A/N This Chapter is a little shorter but i wanted to get it out there before i went back to university tomorrow, hopefully the end of it makes up for its shortness ;)

Chapter 15

It had been three weeks, three long weeks since Bella had stormed off leaving Hermione standing. Hermione had been determined to get to the bottom of it but realised she couldn't force the stubborn woman to listen, she had been best friends with Ron Weasley after all and knew sometimes people just need time to stew and feel sorry for themselves. So she had left the forest and not returned convinced Bellatrix would come for her when she wanted to.

But it had been three weeks and Hermione was miserable at the prospect that maybe Bellatrix really didn't want to see her again. Draco and a few others had attempted to ask if there was a problem with the witch being so quiet. Hermione had simply stated she was tired and continued to bury herself in her work as well as extra mentoring with several students, it seemed muggle studies had become a customary module for all students in lower years to learn muggle basics, she was surprised when several pureblood students had requested extra tutelage after a lesson on video games.

Hermione elbowed Draco in the ribs as the potions lesson began, they had arrived early and he was currently engrossed in his newly acquired Gameboy. He scowled at her before realising the professor had just entered the room before quickly stuffing the object into his pocket.

"Good morning class, I will be teaching today. Pull out your books and take notes at the potion were going to be making today" the Irish lilt of Professor Quigley's accent smoothly descended on the room. Hermione looked across at Neville realising for the first time in their entire school years he looked relaxed in the potions room.

"Can anyone tell me what an Indifer potion is?"

Hermione raised her hand. "Yes miss granger"

It's an antidote for love potions and spells strong enough even for Amortentia"

"Excellent miss Granger. In pairs I want you to make the antidote, there is a batch of amortentia in the cauldron at the front of the class as well as the ingredients needed. At the end of the lesson you will be testing the potions, so concentrate."

Hermione and Draco gathered their ingredients and began to work on their potion. Hermione and perfectly chopped the blue heather into inch long strips adding them to the potion in pairs, she watched Draco de-shell the dung beetles as he cursed when one splattered up his sleeve. She giggled at him, he looked at her annoyed. "Make yourself useful granger and go get the Amortentia, were just about ready to add it" he muttered wiping himself own.

Hermione took a vial and approached the cauldron, remembering the distinct smells from 2 years earlier she approached it cautiously. She picked up the ladle pouring it slowly into her vial, when she got the scent from the mother of pearl sheen liquid. She closed her eyes as her nostrils were assaulted by the intoxicating odours, Parchment, Freshly cut grass, Toothpaste, Cinnamon?

Hermione opened her eyes in confusion. Something had changed since she last had contact with the potion. She thought rationally. Last time I thought I loved Ron but I don't now. But who smells of cinnamon?

She floated back over to Draco who took the vial from her pouring as he stirred it into the fast spinning whirlpool he made. Finally the potion turning into a clear liquid. Tossing a Knut Draco was volunteered to take the Amortentia potion as the tester. He swallowed the vial of liquid, and waited for it to take effect.

"How do you feel Draco" Hermione asked. Draco stirred, his eyes fluttered several times as he focused on Hermione.

"Merlin Granger, have I ever told you how beautiful you are today" he announced leaning forward looking into her eyes, she moved back as he invaded her personal space.

"Thanks Draco, but could you drink this potion for me?" Hermione asked picking up the second vial holding their antidote.

"Hmm the best thing I ever did was hex your teeth, can I kiss you" he breathed stroking her arm.

"Uhm only if you drink this first"

Draco leaned forward closing his eyes and pursing his lips. Hermione shoved the vial forward tilting his chin up forcing him to swallow. He coughed and spluttered as she pulled back immediately.

"Bloody hell" Draco muttered, flushing red.

"Well done both of you" the professor clapped, dismissing them early as she looked back at the other students still mixing their potions.

"You were right though Draco! Fixing my teeth was one of the best things you did" Hermione grinned.

She headed over to the library, taking a seat hidden in the corner out of site before madam pince could see her. Draco followed her sitting next to her as she pulled a snack from her bag.

"What are those?" Draco asked.

"Chocolate éclair, want one?" she answered

"No thanks" Draco pulled his half-finished essay from his bag and set out his notes. "Where do you get them anyways?" he continued.

"Your aunt made me them, she's probably heard from McGonagall I missed a couple of meals and decided to feed me up. She's practically done that since I lived with her"

"Well at least you're eating, I've heard several teachers commenting you have been scoffing cakes during their lectures"

"Well it's hardly against the rules" Hermione shrugged finishing her cake and starting on her own essay. They sat in silence, the only sound the scribbling of quills when they heard a tap on the window. They both turned, Hermione noticing a brown owl at the window. She walked forward and opened it the bird few in landing on a table with a tightly wrapped package, with Hermione Granger printed on the front. She untied the parcel and the bird left immediately.

"What is it?" Draco asked. Hermione shook her head confused. She opened the tight seal of the package to find a tightly packed box of freshly baked éclairs.

"Humph its unhealthy all those cakes" Draco muttered returning to his work. Hermione excused herself, taking her package back to her dorm. She opened her room door, placing the package on her bed as she reached into her drawer finding a piece of parchment to write to Andy and thank her for the package. A screech was heard from the bed. Hermione jumped round holding her wand up in defence. She scanned her room, empty just like when she had entered. A distinct whistle came from her bed. She looked over next to her package at a small black creature.

"Levi" she whispered in relief at the small dragon sitting on her bed. Unsure of how he had got in, Hermione made her way over to the bed sitting down and holding her hand out to the tiny creature. He nuzzled against her finger before pushing his nose against a small piece of used looking parchment, she noticed it was ripped with part of her own scrawled writing from the message she had sent to Bellatrix the morning after she arrived at Hogwarts, she flicked it over to see the black charcoaled calligraphy

I may be willing to forgive you when you give me reason to

PS. Cake is a good starting point

B

Hermione smiled at the small message, realising this was Bellatrix roundabout way of saying she would be willing to see her at the very least. Hermione threw off her uniform instead dressing into a pair of jeans and black hoodie. She grabbed her wand and shrunk the package se had received earlier placing it in her pocket. She opened her window allowing the small dragon to leave before rushing out of her dorm. It was Friday afternoon, potions had been her final lesson with her last period free. She walked through the portrait and out the gatehouse entrance towards the forest.

Hermione entered the forest following the path, she heard a whistle as the small dragon glided in front of her. She followed the little creature as it took a shortcut through denser forest, Hermione realised quickly she had entered the magical barrier much quicker than her previous visit, continuing on to the clearing on the opposite side she had previously been. She continued after the dragon as it flapped lazily across the way towards Bellatrix cave. She looked into the entrance seeing it empty once again she frowned before looking at Levi. He had already deserted her heading amongst the boulders along the Cliffside. She walked slowly winding though the rock running along the hillside. The trees were small here but large overgrown vegetation obscured around the rocks as she watches the dragon disappear through it.

Hermione listening to the sound of running water, looking up she noticed the stream ran over the top of the cliff side which curved in slightly underneath giving it a steady stream down of a waterfall. As she looked forward again she saw through the leaves the distinct black curls she knew so well.

"Bellatrix . . ." Hermione called pulling the leaves back as she pushed through the shrubbery.

"OH" Hermione squealed. As she had pushed through the shrubbery her eyes focused on the pale, naked back of Bellatrix as she bathed under the cascading water. Long damp curls hanging loosely down her spine as she pushed her hands through her tendrils before jerking at the sound of the squeal.

Hermione's cheeks burned red as she turned away quickly. "Sorry" she mumbled in embarrassment.

"Do me a favour and pass me my dress Granger" Bella drawled from behind her. Hermione stepped forward and she located the dress hanging on a branch. She closed her eyes as she turned round holding the arm out with the dress in hand. After a few seconds of no sound or contact Hermione squinted an eye open seeing a still naked Bellatrix standing right in front of her smirking, with one arm covering her breasts as she lazily reached out grasping her dress. Hermione jerked her head away quickly taking a few steps back and turning around once again as she blushed once again, hearing the rustle of clothing as Bellatrix redressed herself flinging her wet main of curls into Hermione's face as she walked passed laughing.

Hermione scowled, she straightened her composure and followed the dark witch into her cave. Bellatrix lounged into her bed while Hermione pulled up a chair.

"Did you bring me any gifts?" Bellatrix asked casually playing with a lock of hair.

"Did you bring me an apology?" Hermione replied.

Bellatrix scowled. "I don't need to apologise for anything!"

"Not even you're complete over reaction and forcefully entering my thoughts without my permission!"

"I was merely seeking confirmation you wouldn't give me"

"You only saw what you wanted to see, I told you I couldn't get out, and I haven't given you any reason not to believe me! And thinking I was with Draco? Ha at least that gave me a laugh!"

Bellatrix was silently processing what the Gryffindor has said.

"I'm still not apologising" she reasoned.

Hermione waiting for anymore protest and left it at that. She silently pulled the package from her pocket before enlarging it wandlessly.

"These were just sent to me" she confirmed opening the package, Bellatrix grinned in delete eagerly picking one out.

"Have you been practising like I told you to" Bellatrix slowly bringing the cake to her lips.

"I haven't had much of a chance" Hermione admitted.

Bellatrix retracted the cake before it had reached her mouth

"What do you mean you haven't had a chance, I thought you were a swot!"

"It's hardly easy to be discreet and practise in Hogwarts is it! Hermione protested

"It's important you practise! I don't want you getting hurt!" Bellatrix argued. She realised to late the last part had slipped out. Hermione's eyes had widened slightly in surprise. Bellatrix looked away awkwardly taking a bite from her cake.

"Bellatrix I'll practise more I promise . . . Bellatrix?" Hermione's voice morphed into concern as she noticed the expression change in bellas face. Her complexion became pale and sweat began to form on her brow

"BELLATRIX WHATS WRONG?" Hermione leaped forward from the chair.

Bellatrix began to hyperventilate in panic looking at Hermione and then at the cake as it fell from her fingers.

"Cakes P... Poison" she croaked through heavy breaths. Hermione jumped to the side of the bed grabbing a drinking horn "aguamenti" she shouted as it filled wandlessly. She place her arm securely around bellas neck and shoulders holding her up and tilting the drink to her. She brought the rim to bellas mouth as she took a long sip.

"Bellatrix I need to get us help"

"NO, please . . . they'll kill me anyways, or worse azka . . . Azkaban" she choked as her heaving continued.

"Please Bellatrix I need to get you help I don't want you to die!" Hermione cried as tears fell down her cheeks. Bellatrix brought her hand to Hermione's cheek wiping away tears.

"Don't cry for me Hermione, I'm nothing special" Bellatrix joked as she coughed.

"Yes you are Bellatrix, your special to me"

Bellatrix nodded in understanding. "If they take me at least I have good memories now, because I have you" Bellatrix stroked Hermione's cheek as she whispered the words. Hermione grasped her tighter as she laughed out at the comment tears still streaming down. Looking into Bellatrix eyes as the raven haired witch pushed up pulling Hermione's lips connecting them with her own.

Hermione felt her magical core tingle like an electric shock as their lips connected. It was a simple kiss and yet she had never felt more live.

Bellatrix pulled back abruptly as she coughed violently as blood dribbled from her mouth. Hermione wrapped her other arm around Bellatrix waist holding tightly as she pictured the only person she truly trusted to help her. The image clear in her mind she felt her magic flush as she apparated herself and Bellatrix out of the cave.

SlytherinEnigma