'Miss Granger!'
Hermione turned her head so fast, that her neck audibly cracked, but her pain was sort lived, when she came face to face with the voluptuous breasts right in front of her. The brunette was never usually distracted, but she had a lot on her mind, and Potions class was bottom of her list of priorities, especially as it was on the subject of love.
'Yikes!' Hermione cried out quietly, she never realized that her Potions Professor, Bellatrix Lestrange, was bent in front of her table.
Hermione couldn't help, but keep her eyes focused on Bellatrix's over spilling chest. The older woman definitely knew how to pull of the corset look. Hermione grinned to herself, she wouldn't mind pulling her professor's corset off. The Gryffindor gulped and turned red, although she had a major crush on the Slytherin, she usually kept any inappropriate thoughts to herself and her bedroom, but at this exact moment, her guard was down and she was weak. Her hormones were running wild.
Since her and Ron broke up last year, Hermione had struggled coming to terms with her sexuality. She only really dated Ron because she felt like it was the social norm, and because she honestly thought she could save him, in a way, in which she thought she could steer him right and make him grow, but it wasn't to be and it made staying friends very awkward. They barely even speak now, which made Gryffindor common room bumping into, awful. Of course Harry had Ron's back, and this left Hermione a loner, not that she minded, she had her books that kept her company. It was around six months ago, where she came to terms that she was into women and actually preferred them over men. This in turn added fuel to the fire for her crush on Bellatrix. It was completely and utterly stupid to Hermione, not in a million years would someone from a prestigious, and noble pureblooded family like the Black family, fall for some muggle born, book worm like her.
'I know that staring at Mr Weasley may be appealing to someone like you, but in my class you will focus on me and my work, do you understand?' Bella growled, she had noticed that Hermione had been staring at the table that Ron, Harry and Lavender were sat at.
Hermione choked out, and shook her head, when all attention was on her now, especially with Ron and Harry now staring at her. She didn't even realize she was doing it, she just seemed to stare off into space, in a comfortable trance, thinking about things that was worrying her and unfortunately, Professor Lestrange caught her and exposed her in front of everyone.
'I'm sorry, professor, it won't happen again.' Hermione replied quietly, her face now painted with shame.
'Let's hope it doesn't. Right, now that your Amortentia potions are complete, let's start with Miss Granger and she can tell us what she smells.' Bella smirked at the brunette, who gasped, she was so embarrassed right now.
Hermione frowned, she knew that when she said what she smelt, everyone would assume it was towards Ron, but she was completely over him, in fact, it was safe to say, she never loved him. The furthest they ever went was hand holding and kissing and even that made Hermione uncomfortable, but at least she was able to be honest with herself and go through with the break up. The Gryffindor then paid attention to ger potion and gulped, before leaning over and inhaling deeply. She pulled back grinning wide as she did.
'I smell fresh parchment, freshly cut grass… and, well, roses, but like your perfume, professor.' Hermione stated, before she quickly slapped her hands over her mouth, but it was too late.
'Stay behind after class, Miss Granger!' Bella growled, as she cocked her eyebrow.
The whole class burst into laughter at Hermione's revelation, which made Bellatrix red, half with anger, the other half with embarrassment. Did Hermione just admit to maybe, somewhat having a crush on her? Bella shook her head, she was Bellatrix Lestrange, she was the scary, divorced professor who no one really liked, never mind found attracted. The older woman looked at Hermione once more, her face softer for a split moment, before putting her façade back on.
'Enough laughing. Carry on I will start taking house points off you! Get on with your work and write what you smell, we don't need another embarrassing moment like we have just witnessed.' Bella sneered, she then went and sat at her desk.
Hermione was thankful that Bella silenced the class and quickly dove her face into a textbook. She couldn't believe how stupid she had just been and now she knew she was in big trouble and what was supposed to stay in her head, was out in the open. This was mortifying! If Bellatrix didn't kill her after class, she would surely get slaughtered from the rest of the class. She wished the ground would just swallow her up.
The lesson quickly finished, not that much work was done after what happened with Hermione and the Gryffindor quickly packed her stuff, hopeful she would blend in and sneak out, before the wrath of Lestrange hit her.
'Everyone leave your parchment on my desk and leave quietly!' Bella shouted, as she clapped her hands together, thankful that the lesson was finally over. 'Except you, Miss Granger, I see you trying to leave, sit back down!'
Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, Harry with a chuckled, but Ron with more a sneer. They then left, not saying a word to the brunette. The classroom quickly cleared, leaving Hermione and Bellatrix. The Slytherin walked over and closed the door, she took a deep breath, before she turned and looked back at Hermione, who had a panicked look on her face.
'I'm sorry, professor, I didn't mean to embarrass you before, I was just saying what I smelt, maybe it was just your perfume I smelt because you were near me? Please, forgive me.' Hermione panicked, as Bella walked over and sat on Hermione's table.
'Calm down, Hermione. You couldn't help it, but I am not sure why you smelt my perfume, maybe you just like it? If you want a bottle I will bring you one next lesson.' Bella smiled small, but quickly frowned. She didn't like to show her nice side, but she did have a soft spot for Hermione, even if she was a muggleborn.
'Are you sure? I mean, thank you, you know, professor, you do have a sweet side to you.' Hermione smiled, she put her hand on the older woman's arm reassuringly.
'Well only you will see that. I'm sorry I was angry before. You're allowed to daydream about anyone and I shouldn't have called you out on it… even if it was about a… Weasley.' Bella spat at the last name. Was she actually jealous?
'It wasn't about him, professor. It was about someone… well closer to home. But don't worry about it, it's nothing. Something stupid, really.' Hermione frowned. She had let slip a lot today, but was definitely not going to let slip about the fact that she was so distracted, because she was thinking about Bellatrix.
Bella chuckled, at the instant dismissal of Ron. She smiled, well whoever Hermione would settle on better treat the young woman well. Bella coughed out, she wasn't being true to herself either, she may possibly have feelings for her, although nothing would happen, because o the age gap, well with Hermione being eighteen and herself thirty seven, it was stupid her even thinking about it.
'You may leave.' Bella frowned, her walls were now fully up again, as she started to feel down about herself and the situation. 'Have a good rest of the day, Miss Granger.'
'Are you free tonight, professor?' Hermione pipped up, she could tell the sudden change in the older woman's demeanour. 'If you would like to, we can go to The Three Broomsticks and maybe have a butter beer?'
Bella eyed the younger woman, a perplexed look on her face. Did Hermione ask her for a drink out of pity? Or something more? Or… what was going on right now? Bellatrix looked away and took a deep breath. What did she have to lose? She was desperately lonely and had no friends, why not! The professor turned and looked at Hermione, who offered her a soft smile.
'Why not.' Bella chuckled and stood up, a grin plastered on her face.
'Great. Well I better go.' Hermione smiled and stood up, she threw her bag over her shoulder and headed towards the door. 'I'll meet you at seven. It's a date.'
Bella almost choked hearing Hermione say them last words and watched the younger woman left. The Slytherin chuckled and then headed to her seat. Her head in overdrive on what to wear tonight and what would happen, her heart full for the first time in a very long time.