A/N So sorry for the wait! I really wanted to get this chapter right and I've been working on editing it for several hours. I look forward to posting tommorrow and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Hermione woke up before the sun rose, looking around the dark room. Bellatrix wasn't next to her but the spot was still warm, so she couldn't have been gone long. She sat up, blanket pooling around her waist. She shivered slightly, pulling it around her shoulders and standing from the bed. She padded silently around the room, unsure of where Bellatrix could be. The door creaked open quietly, she almost didn't hear it, but she did and turned to see Bellatrix creeping silently in the room.
"Bella. Where were you?" Hermione asked, wrapping her arms around Bellatrix's waist and tucking her head into her neck. She yawned, squeezing the dark witch tightly.
"Just checking on something. Everything okay, love?"
"Mhm," Hermione hummed, nodding slowly. Bellatrix chuckled, guiding Hermione back to bed.
"Come on, Hermione. Let's go back to bed." She gently coaxed the young witch back into bed, sliding in next to her and pulling her close. She hadn't thought Hermione would wake up before she got back but she had felt the need to check on the cave again. She wanted everything to be perfect when she asked Hermione to marry her and couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach at the thought.
"I love you, Bella," Hermione mumbled, placing gentle kisses on Bellatrix's neck.
"I love you, too, Hermione. So much," she whispered back, stroking Hermione's sides.
"Do you want to go to the cottage now?"
"Let's get some more sleep first, love." Bellatrix felt Hermione nod, settling back to sleep.
This time when Hermione woke, the sun was up and Bellatrix was still next to her. Thankfully, the curtains blocked the sunlight, otherwise, it would have been shining right on her face. She slid her hands to Bellatrix's waist, kissing down her jawline to her lips. She took Bellatrix's bottom lip between her teeth, pulling slightly before letting go.
"Bella, wake up," she whispered, sliding her hands up Bellatrix's back.
"I'm awake," she mumbled, squeezing Hermione's hips.
"You don't sound very awake."
"Should I show you how awake I am?"
"I won't object."
"Good. Get dressed, I want to take you somewhere."
"Where?" Hermione asked, not moving from her spot on the bed.
"If you get up I can show you."
"Or you can tell me.
"That would ruin the surprise, love." Bellatrix ushered Hermione up, sliding out of bed herself. "Cissy set something out for you."
Hermione slid out of bed, padding over to the dresser with a plain red dress hanging from the knob. She slipped it on, flicking her wand to make her hair fall in loose curls. She forewent the shoes when she didn't find a pair set out for her. She turned to Bellatrix, eyes roaming over her. Bellatrix was smirking, stepping close to Hermione and spun her, pulling her tightly against her front.
"Close your eyes, my love," she whispered. Hermione's eyes fell closed and Bellatrix gave her a gentle kiss, Apparating them to the cavern. Hermione felt cool stone under her feet, a slight shiver running up her spine. She felt Bellatrix move away slightly but kept her eyes closed. Bellatrix held the ring between her fingers, taking a deep breath. She slowly sank to one knee, chewing her lip in anticipation.
"Hermione," she whispered, voice breaking slightly. Hermione opened her eyes, gasping when she saw Bellatrix.
"Bella," she started.
"Please, let me finish. This is something I need to do." Hermione nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. "Hermione, I can't imagine spending any of my life without you. I know that you will always be with me but I can't ever let you go. So, I have to ask. Hermione le Fay, will you marry me?" Bellatrix held her breath, eyes settled nervously on Hermione.
"Bella, I was going to ask you to marry me today." Hermione sank to her knee in front of Bellatrix, holding out her ring. "You stole my present."
Bellatrix laughed, letting her head fall forward in relief. Hermione smiled, reaching out to tilt Bellatrix's chin up. She was smiling, faint tears on her face. Hermione leaned forward and gently captured ruby lips with her own. Bellatrix reciprocated, resting her hand on Hermione's cheek. Hermione pulled away slowly, a dazed smile on her face.
"Yes," she whispered, leaning her forehead against Bellatrix's. Bellatrix pulled Hermione in for another, more intense kiss. She lightly bit Hermione's bottom lip, sliding her tongue against Hermione's. She pulled away, standing and pulling Hermione to her feet.
"Dance with me," she sang, pulling Hermione against her. She slid the willow branch ring around Hermione's finger, feeling Hermione slide a ring onto her finger. Hermione looked around the cavern for the first time that morning. The sun streamed through the waterfall, illuminating the water like diamonds. Small fairy lights framed the ceiling, casting a warm glow over them. Mistletoe dotted the cavern in bunches and as Bellatrix twirled her, she caught sight of a single rose on a ledge.
"It's beautiful, Bella."
"I had help, but I'm glad you think so."
"It isn't even cold in here."
"I think it's the magical properties of this place. When I was here this morning it wasn't cold either."
"That's what you were doing out of bed?"
"I had to make sure everything would be perfect."
"If it's from you, Bella, it always will be." Hermione halted their dance, pressing her lips to Bellatrix's. "So, what exactly do engaged couples do?"
"It's much easier to demonstrate." Bellatrix nipped Hermione's bottom lip, hands sliding deviously low.
"Show me, then," Hermione breathed, pressing into Bellatrix. Her fingers threaded into dark curls, a teasing grin on her face as she kissed down Bellatrix's jawline. Bellatrix banished their clothes, running her hands up Hermione's sides. Hermione shivered slightly, goosebumps forming in the wake of Bellatrix's hands. She bit Bellatrix's neck lightly, soothing it with her tongue after.
Bellatrix backed Hermione to the cavern wall, dipping her head to capture Hermione's nipple in her mouth. She circled it with her tongue, feeling hands tighten in her hair. Bellatrix bit down softly, trailing her fingers down Hermione's stomach. Hermione's breath hitched and she wrapped a leg around Bellatrix's waist. She arched her back, pushing into Bellatrix's mouth. Bellatrix grinned wolfishly, teasing Hermione's entrance with her fingertips. Hermione moaned, letting her head fall back against the wall.
"Bella," she gasped, urging her lower. She complied, kissing down Hermione's stomach, sliding the younger witch's leg over her shoulder. She slid two fingers into Hermione in a fluid motion, latching onto her clit. She set a steady pace, alternating between bites and teasing Hermione's clit with her tongue. Hermione gripped Bellatrix's curls tightly, her chest heaving. She felt Bellatrix curl her fingers, eliciting loud moans from her mouth. Her climax approached quickly with Bellatrix's skilled fingers and tongue, breaking over her with a final thrust and nip. Bellatrix slowed her pace, letting Hermione ride out her orgasm. She removed her fingers, licking them clean as she stood. Hermione leaned her forehead against Bellatrix's, breath coming in short pants.
"That is what engaged couples do, my love," she whispered, fingers skimming Hermione's waist. Hermione laughed, her head sliding to rest on Bellatrix's shoulder.
"I can't think of much else I'd rather do with you today."
"Good, because I promise by tomorrow you won't be walking normally." Bellatrix winked, pulling Hermione away from the wall and out of the cavern. The slid into the water, the warmth enveloping them. They leaned against the edge, side by side. Their hands were clasped between them and Bellatrix fiddled with Hermione's ring. They basked in the sun, enjoying the nice weather before they had to return to the cold of the Manor.
"Where do you think this place is?"
"I have no idea. Somewhere nice, though. I like it."
"Narcissa would have a fit if we moved here wouldn't she?"
"She likes having people in the Manor. It's too big for the number of people that stay there. It makes it feel more comfortable when she has other people staying with her. Maybe after the war, when things have settled down, we can think about it."
"I hope it ends soon. I'm tired of this, Bella. It's such a stupid war."
"I know, love. We'll get there." Hermione nodded, leaning against Bellatrix's side. She didn't want to think about the war anymore, just wanted to enjoy her soulmate's company for the day.