Fred and George sat in their lab, working on designs for the new Death Eater equipment. They wanted to do their part but weren't suited for battle. They were suited to make products and took it upon themselves to make better armor for the Dark Lord's followers. The battle for Hogwarts and the Ministry would be dangerous and the Death Eaters needed sufficient protection. It was up to them to ensure the safety of the Dark Lord's followers. They had already developed a strong enough material, having stumbled across the idea in one of Morgana's books. Hermione appeared with a pop, making the twins look up from their project.
"Hello, Hermione. You're just in time. Put this on." Fred handed her an outfit, turning back to his brother. They turned around, giving the brunette privacy while she changed.
"Nice to see you, too," she mumbled, securing the arm bracers before bending to tie the boots. The outfit was snug but well made, the material tough but pliable. The pants tucked into boots just over the ankle and the shirt was fitted with short sleeves. The bracers covered her forearms and had a spring-loaded wand holder built in. She tested her movement, finding the material easy to move in.
"Are you done?" George asked, neither turning around yet.
"Yes, What is this made of?"
"We aren't entirely sure. But it's been perfect protection for more volatile experiments. We figured we could apply it to the Death Eaters," they said, turning around.
"Okay, so what do you need me for?"
"We need to make it better for the movement you'll be doing and we want to see how strong it really is. We used a basic design as a template but we've been working on more sophisticated designs."
"Alright, let's get started."
"Stupefy!" George shouted, the spell hitting Hermione square in the chest and dissipating along the material.
"How'd that feel?"
"I didn't really feel anything."
"Bombarada!" Fred cast. Hermione took a small step back from the force but was unharmed, the material again dissipating the spell. Fred and George took turns casting various spells, testing the limits of the outfit they had made. Hermione let them all hit her, feeling the outfit's resistance weaken a bit each time. The spells knocked her back more with every contact until her back was against the wall.
"Stop. It can't take another," she panted, a bit breathless from the force of spells hitting her rapidly. She was certain there would be bruising.
"That's not half bad. A little refining and we can make it even better. Have some water and then we'll see how you move."
"We couldn't have done that before you started throwing spells at me?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not." Fred and George shared a look, shrugging slightly to each other. Hermione drank from the glass on the table, stretching her slightly sore body.
"Let's get this over with," she muttered, looking at the twins. They grinned, instructing her to move as she would if she were dueling but not to actually cast anything. They didn't want to be hit with any of her spells, having experienced a weakened one was enough for them. Hermione shook her muscles loose, nodding at the twins and proceeding to dodge and fend off spells. She went through the motion of casting with her wand as she did so, just to see if the movement felt natural and unhindered. She normally would have been able to duel for a longer period of time, but the impacts of the earlier spells left her feeling drained. She gestured for them to stop, placing her hands on her thighs and leaning over as she caught her breath.
"You alright, 'Mione?"
"Yeah, just tired. Now I know why you didn't want to start with this. It moves nicely, my only issue is when I go to twist my torso it feels like it compresses me. Everything else is fine, I think."
"Yeah, we think it's partly the design. But, we'll have a new one ready tomorrow so come over and we'll see if that fixes the problem." George handed Hermione her clothes, both twins turning away as she changed.
"Ugh, alright. I really wish you had proposed this sooner so I could have a few days to recover."
"Does that even sound like us?"
"Not at all." The trio laughed as Hermione hugged them both before turning on her heel and Disapparating. Bellatrix looked up as Hermione appeared in their bedroom. She was reading some of the books from Hermione's library, stretched out on the bed in a cat-like manner. Hermione hadn't told her what she had been going to do, even though she had asked in a very nice way.
"Hi, love. Did you have fun doing whatever it is I'm not allowed to know about?" Bellatrix asked childishly.
"I wouldn't exactly call it fun. It was productive, though," Hermione said as she toed off her shoes, "Do you want to join me for a bath?"
Bellatrix set her book aside, eyes roaming up Hermione. "How could I ever say no to such an offer?"
"I don't suppose you could."
"Cheeky witch," Bellatrix mumbled, swinging her legs off the edge of the bed. Hermione ignored the comment, walking into their attached bathroom, leaving a trail of clothes in her wake. Bellatrix followed, leaving all her clothes in a heap. Hermione flicked her wand, watching the large tub as it filled with steaming water. She could feel the soreness spreading through her body and the ache was growing uncomfortable. She slid into the large tub as Bellatrix strode into the bathroom, sinking up to her neck. A sigh left her as she rested her head on the edge, eyes closing. She felt the water ripple as Bellatrix slid in next to her. Bellatrix slowly wormed her way behind Hermione, replacing the wall behind the young witch. Hermione hummed, body relaxing with the combination of the hot water and her soulmate's gentle massage.
"I love you, Bellatrix."
"I love you, too, Hermione."
"You know I'd tell you what I was doing if I could?"
"Of course. I want to take you somewhere after our bath."
"It had better be the bed," Hermione mumbled jokingly.
"I had something else in mind but your idea sounds better."
"Like you haven't been in bed all day."
"I'm not there now," Bellatrix whispered, thumbs brushing over Hermione's nipples.
"Fair point," Hermione gasped, hands reaching up to hold Bellatrix's, "not right now, Bella. I'm too sore."
Bellatrix kissed Hermione's cheek tenderly, summoning a bar of soap. She removed her hands from Hermione's, lathering the soap before massaging it into the younger witch's skin. Her fingers deftly worked the knots out of Hermione's shoulders and soothed the ache everywhere else.
"What were you reading when I got back?" Hermione mumbled sleepily.
"It was one of Morgana's journals. It was about her time with the dragons when she was learning magic."
"Sounds interesting. I'm sorry I distracted you from it."
"You are more important than a book, love. Besides, you're never a distraction." Bellatrix summoned towels, two appearing on the floor near her head. She ushered Hermione out, wrapping the young witch in a fluffy towel. She noticed faint bruising on Hermione's ribs but ignored it, knowing Hermione would tell her if it was important.
"If the world knew you were so sweet they definitely wouldn't be so scared of you." Hermione held the towel tight around herself, scooting closer to Bellatrix who was wrapped in her own towel.
"Lucky for me, they're too busy being afraid."
"Lucky for me, too. Bella, do you think Narcissa would object to us spending Christmas Eve away from the Manor?"
"As long as we're home for Christmas we'll be fine. Why?"
"I was thinking we could spend the day and night at the waterfall cottage. Just the two of us."
"That sounds wonderful," Bellatrix said, sliding under the covers, waiting for Hermione to do the same. She wrapped an arm around the young witch, picking her book back up. Hermione read along with her, head resting on Bellatrix's chest, tucked into her side.