A/N: Okay, so I know it's been a while, and I know this is shorter than you guys were probably hoping for when I finally updated, but this feels like a complete chapter to me. I'm sorry for taking soooo long to update but things have just been a little chaotic lately. I hope to have a somewhat regular update schedule again now that things have settled down enough that I know which way is up.
Enjoy!
Hermione pressed closer into the soft surface under her face, sighing contentedly into it. She had never pictured Bellatrix as the cuddling type, but since that day, Hermione fell asleep and woke up in ivory arms. Hermione's cheeks reddened as she remembered exactly how it had felt, her body tingling with the promise of more whenever she wanted it. She pressed into Bellatrix, the witch underneath her beginning to stir. Hermione felt Bellatrix's chest rumble as arms encircled her waist, pulling her tightly against the older witch. Teeth nibbled softly on her shoulder, pulling another sigh from Hermione's throat. Bellatrix smirked against soft skin, trailing her hands over Hermione's sides.
"I'm starving," Bellatrix mumbled, guiding Hermione gently to her side as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Hermione watched silently as Bellatrix hunted for clothes, swinging her legs back and forth. Bellatrix observed the brunette out of the corner of her eye, smiling softly as her eyes tracked her every motion. She gestured for Hermione to hurry up, growing impatient as her hunger took over. Hermione hopped off the bed, silently pulling on her robes and holding out her arm for the dark witch when she finished. Scowling, Bellatrix shifted into a raven, perching on Hermione and pecking her earlobe earnestly.
"Yes, I'm going," Hermione chuckled, exiting the room and making her way to the Great Hall.
The students would soon be up and flooding the corridors, making it nearly impossible to get anywhere. Bellatrix fluffed her feathers impatiently, causing Hermione to roll her eyes but quicken her pace nonetheless. She worked her ways skillfully through the corridors even as they grew more crowded, maintaining her pace to avoid annoying Bellatrix further. As she entered the Great Hall, Bellatrix lifted from her shoulder, streaking over the students to the professors' table and diving viciously on a sausage. The other professors watched the bird warily, unnerved by the tendencies it exhibited. Those who knew Hermione were curious as to how the spectacular witch had come to care so much for such a temperamental bird.
"You bloody bird," Hermione scolded playfully as she sat down.
Bellatrix responded with an indignant caw, hopping around and picking up other food.
"One would think you don't feed it," Slughorn stammered fearfully.
"I feed her plenty, she's just insatiable," Hermione responded, suppressing her shiver of disgust. The pitiful man got on her nerves, his cowardly ways and suck-up qualities making her dislike him.
Bellatrix bobbed her head in agreement, giving her impression of a smile, as she pecked at Hermione's fingers.
"I'm eating," Hermione insisted, punctuating her sentence with a messy bite of buttered toast.
Bellatrix hopped around impatiently, pecking at Hermione's fingers and brandishing her wings.
"Oh, go on then," Hermione said, waving her away.
Bellatrix took off, circling over some of the students and pretending to dive-bomb them as she made her way out of the Great Hall. Hermione chuckled as students raised their arms over their heads to protect themselves, continuing to eat her toast and eggs. Minerva watched Hermione from the corner of her eye, glad she was happy but a little unsettled by something she couldn't place. Hermione was different but she couldn't tell how. It could be good, but it could also be bad. Minerva resolved to keep a watchful eye on her protege, hoping she would keep out of trouble even with Bellatrix in her life. She hoped that their time together would rehabilitate Bellatrix, but she also worried Hermione would embrace more of her darker tendencies.
Hermione felt vulnerable without Bellatrix around. She had grown so accustomed to the dark witch's presence that her absence was that much more noticeable. She would never deny her anything, and she especially couldn't expect to keep her cooped up in the castle as a bird most of the time. They had a lot more energy now that they had the power of the ley line, and Bellatrix needed to spend time expending it so nothing bad happened. Usually, she ventured into the Forbidden Forest and that was the extent of what Hermione knew. She trusted Bellatrix to be careful not to get caught.
"Professor? It's freezing outside, what are we doing here?" A Hufflepuff asked, drawing their robes tighter around themself.
"Can anybody tell me what magic is. Or what they think magic is?" Hermione asked, ignoring the question.
Her students were silent for a while, their breaths leaving in little puffs of frost. "It's energy?"
"In a sense, yes. It's a physical manifestation of your intention, but it isn't possible without energy. I believe most of you should be familiar with the limits of your magical abilities. Casting is tiring, maintaining is tiring. Magic feeds off of your energy. When you are low on energy, your magic will be weaker, and when you reach the point of exhaustion, you will be unable to use magic for an indeterminate period of time. That being said, I instructed you all to forgo casting a warming charm for a reason. You have sufficient motivation to intend to be warm, so allow that intention to build until you begin to grow warm. Some of you are already capable of this, some of you will get the hang of it after a few tries, and some of you may not be able to grasp it today, and that's perfectly fine. This is not easy. Either way, try to be aware of your energy level. Do not exhaust yourself trying or maintaining. When you feel you are unable to continue, you may go back inside."
Hermione ignored the snow as it began to fall, doing just as she had instructed her students to do. She was well versed with this skill, but practicing even the basics was important, and she still had yet to discover the extent of her abilities. She stood with her students, a weird thing to say since they were barely younger than she was, being mostly sixth and seventh years. Most of them were practiced in their abilities, but using magic from just the intention of it was still challenging. For the duration of the class, her students stood in the cold, some leaving sooner than others but Hermione still congratulated them for their effort. Their numbers dwindled further until Luna, Neville, and Ginny were the only students left.
"If any of you can last longer than me, I'll award twenty house points," Hermione said, hoping to encourage them to push themselves as far as they could safely go.
The three shared a look, nodding to each other as they turned to Hermione.
"How about we make it more interesting," Ginny proposed.
"What did you have in mind," Hermione asked, smirking.
"Three against one in the cold. If we beat you, we get thirty-five points," Neville said.
"Deal. The second you lose your intention of warmth, you're out," Hermione said, drawing her wand.
The trio drew their wands, waiting for Hermione's nod to begin. They attacked just as they had practiced, surprised when Hermione fired spells back at them before she dodged. Hermione refused to allow herself to be caught in a defensive position, using all her training with Bellatrix to guide her. Dueling had never been instinctive for her, but with all the time she had spent practicing, her movements were second nature. It was clear to her that Neville, Ginny, and Luna had practiced together in case they had an opportunity like this. What they hadn't prepared for was Hermione's improvement. They had figured she wouldn't be able to hold out against the three of them, but now they were worried they had underestimated their friend.
Hermione refused to cast anything more than basic stunners, not wanting to seriously injure the three. For their part, they paced themselves as best they could, refraining from stronger attacks in favor of disarming charms. The added drain of their intention was something they hadn't thought would be so much of a burden, but as they carried on, they began to feel the drain of their energy.
"Neville, out," Hermione said, spinning out of the way of Luna's charm, "Excellent effort, you did great. Don't be too hard on yourself."
Luna and Ginny made to flank Hermione while she was seemingly distracted, their efforts futile as she angled her stunners to force them closer together. Sweat had begun to form on her brow, contrasted by the beads of sweat already running down both Luna and Ginny's faces. Ginny grit her teeth as she pressed on, feeling Luna's warmth nearby. The blonde witch was growing more tired with every movement, soon unable to hold her own and taking her leave with a strangely energetic skip.
"Good luck, Gin," She called, skipping to the students crowded just inside the warmth of the castle.
"And then there were two," Hermione said with a grin, batting Ginny's spell aside.
"I do not remember you being this good when we practiced," Ginny panted.
"You weren't this good either. You've come far. But so have I," Hermione retorted.
Ginny decided not to respond, focusing her attention on keeping up. Of course, she knew Hermione was incredibly gifted, and she didn't expect to win on her own. She had hoped that with Neville and Luna they would stand a chance. Something about Hermione had changed, something she couldn't pinpoint. She had been off since the Final Battle, but it still ate at her that something wasn't right. She had seen Hermione fight, and she had certainly developed an impressive style, but there was no way it had been on her own. And then it struck her, what was so familiar about the way Hermione was moving. Ginny landed on her arse with a thump, effectively ending their duel.
"You fight like Bellatrix," Ginny pointed out.
"She's one of the best," Hermione said simply, shrugging it off in a way she hoped was nonchalant.
"She tortured you, she killed so many of us," Ginny protested.
"That doesn't change the fact that she's one of the most talented duelers."
"Was," Ginny corrected.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"She was one of the most talented duelers."
"Semantics," Hermione said, offering Ginny a hand up.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Ginny asked, brushing snow off of her.
"I'm fine."
Ginny gave her a skeptical look.
"I'm fine! I've been better, I guess, but I am getting better. Things aren't as hard anymore. I feel better," Hermione insisted.
"I'm just worried. I know you, Hermione. I know you'll brush everything aside so you don't have to deal with it and you'll throw yourself into some new challenge like you always do to distract yourself," Ginny continued.
"Gin, I'm dealing with it."
"By teaching yourself how to fight like her?" Ginny asked, crossing her arms.
"Is there something wrong with studying a series of skilled duelers and using what I've observed to make myself better? It's not just Bellatrix, it's Dumbledore, Harry, Voldemort, Lupin, Tonks, and about a dozen other people."
"I guess it's just a little unsettling," Ginny said.
"I get it," Hermione said, "You should get to class before you're late."
Ginny nodded, wanting to continue their conversation but recognizing the dismissal in Hermione's tone. She was done talking, so there wasn't any point in Ginny pushing the matter. Hermione watched Ginny go, waiting until she was back inside the castle to turn to the forest. She had no more classes for the day and she felt like a walk would do her some good. With any luck, she'd run into Bellatrix. Hermione let go of her intention as she traipsed beyond the boundary of the forest, feeling the chill of the air cool her body. She let out a long exhale, watching her breath leave her mouth in a stream of vapor. Seeing her breath so visibly made her feel so alive.
"You did well," an easily recognizable voice purred from behind her.
"I have an excellent teacher," Hermione responded, basking in Bellatrix's warmth.
"That you do," Bellatrix said, pulling Hermione closer.
"How's your excursion?" Hermione asked, settled into Bellatrix's warmth as she leaned against a tree.
"Infinitely more interesting now."
"Is that so?" Hermione asked rhetorically.
Bellatrix hummed in response, sliding her arms across Hermione's chest. Hermione turned to face her, tilting her head up slightly.
"Be more careful around the Weasley girl," Bellatrix commanded.
Hermione nodded in assent, breaking from Bellatrix's semblance of an embrace only to be pulled back as soon as she turned around. The trees had grown closer together, even though neither of them had ventured much farther than just beyond the trees. They didn't question it, they understood the forest and knew it was to their benefit because it would make them harder to see. Bellatrix slid her hands under Hermione's robes, her surprisingly warm hands resting on Hermione's toned stomach. Idly, she dragged her nails across the skin, delighting in the shivers she elicited.
"Are you cold? Perhaps you should go back inside," Bellatrix suggested.
"I'm not cold," Hermione protested.
"You're shivering an awful lot for someone who isn't cold," Bellatrix teased, sliding the greyhound across Hermione's shoulders.
"There are other reasons to shiver than from the cold," Hermione managed, pressing her back into Bellatrix.
"Is that so?" Bellatrix husked, sliding her hands to Hermione's hips and gripping them tightly with her nails.
"Y-yes," Hermione stammered, silently begging the hands to keep moving lower.
"I don't know if I believe you," the dark witch whispered, brushing her fingertips over Hermione's clit, eliciting a soft moan.
"I'm not cold," Hermione insisted, gripping Bellatrix's forearm tightly in an attempt to keep her hand where it was.
"You should still get back," she said, removing her hands despite Hermione's protests.
"Are you coming, too?" Hermione asked as she peeled herself off the dark witch.
"Later," she responded, waving her hand dismissively.
Hermione nodded, making her way through the trees and back to the warm, inviting castle. Normally, she would have been dying to go inside, but she enjoyed spending time in the forest with Bellatrix and she was a little sad to leave. She did have work to do, but it wasn't anything particularly engaging. Most of her students were still lousy writers so the essays she assigned were always a burden to grade, but sometimes she came across one she actually enjoyed.
"Hermione, do you have a minute?" Minerva asked as Hermione entered the castle, falling into step with the brunette.
"Of course. I don't suppose it involves a cup of tea?" Hermione asked, rubbing her hands together. She was cold.
"It can. Shall we go to my office?" Minerva still felt strange calling it her office, since for the majority of her time here it had been Dumbledore's office.
Hermione nodded, walking alongside Minerva to her office. The stone statue slid away easily to reveal the stairs, nodding its heavy head as they passed. The rough scraping of stone against stone followed them as they climbed, sealing them in the office. Minerva called for a house elf to bring tea, the obedient creature nodding emphatically as it disappeared and reappeared in a matter of seconds, holding a tray with a pot of tea, two teacups, sugar, milk, and some biscuits. They both sat, preparing their drinks in silence.
"Is something the matter?" Hermione finally asked, the warmth of the tea spreading through her cold body.
"Not really, I was just wanting to see how you're doing," Minerva answered, leaning back in her chair with her teacup in hand.
"I'm fine," came Hermione's standard response.
Minerva raised a brow. "Hermione, please do not pretend with me."
"But I am fine. I'm eating, staying on top of my work, learning in my free time. What more do you want?"
"It's not a matter of what I want. I know better than to presume to impose my wants upon you. And that's all very good, Hermione, but how do you feel?"
"Honestly? I'm annoyed that people keep asking me how I'm doing and then not being satisfied with my answer," Hermione said, setting her teacup down, "I'm tired of people assuming I'm not okay and that I'm still having a hard time. I don't really miss them but sometimes I'm struck by how different things are because they're gone. I'm frustrated that people are so concerned about me all the time that it feels like they don't trust me anymore. I'm angry that I'm a 'war hero' and that I took part in it at all when I was just a child and there were other options. I'm upset that I spent seven years protecting people who ended up dying anyway. I hate that people looked at me as if I was a hero when I wished it had been me that died, I hate that people still look at me as a hero when I'm only just beginning to enjoy being me again."
Minerva kept her expression neutral through Hermione's rant, not entirely surprised by anything she was sharing. She knew Hermione well enough to know when she was holding back her emotions, and she knew it was only a matter of time before they built up too much for her to keep them in. She had seen the tense line in Hermione's shoulders and the constant crinkle of her brow. Of course, she had also heard about Hermione's argument with Ginny earlier that day, so that was also a pretty good indication that Hermione was nearing her breaking point.
"You can't bottle this up, Hermione. You have to acknowledge it. I know you don't like to express your emotions, but acknowledging them is the only way to move forward," Minerva said softly.
Hermione scoffed, rolling her eyes despite knowing Minerva was right. Minerva gave her a disapproving look over her tea.
"I know you're right," Hermione admitted grumpily.
"I don't want to lecture you more than I already have, Hermione. I care a lot about you but I won't coddle you. I've given you as much freedom as I can without bringing attention to you and Bellatrix, all I ask in return is that you do not allow yourself to be overcome by sequestered emotions." Minerva set her teacup down as she spoke, placing her elbows on her knees and leaning forward.
"Okay," Hermione agreed hesitantly.
"Good," Minerva said, more to herself than Hermione.
Hermione picked up her tea, drinking it in silence while she gathered her composure. Minerva munched on a biscuit, allowing Hermione all the time she needed.
"Why do people think I'm a hero? The things I've done..." Hermione began after finishing her tea.
"Everyone needs someone to look to in times of crisis like you look to Bellatrix for help when you need it most. You're a symbol of light and hope for everyone because you never gave up."
Hermione chewed her lip thoughtfully, nodding her head absently. She yearned to get back to Bellatrix, to feel the twisted embrace of the dark witch that brought her so much comfort. She did what she had to do to keep people from looking too closely at her and Bellatrix. It wasn't always easy. Sometimes all she wanted was to show everyone that they were so wrong about her. People might consider her a hero now, but they wouldn't forever. If anyone ever found out about Bellatrix, other than Minerva, it was all over. Everything they were (slowly) working toward would be for naught. Hermione was determined not to let that happen.