A/N Happy Monday, everyone! Or if it isn't happy I hope this makes it a little bit better. I have news! I will not be traveling for Thanksgiving (my friend is sick and I'm not having it) so you don't have to worry about missed updates. Hooray!
Darkshadow-Lord: Minerva will, in effect, be a 'neutral' party in the war. She isn't on either side and she doesn't seem to support one over the over. She's kind of a confidant of both Dumbledore and Hermione, but she doesn't betray either of them. Dumbledore doesn't know Minerva is aware of the whole Hermione situation so he still tells her stuff and she, being the caring mentor she is, will still be a mentor of sorts for Hermione and she'll try to keep her safe because she cares about her. That's the best explanation I can really give for right now.
Kyndet perched on Hermione's shoulders as she browsed her castle library. She was looking for anything she could find on Horcruxes because she was sure Morgana would have something. She hadn't found anything yet but there were plenty of books to look through. Andromeda sat on the couch, watching Kyndet's tail swing back and forth lazily. The first time she saw the dragon he had startled her but he was calm and sweet, the perfect familiar for Hermione and her sister. His happy chirps and playful nudges made both witches smile and he settled them when they were apart.
What do you know of Horcruxes, Kyndet? Hermione asked, skimming the titles in front of her. They were all relating to potions and she sighed, scratching under her familiar's chin.
No more than you. It is a magic dragons have no use for. We do not delve into magic created by humans.
"Aurion," Hermione called, growing frustrated with her lack of results.
"How can I help you, Hermione?" he asked, appearing with a pop. Andromeda's eyes widened, mouth falling open as she stared at the elf in the library. Not a house elf, an elf elf.
"A real elf? How? What?" she stumbled, unable to form a complete sentence.
"Andy this is Aurion, Aurion this is Andromeda, one of Bella's sisters," Hermione said, introducing the two.
"Hello, Andromeda. Yes, I am a real elf. We can discuss the details later if you wish," he said, turning and giving a slight bow. Andromeda nodded, mouth still open.
"Do you know if there are any books relating to Horcruxes in here?" she asked when he turned back to her.
"Hmm. I believe so. Just a moment." Aurion turned to the shelves, tapping his index finger against his chin as he examined them carefully. He pulled a few books from the shelves, studying them carefully before putting them back or setting them on the table. Andromeda watched the thin humanoid as he moved around the room, still in awe of seeing a real elf. The opportunity to learn from him was one she couldn't refuse if he consented.
"Sorry, Andy. I forgot to tell you," Hermione said, watching the older witch observe Aurion.
"It's okay. I just wasn't aware there were any real elves left."
"I am the last of my kind. I masqueraded as a house elf for many centuries but it is good to be in my true form once again. I swore a life vow to serve the le Fay house and have maintained all of the properties while waiting for the heir," he explained, turning to Andromeda and placing the book in his hand on the table.
"Thank you, Aurion. I'll be heading back to the Manor but if there are any more just send them over," Hermione said, picking up the three books on the table and Apparating home.
Setting the books down on her desk, she glanced at the bed, seeing Bellatrix napping under the covers. Moving quietly with a smile on her face, she stood at the foot of her bed, nudging her shoes off. Climbing onto the bed, she slowly crawled up the length of Bellatrix's body. Hovering over the dark with, she leaned down and placed kisses from her temple to her chin, following the planes of Bellatrix's face.
"Bella," she whispered in a sing-song voice, "I know you're awake, I can see your smile." Bellatrix's smile grew, unable to keep up her ruse. Turning onto her back, she grabbed Hermione's waist, pulling the young witch down.
"Never could fool you, love," she said, smiling at Hermione's laugh. The sound was light and happy and Bellatrix couldn't get enough of the young witch.
"Nope," Hermione whispered, popping the 'p' and pulling Bellatrix's earlobe with her teeth. She settled comfortably on the dark witch's hips, trailing gentle bites down an ivory neck. Bellatrix hummed, tilting her head and sliding her hands up Hermione's back, burying her hands in her brown hair. Hermione's hands skimmed her sides, tracing the faint scar from the attack. She ran her thumbs over Bellatrix's nipples, feeling them harden at the touch.
"Hermione," Bellatrix gasped, "What are you doing, love?"
"Well, I was thinking now that you're fully recovered we could celebrate," Hermione said playfully, latching onto a pert nipple, looking up at Bellatrix through her eyelashes.
"Fuck," Bellatrix whispered, grip tightening on Hermione's hair. Hermione's eyes were dark and Bellatrix could feel the growing wetness between her legs. Her back arched as Hermione gently bit down, soothing it with her tongue. Smirking, Hermione kissed her way to the other nipple, giving it the same treatment. She slid a hand along the inside of Bellatrix's thigh moaning at the wetness she found. Bellatrix's hips bucked as Hermione ran her fingers through her folds, gasping at the sensation. Hermione moved so she was between Bellatrix's legs, teasing her clit with her thumb, leaving open-mouthed kisses from her navel to her hip. Bellatrix exhaled shakily as Hermione's warm breath spread across her thighs, eyes falling closed.
"Bella, look at me," Hermione whispered, punctuating her sentence with a teasing kiss. Bellatrix opened her eyes, moaning as Hermione latched onto her clit, gripping her hip with her free hand. She slowly slid two fingers into the dark witch, curling herthem slightly as she flicked her tongue against her clit. Hermione smirked against Bellatrix as she watched the dark witch struggle to keep her eyes open.
"Fuck, Hermione, more" Bellatrix breathed, fingers gripping Hermione's hair tightly, tugging insistently. Hermione obliged, sliding a third finger into Bellatrix without breaking her pace. Bellatrix panted, feeling her impending orgasm and struggling to keep her eyes open to look at the young witch settled between her legs. Her hips bucked wildly as Hermione sped her thrusts, curling her fingers each time. She knew the dark witch was close and softly bit down on Bellatrix's clit as she thrust her fingers deep into her. Bellatrix's walls fluttered as her climax hit, the dark witch arching her back and muttering as she rode out the pleasure. Hermione released Bellatrix's clit, continuing her thrusts as she kissed her way up the body beneath her.
"You're so beautiful, Bella," she breathed, kissing the length of her newest scar. Bellatrix's breath hitched, not having a chance to recover from her first climax. Hermione didn't stop, relentless fingers hitting their target with each thrust, quickly bringing Bellatrix to her second climax. Hermione swallowed her moans in a kiss, stroking Bellatrix's tongue with her own. She broke the kiss, removing her fingers and bringing them to her mouth, licking them clean. Bellatrix's breaths came fast, chest rising and falling quickly as she struggled to regain her senses. She felt soft kisses along her jaw as hands rested on her hips, absently caressing ivory skin.
"You sure know how to throw a party, love," she panted, opening her eyes and draping her arms around a lithe waist.
"Only for you. You should go back to sleep."
"Not when you're still fully dressed and conscious, little witch," Bellatrix said playfully, banishing Hermione's clothes as she reversed their positions. She latched onto a pink nipple, running her tongue over the sensitive flesh.
"Bella, I have work to do," Hermione managed, squirming slightly.
"So do I," Bellatrix husked, trailing kisses across Hermione's chest. Her fingers caressed the inside of Hermione's thigh, working their way to her center. Bellatrix could feel the heat radiating from her. Hermione ran her hands over Bellatrix's back, gripping her shoulders. Bellatrix quickly thrust two fingers into Hermione, basking in the raw moan as she bit down on the exposed throat. Her pace was fast and Hermione reached her climax quickly but Bellatrix didn't stop, taking Hermione as high as she had been before guiding her back down. Bellatrix flicked her tongue over sweat covered skin, removing her fingers from Hermione's center. The young witch pulled Bellatrix flat against her, nuzzling into the dark witch's neck, arms draped over her shoulders. Bellatrix chuckled, rolling them on their sides as her arms snaked around Hermione's waist.
"I love you, Bellatrix," Hermione whispered, kissing her Azkaban tattoo.
"I love you, too, Hermione."
"I still have to do work," she muttered, not moving from her spot.
"Let's get to it, then. We can work in bed, it's just reading," Bellatrix said, waving her hand to levitate the books over to them. Hermione sighed, sitting up as she chose a book at random. Bellatrix sat beside her, their hips touching. The blanket pooled around their waists and they couldn't help but glance over at the other every few moments.
The Nature of the Soul
I have spent many long years searching for what humans have dubbed a soul. There have been many sleepless nights where I ponder what it is and where it is. Do other creatures possess it, or is it unique to humans? Arthur believed only humans have one but I have spent time with dragons and other various creatures and I believe it is in all living beings. There is a faint glow around everything alive. Meithis says what I'm seeing is the soul. I have done as much research possible and I think that the soul is magic. Or, more accurately, magic is a physical manifestation of the soul. Beings and creatures that are 'magical' are using their soul to manipulate the environment. It is always dispersed and returned to the body of the caster once the spell is complete. Some spells require continual energy from the soul making it temporarily incomplete. The soul will always strive to be whole, any process I have tried to permanently separate the soul has failed. Sometimes it is a lengthy process to rebind the soul to the host but it can be done. It may take several days but it is a simple process.
"Hermione, I think I found something," Bellatrix whispered, holding the book in front of Hermione. She read the passage, eyebrows raising slightly.
"Is this Morgana's journal?" she asked, abandoning the book in her hand.
"It sounds like it. If I remember correctly Meithis is the dragon that gave my family magic."
"But if magic is the soul then how would it be given?"
"Perhaps the dragon gave away a part of its soul? Or, maybe he pulled my ancestor's soul out until he could use magic?"
"I suppose," Hermione frowned, "Do you think when the other Horcruxes were destroyed the Dark Lord's soul fragments returned?"
"It's entirely possible. He has seemed different from before. The partial return of his soul could explain the change in our goals and tactics."
"Let's see what else we can find. I'm sure there's more in here."
Bellatrix nodded in agreement and the two continued their search, making note of anything of importance. Having found something had given them the energy they needed to actually work rather than procrastinating with light caresses and lingering glances. They poured over the tomes for hours, thoroughly examining them for any mention of Horcruxes or the soul. They found more information than they expected on the subjects and were excited to share the good news with the Dark Lord when they saw him again.