A/N To start, there were some questions I'd like to address.

I intend for there to be relationships for those loyal to Hermione. I am still debating between a few different options.

Year six will see an escalation but I will not say whether it is the end.

The prophecy (for the most part) covers events that have already happened but there are future events it predicts. I can't reveal more without ruining the story and I could never do that.

The chant Hermione uses in this chapter is in Latin and the translation will be included at the end of the chapter for those that are curious. I used Google Translate so I'm not entirely sure of its accuracy (it won't reverse translate exactly into what I have as the translation but it's close). I will also include the Latin version if anyone wants to compare the translation line by line without having to scroll.

I did a lot of research about the symbolic meaning of different animals in different cultures and I decided on Hermione's Animagus form because it fit the best. From what I gathered, the animal I chose most strongly exhibits perseverance, intelligence, and power which are all traits Hermione has and it works nicely with Bellatrix's.

Your reviews make me so happy (I laughed at the cookie comment).

Alright, I'm done. Read the chapter, enjoy the chapter, whatever.

Hermione,

The Order knows your affiliation. Harry was driving himself mad trying to convince himself it wasn't you. Dumbledore finally got him to stop. They have given up on trying to make you into a spy. They believe you have been with the Death Eaters from the start. We are doing our best to stay neutral but fear it may come out soon. We all want to defend you but we are holding our tongues. We know the castle is safe. Dumbledore is planning something, not sure what it is but be careful. They know you are staying at the Manor, they might be planning a raid but that would be stupid. Death Eaters outnumber and outpower the Order. The twins say hello.

Ginny

Hermione regarded the letter again, opting to share this information with the Dark Lord. He was in the library and Wormtail was standing outside. She bared her teeth at him, despising the pathetic man that had caused them so much trouble in third year. He shrunk back, sucking air through his teeth as he opened the door for her.

"Ah, Hermione. What can I do for you?" the Dark Lord spoke, standing from his seat.

"I apologize, my Lord, if I am keeping you from something. This came for me a few moments ago and I thought it important you be made aware of the situation," she said, bowing and holding out the letter. He took it, eyes scanning over the paper before returning the letter to Hermione.

"Thank you for sharing this development with me. I had expected the Order to discover your affiliations but I had not expected them to be planning something so soon."

"My Lord, if I may?"

"Go ahead."

"Relocate our base to my island. It is not on any maps so everyone can remain there indefinitely. My house elf assured me the property is suitable for inhabitants. If the Aurors come, only the family will be found here. They cannot arrest the Malfoys, Bella, or myself since we have not been charged with any crimes and Bellatrix was cleared of hers."

"I will take this into consideration. It may be wise to change to a lesser-known location in the event that the Order thinks they can take us head-on. Thank you, Hermione. I must go now, enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thank you, my Lord." She bowed as he left the room, opting to stay.

Hermione sat on the floor of the library, back to the couch and Morgana's Animagus guide on her lap. She had read through it three times already but wanted to make sure she had every detail committed to memory before she attempted the transformation. She was stalling, really. Bellatrix had said she was ready at breakfast and she wanted to make sure nothing would go wrong.

"Hermione? Are you in here? Aunt Bella is looking for you." Draco stepped into the room, seeing a flash of brown hair near the couch.

"Hi, Draco," she smiled, clearly caught.

"Hermione, you wouldn't be hiding, would you?" he teased.

"That's a ridiculous assumption, Draco. I was merely reviewing my ancestor's guidebook before beginning."

"Then why are you on the floor?"

"Are you questioning my decisions?" she joked.

"My apologies for doubting you, Ms. le Fay. Shall we?" He offered Hermione his arm.

"We shall, Mr. Malfoy. Will you be joining us for the event?" Hermione asked as she stood, delicately placing her hand on his arm.

"It would be my pleasure."

His lips quirked upward, unable to hold his stoic expression. They both laughed, walking out of the library to the garden. They did not discuss their upcoming task, wanting to enjoy the moment without discussing the future. They could talk about the mission another time, now was the time for light conversation.

"There you are, love. I thought you were hiding from me." Bellatrix smiled, rising from her spot in the shade next to Narcissa.

"I would never hide from you, Bella. I was going over through the book again to make sure I didn't miss anything."

"Are you nervous, Hermione? It's a very intimidating process," Narcissa sympathized, recognizing the anxiety in the girl.

"I'm ready."

"The first time is always the hardest, but you'll be okay. The three of us will be here the whole time," Bellatrix reassured, leading Hermione under the tree.

Hermione took a steadying breath to calm her nerves, sitting cross-legged in the shade. Bellatrix sat directly in front of her, Narcissa was to the left and behind, and Draco was to the right and behind. Placing her hands on her knees, Hermione began the process of her first transformation. She gathered her magic around her, allowing it to be like armor. It would do the molding of her form as she chanted.

"Quod est intus, et facti sunt. Quid ego nunc vidi in omnibus. Et protulit animalis in medio est lux venit," Hermione spoke slowly, repeating it until she felt the sensation of tiny pinpricks through her body. She grit her teeth as the feeling intensified, quickly becoming painful. She could feel her entire body simultaneously stretching and compressing to determine what shape it would take. It took intense focus to keep her breathing under control and her intention clear in her mind. If it slipped, the magical discharge could be devastating.

Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Draco watched the brunette carefully, ready to do whatever they could should Hermione need them to step in and stop the process. They could see Hermione's clenched jaws and tense muscles. Her magic was wrapping her in a transparent cocoon. Nothing was seriously wrong but they stayed on guard in case it did. Magic was unpredictable, especially magic that had not been used for thousands of years. Hermione's magic condensed, becoming more opaque as her shape changed. When the magic faded, a leopard sat where Hermione previously was, tail swishing back and forth.

"Whoa, Hermione, you look awesome!" Draco shouted excitedly. She turned to him, grin looking predatory.

"You should walk around a bit, get acclimated to your new form. Don't push yourself, you can work on it in time," Narcissa suggested. She remembered when Bella had first taken her Animagus form how clumsy she was.

Hermione stood, hesitantly taking a step forward. Her leg nearly gave out before she adjusted. Her gait was lurching at first, unused to the length of her limbs. It only took a few moments for her to adjust, her gait changing from lurching to liquid. She was a natural predator, circling around Draco before pressing her head into his shoulder, repeating the motion with Narcissa and Bellatrix.

"I think that's enough for the day, love. Tomorrow we can go for a walk through the gardens. Do you need me to walk you through turning back?" Bella softly asked.

Hermione sat next to the dark witch, her eyes closing and body shifting back to human form with a slight glimmer. She swayed a bit, drops of sweat sliding down her face at the exertion. Bellatrix reached an arm out to steady her. She remembered how difficult the first transformation was. It took more energy than one realized, and she knew the young witch would try to push herself too hard.

"You alright, Hermione?" Draco asked, ever the concerned gentleman.

"I'm fine. Just a bit tired. I didn't think it would be so exhausting." She leaned against Bellatrix, muscles quivering with the after-effects of transforming.

"That is precisely why we were here, Hermione. You could do with some rest. There is a meeting tonight. Bella, make sure you are both on time," Narcissa said, slightly scolding the two for their near tardiness at breakfast the other day.

"Of course, Cissy. Come on, love. Up you go," Bellatrix said, lifting Hermione. She had no complaint when Bellatrix picked her up and carried her inside, knowing she would not be able to walk properly. She buried her neck in dark curls, breathing the scent of cinnamon and pine.

"Bella, I want a bath," she mumbled.

"I thought you might. That's where I'm taking you."

"You're the best."

"That's what they say," she joked.

"They better not. You're for me only."

"And you are for me only."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Bellatrix smiled, using magic to open their bedroom door and closing it with her foot. Entering the attached bathroom, she set Hermione down, keeping an arm wrapped around her waist while waving her wand to fill the tub. Hermione fumbled with her robes, hands uncooperative. Bellatrix turned to her, gently kissing her as she helped the young witch undress. She guided Hermione down into the tub, pressing kisses on her shoulders as she did so.

"Join me, Bella?" Hermione asked, looking up at the dark witch looking at her, eyes dark. She watched as Bellatrix disrobed, her own eyes darkening. She moved forward as Bellatrix slipped in behind her, feeling arms wrap around her waist and pulling her to the dark witch. With a contented sigh, she leaned her head against the older witch's shoulder, feeling soft kisses on her neck. Turning her head, Hermione captured Bellatrix's lips in a languid kiss. She never felt as at ease as she did when the dark witch was by her side. Hermione broke the kiss, relaxing fully against Bellatrix, breathing deeply.

Bellatrix summoned a bar of soap, bathing Hermione while gently massaging the young witch's muscles. She smiled at the youngest Death Eater, feeling her relax and drift into sleep. When she finished, she lovingly wrapped Hermione in a fluffy towel, drying herself wandlessly as she carried her to the bed, trying not to wake the sleeping girl. She dried Hermione with the towel, using a charm on her bushy hair before dressing herself and Hermione in pajamas. She pulled back the covers and slid the both of them into the bed, discarding the towel. Hermione curled into Bellatrix, who placed a gentle kiss to the girl's forehead, pulling the blanket around them. She quietly summoned a house elf to bring snacks that would be there when Hermione woke. She would be hungry, needing to replenish her energy but for now, she just needed to rest.

Quod est intus, et facti sunt. Quid ego nunc vidi in omnibus. Et protulit animalis in medio est lux venit.

Roughly (very, very roughly): What is within, I become. What I am, now seen by all. The animal inside brought to light.