Hermione arrived back at her flat a little after she had watched Bellatrix disappear into the crowd of people. Her flat wasn't dirty, but she began to straighten up anyways. Making sure everything was neat and orderly, dusted and polished. She wasn't sure if Bellatrix would be hungry after she arrived, so she ran down the sidewalk to a small grocery store to grab a few things. Yes...she wanted this day to go perfect.
Bellatrix had showed her a good time yesterday, and it ended on sort of a positive note this morning. She shook the thoughts from her head, and began to fix their lunch.
The Ministry was as busy as ever, people bustling around trying to meet deadlines and transferring information as fast as they could. Bellatrix hated crowds, and people kept bumping into her by accident, but they paid her no mind as she made it to her niece's office. She knocked.
'Come in' a voice said.
Bellatrix opened the door, Tonks looked up from her paperwork and smiled. Bellatrix returned her smile reluctantly, and took a seat in front of the woman's desk.
'I'm just checking in, informing you I am on my way to my session.' Bellatrix said.
Tonks made a few notes on a file she had just pulled out of her filing cabinet.
'When you're finished, I'd like you to come back to my office, I need to discuss something with you.' Tonks said.
Bellatrix nodded and she left Tonks's office making her way to her destination. She checked in with the receptionist and took a seat in the waiting room. She didn't have to wait long.
'Ms. Black, Luna will see you now' The woman said.
Bellatrix walked into Luna's office and closed the door. She sat down in her normal seat and waited patiently for Luna to begin.
'Afternoon Bellatrix' Luna said brightly.
'Afternoon Luna' Bellatrix said.
Luna opened her notebook, sitting in a chair opposite Bellatrix. She looked up at the older witch concerned.
'Talk to me Bella, what has been going on? Luna asked.
Bellatrix hesitated. She wanted to talk about her past, but there were more pressing issues on her mind at the moment.
'I could be better, but I have more pressing issues on my mind that I would like to discuss today if you don't mind?' Bellatrix asked.
'Of course, we can take a break from the past for a bit' Luna replied, she got her pen ready.
Bellatrix ran her hand through her raven curls, she was tapping her foot on the floor. She had no idea where to start, but she had to try.
'I took Hermione to my estate in France yesterday' She started.
Luna made a few notes, and looked up at Bellatrix.
'We had a great time, I walked her through my gardens, we talked and enjoyed the cool air.' Bellatrix continued, she smiled at the memory.
Luna made some more notes, looking back up at Bellatrix.
'I took her down to the stables, I have a pair of Abraxan horses. My family has been breeding them for generations. We went on a ride. I know Mione is afraid of heights, but I wanted her to feel their power. She seemed to have a good time.' Bellatrix went on.
'Seemed? That suggests that something was off.' Luna said matter-of-factly.
Bellatrix played the the necklace around her neck, she didn't seem to want to answer but she had to.
'On the way back, the stallion we were riding was in a trot, I didn't want to fly him back, I figured Hermione had, had too much wind for one day. I was behind her, I let her take the reigns so she could build up her confidence.' Bellatrix said.
Luna made a few more notes, she was writing a bit more than Bellatrix liked but she figured it was relevant to her treatment.
'The sway and vibration of the saddle had caused Hermione to...become aroused. I offered to take care of her situation, but she refused. I could tell that she was hurt, but I didn't know what to do. I'm just not ready to give her what she wants.' Bellatrix explained.
'And what is it that she wants?' Luna asked curiously.
'To go all the way with me. To feel closer to me. I know emotional intimacy is difficult for me, but I feel like we have put some work into that. I know she just wants to be closer to me on that level. I don't blame her.' Bellatrix finished.
'I think you're afraid, yes?' Luna asked.
'Yeah...I am afraid...I don't want...to be hurt again. Cissy...she is different...I never felt unsafe with her. I know she would never emotionally hurt me like that.' Bellatrix replied.
'Emotionally hurt you? What do you mean?' Luna asked making more notes.
'Like...He did...he hurt me bad...after that...I had sex only with Cissy. No one else. Cissy is safe, she is grounded. She wouldn't hurt me. When she says she loves me...she means it.' Bellatrix said.
'Has Hermione said it?' Luna asked.
'She said it once I believe, I can't remember, but I see it in her eyes. I know that she does love me.' Bellatrix replied.
She continued to fidget, she was starting to feel uncomfortable.
'When we got back to the manor, I gave her a tour, we ate lunch and then we...were intimate. I decided on blindfolds this time. I let her touch me...it was...earth shattering. But I am not sure if I am ready to fully give myself to her.' Bellatrix said.
Luna made some more notes, after a few tense minutes she looked up at Bellatrix.
'What are you waiting for?' Luna asked.
Bellatrix didn't answer, so Luna continued.
'You are obviously waiting for something, wether it be reassurance or conclusive proof that she is there to stay, you are waiting for something. I want you to explore that, figure out what it is you are waiting for. And next session, we'll discuss it.' Luna said making some additional notes, closing her notebook.
She glanced at her watch.
'I'm afraid that we are out of time for today. I'll see you in a couple days. Remember what I said.' Luna said getting to her feet.
Bellatrix followed suit and left the office.
Her head was reeling as she walked back down towards Tonks's office, she had to figure out what she was waiting for. Sure she wanted reassurance, there was no lie in those chocolate brown eyes. But there was something else she was missing. She snapped herself out of her musings as she reached Tonks's office. She knocked.
'Come in Bellatrix' Tonks said.
Bellatrix entered the office and closes the door. She sat down in the same chair in from of the desk and waited.
'I have a proposal for you.' Tonks said.
Bellatrix raised a perfectly sculpted eye brow. Tonks smiled at her.
'We have an opening in the Auror office, one of our guys is retiring, there are no suitable candidates to take his place. You have all of the qualification and then some to take up the post if you want it.' Tonks explained.
Bellatrix didn't know what to say. She hadn't really thought about having a job, but she supposed that she should at least contribute something to the fight against evil.
'I would be honored' Bellatrix said smiling.
Tonks beamed and handed her a small book and a packet of papers.
'Read this, it is just the standard operation procedure, rules, laws things like that. I'll get you in here next month for training, and you should be good to go after that.' Tonks said writing something down in Bellatrix's file.
Bellatrix stood, she looked at Tonks curiously. Tonks met her eyes, and smiled.
'Thank you Dora...for giving me this opportunity, you could have chosen anyone...but you chose me. And I am grateful for that.' Bellatrix said softly.
'Everyone deserves a second chance, and you could be a valuable asset to this department. We could use your skill and expertise.' Tonks said.
Bellatrix nodded.
'Till next week Bellatrix' Tonks said.
'Till next week' Bellatrix said.
She turned and left the office, closing the door behind her.
TBC...