A/N Dear guest, I hope you remember what you were going to say. I don't remember if I've edited this chapter but I'm pretty sure I have all of them done. Except the chapter I'm currently working on because it's not finished. Obviously. Enjoy!
Hermione and Tonks wandered through Muggle London. It was a nice change of pace, both witches were growing bored of the few properties they could safely be. Muggle London was their best chance of enjoying a day out without being recognized. Hermione, especially, had to be cautious going out. She was now a known Death Eater but she still had no criminal charges. Tonks was suspected to have ties to the Dark Lord because of her defection from the Order but nothing could be confirmed. Being seen with Hermione would give her away.
"Hermione, how did you know you liked my aunt?"
"I don't know. I mean we were exchanging letters for a bit and it always made me feel joy whenever I received one from here. And when I met her for the first time, there was this pull, I guess? It's difficult to explain. I just felt better when I was around her or when she would write to me even if the circumstances were horrible. Like at the Ministry. When Harry Crucioed me I wasn't worried because Bella was there with me. I wasn't very aware of what was happening but I could feel her magic and I knew I was okay."
"Yeah, I guess you're a special circumstance."
"Everything alright, Tonks?"
"It's just-I don't know. I never really thought about liking another person in a romantic way but," she trailed off, not sure how to continue.
"You find yourself liking someone and you aren't sure if they like you back?"
"Something like that," Tonks mumbled.
Hermione studied the metamorphmagus for a few moments before asking, "It's Ginny, isn't it?"
"What?! She's underage, that's ridiculous! It would be so wrong if I ever tried to be with her, regardless of how much I want to!" Tonks quickly clamped her mouth shut, eyes widening at what she had admitted. Her cheeks reddened, and her hair had streaks of bright pink scattered through the purple. She knew Hermione had caught the slip-up, there was no way she could have missed it.
"It's okay, Tonks. I'm not sure if you've noticed but Bella is almost thirty years older than I am. Ginny is only a few years younger than you. Besides, she likes you, too," Hermione said, lightly elbowing her companion. She watched a small smile appear on Tonks's face.
"She does?"
"Yes. I've only seen you two together a few times but it's obvious. Anyway, you can date her, you just can't do more than that until she's of age. We're about to create a new world, the rules are bound to change. Everything will work out."
"I guess you're right. You're wise for your age."
"Bella has said something along those lines before," Hermione said, a smile on her face.
"I got a letter from mum. She's getting fed up with dealing with the Order. I think she misses her sisters, too. After so long thinking they hate her she finally knows the truth. Now that Ginny is at school she only has Snape but he's at Hogwarts most of the time. She doesn't really have anyone to talk to."
"You should tell her to leave them. It doesn't make sense for her to be there any longer, especially if she's lonely. I know Bella and Cissa would love to see her again. They would probably make her stay at the Manor for a while so they can catch up. Now that Draco is at Hogwarts Cissa could do with some company and it would be nice to see them all together at last."
"I'll be sure to write her. She'll maybe want to stay at your Castle. She's used to having her own space but it's easy enough to visit. You and I can spend more time together, too."
"That would be nice. It's a bit strange to hang out with people closer to my own age after spending most of the summer with Death Eaters. Speaking of, are you joining us on the bridge mission?"'
"No, I'm to refrain from missions so I can get my Auror position back. The Dark Lord said he would pull some strings but I'll be tipping him off to whatever I can."
"Have you taken the Mark?"
"No. He suggested I wait so my position isn't jeopardized. I swore a vow, though."
"That's good. We should get back. I can feel Bella tugging on my magic and I've had my fill of being out."
Tonks took Hermione's arm, the two witches stepping onto an empty side street and Apparating to Malfoy Manor. Tonks Disapparated, leaving Hermione to follow the tug on her magic. Bellatrix was in the garden under the willow tree. She was on her back, arms under her head and her eyes were closed. Hermione observed the profile of her soulmate, taking in the regal planes of her face and the gentle pout of her lips. Hermione quietly approached even though she knew Bellatrix could feel her. Hermione lied down on her stomach, chin resting on her arms. She looked at the dark witch, eyes roaming over pale skin, waiting for Bellatrix to speak.
Hello, love. Did you have a nice time away from the Manor? Hermione felt Bellatrix's words, placing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Yes. I missed you, though. Is everything okay? Bellatrix turned her head to Hermione, eyes fluttering open. Hermione watched in awe of the full lashes framing dark eyes. Bellatrix smiled gently.
"You're so sweet. I missed you, too. Everything is fine, I just wanted you back."
"Bella, you silly witch." Hermione laughed, kissing Bellatrix soundly. Bellatrix pulled Hermione on top of her, the young witch settling comfortably on the dark witch's hips. Bellatrix took Hermione's bottom lip between her teeth, biting gently before sliding her tongue into the young witch's mouth. Hermione stroked Bellatrix's tongue with her own, grinding down into the older witch. Bellatrix pulled away, resting her head in the grass as Hermione rested her head on her shoulder. Even such a simple act took their breath away and they loved every moment of it. Bellatrix inhaled deeply the walnut and rain scent of Hermione, running her hands lazily up and down Hermione's sides.
"I love you," she whispered, looking up at the blue sky. Hermione couldn't fight the happy blush that colored her cheeks, burrowing into dark curls.
"I love you, too," Hermione whispered back, placing a soft kiss on Bellatrix's Azkaban tattoo. She would never allow that place to hold her soulmate again, even if she had to destroy it herself. The two witches could feel their magic dancing together, no longer two separate entities but identical opposites melded perfectly together. They were in such perfect harmony with each other even their hearts beat in synchronization.
"My father was a horrible man. He was prone to fits of rage so intense I'm surprised he never killed me. I say me because I would always take the blame for what my sisters did. I didn't want them to experience that, couldn't let that man beat them. Andy and Cissy learned quickly what angered him and what wouldn't. We all did. But there were still times where he just needed to be angry and violent and I would do something just to make sure his attention was on me and not on them. Our mother never stepped in because she was raised to be an accessory. A pureblood witch is nothing more than her husband's incubator. I always hated it, I still do. I want to make sure that society never sees the light of day again."
"You're incredible, Bella. I'm so proud of you for protecting your family and working to do what you think is right." Hermione placed a gentle kiss on Bellatrix's lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away. The dark witch's eyes were watery, the intense depths swimming with remembered pain. Hermione placed soft kisses on Bellatrix's cheeks, lovingly running her hands up her sides. Bellatrix reversed their positions easily, smiling at the laugh from Hermione. She always knew how to make the world a brighter, better. Bellatrix tickled Hermione's sides, not stopping until the young witch was gasping for air between pleas.