A/N Thank you for the attempts at decoding the comment. I have come to the conclusion that it won't make sense no matter what but I appreciate you all for trying. I appreciate you anyway but that's not the point.
I will be doing a double update next weekend. I haven't decided if it will be Saturday or Sunday but it will be one of them. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I just want to give you all a heads up that I might be traveling and I will do my best to update every day but if I miss any, I'll post them all after I return. It will only be a few days but I honestly doubt I'll be too busy to update. I just felt I should let you know. I got an extra hour of sleep last night (thank you time change) so I am feeling great and intend to power through some chapters today. I've consistently been about two weeks ahead but I'm trying to widen the gap or whatever you want to call it. I keep hitting my 50 doc max and it's really frustrating and I have to get rid of older chapters so I can write. Anyway, we now move into today's chapter.
Enjoy!
Bellatrix looked over at Hermione, sleeping peacefully. She still hadn't attempted to try what Aurion told her would work, instead practicing her dueling skills with other Death Eaters. She had improved significantly and Bellatrix felt pride bloom in her chest at her witch's abilities. The Death Eaters thrived around Hermione, enjoying the young girl's presence and ideas. She hadn't expected them to be so open to having Hermione as a Death Eater, let alone their superior but she fit right in among the group. The Death Eaters respected Hermione for her own abilities, not because of Bellatrix. She had proven herself when she took the Cruciatus curse and when she led the raid on Rita Skeeter's neighborhood and the Burrow. The Death Eaters had no problem looking to Hermione for leadership, she had led the Golden Trio and she could lead them.
Bellatrix placed light kisses along Hermione's jaw, hand ghosting over her stomach. Goosebumps rose in its wake and Bellatrix smiled. She didn't want to wake Hermione yet, content to let her sleep a while longer. She would be waking soon enough. Hermione breathed a contented sigh in her sleep, moving closer to Bellatrix. Smiling softly, Bellatrix shifted lower, placing faint bites down Hermione's throat while letting her thumbs brush over Hermione's nipples.
"Bella, what are you doing?" she mumbled, a sleepy smile on her face as she arched into the touch.
"Good morning, love. I just couldn't resist touching you. You're beautiful." She captured a nipple with her lips, sucking softly. Hermione wound her hands into onyx curls, a quiet moan passing her lips.
"Good morning, indeed, you insatiable witch." Hermione pulled Bellatrix up, leaning up to kiss ruby lips. Bellatrix nibbled Hermione's bottom lip, sliding her tongue against Hermione's when the young witch opened her mouth.
Pulling back, she whispered, "You love it."
"I never said I didn't," Hermione gasped as Bellatrix slid a hand between her legs, her fingers brushing against her center. Her hips bucked into the almost touch, back arching as Bellatrix took her other nipple into her mouth.
"Bella," she moaned, hands tightening their grip on her hair.
Bellatrix smirked, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses down Hermione's stomach. She paused as she reached Hermione's clit, breaths ghosting over sensitive skin as she watched Hermione squirm under her. Sensing Hermione's growing impatience, she latched onto her clit, sliding two fingers into her at the same time. Hermione's hips bucked in time to Bellatrix's thrusts, moans falling from her lips, urging Bellatrix on. Bellatrix alternated between gentle bites and flicking her tongue against Hermione's clit, keeping pace with her fingers. Feeling Hermione's impending orgasm, she curled her fingers as she thrust, sucking on Hermione's clit as hands tightened in her hair and Hermione's back arched. Bellatrix continued, allowing Hermione to ride out the waves of pleasure. She tugged at onyx curls, gasping as lips detached and fingers pulled out. She was panting, a light sheen of sweat on her skin. Bellatrix stuck her fingers into her mouth, cleaning them before crawling up Hermione, resting her weight on top of the young witch. Hermione's arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close and burying her face into the dark witch's neck.
"That's not how I anticipated starting the day. I was supposed to give you a birthday present."
"You just did, love," Bellatrix teased.
"I really do have a present for you, Bella," Hermione whispered into dark curls.
"How did you know it's my birthday?"
"I don't know. I can just feel it. This day has always had an unexplainable feeling but it wasn't until I met you that I knew. It feels like you."
"You're such a sap."
"Are you saying you don't want your birthday present?" Hermione asked, pulling away and arching a brow at the dark witch.
"You don't have to give me anything, Hermione."
"Maybe I want to. Get dressed, your present is downstairs." Hermione pecked Bellatrix's lips, gently pushing her off the bed to dress. Bellatrix rolled her eyes, indulging her witch with a small smile on her face. Hermione still surprised her with her thoughtfulness and she couldn't stop the love she felt for the younger witch. She knew Hermione felt it too, arms wrapping around her waist and pressing a kiss to her shoulder before taking her hand and leading her out of the room. Bellatrix followed Hermione, curiosity growing as they descended the stairs. Narcissa was waiting at the bottom, Kyndet just behind her and she couldn't stop the smile that spread on her face when she saw Hermione and her sister. She watched as the two witches reached the bottom, stepping even with her.
"Happy birthday, Bella," she said, giving her sister a hug and quick peck on the cheek. Bellatrix returned the hug, catching sight of Kyndet, her eyes widening and arms falling uselessly to her side. Narcissa stepped to the side, next to Hermione who put a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder. Kyndet approached Bellatrix, tail swishing happily and chirping as he showed off his tail sheath. Bellatrix stared in awe at the black dragonhide adorning his tail, shaped perfectly and beautifully crafted.
"I didn't know what to get you. So I had a sheath made for Kyndet so he can stay in the Manor without stabbing any of us. I know you miss him sometimes so I thought you might enjoy having him around. Narcissa also helped me control his fire-breathing reflex that way he doesn't set anything on fire. And his claws already retract so that wasn't a problem."
Bellatrix cut off Hermione's nervous rant with a tight hug, whispering, "Thank you."
Hermione nodded, cheeks slightly red with embarrassment at her impromptu rant. Narcissa smiled, stifling a laugh, letting the two have their moment. Bellatrix turned to her, repeating the phrase before turning to the dragon, a grin on his face. He loved seeing the two soulmates interact with each other and their family. Noticing Bellatrix's attention, he rose, moving to the witch, perching on her shoulder and wrapping his tail around her arm. He nudged her head with his own before swiveling to Hermione to do the same. They both chuckled, Bellatrix rubbing under his chin and Hermione scratching behind the ridges on his head. He turned to Narcissa, golden eyes meeting hers, saying a silent thank you. She grinned, moving forward when he beckoned her with his head. He pressed into to her, feeling a hesitant hand on his head. He chirped happily, curling around Bellatrix's shoulders, glad to be with his two Mistresses.
"Thanks for your help, Cissa. I couldn't have done it without you," Hermione whispered, leaning back so the blonde would hear her.
"Nothing makes me happier than seeing my family happy, Hermione. I will always help how I can," she whispered back.
Bellatrix smiled at the feeling of her familiar around her shoulders and the snippets of Hermione and Narcissa's conversation. She slid her arm around Hermione's waist, not having to worry about Kyndet's tail stabbing the young witch. Hermione kissed her cheek as Bellatrix beckoned her sister forward, dragging her two favorite witches into the dining room for breakfast. Lucius was waiting for them, eyes widening in mild surprise at the dragon curled around Bellatrix's shoulders. Narcissa had warned him but it was no less shocking. He smiled at the three witches and dragon, finding the expression returned even by Kyndet. They sat at the table, breakfast appearing on the table as they did so. It was a merry affair, both Hermione and Bellatrix in higher spirits. Narcissa and Lucius couldn't help but mirror the happiness of the two witches, feeling much better with their familiar present.
"Hermione, I hope you don't mind but I would like to monopolize Bellatrix's time for the day. We are in need of some sister time together, just the two of us," Narcissa announced as they were finishing breakfast.
"Of course not, Cissa. I understand the importance of family time. I'm going to begin fixing the cabinet today," Hermione said, pecking Bellatrix's cheek as she stood. She felt Kyndet move to her shoulders, understanding that Bellatrix and Narcissa were to be alone today.
"Good luck, Hermione. We know you can do it," Narcissa said, giving Hermione a gentle hug.
"Thank you. Have fun you two." Hermione felt Kyndet press his nose against her neck, laughing at the sensation. She felt his tail curl securely around her arm as she reached to rub his chin. He chirped, settling comfortably on the brunette's shoulders as she walked to the drawing room.
Hermione sat in front of the Vanishing Cabinet, Kyndet moving to sit in her lap. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she reached out to the cabinet with her magic. She felt the tenuous connection, cautiously wrapping her magic around it, allowing them to merge into one. Kyndet weaved his magic into Hermione's, helping the young witch. His magic stabilized hers with the absence of Bellatrix and she used it as a guiding force. Gently, she weaved the cabinet's magic around it, careful not to sever the connection to its twin. With a gentle nudge from Kyndet's magic, she began using the cabinet's magic to repair the physical damage, moving slowly, not wanting to work too quickly and damage the connection. She was perfectly still, concentrating on the cabinet, repairing the least severe damage first. Feeling the cabinet's magic growing tired, she retracted her magic with the help of Kyndet, still on her lap. She was sweating from the exertion, unused to using her magic in such a way. She looked at the cabinet, not looking much better but it was a start. A little bit every day and it would be fixed in a matter of weeks. She summoned the journal she had made for her and Draco, penning a short message to the boy.
Kyndet was proud of Hermione's progress with the cabinet. He knew she had been stressing over repairing it, afraid of severing the connection. She had wielded the magic perfectly, knowing intuitively where to start and when to stop. After she set her journal down, he pushed his head into his stomach, chirping happily. She looked down into his eyes, a grin on her face at her success. He knew it would take time to fully repair the cabinet but it would be easier on Hermione with him here, he could anchor her as Bellatrix did and he could help guide her magic when she needed. She scratched his head, a relieved breath leaving her as the tension melted from her shoulders. She would be able to fix the cabinet without damaging it.
I can fix it. Give me a week to ask Sev to teach you.
Draco smiled at the words that had appeared in his journal. He was glad Hermione had managed to find a way to fix the cabinets without damaging them. He wished he could have been more help but he was better at dealing with problems relating to magical creatures despite the Hippogriff incident a few years ago. He knew the bulk of their task had rested on Hermione's ability to find a way to fix the cabinets without damaging the connection. She had been stressing out about it since she initially studied it. The cost of failure was too high, they both knew this.
Glad you figured it out, sorry I wasn't much help. Had a chance to look at the cabinet in RoR, not as damaged as yours. Will not take long once Sev teaches me.