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Wide Awake: Chapter 23

Bellatrix heard the front door open and close. She sat there slightly angry and ashamed of herself. She felt exposed and vulnerable. Bellatrix lay back on the bed and curled up into Hermione's pillow, she didn't know when the younger witch was going to return, but she was determined to wait.

Hermione walked down the street without knowing where she was going. She felt ashamed of herself for her loss of control. Hermione knew that she was out of line, but that didn't excuse the fact that she was frustrated beyond belief that things were moving to slow for her. She trusted Bellatrix with everything she had. By this time, she had stopped walking. It had been almost an hour.

"She has probably left." Hermione said to herself.

The young witch felt bad, and she needed to go and apologize for her disrespect. So she turned and walked back to her flat.

Bellatrix lay there in the quiet, pale darkness of the room listening to the cars on the street. She had always hated Muggle London; it was always so noisy and crowded.

"I should take her to the estate." Bellatrix said rolling onto her side.

Tears flooded her eyes and she began to cry. All the emotions inside her were getting to be exhausting. This was all new to her, and the tears would not stop. Bellatrix didn't hear the door open, or hear Hermione walking back into her room, until she felt a pair of arms encircle her, she couldn't help it, she cried harder.

"I'm sorry Bella. I didn't mean to be such a bitch about this. I know…I know that it isn't easy for you." Hermione whispered.

Bellatrix didn't respond, but continued to cry for a while. The smell of Hermione, her warmth and understanding were almost too much to take.

"M-Mione I'm s-sorry." Bellatrix said between sobs.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Hermione said.

Bellatrix rolled over to face Hermione, her dark eyes were red and puffy, Hermione had never seen so much pain in some one's eyes before.

"I do. I was rejecting you when all you wanted to do was love me. I should trust you enough to let you. But I have…demons, demons that I am not ready to face." Bellatrix said sobering.

"I didn't mean to be insensitive, I mean I treated you, I know some of your inner most secrets, I should have known." Hermione said.

"You were telling me the truth Mione…another quality that you and Cissy share." Bellatrix replied.

"Even so, I shouldn't rush you." Hermione said.

"I am glad that you told me. Communication is important. I have made that mistake with Cissy and I see how it has affected her…how it is still affecting her. "Bellatrix reasoned.

"So what now?" Hermione asked.

"I think I should use that Muggle device…what's it called?" Bellatrix asked.

"A Phone?" Hermione suggested, she couldn't help but smile at this.

"Yes that, invite Harry and Ginny over, also Luna and the Longbottom boy over for dinner." Bellatrix said.

Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Are you serious?" Hermione asked.

"Serious as a Dragon bite." Bellatrix replied.

"Alright, I will call them now." Hermione said pulling her phone out of her pocket.

Bellatrix watched in confusion and wonder as Hermione made her phone calls.

"It's much faster and simpler than using owls." Bellatrix reasoned to herself.

"Ginny? Hey, are you and Harry busy tonight?" Hermione asked snapping Bellatrix out of her musings on strange Muggle devices.

"No, we were just about to call you to see if you wanted to do something." Ginny replied.

"Bella and I are having a dinner party, and we wanted you guys to come." Hermione said.

"We'll be there! What time?" Ginny asked, she couldn't suppress her excitement, Hermione smiled at her friend's genuine enthusiasm.

"7?" Hermione replied.

"We'll be there, see you later Mione." Ginny said.

She hung up and Hermione turned back to Bellatrix.

"Well Harry and Ginny will be here. In fact, Ginny seemed rather excited that we invited them." Hermione said smiling.

Bellatrix nodded her approval, but didn't comment. Hermione gave her a reassuring smile as she dialed Luna's number.

"Luna? Hey, it's Hermione. Listen, I was wondering if you and Neville would like to come over for dinner? Ginny and Harry are going to be here." Hermione asked.

"I'd love to, what time?" Luna asked with a hint of a smile in her dreamy voice.

"7." Hermione replied.

"See you at 7." Luna said.

Hermione had one last inspiration and dialed another number.

"Ron, yes its Hermione. Listen, I'm having everyone over for dinner, and I wanted to know if you and Parvati wanted to come? " Hermione asked.

"Is Bellatrix going to be there?" Ron asked.

"Yes, she is." Hermione replied stiffly.

"Mione…okay, we'll be there." Ron said after a few minutes of silence.

"Do me a favor and call Dean and Lavender for me? I have to start on dinner. But do tell them that Bella will be here. I don't think it will be an issue, but please tell them for me." Hermione asked.

"Will do. And Mione, thanks for not giving up on me." Ron said.

"Likewise." Hermione said.

Hermione hung up her phone and glanced at the clock, it was already 4 in the afternoon and she needed to get started on dinner.

"Would you like to invite Mrs. Malfoy? Or Mrs. Tonks and Dora?" Hermione asked.

"Nymphadora is fine…but not my sisters." Bellatrix said getting up off the bed.

"Okay." Hermione said.

She called Tonks. Bellatrix put on her boots and her heavy cloak. Hermione eyed her curiously while she was on the phone with Tonks, but Bellatrix didn't move from her spot until Hermione had hung up the phone.

"Where are you going Bella?" Hermione asked.

"I am going to the market…I am going to make dinner." Bellatrix replied.

"You…you can…" Hermione said in total shock, she never expected Bellatrix to offer to do domestic duties.

But then again, nothing about their relationship was expected.

"I can cook…I never told anyone…not even Cissy knows. So it's just between us for now." Bellatrix replied.

"What are you going to make?" Hermione asked.

"Something I haven't eaten in years. Don't worry Love, you'll all like it." Bellatrix said placing a kiss on Hermione's cheek.

"I am sure we will. I am going to clean up and then I will see you in a bit then?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. See you in a bit." Bellatrix said leaving the room.

Hermione smiled to herself, she knew that this dinner party was going to go well. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could feel and see the difference in her lover. She smiled and got out of bed, and set to cleaning up her already tidy flat.

TBC…