Draco stood in the Room of Requirement, staring at the Vanishing Cabinet. Hermione had told him the magic was stable on her side and he was going to attempt to begin repairs. He had improved by leaps and bounds under Snape's tutelage but he also knew the Black side of him was sensitive to magical auras. He was nervous but also determined. He knew he needed to complete his part of the task if the grand plan was to be implemented. Draco knew there was no other way the Death Eaters could sneak into the castle undetected. Even using the secret passages from Hogsmeade was too dangerous, they might be seen and recognized and then the castle would be on alert. No, it had to be this way.
Wiping his palms on his robes, Draco slowly inhaled through his nose, releasing it through his mouth. He gripped his wand in his hand, twisting the wood in his hand. Gathering himself, he hesitantly reached out to the cabinet's magic as Snape had taught him. He felt it and was careful not to grab at it with his magic as he had been prone to doing in the beginning. Carefully, he weaved his magic into the cabinet's, slowly using it to repair the most minor damage first. He didn't dare repair more than a tiny portion of the cabinet, too afraid he would deplete all of the magic. He wasn't as in tune with it as Hermione was and he wasn't going to push the fragile connection. With a final exhale, he released the magic of the cabinet, observing the remaining damage. There was still major damage but he could work his way to it. Draco exited the Room of Requirement stealthily, curious to see what Hermione would do at Hogsmeade weekend to 'attempt' to kill Dumbledore.
Andromeda stood in front of her late husband's grave. He had died some years ago but she hadn't taken to visiting. The reminder of the man she had loved had still been too painful. She had her sisters now, though. Not that her husband hadn't been important to her but she had always felt a hole in her chest without her sisters. Now that she had them back she was able to visit Ted's grave. It was plain with a slate headstone and well maintained. Andromeda placed the bundle of flowers in her hand near the tombstone, watching as the rain soaked the yellow and red petals. She remained there for a few minutes longer, forgoing a shielding spell because Ted was buried next to his parents in a Muggle cemetery. He had taught her so much she would never have experienced otherwise and she would honor his memory, just this once. It was time to move on.
"I'll always love you, Ted," she whispered, turning on the spot and Apparating back to her cottage. Drying herself, she waved her wand, watching as her luggage packed itself. She would not be returning to the home she had shared with Ted for so long, the home Nymphadora had grown up in. It was for the best. The Order was no longer where she belonged. She belonged with her sisters, fighting for a truly better future. Shrinking her suitcases, she tucked them into her robes and stood in the yard, memorizing the small house. She would never see it again. No one would.
"Fiendfyre," she cast, setting the limitations for the spell. The flames consumed the place she had called home but she did not stay to watch. Instead, she Apparated to Malfoy Manor, meeting her youngest sister in the entryway. Narcissa smiled faintly at her arrival, hesitantly hugging her older sister. They had a long way to go before things were the way they used to be but it was a start. Andromeda returned the hug, allowing Narcissa to guide her through the Manor. She would be staying at Hermione's castle but she enjoyed the time spent with her sister, even if it was a bit awkward at first. They soon fell into an easy rhythm and conversed with ease.
Hermione sat at her desk, well, Bellatrix's desk but they shared everything. She was finalizing the details of her bogus attempt on Dumbledore's life, wanting to implement her plan on the coming Hogsmeade visit. She still had time but she had always preferred to be more than prepared. Such was the case with her task. It was important no real harm came to anyone but it had to appear to be a threat. Hermione wanted to ensure that no one would accidentally come to harm. The necklace sat on the desk, the centerpiece gleaming wickedly. As she folded it into the bundle of parchment without touching the necklace, she felt hands sneaking over her chest, resting on her breasts and giving a playful squeeze. Hermione leaned back, tilting her head to look up at Bellatrix standing behind her, a smirk on her face.
"Bella, I'm plotting," she chided, smile betraying her.
"Surely you can take a break to spend some time with your evil soulmate?" Bellatrix quirked a brow upward, looking down at Hermione.
"Let me secure the necklace and I promise we can do whatever you want."
"Deal." Bellatrix moved her hands to Hermione's waist, letting the young witch finish securing the necklace. After she placed it in a safe place, she stood from her chair, wrapping her arms around Bellatrix's shoulders and leaning into the dark witch.
"So, what would you have me do?"
"Close your eyes, love. No peeking." Bellatrix's words ghosted over Hermione's lips and she shuddered, staring into black orbs before closing her eyes. Bellatrix closed the distance between them, lovingly kissing Hermione while Apparating them to the waterfall.
Hermione felt magic seal around her but kept her eyes closed until Bellatrix pulled away and whispered, "You can open them now."
Hermione gasped as she took in the sight before her. It was incredible and fantastical, the sun shone on the spray creating a halo of rainbows around the pool of water and it was so impossibly clear. The waterfall itself rose as high as she could see, separating two distinctly covered cliff faces. She marveled at the untouched beauty of the scene in front of her. It was pristine and she could tell it had not seen people frequently. She could tell by the magic that this place was a secret, only accessible if one knew about it.
"Bella, this is amazing. What is this place?" she breathed, mouth agape as she glanced at her dark witch, a smile on her face as she watched Hermione.
"It's ours. Aurion showed it to me when I asked if your family had any traditions. This was the closest thing. Morgana would try to visit every year. Happy Birthday, Hermione."
"Thank you, this is incredible." Hermione pulled Bellatrix into a tight hug, overwhelmed with the love she felt from her soulmate.
"You're incredible, Hermione," Bellatrix whispered. Hermione leaned into the older witch, pressing their lips together in a quick kiss.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get in. I assume that's what we're here for?"
"We're here for much more than that, love. For the rest of the day, you are mine and mine alone." Bellatrix gripped Hermione's hips possessively, voice nearly a growl.
"I can't think of a better birthday present. Would you like to do the honors, or shall I?" Hermione whispered against ruby lips, pulse increasing in anticipation. Bellatrix's eyes were dark and she shivered in excitement as she thought of all the things they could do with their alone time.
Bellatrix didn't respond, instead lifting Hermione and banishing their clothes in one swift movement. Hermione wrapped her legs around Bellatrix's waist as she strode to the pool, unhindered by Hermione's presence. Hermione kissed down Bellatrix's jaw and neck, lingering over the dark witch's tattoo. She frowned slightly before sucking on the skin, leaving a dark purple mark over the ink. She smiled to herself, continuing to Bellatrix's shoulders, taking satisfaction in Bellatrix's sharp inhales. Bellatrix lowered them into the water, surprisingly warm and the two witches sighed contentedly. Hermione pulled away from Bellatrix, freeing herself from the grip before playfully splashing the older witch and ducking underwater and swimming away. Bellatrix's attack missed and she chased Hermione, intent on getting payback for the surprise. She came up behind the younger witch, gripping her waist firmly but not painfully. Hermione squeaked as pale hands encircled her, pulling her flush against Bellatrix's front. She hadn't seen Bellatrix coming from behind her and had been startled at the sudden closeness.
"Do you want to play, love?" Bellatrix husked in her ear, one hand sliding teasingly down to brush over Hermione's clit.
"That depends. What's your definition of play?" Hermione managed, pushing into the witch behind her.
"Well, you started it. But did you start it before we got in or after?" Bellatrix softly bit Hermione's earlobe, applying more pressure to her clit. Hermione moaned, hips bucking slightly and breath coming faster.
"Which one continues this?" Hermione asked, one hand reaching up and tangling in dark curls. Her other hand gripped the arm around her waist.
"That's a good question, love. The answer would be either. You see, I can hardly refuse to give you something you're so in need of. Call it my fatal flaw." Bellatrix smirked, kissing down Hermione's neck. Hermione attempted to turn in the dark witch's grip but Bellatrix held her firmly in place.
"Bella," Hermione panted, grinding into the dark witch, urging her to continue.
"Patience, love. I'll get there, I promise. We have all day," Bellatrix said, removing her hand from between Hermione's legs, running it up a taut stomach instead. Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact, tugging slightly on dark curls. Bellatrix squeezed her waist reassuringly, her free hand gripping Hermione's left breast, teasing the pink nipple with her fingers. Her lips trailed a languid path from behind Hermione's ear to the junction of her neck and shoulder. Hermione's skin was soft and Bellatrix left occasional bites, smirking at the trailing of bruises along the younger witch's neck. Switching sides, Bellatrix repeated the process as she pinched Hermione's nipple before moving to her other breast.
"Bella," Hermione pleaded, begging for more. Bellatrix denied her request, continuing her current ministrations.
"Bella," she growled, more forceful this time. She felt a smile against her skin as Bellatrix slid her hand between her legs, thumb flicking her clit. Hermione sharply inhaled, resting her head against Bellatrix's shoulder as the dark witch continued. Bellatrix sucked the soft flesh of Hermione's pulse point as she slid two fingers inside of Hermione, moaning at the feel of the young witch around her fingers. The thrusting angle was awkward but she kept an even, deep pace. She was purposefully going slow, wanting to hear Hermione beg for more. She detached her lips from Hermione's neck, the arm around the young witch's waist sliding up to brush erect nipples.
"Bella, faster, please," Hermione panted. Bellatrix could feel the last word in her head and she sped her thrusts, quickly feeling the fluttering of Hermione's walls. Flicking the younger witch's clit with her thumb, Bellatrix watched as Hermione's body shook, eyes squeezing shut and breaths coming fast. Slowing her thrusts as Hermione's climax ended, she placed soft kisses down her jaw. Hermione whimpered as Bellatrix removed her fingers, finally able to turn to face the dark witch.
"You are one incredibly talented witch and I am so glad you belong to me," Hermione whispered. Her chest was still heaving slightly and she rested her forehead against Bellatrix's, falling into dark eyes. Bellatrix stared into Hermione's hazel eyes, pupils dilated and shining with delight and desire. Bellatrix couldn't stop the skipping of her heart at the sight of Hermione.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she breathed, mimicking Hermione's earlier words.
"Good, because now it's my turn to render your body entirely useless," Hermione husked, nipping Bellatrix's bottom lip. Bellatrix shivered, resting her hands on Hermione's waist.
"Perhaps we should get out so we don't drown, then."
"That sounds like an excellent idea." Hermione kissed down Bellatrix's neck, Apparating them to the door of the cottage. Bellatrix opened the door, the two witches nearly falling inside. Hermione pinned Bellatrix against the wall, lips ghosting over pale skin. Cold stone bit into Bellatrix's back but she was too focused on Hermione to even notice. Dark hazel eyes met hers as Hermione lowered, sinking to her knees and trailing kisses up Bellatrix's thighs. Bellatrix inhaled sharply at the sight, hands gripping Hermione's hair.
"Fuck," she whispered as Hermione held her gaze, taking her clit between her lips. Hermione ran her tongue through Bellatrix's folds, moaning at the taste. Bellatrix leaned her head back against the wall, one leg over Hermione's shoulder at the younger witch's insistence. All she could feel was Hermione between her legs, teeth toying with her clit and tongue making the occasional trip through her folds. Her breaths came faster as she approached her climax, gripping Hermione's hair tighter. Hermione could feel Bellatrix's impending climax and she bit down on Bellatrix's clit, satisfied when she moaned, legs almost giving out. Hermione ran her tongue through Bellatrix's folds for the final time, steadying Bellatrix with hands on her hips as she rose to her feet.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Bella," she whispered, watching as her soulmate's eyes opened. Bellatrix smiled, pulling Hermione flush against her and not moving from the stone wall.