I want to dedicate this chapter to all the authors who support this pairing, it's always good to see a notification of an update of a story!
Chapter 17
"I won't ever leave you Bellatrix, not when I've only just found you . . .. . your special to me . . . I don't want you to die" the words echoed through Bellas mind as she sat on the forest floor, her heart fluttering with warmth as she looked at the smiling brunette in front of her. Bellatrix grinned and leaned forward for a kiss only as she held her hand out to grasp nothing was there. Bellatrix looked confused as she suddenly realised everything was dark and cold, she screamed taking in the horrid familiarity of the stone walls of Azkaban as she heard the waves crashing against the walls outside. "Please don't leave me Hermione" she whimpered through tears.
Bellatrix jerked awake and shuddered. Azkaban had plagued many nights sleep since her escape 2 years ago, and worse had haunted her since then. "I need to pee" the witch thought to herself as she became more aware. She moved to stand when she realised something was restraining her down. She looked down confused to see an arm wrapped tightly round her stomach, pulling her closer as she fidgeted. A breezy moan came from behind her as Hermione stirred slightly burying herself deeper into Bella's neck. Bella smirked when she realised who was cuddled into her. Bellatrix was content to just simply turn around and snuggle into the other witch enjoying the close embrace of another body, but she really needed to pee. She stealthily unhooked Hermione's arm from her waist and shimmied out from underneath sliding to the bottom of the bed. She stood on shaky limbs still feeling a little weak and taking a moment to steady herself before reaching for the door. A lone candle burned along the corridor giving a calm glow as Bellatrix tried the door straight across the hall and felt lucky to find a bathroom on her first try.
The room lit up as she closed the door behind her. She unconsciously thanked merlin at the top of her head for the sight of a toilet again. 3 months living in a forest with no plumbing had probably been the worst part of her experience in recent months. It seemed centaurs simply let their horse nature come out when it came to that topic. Bellatrix remembered being quite embarrassed when asking a confused centaur about the toileting facilities realising they simply expected her to do as all the other animals in the forest, she also remembered being positively mortified when Apollo had stumbled upon her in a moment of privacy and wondering why it was an issue to hide when doing such things.
Bellatrix slipped back into the bed and under the covers turning towards Hermione's still slumbering form as she wriggled as close as possible enjoying the natural warmth that radiated from her body.
Hermione stirred early next morning, her sight obscured slightly as she woke up with her face buried in a mass of black curls. She was laying on her left side holding Bellatrix nuzzled into the side of her neck. Bella who was sleeping on her back was undisturbed and Hermione slowly rose from the bed, careful not to disturb the dark witch. Hermione picked out some clean clothing before making her way to the bathroom for a shower.
After showering and changing she headed downstairs, hearing the distinct sound of a sizzling frying pan as the delicious smells of breakfast wafted through from the kitchen. She was met once again with the back of Andromeda as she hovered over the range cooking. Hermione took a seat silently at the table picking up the teapot as it was sat central with a placed next to it as there was every morning.
"Is she awake yet?" Andromeda asked not taking her eyes off the pan as she effortlessly flipped the eggs over.
"No, not yet" Hermione answered slightly strained as she filled the cup.
"Not surprising, she never was a morning person" Andromeda muttered more to herself as she placed the eggs and bacon onto two plates. The pair ate in silence, still a slight tension in the air over recent events. Hermione was still feeling guilty after Andromeda's outburst the previous evening. The older witch immediately stood from the table taking both empty plates and placing them in the sink before placing together a bacon and egg sandwich on a plate and carrying it towards Hermione, picking another potion bottle off the side as she handed them to the younger witch.
"She needs to eat something, make sure she takes that potion after she's eaten this" Andy instructed and adding as an afterthought "she needs to rest for the day to fully recover, I suggest she stays in bed"
"Thank you Andy" Hermione whispered, as she felt the older witch walk briskly away. Andy paused for a moment, looking over towards the girl, almost ready to say something but instead swallowed her words and nodded once before continuing towards her basement work area.
Hermione knocked and then opened the door to the bedroom softly. Bellatrix was still snoozing curled into a pillow tightly. Hermione smiled, admiring the innocent look of the slumbering witch.
"Bellatrix" Hermione called softly, no response.
"Bella" Hermione tried slightly louder, giving the blankets a shake with her free hand. Eventually the dark with began to stir, groaning in frustration at being disturbed before looking up at Hermione.
"Good morning Bellatrix, how are you feeling?" Hermione asked.
"Hungry!" Bellatrix answered almost like a demanding child, as she caught the smell of food. Hermione rolled her eyes before handing over the plate. Bellatrix was practically salivating as she grabbed part of the sandwich and tore into it.
"Ow did chu know I slike my egsh thish way?" Bellatrix asked taking another mouthful.
"Your sister made it" Hermione answered matter of fatly. Before adding, "Can I get you a drink?" Bella stayed silent as she chewed and contemplated.
"Can I have some tea?"
Hermione smiled and nodded before heading down the stairs. She returned a few minutes later with two steaming mugs of tea. By now Bellatrix had finished her sandwich and was looking at the bottle Hermione had place on the bedside cabinet.
"You need to take that now you have eaten" Hermione instructed as she entered the room. Bellatrix opened the bottle and gulped it quickly without question wincing slightly at the taste. Bellatrix moved to get out of bed.
"No you need to rest some more, yours still not recovered" Hermione coaxed her as she tried to stop Bellatrix standing up.
"But I feel fine" she argued standing up. "Besides I need to go to the bathroom" she muttered walking past the brunette. Hermione sighed in defeat as she heard the bathroom door slam. Oh yes Bellatrix was getting back to her old, new self no doubt. She tried to think of good reasoning and build up the courage to be dominant insisting Bella stay in bed and rest more when she heard the bathroom door open again.
"Oi" she heard Bellatrix call. Hermione stood up and looked through the bedroom door annoyingly at the rude summoning, her arms crossed. Bellatrix was leaning slightly holding onto the doorframe for support. "I feel woozy, don't just stand there!" she shouted. Hermione dropped her arms n walked forward offering an arm to Bellatrix who reluctantly let go of the doorframe and leaned onto Hermione as she wrapped her arms round the one offered to her. Hermione slowly leveraged the dark witch back to the bed knowing one of the side effects of the cocktail of potions was dizziness. The stubborn witch had learnt the hard way but at least she had submitted to it.
"Get some rest, I'll come up later" Hermione said as she helped the witch back into bed.
"But I'll get bored" Bella whined at the prospect of being confined to the bed.
"Read a book then, there's plenty there" she pointed to the shelves at the foot of the bed and a small pile on the dressing table. Bellatrix picked up a random book within arm's reach and huffed defeated against the headboard.
"I expect you to entertain me later" the dark witch drawled as she flicked absentmindedly through the book. Hermione smirked not replying as she left the room.
Hermione spent the majority of the day reading up on some of the potion books she found stacked in Andromeda's work collection finding some interesting material to help with her NEWTs in a few weeks' time. Studying had not been an option since her books were still at Hogwarts and she was meant to be sick. Andromeda had chosen to busy herself with work and generally out of the way, only popping up for a quick sandwich after lunch. Hermione had gone to see Bellatrix around teatime with a sandwich and drink to find the witch asleep again. She left the sandwich and juice on the table side for when the dark witch woke up and returned downstairs.
As evening began to descend, Hermione took it upon herself to make dinner, she was still no expert when it came to cooking despite experimenting for many months with different type of mushrooms, and other wild foods she thought it best took keep it simple, and a she raided the food cupboards for ingredients, pasta seemed the best option as she began to prepare her favourite pasta bake dish her mother had taught her in previous years.
She chopped the veg and pureed the sauce before mixing it together with the pasta. She had just finished grating the cheese topping and pushed the dish into the oven when Andromeda appeared in kitchen.
"oh I was just coming to see what could be rustled up for dinner, seems you have beaten me to it" she smiled, the first time Hermione had noticed since the bombshell of Bellatrix being in the house.
"I hope you like pasta, it should be ready in about 20 minutes" Hermione answered.
"Excellent that gives me time to whip up some garlic bread with it"
They sat and ate together, Hermione asked what Andromeda had been working on in which the older witch had replied she was perfecting an old skin salve recipe she had found which heals skin growth from severe burns caused by fiendfyre. The hardest ingredient was embers of dragon's breath, as they blew fire, most sources had been produced by the old dragon kept in Gringotts it seemed, but since his escape demand had been difficult to replenish. Hermione had conversed about some of her lessons in school and both laughed as Hermione relived the moment of Draco under the effects of amortentia.
After dinner, Andromeda made quick work of cleaning away the dishes before scooping out a plateful on the side.
"You better take some up for her, I need to pop out for a little while teddy needs some clean clothes and other necessities, I won't be long, will you be alright?" Andromeda sighed.
Hermione nodded "I'll be fine" she watched the older witch taking a bag of essentials as she left through the floo before taking the plate upstairs to Bellatrix.
"I was starting to think you had forgotten me" the dark witch drawled sarcastically before holding her hands out and snatching the plate of food from Hermione as she held it forward.
"I'll be sure to forward your complaints to the establishment Ms Black" Hermione replied sarcastically. Bellatrix looked at her confused before realising the brunette was gloating, before looking back at the pasta and poking it with a fork.
"What is this?" she poked it suspiciously.
"Its pasta bake, haven't you ever had Italian food?" Hermione asked
"no" Bella answered before taking a mouthful, chewing it before delving in a look of delight stating she liked it at least.
"This is good, I always knew Andy would make a good cook" Bellatrix boasted as she tore into the garlic bread.
"Actually I made the pasta" Hermione interjected. Bellatrix looked up slightly surprised before gulping down her food.
"Well I guess you're just full of surprises still" she spoke as she continued to finish her meal. Hermione grasped the now empty plate from Bellatrix and was standing to her feet.
"Wait! Don't go yet, I'm bored! You promised to entertain me" Bellatrix protested reaching out to grasp Hermione's clothing in an act to prevent her leaving. Hermione laughed placing the dirty dish along with the empty sandwich plate from earlier and sat on the bed in front of the dark witch.
"I'm an intellectual, not an entertainer so I'm not exactly sure how you wish me to entertain you" Hermione teased.
"Just stay and talk" Bellatrix pleaded reaching out to grab Hermione's hand. Hermione felt a jolt of electricity from the contact. Bellatrix face lit up as she thought of something.
"Tell me about Hogwarts! The place in your memories is somewhere I never seen before, is it different now it's been rebuilt?" she asked.
Hermione began to explain the new area allocated to the 8th years, how the majority of the castle still looked as it always had and how the first few days had panned out along with the new lecturers.
"Imps were loose in the castle?" Bellatrix asked after Hermione told her of the chaos. She nodded a reply.
"Imps don't just leave the swamp though, how did they even get in?" Bellatrix asked.
"No one knows" Hermione answered dismissively.
"There a pest, did they dispose of them?"
"NO! They were returned to the swamps down near Vaymarsh"
"Did they get you?" Bellatrix asking grinning mischievously. She leaned forward raising her hands in gesture. "Did they come up and jump at you, grabbing your sides to see what they could steal?" she mimicked the movement playfully grabbing at Hermione's sides pinching lightly.
"What? Hey! NO stop it Bella!" Hermione squealed jumping away when she felt her sides being pinched.
"Why?" Bellatrix asked, pinching her again. Hermione flinched and giggled.
"NO" she tried to compose herself. But it was too late she saw the mischievous delight in bellas eyes as she finally twigged what was wrong.
"oh, ticklish are we" she pounced forward play wrestling Hermione on the bed as the brunette lost control in a fit of giggles pleading to stop as she felt the light pale hands tickling her sides. Bellatrix laughed lightly as the brunettes giggles contagiously spread to her and felt the younger witches hands desperately try to grasp at bellas hands before retaliating by trying to find a ticklish spot on the dark witch.
Ahem. They both stopped abruptly sitting up as they heard the grunt from the doorway. Andromeda stood expressionlessly in the doorway.
"There's an owl for you downstairs Hermione" she spoke. Hermione dived off the bed grabbing the dirty dishes and scurried past Andromeda down the stairs. The older witch watched as the muggleborn whispered thank you before passing through and going downstairs. She turned her eyes back to the dark witch still sitting on the bed dark eyes looking at her.
"Bellatrix" Andy acknowledged.
"Andy" Bella replied in the same manner. The older witched confused at hearing the dark witch use her nickname. Andromeda approached into the room a few steps towering over her oldest sister as she spoke.
"I don't know what your game is Bella but I'm only going to warn you this once, if you hurt her I will personally deal with you, and I'll make 14 years of suffering in Azkaban feel like a holiday retreat in comparison" Bellatrix scoffed at the threat.
"I mean it Bella, you may not see it but that girl is falling for you, and falling for you hard. She's had enough suffering in the last few months including at the hands of you"
"I won't hurt her!" Bellatrix leaned forward in defiance. "No one will hurt her so long as I'm here" she finished as an unbroken promise.
Andromeda was surprised at the answer, taking in the compassion of Bellatrix's declaration. She shook her head of the thought, gave a nod of agreement and turned to leave the room. Hermione ran back up the stairs meeting Andromeda as she left the doorway. "It was just a message from harry asking if I was ok he heard I was ill" she breathed. Andromeda smiled.
"I'm going to call it a night, I've had an exhausting day" she concluded. Hermione nodded in understanding.
"Goodnight Andy" she whispered before turning back into her room, the dark witch looking at her from the bed still.
"What time is it?" Bella asked. Hermione looked at her wristwatch.
"It's almost 11" she replied, shocked at how late it actually was, realizing as her and Bella had talked a lot more time had passed. She grabbed her nightclothes and stepped across to the bathroom, returning 15 minutes later. Bellatrix stood up passing Hermione to use the bathroom. She stepped out several minutes later to find the brunette unfolding a sleeping bag onto the floor and bending down to get into it.
"What are you doing?" Bellatrix asked shutting the door behind her.
"Do you want me to sleep in another room?" Hermione asked unsure
"No but why are you on the floor?"
"You're in the bed" Hermione shrugged.
"So were you last night" Bellatrix answered, she smirked as she saw realisation on the brunettes face as she began to blush knowing she had been caught.
"Sorry" Hermione mumbled feeling shamed. Bellatrix strode forward getting into the bed and shuffling to the corner.
"Just get into bed" she ordered, as the brunette looked up at her questionably. She got out of the sleeping bag and slowly stepped towards the bed slipping in cautiously sticking to her own side. Bellatrix clapped her hands extinguishing the candles in the room. Hermione settled herself feeling slightly rigid aware of how close the dark witch was unsure if touch would be welcome or not. It seemed Bellatrix decided on contact as she turned over wrapping and arm around the brunettes waist and snuggling into her neck.
"Goodnight" Bellatrix whispered her laboured breathing changing almost immediately as she fell into a deep slumber.
Hermione stirred slowly opening her eyes to see the curtains undrawn and early morning sunshine was seeping through over the woodland. He found herself unable to move from the other witch being so tightly wrapped around her still in deep slumber. Hermione tried softly to move Bella's arm that was wrapped round her torso. She managed to lift the arm high enough and attempted to wriggle out from underneath when she heard the large intake of breath as the dark which moaned pulling her in tighter.
"Bellatrix I need to get up" Hermione whispered.
"Noooooo" Bellatrix moaned burying her head deeper into Hermione's neckline. Hermione chucked as the purebloods breath tickled against her pulse point. "Stay" she whispered nuzzling the younger witch. "Just a few minutes more" she pleaded.
"A few minutes more" Hermione breathed in agreement, loving the tingling sensation all over her body from the simple touches of the other witch. She wondered if Bellatrix was doing it on purpose, or if she realised the effect she had over the muggleborn or if Hermione herself had that same effect on Bella.
After an hour more of lounging in bed at Bellatrix's insistence, Hermione was finally able to persuade her that they both get up. Hermione pulled a robe on over her pyjamas and passed a spare one to Bellatrix stating she should get out of bed today. Bellatrix pulled it on hesitantly, realizing Hermione wasn't going to leave until she joined her in going down the stairs. She followed the brunette silently though the door into the living room. She looked over to the sofa she had been sprawled upon two days previously, noting the carpet had been cleaned of her purged drool and blood she had spat out as the poison was eradicated from her body.
Bellatrix picked up a tasty and distinctive smell as she followed Hermione through into the kitchen. Andromeda was by the stove cooking, she turned round holding the skillet tossing it in an upward motion to flip the pancake inside. As she turned Bellatrix had seen the movement of the pan she immediately flinched back holding her arms over her head protectively.
"I think you'll recall it was mother who hit us with pans, not me Bellatrix" Andromeda spoke turning back to the stove.
"Bella" Hermione whispered. Pulling her arms down and leading her to a seat by the table. Hermione picked up the teapot pouring a cup and placing it in front of Bella, before pulling up a chair next to her. Andy approached the table with a large plate filled with fresh pancakes. She took a seat forking two of the pancakes off the plate before passing them to Hermione who copied and handed them to Bella. Bellatrix looked at the plate confused.
"What are they?" she asked.
"Pancakes!" Hermione chirped spreading a large helping of nutella on her own from the jar.
"You eat cakes for breakfast?" she looked at the plate confused. Both were caught off guard and Andromeda chuckled at the statement.
"Trust me, spread some of this on and you'll love them" Andromeda said passing the jar or chocolate spread across the table. The other two witches watched as Bellatrix spooned a small helping on and cut a small section from the corner before taking a bite.
"I see you never lost your sweet tooth then" Andromeda spoke.
"With all my chocolate éclairs she stolen she can't deny it" Hermione piped in.
"Is that where all my baking went?" Andromeda asked incredulously. Hermione nodded before a look of concern came upon her face.
"That's how she got poisoned"
"Where did you get them?" Andromeda sat forward concerned.
"A brown owl brought them to school, I thought it was from you."
"I use no owl except Lazarus" Andromeda answered defensively.
"I know I didn't mean that to come out as an accusation Andy" Hermione apologised. Bellatrix had sat quietly throughout the exchange however now finished her pancakes.
"Can I please wash I feel dirty" Bellatrix suddenly spoke, gaining the attention of the other witched. Andromeda nodded, standing up from the table. Hermione took the cue and summoned Bellatrix to follow her back upstairs. She led the raven witch into the bathroom and turned the shower, allowing the water to trickle over her hand until the temperature was deemed appropriate.
"that should be hot enough, there's shampoo and soap on the side and towels here" Hermione explained as she pulled two towels out from the airing cupboard setting them on the small stool by the shower cubicle, "I'll get you some fresh clothes" she finished before walking to the door.
"Thanks" Bella whispered as she began pulling the robe off. Hermione shut the door quickly, she strode back into the bedroom, shuffling through her drawers as she pulled out fresh clothes for herself then some items appropriate for Bella. After ten minutes she knocked on the bathroom door loudly, she heard Bellatrix reply come in and opened the door. The shower was still running the curtain closed with only the pale witch's feet visible at the bottom.
"I brought you some clean clothes and underwear" Hermione said loudly over the spray of water, placing them on the toilet seat. Unfortunately she didn't hear the distinct sound of the shower curtain pushed back as the dark witch stepped out grabbing a towel twisting it around her hair.
"OOH, s . . . sorry" Hermione stuttered as she turned round not realising the witch had stepped out not yet covered with a towel. Hermione turned towards the wall blushing profusely. Bellatrix smirked as she wrapped the small towel round herself and sauntered over to the other witch.
"Something wrong?" she husked standing closely behind the brunette.
"I'll just step out and let you finish" Hermione squeaked attempting to step towards the door. Bella stepped out in front of the other witch blocking her path.
"You know that's twice you have seen me naked, maybe it's time to reciprocate" Bellatrix whispered flirtatiously one hand holding her flimsy towel and the other lightly pressed on Hermione's shoulder. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at the gesture. Bellatrix giggled.
"I've seen how you look at me Hermione, I remember our kiss and how good it felt. Don't hold back on me though" Bella concluded before pressing her lips to Hermione's for several seconds chastely before pulling away. "I'm about to drop the towel and change, it's up to you if you would prefer to leave" Hermione composed herself and promptly left the room.
Hermione sat on the bed after changing quickly, she had overall been unsure where she stood with Bellatrix, yes they had kissed but that had been in the heat of the moment when Bellatrix was practically dying in her arms. She was too deep in thought to register a person re-entering the room and closing the door until she felt the dip of the bed as Bellatrix took a seat beside her. Hermione came out of her daze looking up at the dark witch, taking in the fact that Bellatrix seemed to look good in whatever attire she wore, whether it be her signature dress and corset or Hermione's skinny jeans and long sleeve black shirt that she was currently wearing. Her hair still wild and damp from the shower.
"Stop thinking so much" Bellatrix whispered, she didn't need to perform legilimens to read the uncertainty of the situation on Hermione's face. So Bellatrix never being one to hesitate, leaned forward grasping the brunettes chin upwards as she moved in to kiss her.
Hermione tensed slightly as Bellatrix had grasped her chin, unable to react before she felt soft lips on her own once again. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked at Bella's closed ones, dark long lashes barely flickered as she could feel the purebloods lips move softly against her own trying to manipulate a reaction. Hermione pressed forwards deepening the kiss as a timid hand grazed against a pale cheek. Hermione was aware she was an inexperienced kisser, several sloppy snog's from Viktor Krum in 4th year was hardly romantic, and the chapped lips and course stubble of Ron was nothing in comparison. Hermione shuddered involuntarily as she thought of her kiss with Ron. It had not gone unnoticed and Bellatrix pulled back.
"What's wrong?"
"What?" Hermione breathed, her brain hazy and slightly disappointed that they had stopped. She looked over at Bella.
"You shuddered, did I do something wrong?"
"No!" Hermione shook her head vigorously. Lunging forward and grasping bellas shoulders in fear the other witch might back away. Bellatrix pulled the other witch into an embrace.
"Sorry, I'm not good at this" Hermione murmured her face burrowed under a main of damp curls as she clung more tightly to the dark witches petite frame. "I've never really . . ."
"Shhh" Bellatrix hushed her. She pressed feather light kisses against Hermione's jawline, feeling the brunettes breathing become slightly shallower, slowly relaxing in her hold.
"Just do what feels right" Bella whispered pulling back and looking at the brunette through heavy lidded eyes. Hermione moaned as fingers lightly rubbed on her neck, allowing Bella's words to sink in before pushing forward clumsily catching bellas lips with her own, the force cause them to tumble slightly back onto the bed, Hermione being pulled on top still held tightly in Bellatrix's arms. Unsure of how to proceed Hermione took bellas advice doing what felt right, her teeth grazed along bellas bottom lip causing Bella to moan. The dark witch lifted her hands into the brunette's curls pulling her closer as she ran her tongue along the brunettes bottom lip twisting it into the brunettes when her lips parted. Their tongues duelled dancing a tango as they melted more into each other. Hermione moved her hand up aching to touch Bella more she reached for the dark tendrils, yearning to run her hands through the soft mane of silk.
"OW" Bellatrix cried as Hermione's fingers became knotted in her hair.
"Oh sorry" Hermione mumbled attempting to disentangle her fingers from the other witches hair. The moment was gone as Bellatrix attempted to detangle her hair tugging at it unceremoniously. Hermione beckoned her towards the stairs and into the living room as she reach into the drawer pulling out a hairbrush. Bella took it from her and moved over to the mirror. Hermione stepped across the room shelving several books lying on the table from the previous day reading.
"Ouch, Ow" Bellatrix cursed as she tugged at her hair trying to tame it. Andromeda walked through and stood by the door way watching her sister.
"OH for merlin's sake!" Andromeda huffed after watching for several minutes. She strode over, grabbing the brush from the dark witch.
"Your 48 and still can't tame this mess?" Andy muttered taking the brush and taking it upon herself to brush through the dark mane.
"OUCH! You try living without a brush for 14 years! OW" Bellatrix snapped attempting to grab the brush.
"Sit! Brush from the bottom and work your way up! Merlin this is a mess! 14 years without a brush indeed!" Andromeda ordered hacking away with the brush. Hermione chuckled as she observed the siblings, Bella sat scowling with her arms crossed. They could almost be mother and daughter Hermione thought seeing how similar they were. However her thoughts were soon disturbed as she heard a gasp from the doorway. Three sets of eyes looked up just in time to see the fainting outline of Narcissa Black collapsing to the floor.
SlytherinEnigma