A/N: Hello my dear readers! I was trying to have this posted on Halloween, but school had other plans for me, so better late than never. I am really excited about this chapter. No reason in particular. Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween. It's been some time since I've done an excerpt from a poem, and I found this one to latch onto me in a way I couldn't explain when I read it and I feel like it belongs with this chapter.
Enjoy!
Your hands hold roses always in a way that says
They are not only yours; the beautiful changes
In such kind ways,
Wishing ever to sunder
Things and things' selves for a second finding, to lose
For a moment all that it touches back to wonder.
-The Beautiful Changes, Richard Wilbur
"Again!" Bellatrix commanded, not waiting for Hermione to catch her breath before sending another volley of spells her way.
Hermione grunted, throwing herself sloppily out of the way. She had barely gotten a break from training this morning. Every time she thought it was over, Bellatrix continued to push her further. Hermione hastily got to her feet, trying not to trip as she forced her protesting muscles into action. She had been dueling with Bellatrix nearly the entire morning, and the older witch didn't look nearly as tired. She batted away a stunner, ducking under the next one.
"Come on, Hermione! You're wasting your energy. You can't defend forever! You'll grow too tired and you'll be overpowered!" Bellatrix yelled, trying to push the girl into casting.
She had noticed whenever they practiced that Hermione tended to get stuck defending. She found it unacceptable and was trying to teach her why it was a problem. As soon as Bellatrix had the offensive advantage, Hermione had fallen into a defensive position, not trying hard enough to create an opening to force Bellatrix to defend. She wanted- needed- Hermione to be more assertive, otherwise they never stood a chance, and she quite liked it when Hermione took what she wanted.
"If you don't have an advantage, Hermione, then make one!" Bellatrix shouted, sending more spells her way.
Hermione was barely able to dodge them all, her arm so weak she could barely raise her wand. She sent a small flurry of spells towards Bellatrix, all of them easily deflected. Hermione groaned in frustration, knowing that the dark witch was about to send more spells in her direction. She was tired and her whole body hurt, but Bellatrix just wouldn't stop. She had kept on and on and on and Hermione was tired of it. As Bellatrix began casting, Hermione sent her own spells towards Bellatrix, forcing her to move out of the way and her spell to sail wide of Hermione. She pushed on, exhaustion rushing through her veins but she just wanted to be done for today. Her spells were weak but she was able to cast enough successive ones for Bellatrix to be unable to cast her own.
"Enough," came the word Hermione had been waiting for.
With a satisfied sigh, she sant to the ground, her limbs sprawling into the dirt. She breathed deeply to get control of her breathing and closed her eyes. Her arms and legs were heavy and she was happy to let them sink into the cold dirt below her. Bellatrix glanced at her with a satisfied smirk, finally getting what she wanted. She admired the sweaty- and now dirty- form of Hermione, her muscles becoming more defined than they had ever been. Her brown hair was untamed and greasy with sweat and dirt.
"Next time you fall into a defensive position I will punish you, and not in the way you like to be," Bellatrix said, leaning against a tree. She didn't like the idea of actually hurting Hermione, but she had to make sure she understood.
"I understand," Hermione mumbled, trying to crane her neck to look at her.
"I'll spare you this time."
Hermione nodded, letting her head fall back to the ground. It was freezing, but she didn't have the strength to move. Bellatrix noticed her shivering and cast a warming charm over the younger witch. Hermione sighed gratefully as the warmth spread through her. She knew she'd need to get up to go inside at some point, nut right now laying down felt too good. Bellatrix allowed Hermione a few moments to rest, observing the young witch with an almost fond smile. She couldn't wait to keep teaching her to be the best.
"We should get inside," Hermione managed to say, struggling against sore limbs to stand.
Bellatrix caught her as she wobbled, winding an arm around her waist to help her. Hermione leaned heavily against her, absorbing her warmth as they made their way into the ruins of Black Manor. They only had a few more days here until school started again and they were trying to make the most of it. Their time was split between training, research, and sleep while they had the time. The ley-line had started to grow in power, something both witches could feel but had yet to tap into. Hermione fell into a chair in the library, curling her feet under her and laying her head on the armrest. She was too tired to summon a book so she just let herself rest while Bellatrix read across from her.
The library was warm, lulling Hermione to sleep shortly after her eyes were closed. She could hear the occasional sound of a page turning as Bellatrix read, the sound acting as a lullaby. She didn't dream at all, consumed by darkness. Bellatrix read the entire time Hermione slept, letting the girl rest for a while. They would be training every day they had left here. Bellatrix would push her past her limit but not far enough to permanently break her. In many ways, Hermione was still fragile and needed to be handled with care. She wanted to give Hermione the answers she sought, wanted to take things from her she had never wanted to take from anyone else. Bellatrix shook her thoughts from her mind, focusing on the book in her hands in an attempt to distract herself from her feelings for Hermione.
Bellatrix had made her way through two books before Hermione began to wake up. At first, she only slightly stirred, but it seemed that the motion pulled her from sleep until she was fully awake. She stretched, feeling her muscles aching and begging her not to move. She ignored it, pulling every muscle in her body taut. Bellatrix's eyes were drawn to the stretching form of Hermione, taking in the long, defined legs and muscled arms. Forcibly, she tore her eyes away from the younger witch.
"Sleep well?" she asked, pretending to be absorbed in her book.
"I always do when you're around," Hermione said sleepily.
"Well, I'll make sure I'm always around then," Bellatrix whispered.
"How long did I sleep?" Hermione asked, warmth filling her chest at Bellatrix's soft statement.
"A few hours."
Hermione hummed, pushing herself into a standing position with a groan. Shakily, she made her way to the shelves, browsing them for something she deemed suitable. Bellatrix watched her from behind her own book, eyes fixated on the young witch. She found herself admiring the disheveled state of Hermione's hair and robes, finding it kind of cute. Frowning, she internally scolded herself for such a ridiculous thought, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged on the corners of her lips. Hermione, having found a book, made her way back to her chair and dropped into it unceremoniously. She managed to throw her knees over on arm, the other supporting her back as she settled in to read.
The Black library had only contained books she had never heard of, many of them journals about experimental magic or passed down for decades, maybe even centuries. She had come across so many interesting things, some of which she couldn't comprehend. Occasionally, she wanted to and she either looked for other books or asked Bellatrix. The dark witch had spent many years going through all of the books in the library and still hadn't read all of them, but she was getting closer now. She already knew which books didn't contain the information they were looking for, but she didn't dare ruin the search for Hermione. Besides, all that she was reading would make her a better witch, so there really wasn't a downside.
Bellatrix closed her book softly, rising to her feet to place it back on the shelf. Idly, she traced her fingers along the spines of the books, searching amongst the books she hadn't read before. She loved the feeling of the coarse bindings against the tips of her fingers. It had always brought her comfort in her younger years, when she would hide from everyone after receiving her father's anger, and it brought her comfort now. She didn't need it as much, but just the wave of calm that settled over her when she had a book in her hands was a reprieve from the noise of the world. Having Hermione had done wonders for her calmness. It was almost like always having a book in her hands. Her ivory fingers stopped when they reached a book bound in silver dragonhide. Intrigued, she pried it from the shelf with expertise born from years of handling books. Returning to her seat, she flipped it open to the first page before she had even sat down.
"Hermione," Bellatrix whispered with awe, "This is it."
"What?" Hermione asked, forgetting about the book she held in her own hands. Her heart fluttered as it always did when Bellatrix said her name.
"This is what we were looking for," Bellatrix reiterated.
In a heartbeat, Hermione was over at Bellatrix's side, kneeling by the chair with her chin resting on the arm. Her brown eyes gleamed with excitement, looking at Bellatrix expectantly. Bellatrix chuckled, shifting so Hermione could join her on the couch. Hermione gratefully took the place next to Bellatrix, eagerly leaning closer to the dark witch holding the book. Obliging the young witch's curiosity, she moved the book so they could hold it between them.
I have discovered what I believe to be the identity of Death itself. Upon studying the Deathly Hallows, I came across an obscure reference to something akin to Death, yet entirely opposite. I can only surmise that there, within the Deathly Hallows, exists a small sliver of Life. If that is the case, as I believe, that could mean Life and Death are not two distinct entities, but rather one being in and of itself. There is little information on Death, and even less on Life, but if they are the same being, Death has taken form more than Life has. Life and Death exist all around us, and it is only when I delve deeper into ancient texts that I find anything. The cloak of Death was supposedly cut from the darkest night, and that of Light from the brightest star.
In this, I find that one cannot exist without the other, as their existence is relative to each other. Death claims our souls, and turning the cloak over, Life renders unto it a new vessel. In the same moment we die, we are born anew. I have little evidence of this, but I know it to be true and the only way for this to happen is for Life and Death to be the same. To twist the hands of Fate requires both Life and Death. It is only possible for the two to agree if they are the same. For Life to be cruel and Death to be kind, they must be the same entity for there is no suffering without salvation, no success without failure.
Hermione and Bellatrix finished reading at the same time, turning to stare at each other with open mouths. It made sense, even though there wasn't solid evidence. The more they thought about it, the more the pieces clicked into place. The mention of the Deathly Hallows wasn't lost on either of them, each object made the user able to defy Death in some way, which was only possible with the help of Life. Since Death's realm did not extend to the living, and Life's realm did not extend to the dead, they had to be the same to manipulate the world. The wheels in their minds turned furiously, processing what little they had read.
"I think we should sleep on this," Bellatrix suggested, glancing at Hermione.
The brunette nodded, desperately wanting to continue reading but she knew Bellatrix was right. They needed to take time to process the information and properly reflect on its implications. It would only benefit them in the long run. Bellatrix stood, almost immediately missing Hermione's warmth, and placed the book on the table out of their reach.
"We should eat."
Hermione's stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, protesting its lack of sustenance. She nodded, taking Bellatrix's hand and being pulled to her feet by the older witch. They had grown used to walking much closer together, neither really sure why, but both enjoying the warmth radiating from the other. Hermione shuddered as she felt phantom wings tickling the back of her neck- her Mark, no doubt. Bellatrix had noticed, of course, but hid her smile as she pushed open the door to the Dining Hall. Hermione often enjoyed the barely noticeable shifts from both the raven and greyhound, often admiring them instead of paying attention to the world around her. It was too easy for her to become lost in everything Bellatrix and the Mark she had given her was no exception. If she focused hard, she could feel the tell-tale sensation of Bellatrix's magic on her skin.
Bellatrix, for her part, sometimes manipulated the Mark into moving when she felt she needed to draw Hermione's attention from something. In those cases, she would manipulate it just slightly, enough for Hermione to feel it but not enough for her to know it was intentional. Other times, like just now, the Mark moved of its own volition, still exploring the young with's body. Bellatrix made sure to take note of how it affected her. For instance, just now the younger witch had shuddered out of pleasure at the sensation, and Bellatrix knew she could use that. She was always aware of where the creatures were and at times it became distracting and she would struggle to maintain control. Like when the greyhound ran across Hermione's chest when she had been sleeping the previous night. It had crept into Bellatrix's dreams, forcing her out of sleep as she struggled not to replace the Mark with her hand.
In hindsight, Bellatrix should have waited to Mark Hermione, but it had to be done before the ritual, and that could not have waited. She knew, too, that once its magic was restored there would be greater gravitation to the young witch, just as she would feel a stronger pull to Bellatrix. She was running out of time. Bellatrix was not known for exercising control, and being so close to Hermione really tried her. She should push the girl away and put some distance between them, but she couldn't bear the thought of it. She longed to be close to Hermione.
Hermione gently brushed her hand against Bellatrix's, bringing the woman back to reality. They had reached the table and had even sat down without her noticing. Normally, she wasn't so blind to the world, but Hermione made her relaxed enough that she could put her guard down. As they finished eating, they both felt a distinctive tightening of the air around them, momentarily making it difficult to breathe before subsiding.
"Was that-?" Hermione began.
"The ley-line. Fancy another duel?" Bellatrix challenged, eyes sparkling with delight.
Feeling reenergized, Hermione couldn't help but eagerly nod. Her weariness melted away and she could feel her heart beat faster in anticipation. She always looked forward to a chance to impress Bellatrix, and she especially looked forward to dueling with her. Bellatrix was always most alive when she was using her magic. And this time, she was determined not to fall into a defensive position, lest she actually be punished by the older witch. Gulping, Hermione felt the sensation of Apparition overtake her senses. Bellatrix was too ready to begin to wait even to walk outside. Hermione was forced to quickly gain her bearings, flicking a series of spells aside instinctually before the world refocused. Bellatrix was wasting no time getting started, wanting to see how well Hermione listened but also wanting to practice having access to the ley-line. To her credit, Hermione quickly retaliated, sensing more than seeing where Bellatrix was.
"For this duel, I do not care if you win or lose so long as you do not fall into a defensive position," Bellatrix said, easily sending Hermione's stunners away.
Hermione, finally able to see properly, threw up a shield spell as she cast in Bellatrix's direction, getting used to the newfound power she possessed. Bellatrix smirked, knowing this would shape up into an interesting duel. Easily, she sent two stunners at Hermione, strong enough to break the shield spell but not move past it. Understanding the message, Hermione refrained from casting another, instead doing her best to continue sending spells at Bellatrix while simultaneously dodging. She knew from their duel earlier that morning that Bellatrix was most vulnerable when she was casting, but she also knew she would be too. They continued exchanging spells, neither of them gaining or losing ground as they tirelessly circled each other. For every volley of spells Bellatrix sent toward Hermione, she was met with Hermione's retaliation. She was proud of the young witch for finally breaking out of her defensive habit. Her progress would be much more noticeable now. Bellatrix feinted left, actually casting a hex towards Hermione's head, pleased when she didn't fall for it and ducked out of its path while simultaneously sending a jinx in her direction.
They had shifted to completely wordless magic at this point, both growing accustomed to their abilities. Hermione was surprised at the ease with which the magic responded to her, almost scarcely using her wand. She hadn't extensively practiced wandless magic, so she was hesitant to fully employ the technique. Bellatrix, on the other hand, barely even used her wand to flick Hermione's spells away. It wasn't a fair fight, and never had been, but Hermione had never managed to hold her own the way she was now. Bellatrix knew it was partly due to practice and partly to the power at their fingertips. All she had to teach Hermione was how to let the magic flow naturally through her, trusting in it to find its target. She knew it was hard for Hermione to give up that control over the magic, but she knew it would make her a better duelist. Hermione, finally growing weary once more, stumbled out of a roll and found herself unable to dodge Bellatrix's stunner and subsequent disarming charm. Dizzily, Hermione sat up, breathing slowly until the world righted itself.
"Much better," Bellatrix purred in her ear.
Hermione shivered, not realizing the dark witch was so close to her. The more she focused, the more aware of Bellatrix's hand on her lower back she became. Her fingertips brushed the exposed skin as she placed Hermione's wand in her lap.
"I have a great teacher," Hermione breathed, tilting her head to look into Bellatrix's eyes.
"That you do," Bellatrix agreed, smirking. She helped Hermione up, fighting hard against the tingling desire. Her hand brushed Hermione's skin more noticeably, earning a contented sigh from the brunette. Bellatrix clenched her jaw tightly, struggling not to coax more sounds from Hermione's pale throat. Whether they were screams of pain or pleasure, Bellatrix delighted in every sound that escaped Hermione's lips, drinking them up greedily. Hermione pushed closer to Bellatrix, grabbing the fabric at her shoulders and bunching it into her fists. Bellatrix's heart beat wildly in its bone prison, and she could see the wild pulsing of Hermione's artery beating a fierce rhythm against the soft flesh. Their eyes locked, and they could feel the tension in the air building, both of them refusing to look away first. Hermione was acutely aware of Bellatrix's hands on her hips, their bodies pressed together. Bellatrix dug her nails into Hermione's hip, pulling her closer even as she fought not to.
Hermione inhaled sharply as Bellatrix's nails bit into her flesh, her lips parting as she did so. Catching the motion in her periphery, Bellatrix licked her lips, effectively causing Hermione to break their eye contact as she focused on her red lips. Unable to fight the burning need in her chest, she leaned forward, closing the remaining distance between them as she claimed Bellatrix's lips with her own. Bellatrix growled against Hermione's lips, her control disappearing entirely as she took control of the kiss, possessively gripping Hermione's waist. Hermione melted into her, hands tightening around Bellatrix's clothes. She was tired of waiting for Bellatrix to make her belong to her in every way. Breaking the kiss, Hermione gasped for air in an attempt to calm the burning in her chest, tilting her head back. Bellatrix took that opportunity to trail bites down Hermione's throat.
"You know if you go this far you can never go back. You will be mine forever," Bellatrix growled against the pale skin of Hermione's throat, punctuating her statement with a series of bites.
"I've always been," Hermione gasped, hands desperately pulling at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix's chest rumbled at Hermione's admission, one hand snaking up to her hair and the other wrapping tightly around her waist. She pulled Hermione as close as possible as she Apparated them to their chosen room. Hermione barely registered the door at her back, focused entirely on the sensation of Bellatrix's lips on hers. She released the balled up fabric in her fists, fumbling with the laces of Bellatrix's corset. A particularly harsh nip on her lip halted her motions as Bellatrix pinned her hands against the door. Bellatrix pulled away, leaving Hermione gasping for air as she quickly removed her shirt. Hermione shivered as cold air and wood met her hot flesh, immediately making every hair stand at attention. Bellatrix smirked as she released Hermione's wrists, trailing them up her sides and down her back. Hermione gasped as the surprisingly warm hands traveled over her skin.
Humming, Bellatrix began making a path of bites down Hermione's chest, tracing the outline of her bra with her lips and teeth. Hermione tangled her hands in dark curls, eagerly pulling the dark witch's head closer to her. Bellatrix rested her hands on the clasp of Hermione's bra, drawing out the wait for the young witch until she felt an insistent tug. Chuckling to herself, she swiftly undid Hermione's bra, carelessly dropping it to the floor. Bellatrix licked her lips at the sight of Hermione's breasts, grabbing her ass and lifting her with ease. Instinctively, Hermione's legs wrapped around Bellatrix's waist as she was pushed firmly into the door. Bellatrix pinned her there with her hips, her hands slowly making their way to Hermione's already erect nipples. Hermione's chest rose and fell with a speed that should have been impossible as Bellatrix's hands approached her nipples.
With a gasp that quickly became a moan, Hermione let her head fall back as Bellatrix's hands finally reached their destination. They gently pinched and pulled the tender flesh, coaxing sounds from Hermione that made Bellatrix's core ache with need. Leaning her head down, she took one of Hermione's nipples in her mouth, swirling her tongue around it while mimicking the motion on the other with her thumb. The moan that tore from Hermione's throat made Bellatrix growl, biting the soft piece of flesh. Hermione pulled Bellatrix's head against her, pushing her hips into Bellatrix. In her haze, she managed to focus her mind on undressing Bellatrix. Rather than struggling to undo the laces by hand, she managed to focus enough to spell them to undo themselves. Bellatrix felt her corset loosen, switching to Hermione's other nipple and biting down on it harshly. Hermione's hips bucked into her, all focus gone as Bellatrix's hands kneaded her ass.
"Clever one, aren't you?" Bellatrix breathed into her ear, shrugging off her cloak.
"I like to think I can hold my own if the need arises," Hermione responded breathlessly.
Bellatrix quirked a brow, lowering Hermione to a standing position as she removed her corset. "Let's hope you can."
Hermione was too preoccupied with the ivory flesh of Bellatrix's breasts to formulate a response, her hands tightening in the dark curls. Bellatrix smirked, pulling the witch closer by her hips until they were fully pressed together. Hermione moaned, burying her face in Bellatrix's neck, overwhelmed by the pleasure flooding her veins. Bellatrix dragged her nails lightly over Hermione's shoulders, causing her to push them even closer together. Hermione bit into the hollow of Bellatrix's shoulder, the soft flesh easily yielding to her. She flicked her tongue over the bite, collecting sanguine droplets that sang with magic. She pushed her leg between Bellatrix's forcing them back a step as she bit across Bellatrix's chest, each drop of blood amplifying her wanton need.
Bellatrix briefly allowed the domination, sighing softly as Hermione's teeth pierced her flesh. In one moment, Hermione was pushing her back, and the next, she had turned them around, pulling Hermione's head away from her chest by her hair. Hermione bared her teeth, quickly distracted by Bellatrix's lips on hers, bruising, needy. Bellatrix easily banished the rest of their clothes the moment Hermione's legs met the bed. Hermione shivered, sliding her hand down Bellatrix's back. She dragged her nails around to Bellatrix's hip bone, sliding her hand up her stomach and cupping her breast. Bellatrix pushed into Hermione, causing her legs to give out and her to collapse half on the bed. Bellatrix stood, breaking the kiss and surveying Hermione with a smirk. Hermione wasted no time in wrapping her legs around a pale waist, pulling Bellatrix against her as she latched onto her nipple, teasing it with her teeth as she flicked the other with her thumb. Bellatrix growled, gripping Hermione's hair roughly as her hips pushed against Hermione's soaked core. Hermione moaned against her nipple, moving her hips against Bellatrix.
Bellatrix's mind clouded with possessiveness, her hands moving from Hermione's hair to her hips, pulling them into her. She could feel Hermione's desire radiating from her in waves, dripping from her core. She was aware enough to feel the buildup in the air, charged with need. Bellatrix snaked an arm around Hermione's hip, supporting the length of her back with her arm as she shifted her completely onto the bed. She lazily dragged her fingers lower, grazing Hermione's thigh and causing her hips to jerk. Hermione tore herself away from Bellatrix's chest, gasping for air as fingers roamed closer to where she wanted, no, needed them to be. She whined in frustration, trying to shift her hips so Bellatrix would make contact where she wanted it. Bellatrix smirked, placing a hand on Hermione's sternum.
"Still think you can hold your own?" she husked, impossibly dark eyes boring into Hermione.
"Yes," came the growled response.
Bellatrix leaned her weight on Hermione's sternum, keeping the squirming witch pinned beneath her. She hummed, considering Hermione underneath her as she prepared for what she was about to do. She had trained Hermione's body well, eliciting the exact reaction she wanted, but she knew Hermione had wanted this long before she had begun their dance. Bellatrix's fingers traced along the inside of Hermione's thigh, slowly working their way closer to where Hermione wanted her. But she knew what else Hermione wanted, something she wasn't aware of but Bellatrix could see. Focusing her clouded mind, Bellatrix manipulated the tattoos to amplify Hermione's pleasure, making her more desperate for contact. With a smirk at Hermione's increasing discomfort, she let her magic radiate from the hand on her chest, simultaneously letting her fingers finally reach the witch's soaking core. With a groan matched in intensity by Hermione's moan, Bellatrix harshly slid two fingers inside, letting her magic take the shape of the Cruciatus. Hermione's breath caught in her throat, her hands clutching desperately at Bellatrix, trying to hold onto the world in the wake of overwhelming sensation.
"This will be so much more fun if you let it take you. I promise you'll come back," Bellatrix leaned down to whisper, feeling Hermione's quick breaths against her shoulder.
Hermione closed her eyes, tingles of pleasure and pain coursing through her body and mingling in perfect harmony. Never before had she ever felt something so beautiful as this. Her body trembled, her heart pulsed in time with Bellatrix's thrusts, her breaths barely entered her lungs before leaving again. She let the sensation take over, not breaking her hold on Bellatrix, needing something to grasp onto. She could feel pressure building and releasing all at once, never quite the way she wanted it to, but delectable just the same. Bellatrix chuckled, her breath fanning out over Hermione's burning flesh as she leaned down further to capture a pert nipple in her mouth. Hermione's nails dug into her, the force drawing blood and she hummed, sending vibrations throughout Hermione's body.
Bellatrix continued, giving Hermione what she had been craving for months. She was relentless, not once slowing or lessening the spell engulfing the brunette's body in pain that felt so much better than it had ever felt before. She continued until she recognized Hermione's approaching breaking point, the certain way her body convulsed when she began to lose consciousness, the way her breathing slowed to the point it seemed it might stop completely. Bellatrix peeled her hands away, reveling in the wetness of the hand that had been inside Hermione, allowing the witch just enough of a break to process she had stopped. As soon as she saw awareness seeping back into Hermione's features, she was back between her legs, this time latching her lips onto a swollen clit and placing her hand on her stomach, the curse quickly returning to flood Hermione's senses.
Hermione felt herself sinking further into the mattress than she ever thought possible. Bellatrix's warm tongue expertly toyed with her clit as her favorite curse wracked her body. She could feel herself losing her hold on consciousness much sooner than she wanted to. She relished Bellatrix's tongue circling her clit, dipping between her lips, probing her before returning back to her clit and starting over again. Bellatrix held the curse as tirelessly as she always did, something that had always amazed Hermione. A particularly powerful shudder wracked her body, her toes curling and her eyes rolling back. This time, Bellatrix didn't stop. She delved into Hermione with her fingers again, the added sensation causing the pressure inside her to build more than it had before. Hermione was so overwhelmed with pleasure she couldn't think, feeling it build until it became too much, snapping in two and washing over Hermione in waves that dragged her under.
Bellatrix slowed her motions, releasing the curse as soon as she felt the telltale gush of wetness and immediate relaxation of Hermione's body. She knew the girl would regain consciousness in a matter of moments. This was the most satisfied she had felt since before she had gone to Azkaban. She shifted to lay on her back, pulling Hermione's limp body onto her chest and stroking her arms and hair. She mumbled gentle healing spells, not wanting to take away the sensations entirely. Hermione always liked to have some remembrance of how it felt when she came to. This was something entirely new for Hermione, and Bellatrix wanted her to feel how it was different. It was so much more satisfying than the pain Hermione craved. It wasn't her place to take away that sensation and she wanted Hermione to know when she needed this and when she needed pain alone.