A/N I forgot in my last A/N to thank korvik93 for Kyndet's name. So, thank you. Yes, it is from Merlin, if you watch the show and were wondering. He will make more appearances in coming chapters. He's just too cute not to.
Hermione
Thank you for finding out the truth about my parents. I wish I could say I'm surprised Dumbledore kept it secret but I'm not. He's lied to all of us and I think it's time we take the truth in our own hands. I have not told my grandmother the truth, I don't think she can handle it. I saw the paper. You and Bellatrix make a great pair. It's kind of obvious. I'm glad you've found happiness. Thankfully, I have not had much contact with the Order, so it is easy to stay neutral. Luna is in my position as well. I imagine Ginny is having a difficult time, she's always been short tempered. The twins are hopefully helpful in keeping her from exploding. Maybe they should prank the Order when they leave. Are you returning to Hogwarts? It won't be safe now that everyone knows.
Neville
Hermione smiled at the letter from Neville. He made some good points about everyone. Perhaps she should inform them of her intention not to return to Hogwarts so they aren't surprised when she isn't there with them. Grabbing a quill and three pieces of parchment, Hermione drafted the same message on all of them.
I will not be returning to Hogwarts at the end of next month. Do not reveal yourselves during the school year. There is a plan in place to be implemented as fast as possible but will likely take most of the school year. I can get you out then if you still wish to follow me. There is a place for all of you among the ranks when the time comes.
H
Hermione tied all three parchments to Ammy's leg, instructing her to deliver one to Neville, Luna, and Ginny or the twins. As she watched her owl fly off, she finished changing for dueling practice with Draco. Bellatrix would be assessing their skill today and Hermione felt her magic buzzing with excitement at the idea of practicing again. She could do with some dueling experience as well. She was strong in terms of power but had always been a lousy dueller. She had improved thanks to the books she had received from the sisters but she hadn't practiced with a real person. Draco would be a good match for her. He was skilled and had decent experience dueling. With Bellatrix teaching them, they would quickly improve. Bellatrix and Draco were in the garden when Hermione arrived. Draco looked as excited as she felt and Bellatrix's eyes glimmered with amusement.
"There you are, Hermione, I was starting to think you weren't ever going to get here," Draco sighed, a smile on his face.
"As if I would ever pass up an opportunity to show off," Hermione said, smirking at the blond.
"Alright, let's get started. I'm sure I don't need to go over the basics so I won't. I will explain the rules, though, since Hermione is new to pureblood customs. We always bow when sparring against another person. The only time you won't bow is if it is a fight with someone intending to do real harm. There will be no lethal spells cast and you will not use wandless or wordless casting. Any damage you do to Cissy's garden you will be responsible for fixing. You start facing each other with enough room to comfortably bow before you turn and take ten paces. Once both of you are facing each other again, the first spell can be cast from that position. After that, you are free to move around all you like. If I tell you to stop, you will and I will fix anything I see wrong. Any questions?"
The two teenagers shook their heads, eager to begin. At Bellatrix's motion to start, they faced each other, excitement visible on their faces before bowing and taking the ten steps away. They regarded each other for a moment, assessing the most likely attack. They were both ready but Hermione was more patient, allowing Draco to send the first spell. She easily deflected it with her wand before sending a Bat-Bogey hex at him. He rolled out of the way and Hermione stepped to the side as a Flipendo flew at her. Channeling her magic, she sent a Confringo, Stupefy, and Expelliarmus in rapid succession at Draco. His Protego deflected the first one and he narrowly avoided the other two, sending a barrage of stunners at Hermione. She had a Protego ready and poured her magic into it to deflect all the spells Draco sent at her. He pressed his attack, looking for an opening to disarm her. Hermione cast a weak Bombarada at the ground between her and Draco, buying herself time to let down her shield and mount her own attack. Sending stunners and jinxes of varying strengths at Draco, she pressed forward, forcing him to move backward. He deflected and dodged as best he could, but Hermione was relentless and he was tiring. He hadn't expected her to have so much magical essence to use. Rolling away from a Stupefy, Draco found himself disarmed as an Expelliarmus hit him.
Draco put his hands up in surrender, panting from exertion and covered in dirt and sweat. Hermione looked more composed than he did. She was still breathing heavily and her face shiny with sweat but she was not covered in dirt as he was and her eyes were gleaming with excitement. Hermione kept her wand pointed at him, not intending to attack but holding her position until Bellatrix gave the signal that the duel was over. Draco let his arms drop when Hermione lowered her wand and handed his back.
"Very good. Both of you. Draco your form was superb, as was your casting but you pushed an attack when you should not have and you tired yourself out, giving Hermione the advantage. Hermione, you have excellent stamina and power but your form could use some work. You are not used to proper duels but certain positions help draw in surrounding energy for spells, allowing your magic to flow better. We can work on that next time. For now, fix the garden before Cissa comes out here and clean the dirt off your face, Draco."
They both nodded, still panting slightly. Bellatrix was proud of the two teenagers. They had both done better than some adults did and had not broken a single rule. By the end of summer, they would both be prepared for real battles. She watched as they repaired the damage to the garden, working well together despite just having dueled. Hermione cast a cleaning charm on Draco to remove all signs of dirt and Bellatrix smiled at her witch's brilliance. It was easy to see that Hermione had great power but she did not seek it, it found her and she used it for such simple things. It was refreshing.
When Draco went back inside, Hermione strolled over to Bellatrix under the willow tree. Bellatrix drew her in by her waist, placing a lingering kiss on her lips. Hermione threaded her fingers into Bellatrix's hair, running her tongue along the dark witch's bottom lip. Bellatrix obliged, momentarily allowing Hermione to dominate the kiss before biting the younger witch's lip and soothing it with her tongue at Hermione's moan.
"I don't think my sister will appreciate if we continue in her garden. Might I suggest a better spot?" Bellatrix husked as she pulled away, trailing bites and kisses down Hermione's neck.
"I find I'm inclined to agree. You are very persuasive," Hermione breathed, tilting her head to give Bellatrix better access to her neck.
"Oh, love, you have no idea just how persuasive I can be." They Disapparated with a crack, appearing in their bedroom. Bellatrix pinned Hermione to the door, biting a particularly sensitive spot at the base of Hermione's throat. Hermione clumsily undid the laces of Bellatrix's corset, throwing it to the side before running hands up pale flesh. Feeling Bellatrix push into her, Hermione flipped their positions, pinning Bellatrix against the door by her hips. Snarling, the dark witch bared her teeth at the girl before relinquishing a moan as the younger witch leaned down, capturing a nipple between her teeth and gently biting it before soothing it with her tongue. She tangled her hands in Hermione's hair, arching into the mouth against her while pushing Hermione closer. Hermione switched to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment before she kissed up the older witch's chest, nipping at her collarbone and neck. Bellatrix sucked in a breath, her head falling back against the door and her eyes closing as Hermione worked to rid her of her skirts. Hermione pulled back, admiring the older witch before she found herself pinned to the bed, clothes banished.
Bellatrix grinned at the shock on Hermione's face at the sudden change of position and laughed as she kissed down Hermione's stomach. Hermione inhaled shakily, drawing the dark witch back up with a tug on her hair. She leaned up, biting Bellatrix's bottom lip and tugging it, watching impossibly dark eyes darken at the action before taking advantage of the situation and swiftly changing their positions. She settled between the dark witch's thighs, using her hips to keep Bellatrix in place as she kissed down a pale throat.
"Let me explore you," she whispered, feeling the dark witch shudder as she dragged her teeth along the Azkaban tattoo. Bellatrix's hands were tangled in her hair, gently guiding her.
Hermione kissed her way down pale, toned skin, dipping her tongue into Bellatrix's bellybutton and stopping to nip at her hips. She could feel the warmth coming from the dark witch and reveled in every gasp she elicited from ruby lips. Hermione bit the inside of Bellatrix's thigh, sucking on the skin before soothing it with her tongue. Bellatrix couldn't stop the moan that bubbled from her chest, hands gently trying to guide Hermione where she wanted. Hermione kissed from the inside of her knee up her thigh slowly, teasing the older witch and Bellatrix felt a growl pass her lips at Hermione's actions. Sensing the dark witch's need, Hermione allowed her head to be guided to Bellatrix's center, gently latching onto her clit. She teased it with her teeth, biting gently as she inserted a finger into Bellatrix. The moan that she earned caused wetness to pool between her thighs and Bellatrix saw Hermione's eyes darken. The sight of the young witch between her legs was incredibly alluring and Bellatrix couldn't help the bucking her hips as she inserted another finger and flicked her tongue over her clit. She let her head fall back and eyes close as Hermione continued. Sensing Bellatrix's climax, Hermione added a third finger, simultaneously biting down on the dark witch's clit. With a raw moan, Bellatrix gripped Hermione's hair tightly, arching off the bed as her climax hit. Hermione gradually stopped thrusting, guiding Bellatrix down.
"Hermione," Bellatrix breathed, tugging the young witch up.
"Yes, Bella?" she asked, licking her fingers clean.
"My turn." Bellatrix flipped their positions. She kissed once over Hermione's scar before moving lower. Taking a pink nipple in her mouth, she bit lightly while teasing the other with her thumb. She switched, knowing Hermione was in no mood to be teased. She could feel the heat radiating from Hermione and she ran her fingers through her wet folds, watching as Hermione gasped, her head falling back slightly and her hips bucking. Bellatrix kissed lower, her fingers toying with Hermione's clit before being replaced by her mouth. A raw moan left Hermione at the sensation and she couldn't stop her hips from bucking against the older witch. She looked at Bellatrix, the dark witch holding her hips and firmly settled between her thighs. Her eyes were dark and she gently nipped Hermione's clit.
"Fuck, Bella," Hermione moaned, gripping the sheets in her fists, back arching off the bed. Her eyes closed and her head fell back asleep she climaxed. Bellatrix ran her tongue through Hermione's folds before licking her lips and laying on her side next to Hermione, pulling her close before draping the blanket over them. They were both asleep in a matter of minutes, tucked into each other and nestled under the blankets, expressions of contentment on their faces as their magic swirled in the air. Had anyone been observing, they would have seen the physical manifestation of their magic, a panther and a leopard chasing each other playfully, lovingly.