A putrid stench was the first thing to hit Hermione's sensitive nostrils as they sturdily landed on the forest floor, as she took in her surroundings still feeling the strong grip of Bella on her forearm, her own hand still rested in Andromeda's warm clasp. They had landed behind Hagrid's hut near the far side of his allotment and concealed by a rather large manure heap.

Bella immediately pulled a face at the smell, amusing Hermione and reminding her of her first meeting of the youngest black sister at the Quidditch World Cup so long ago,

Hermione immediately ducked leading the other two into the forests before they could be seen. Despite declaring she no longer needed to go, Hermione had realised Andy was still needed to transport them for Hermione to retrieve her own wand which hopefully was still stuck to the tree.

Bellatrix took the lead as they walked in through the trees, overhanging branches higher up cutting much of the sunlight out despite being near the end of the forest. She was the most knowledgeable after spending weeks living here. Hermione stuck close behind, constantly checking around her, convinced she was not far from the area the Acromantula had chased her. Andy followed to the rear wand still out at the ready, not quite sure where they were heading and curious where exactly had Bella been staying?

After 10 minutes of non eventful walking, they came into a small clearing which hermione soon felt familiarity towards, she strode up to her wand still stuck in place as she had left it days before.

"BELLA BEHIND YOU!"

Andy's voice shouted, Hermione spun round her wand in hand. Andy was currently scrappling on the ground, appearing to have fumbled and dropped her wand and quickly trying to regrasp it while Bella had lunged forward towards her,

"No Andy put it down they are harmless!"

Hermione would have laughed if not for the pure sake of terror on Andy's face as the Centaur had walked up next to Bella who was still pulling at the wand in her hand.

"For goodness sake" Bella tutted as she finally yanked the wand from her sister. Andromeda wobbled and took a couple of steps back in fear, squealing when she semi turned and bumped backwards into another centaur looking down at her curiously. She clutched her chest taking a deep breath.

"This one is with you Bellatrix?" Apollo asked from behind Andromeda, not taking his eyes from the frightened witch.

"Yes, she's with me she just brought us back and will now be leaving, she is no threat Apollo, just caught off guard" He turned to Bellatrix who glanced back to him almost pleading.

Hermione confused for a moment. How did the centaurs know they would be here? She then immediately realised, they knew of course to find them here, they were seers, they protected Bellatrix. They came to protect her from having her memories wiped. As Andromeda had stated after first arriving at the cottage.

"You stay with the centaurs?" Andromeda asked realisation hitting her about this whole situation.

"Yes" she answered, handing back the wand in a trusting gesture. Andromeda pocketed it as she looked the centaurs up and down one more time, it was her time to go she realised, she turned to Hermione, "Floo me should you need anything" Hermione smiled and nodded in appreciation. As the older witch turned to her sister.

"Bellatrix. . . if you visit, use the back door. Be vigilant"

Bella smirked in understanding, a ghost of a smile was reciprocated from Andy as she disapparated out of the forest.

"I'm glad she changed her mind" Bellatrix stated still staring at the place where her sister had just left.

Hermione looked over at Bella confused.

Bella noticed her face and answered "Obliviating me"

Hermione cringed, "How did you know?"

Bellatrix merely shrugged as she answered "Because I know my sisters better than anyone"

Hermione trailed back up the grounds towards hogwarts, deciding to use the side entrance of the castle to cause less questions on why she was entering from outside, and it was closer to their rooms to allow her to change Into uniform. She stepped in, passing no one as she passed into her room, freshening up and changing quickly into her school robes before stepping out to head to her first class. As she stepped out it appeared she was in sync with Draco as he also stepped out of his room, briefly looking up before doing a double take and looking again as he realised it was the muggleborn.

"Hermione!"

He pulled her into a hug

"Are you alright?"

She laughed as he awkwardly let go after realising what he had done.

"I'm fine just wasn't well, Andy kept me in bed for the weekend but I'm good now" He nodded happy with the answer for now as they walked together toward their charms class.

Hermione sat doodling in her notebook, she had noticed that the more they studied this term the more it felt repetitive. Most of the work they had already covered or had experienced through the war itself. Currently sitting in charms she had drowned out of the lesson long ago. Professor Flitwick was discussing braking charms in regards to the broom, as well as other topics that were related to quidditch. It seemed since she had been away the announcement of the quidditch season to start next month had come as a nice distraction to everyone including the teachers.

She looked over at Draco, He appeared to be the same, currently doodling all over his paper. Initially starting with a quidditch pitch he had moved on further down to a few creatures and what currently looked like the face of a girl. He was part way scribbling what looked to be the infamous gryffindor lion hat when he noticed Hermione was looking. He haphazardly covered the drawing with his sleeve. Hermione slightly alarmed at his being so bothered about seeing his doodles as if trying to hide something. Rather than ask she decided to change the subject.

"Are you going to miss not trying for quidditch this year?"

They had been previously told that the '8th' years would not be participating in school sports as they were no longer classed as in a house.

"Not really if I'm honest, I love the sport but without Potter here there is no real competition." he smirked before continuing.

"I have actually been busy with other things, I am going to be helping out Madame Hooch with first years broom flying lessons, I am also helping oversee matches and coaching of the quidditch trials. So actually I will be quite busy and involved regardless."

"That's great!" Hermione smiled

"Thanks, between that and wanting to spend time with . . .um people. I'm quite tied up"

Hermione had not missed the obvious slip up draco tried to avoid. It would seem he was trying to hide something from her. But now was not the time to question it as the professor wrapped up the lesson.

A week had passed since hermione had returned to School. October was feeling very cold and damp, excessive rain and wind had fallen, keeping most students indoors. Finally on Sunday afternoon, it had cleared up, most students were heading off to Hogsmeade or out flying in the quidditch field. Hermione took the opportunity to go and see Bellatrix, She had missed the witch, not hearing from her since there return and being in a bed on her own again had not been a happy experience so far. Hermione had instead done what she did best, threw herself into her work, and keeping herself busy with helping out students with their muggle studies and corresponding owls. Harry had been writing regularly since he visited her at Andromeda's. He couldn't talk much about his activities and training but would ask for the muggleborn to tell him all about her activities. It also seemed like she had become a favourite of Narcissa Malfoy who had sent several packages to both herself and Draco over the past few days. Hermione had received two worn books, with a note "From my personal collection, Please return when you are finished" It would seem Narcissa had sent a book of pureblood childhood tales for Hermione to read. She recognised one of the tales of Beedle the bard, but other stories she had not heard and was eager to read. In return she had sent Narcissa her copy of The magician's nephew she had previously loaned to Bellatrix.

Hermione Attached a disillusionment charm to herself as she left the castle, The marauders map still in hand and set off towards the forest. She routinely checked her surroundings, no one appeared to be around, she could see the odd broom flitting around in the distance near the quidditch pitch. She waded through the forest on the path that was becoming familiar. She had not bothered to bring her wand this time. She did not need it. The brush of the invisible barrier as she passed through, knowing she was close to seeing the Dark witch she has missed so much in the last few days.

She strolled through towards the cave, peaking through the curtained door she could see the enchanted fire burning, the bed made but no sign of the witch, she headed cautiously through the bushes to the waterfall where she had once found her bathing, still no sign. She even headed down to the eating area. A few of the centaurs looked at her curiously but no one bothered her. She sat down unsure where to look next.

"Can we help you hermione" A large female centaur spoke in passing.

"I am looking for Bellatrix"

"She will return soon, but not before the rain returns, wait in her cave" The Centaur walked off without waiting for a response. Hermione remembers once being told that centaurs could be arrogant. But she was not in a place to argue, instead she stood up and headed over to the cave.

She didn't have to wait long, though she did hear the splattering of heavy rain on the ground just after she entered the cave. A sudden thud and the sound of flapping wings first notified her of Bella's return, followed by a commotion.

"Not now Fledge" the exhausted voice of Bella was heard in a groan from the cave, Hermione hopped up from her seat and peaked through the draped curtain. Her heart swelling at the site of the dark witch.

Even in the dull light and rain, it would appear Bella has been battling with something, large scratch marks along her left cheek and her robes looking dishevelled. The Unicorn was following her and backing her against the wall, despite Bella's protests the unicorn cornered her against the wall and gave a dog-lapping lick across her scratched cheek.

"Fledge, No, Stoppit! Arghhh get off!"

Bella's Snapped pushing the unicorn away and wiping her sleeve over her face in disgust. The Unicorn paying no heed to her cursing as it trotted off with the thestral merrily. Hermione snickered at the site. Bellatrix still wiping her face had not seen the muggleborn peeking out of one side of the curtain as she swished through the otherside heading straight to the table and taking a swish of wine from the bottle sitting on top. She had only set it down looking at her sleeve again when she heard movement behind her. She twisted round at lightning speed, a dagger in her hand pointed inches from Hermione's face. Only dropping her stance as she realised who was in front of her.

"Hermione"

Hermione smiled. Grabbing down the dagger holding arm and pulling the witch into an embrace. "Bella" she whispered burying her face into damp black curls. "I missed you" as she felt the dark witch relax and hug back.

As they pulled apart Hermione took a closer look noticing the state of Bella's clothes and Scratching on her face.

"Where have you been and why do you look like you've been in a fight?"

"Patrolling. There's still a lot of wraiths in the forest, though it was a bloody manticore that ambushed me and gave me this!" she pointed at the scratching on her face, pulling her cloak off and tossing it to the ground.

"Maybe that's why the unicorn licked you"

Bellatrix stopped in her tracks and turned around. "You saw that?" she asked

Hermione nodded before bursting into laughter. Clutching her chest for a moment before trying to compose herself. "It was cute besides it's like a Phoenix, it's probably why it already looks like its healing" she pointed out. Still chuckling

Bellatrix shrugged, "I suppose, though I'd rather it were you licking me"

Hermione's chuckle stopped dead. Quickly turning crimson at Bella's words. Bellatrix gave a devilish smirk at the girls sudden flush, seductively walking up and putting her lips to the brunettes ear.

"Not quite how your currently picturing it pet, though it's nice to know where we stand you naughty witch" She whispered before licking Hermione on the cheek and turning away in laughter.

"Ughh!" Hermione wailed wiping her cheek in disgust with her fist. She ran at Bella grabbing her and both collapsing on the bed in fits of giggles.

"Are you throwing me on the bed to have your way with me Granger" Bella whispered

Hermione looked down for a moment, no real answer instead leaning down for a long overdue kiss. Which was eagerly reciprocated by the dark witch.

The kiss became deeper, and soon tongues lashing each other in a fight for dominance. Bellatrix sat up so they were both sitting upright on the bed, her hands untying the cloak from Hermione and hazeley tossed to the side of the bed. Hermione had almost not released until her jumped was being pulled over her head that they were losing layers.

It almost seemed surreal to her, all her romantic literature and muggle movies she had read and seen in her life. She never pictured this moment, it almost seemed romantic, a fur clothed bed in a warm cave with an atmospheric fire burning. It did have a romantic touch, Bellatrix as her roguish love interest who had become the good guy, or girl in this case.

It felt very real as Hermione felt hands slowly roaming up her sides, only a fitted thin shirt between her flesh and Bella's exploring hands. Her eyes flashed open, Seeing the dark witch eyes still closed, her kissing just as dominant and more wanton as hands wandered over her breasts.

A moan muted through the kissing, almost taken as a sign for more Bella began Unlacing her corset and pulling it off so only Pale white flesh and a Black lacy Bra covered her top half. Her hands moved to seek out hermione's. She cupped the muggle borns hands in her own as she pulled them towards her chest.

Hermione spluttered, stopping the kiss, breathing heavily and looking slightly frightened as Bella looked her in the eyes. Realising the hesitant look in Hermione's eyes. Bella sobered up and immediately dropped her hands.

"Are you ok do you want to stop?"

"I . . .no, it's just, I Just um . . never . . ." she choked,

"Shh it's ok, take your time, there's no rush, I want you to be ready" Bella soothed.

She pulled Hermione into a hug of reassurance, feeling the brunettes heart racing and slowly her breathing finally calmed. In the moment she suddenly noticed Hermione hands timidly exploring her abdomen. It stopped when she looked down. Placing her hand on top of Hermione's placing it back and loosely keeping it there in an unspoken gesture to continue if she wanted.

Eyes bore into each other, an unspoken truce of trust as Hermione's Fingers ventured over the lace. Lust clouding both of them as Bella let out a surprise moan as Hermione ever so softly brushed over an exposed nipple.

"BELLATRIX"

Both jumped. Caught in the moment and shocked by a male voice that boomed outside the cave. Bella pulled her bra back over her breast that had been exposed.

"What!" She snapped

"You need to both come out. Hermione must return to Hogwarts" Apollo answered.

"We're Busy! Go away!" frustration clearly leaping out of her voice. Hermione still frozen to the spot. Worried that he would come in finding them in their interesting position on the bed.

"She must return, Now"

Heeding the sincerity in the words Hermione took the cue to move and began redressing. Bella realising that the moment was already over, growled in frustration as she pulled a jumper from behind her bed and threw it over her head. She really needed to have a word with these Centaurs about disturbing her when she had company!

She followed the brunette outside. Giving Apollo a rather pissed off look as he waited patiently. She went to follow Hermione, grabbing her hand and heading back towards hogwarts.

"No Bella. You must stay" he spoke again.

"I'm not stupid I was only going to walk her to the forest edge! It's dark!"

"Too Risky, she must go alone" he commanded.

"I'll Come see you again in a few days Bella" Hermione whispered, Pecking the pureblood on the lips. Noting the dark which was still scowling at the centaur and still had not let go of her hand.

Hermione unhooked her hand giving Bella a reassuring smile and an "I'll be fine". Bella nodded looking solemn but stayed put as the brunette walked down the path out of site, before taking off on her own.

"Bellatrix where are you going?"

"To calm down, you already cockblocked me tonight! I Need alone time too!" she stormed off not listening to the call behind her.

Hermione had heard the argument, almost turning back. But thinking it best leaving it, if the centaurs said she had to go back to Hogwarts they obviously had good reason to.

The nights were certainly getting dark, the harsh rain had soaked everything, Hermione had wished she had brought her wand, it would make seeing the path had a feeling she was near the grounds when she hit into something solid and warm. A Body swished round almost blinding her with a light.

"Miss Granger"

Hermione lifted her arm over her eyes to help the blinding glare of the light.

"Professor Quigley. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing Miss Granger, you know the forest is off limits, come on"

They walked in silence towards the castle door, Hermione secretly cursing herself for not being more careful and thinking of an innocent excuse to why she was in that area of the forest.

They had only entered through the door of Hogwarts when professor Slughorn Stumbled upon them rather breathless.

"Miss Quigley Quick, We need veritaserum from my stores . . The headmistresses office immediately!"

Before having a chance to question why another voice echoed through the Hall

"Hermione!"

Harry Potter bellowed racing down there stairs and hugging her.

"Harry what are you doing here?"

Harry grinned, "Your not going to believe our luck, Hermione! We were sent on a tip off about someone being in the forest, our first patrol and practically stumbled on them!" He continued excitedly

"Detained upstairs in the Headmistresses office now!"

Hermione's heart began to race. Her blood turned cold, No it couldn't be?

"We Caught Lestrange!"

SlytherinEnigma