A/N Welcome all to the next installment in this story. It has taken 30 chapters to get to this point (What am I talking about? You'll find out.) but it is here. We are approaching the one month date quickly and I cannot believe how much this story has grown from the tiny idea in the back of my mind to such a long, interconnected story. They grow up so fast.
Parts of this chapter were very intimidating to write and I have gone over it more times than I can count, editing and straight up changing parts but I think it is ready. I appreciate any constructive criticism that I can work with to improve my writing. Enjoy!
Hermione had just finished writing a letter to Neville with the information she learned about his parents when she felt Bellatrix drape herself over her shoulders. Her fingers toyed with the hem of Hermione's shirt and her cheek was on her shoulder, pressing kisses into her neck. Hermione sighed contentedly, leaning into the dark witch. She had been hesitant to leave the comfort of her bed but had grown restless.
"What are you doing so early, love?" Bellatrix mumbled against Hermione's neck, smiling as a shiver went through the younger witch.
"I was writing a letter to Neville with what you told me yesterday. I know he cares about his parents and even though he accepted my decision and remains my ally, he was hesitant. I promised to tell him the truth about what happened, even if he still doesn't want to join the ranks, I thought it might help with his adjustment. He deserves the truth more than anyone," she said, tilting her head to give Bellatrix better access to her neck.
"It's barely dawn, Hermione. You hardly slept," Bellatrix said, trailing kisses down Hermione's jaw.
"I had too much energy. I figured I could at least do something."
"There are plenty of things I can think of," Bellatrix husked, punctuating her sentence with a bite before soothing it with her tongue, taking pleasure in the low moan from Hermione.
"I would certainly be open to ideas. Why don't you enlighten me?" Hermione whispered, arching slightly into the hands that were moving slowly up her stomach.
At Hermione's words, Bellatrix moved back, pulling Hermione up and to her. Hermione melted into the older witch's kiss, hands tangling in onyx tresses. Bellatrix's hands were under her shirt, moving slowly but deliberately up her sides. When Hermione pulled back with a gasp, Bellatrix traced the column of her throat with her lips, earning a moan from the brunette. Bellatrix stepped impossibly closer, her own moan joining Hermione's. Hands tightened in her hair as she reached the young witch's collarbone, another moan slipping from Hermione.
"Bella," she breathed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, please."
Bellatrix felt a rumble in her chest at Hermione's words, swiftly ridding Hermione of her shirt while guiding her to the bed. When Hermione felt her knees hit the edge of the bed, she let herself fall back, pulling Bellatrix with her, settling between her legs. Bellatrix inhaled sharply when she felt Hermione's hands traveling up her stomach before gently biting the young witch's collarbone. Running her thumbs under Hermione's breasts, she felt Hermione arch into the touch. Moving lower, she paused as she reached the scar on Hermione's chest. She gingerly traced it with her fingers, following with light kisses. Hermione exhaled shakily, gently cupping Bellatrix's face, tilting it so the older witch was looking at her.
"I'm still here, Bella. I'm not going anywhere. Ever."
"I could've lost you so easily that night. I didn't even know it hit so close," Bellatrix mumbled, her dark eyes swimming with fear and regret.
"It's alright, Bella. You couldn't have known. And you couldn't have stayed. I'm here now, unharmed. That's all that matters," Hermione whispered against ruby lips, kissing them tenderly. Bellatrix returned the kiss and Hermione gently nibbled her bottom lip as she slid her hands to the dark witch's shoulders.
"You always know just what to say." Bellatrix trailed gentle bites down Hermione's jaw, feeling hands tangle in her hair. Hermione tilted her head as Bellatrix reached her neck, inhaling sharply at every bite and subsequent kiss. Bellatrix resumed her previous journey, placing a lingering kiss on Hermione's scar before moving lower. Wrapping her lips around Hermione's nipple, she softly bit the sensitive flesh, earning a gasp from Hermione. She soothed it with her tongue before teasing with her teeth. Hermione gripped her hair tighter, a moan passing her lips. Smirking, Bellatrix kissed her way to the other, repeating the action. Hermione arched slightly, hands pushing Bellatrix down. Giving Hermione a playful bite, Bellatrix trailed open mouth kisses down her stomach, stopping at Hermione's waistband.
"Wait. I want to see you, too, Bella." Hermione guided the dark witch back up, disentangling her hands from onyx curls. Reaching down, Hermione gripped the hem of Bellatrix's shirt with trembling hands and pulled it off. She ran her hands over pale flesh, marveling at how smooth it was aside from the occasional scar.
"Hermione, you don't have to," Bellatrix said, breath shaky.
"I want to. I want all of you Bellatrix. You are my soulmate. I will not pick and choose what parts of you to love. I love all of you, unquestioningly. No matter what," Hermione whispered, looking into dark eyes. Hermione gently ran her thumbs of Bellatrix's nipples, watching as she shuddered and moved forward to close the distance between them. She couldn't stop the moan that left her lips when the dark witch's body pressed so completely into hers. Bellatrix took the opportunity to slip her tongue into Hermione's mouth, stroking the younger witch's tongue with her own. Hermione pushed into her and Bellatrix swiftly broke the kiss, moving back to rid Hermione and herself of their bottoms. Hermione pulled Bellatrix to her, feeling the warmth of the dark witch against her. She left a trail of bites down Bellatrix's jaw and neck, pale flesh soft and slightly salty. Bellatrix tilted her head back as Hermione kissed down the column of her throat, sliding a hand up Hermione's thigh. Hermione shuddered as Bellatrix's fingers ran through her folds, moaning into her neck. Encouraged, she gently inserted her index finger into the younger witch, straddling her thigh for better access. Hermione gasped, partly because she could feel Bellatrix's own arousal against her thigh and partly because it felt torturously good to feel Bellatrix's finger inside her. Gripping pale shoulders, Hermione shifted her leg so it was pushing against the older witch's clit as she adjusted to Bellatrix's finger.
Bellatrix felt a growl rumble in her chest as Hermione pushed her leg into her, leaning down to bite along the younger witch's collarbone as she began thrusting slowly. She allowed Hermione to acclimate to the feeling before speeding up gradually. Hermione's hips bucked and she felt moans spilling out of her as Bellatrix rocked against her, simultaneously thrusting and biting. She knew she wouldn't last long, her climax was already fast approaching. She dug her fingernails into ivory skin as Bellatrix added a second finger, curling her fingers with each thrust. She knew how close Hermione was and didn't want to prolong her climax. Hermione bit into Bellatrix's shoulder at the same time Bellatrix bit into hers, both witches having reached their climax at the same time.
A wave of magic broke over both of them at the same time, snapping as their two magics became one. They lay there, breaths mingling and muscles shaking. Bellatrix rested her weight on Hermione, placing a loving kiss on the younger witch's lips as she removed her fingers, earning a final shudder from Hermione. She draped her arms over the older witch's waist lazily. Wrapping her arms around the Gryffindor, Bellatrix rolled onto her side so she was no longer on top of Hermione. Hermione moved as close as she could to the dark witch, resting her head under her chin, placing a kiss to the hollow of her throat. A contented sigh left the brunette, her eyes falling closed. She hadn't felt tired before but she did now.
"I love you, Bellatrix Black," she whispered against pale skin.
"I love you, too, Hermione le Fay." Bellatrix placed a loving kiss on Hermione's hair, feeling the girl smile softly.
Hermione breathed in the scent of cinnamon and pine as the breathing of the older witch lulled her to sleep. She felt so content with the world. She couldn't imagine a life where she didn't have Bellatrix and she didn't want to. Funny how she never realized she was incomplete until she was whole.
Bellatrix lay there, Hermione tucked against her. There was no going back from this point. Not that either of them would have before. She knew Hermione had fallen asleep and she was nearly there too. She was glad Hermione had no trepidation about their relationship. She couldn't imagine a better soulmate for herself. Hermione knew exactly what she needed and always gave it. For so long, Bellatrix had been afraid she would lose everything to this war, but Hermione gave her hope. They actually stood a chance at winning. Pulling the blanket over the both of them, Bellatrix closed her eyes, her body quickly giving way to sleep.
A knock on the door brought Hermione out of her slumber. Drowsily, she pressed closer to the warmth in front of her, groaning at the idea that she would have to get up. She wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with her witch for the remainder of the day. A knock sounded through the room again and Hermione felt Bellatrix moving to get up. She tightened her hold on the older witch, trying to prolong the inevitable.
"Hermione, it's time to get up. We've slept as long as we can but Cissy won't let us sleep any longer," Bellatrix said, disentangling herself from Hermione's arms and pulling on clothes. Hermione didn't move from her spot, burrowing into the covers to make up for the loss of her witch.
"We'll be right there, Cissy. Someone is being difficult," Bellatrix said after she opened the door, shooting a playful glare towards Hermione.
"And here I thought it was your fault the two of you were not downstairs yet," Narcissa said, raising a brow.
"Make no mistake, it is entirely my fault," Bellatrix said with a grin.
A look of understanding dawned on Narcissa's face. "Be down in five minutes or I will come up here and drag you both down, regardless of your state of dress."
"Of course, Cissy," Bellatrix said as Narcissa turned and walked away. Bellatrix closed the door and walked back to the bed, pulling the covers off the young witch, engaging in a short tug-of-war with the brunette. She won, effectively forcing the Gryffindor to dress or be cold. Bellatrix herself put on her signature corset and skirts. They were ready in three minutes, having stopped several times to give the other gentle kisses. Another two minutes later, they were in the dining room, sitting at the table enjoying breakfast with their family.
Golden Girl Gone Rogue
Last night Hermione le Fay was seen with notorious Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, and other unidentified Death Eaters causing havoc in this journalist's neighborhood. I was able to engage the witches in conversation despite my trepidation of approaching such unstable witches. I came to no harm during the impromptu interview in which the Wizarding World's Golden Girl formally denounced her affiliations with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, instead following the orders of the accompanying Death Eaters.
Dumbledore set down his copy of The Daily Prophet with a frown. He had severely underestimated his control over Hermione. He thought she would overlook Harry hitting her with the Cruciatus curse and forgive the boy. She had been furious in the infirmary, but he thought it would pass. Hermione had never been one to make decisions based on emotions, he knew that. He missed something but he wasn't sure what, couldn't fathom the idea that he didn't have all the pieces. Dumbledore had no idea he had played the largest role in driving Hermione to the Dark Lord's side. Had he told the girl of her heritage she would never have found out about his manipulation of the dark. Lying to her about who cast the curse did not do him any favors. Dumbledore was too prideful to recognize his mistakes in handling Hermione. It would be his downfall.
Harry stared at the newspaper, unable to comprehend what he had read. Hermione was seen with Death Eaters willingly causing chaos. He could hardly believe it but Dumbledore had talked to Rita Skeeter shortly after he had read it. She had confirmed that it was, without a doubt, Hermione. She had not been Imperiused either. He so desperately wanted Hermione to still be good, for her to not be at fault. Hermione was his friend, the brains of the Golden Trio. He needed her. Harry had trouble swallowing the facts but Ron had no trouble. He was loudly proclaiming that he had known there was evil inside her. Sirius, too, had been incredibly satisfied after he read his copy of the Prophet. Harry had no choice but to accept that Hermione was not on his side, nor would she ever be. He knew he played a part in driving her to Voldemort's side. They all did. He would still try, still wanting to believe that Hermione was not lost to the dark.