opposite. She couldn't help it, Hermione confused her, made her want two opposite things at the same time and she didn't know how to choose. In many ways, Hermione made her feel the way she did before she gave in to insanity. It was almost like a clock was being turned back, undoing all the damage that had been done to her.