'SHE DID WHAT?!' Lucius bellowed looking at his wife's face.
Narcissa looked at him angrily. This wasn't the first time Bellatrix had struck her...she was sure that it wouldn't be the last.
'It was an accident Lucius.' Narcissa said, trying to keep the tears at bay.
'This isn't the first time that she has done this to you! And I am sure that it won't be the last...I won't stand for it anymore!' He shouted moving towards the door, but Narcissa stood in front of it, her wand out.
'Surely you wouldn't curse your own husband?!' He said shocked.
He was offended by this gesture from his wife, she had never turned her wand on him before.
'Don't test me Lucius! I have cursed my own sister! MY OWN SISTER! What makes you so bloody sure that I wouldn't curse you too?! Now back off, I will not warn you again! Ju-just stay aw-away from her!' Narcissa shouted, her voice breaking.
Lucius stepped back, his expression one of concern. Narcissa was so worked up that she was reduced to tears.
'Yo-you have n-no idea what she we-went through! Wh-what we...all we-went thro-through! You haven't th-the vaguest conception u-u-under t-the goddess.' Narcissa said, her arm trembling, but she didn't lower her wand.
'She hurt you Cissa...' Lucius said quietly.
Narcissa looked up at him angrily...her eyes cold and dilated.
'So what?! She is my sister! I will not let you or anyone else judge her for what she has d-done! She i-is getting help, i-it will ta-take some time before sh-she is well again.' Narcissa said squeezing her eyes shut.
'Has she ever been sane? Or has she always been an unhinged, dangerous bitch?' Lucius asked.
At this, Narcissa moved towards him, a hard slap echoed through their bedroom, Lucius staggered backwards, his lip bleeding. He looked at his wife...he had never seen her like this before. Though Bellatrix had warned him many, many years ago that Narcissa was just as unhinged as she was, but she was much more controlled and dignified about it.
Bellatrix always told her that, that show she puts on for everyone was a beautiful disaster...she could act like a dignified, sophisticated woman all she wanted...but if she didn't embrace the madness within, she would snap one day.
' Stay away from her.' Narcissa hissed angrily.
She turned to leave the room, slamming the door behind her.
Lucius winced as he touched his lip again. It was throbbing and painful.
'I shouldn't have bought her that ring.' He muttered to himself as he went into the bathroom to tend to his lip.
Bellatrix woke up to a cloudy, dismal day. The sky looked like carbon steel and it was snowing again. She rolled over to see a woman sitting by her bedside.
'Mione...' She whispered.
'Yeah baby, it's me.' Hermione replied, concern lacing her eyes.
Bellatrix was in shock, she didn't expect to see her lover here by her bedside. She ran her hands through her raven curls and looked at her lover.
'It is not that I am not thrilled to see you.' Bellatrix said rolling over to look at her lover.
'But?' Hermione asked.
'But...you said you needed time and space. I was giving that to you. Cissy told you didn't she?' Bellatrix replied.
Hermione nodded, Bellatrix sighed heavily and she lay back down, her back facing Hermione.
'She didn't elaborate on the details Bella, she just told me you had...what she called an 'Episode' and that seeing me might make you feel better. She said you have been asleep for two days.' Hermione explained.
Bellatrix sat up quickly, the blankets falling off of her. She was wearing a tank top that left little to the imagination, her pale skin almost ghostly white, Bellatrix said sitting up so she was sitting Indian style on the bed thats when Hermione saw it.
'Bella...your chest is bruised...' Hermione said softly.
Bellatrix looked down at her chest. Sure enough, a large purple and black bruise was situated right in the middle of her chest. She winced, the pain coming hard and fast as she tried to get up.
'No Bella, no don't. Stay put okay? Everything is okay.' Hermione said keeping her voice calm.
Bellatrix fell back on the bed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She hadn't noticed the migraine either.
'Wow...Cissy did a number on me, she could have at least put some pain killers in that sleeping potion.' Bellatrix said irritably.
Hermione looked at her lover. Bellatrix turned to look at her, a curious expression on her face.
'I take it Cissy didn't tell you what she had to do to subdue me, did she?' Bellatrix asked.
Hermione shook her head no, getting to her feet. Bellatrix could sense an explosion, she got out of bed wincing and put her arms around Hermione's waist, kissing the back of her neck.
'Shhh Mione, it is okay.' Bellatrix whispered.
She could feel Hermione shaking in her arms, her head back on Bellatrix's shoulders fighting back tears.
'B-but she hurt you.' Hermione whispered.
'Baby...she...that was the only way she could stop me...this isn't the first time she has had to do this.' Bellatrix explained.
'But still...' Hermione whispered, her voice breaking.
'Baby it is alright okay? It will heal, I want it to heal in a Muggle way. No magic.' Bellatrix said.
Hermione turned around to examine her lover's chest. It was square between her breasts, she knew once Bellatrix put on her corset, that bruise would hurt worse. She also had a nasty lump on her head, which would explain the migraine.
'Does it hurt?' Hermione whispered.
Bellatrix laughed softly.
'It is manageable.' Bellatrix replied.
'You know, Muggle pajamas suit you well. I saw Narcissa was wearing jeans again. Think I will ever persuade you to wear some?' Hermione asked.
'Perhaps...as of now? No, I'll stick to corsets and dresses. Speaking of which, Cissy's dinner party is tonight.' Bellatrix said.
'Yes it is, another reason Narcissa asked me to come by, she wanted to go over the seating chart with me. Why? I have no idea' Hermione said.
'She wants to make sure everyone is seated...comfortably.' Bellatrix explained.
Hermione nodded in understanding. She looked at Bellatrix curiously.
'How did you know it was today? Today us Sunday, not Friday. Narcissa said you have been out for two days.' Hermione asked.
Bellatrix laughed softly.
I heard her talking about it when she came to check on me. She was on that Muggle device you have that allows you to talk to people miles away.' Bellatrix said.
'A phone?' Hermione asked smiling.
'Yeah that.' Bellatrix said blushing.
A short silence passed between them. Bellatrix looked like she wanted to say something, but was unsure of how to say it.
'I'm sorry Bella.' Hermione said breaking the silence.
'Don't be Mione, it's alright. I really do understand why you needed it. But that is all in the past now.' Bellatrix replied.
Hermione nodded and ran her hands through her hair, she looked up at Bellatrix.
'You look exhausted baby.' Bellatrix said.
'I am.' Hermione replied.
'Come, let's take a nap. Cissy will wake us when it is time to get ready.' Bellatrix said getting back in bed.
Hermione stripped to her bra and underwear, climbing into bed next to Bellatrix.
'Sleep well baby girl.' Bellatrix whispered pulling Hermione close.
Hermione closed her eyes, falling asleep almost instantly. Bellatrix smiled and she soon joined Hermione.
TBC...