A/N So, I know this is a bit later than my usual posting but this chapter is on the longer side. I hope it was worth the wait.
"Narcissa, what did you use those fire salamander eggs for?" Hermione asked, stirring a potion as Narcissa added ingredients.
"I haven't used them yet, but do you remember the potion for burns we were discussing?" Narcissa opened her hands over the cauldron, dropping small pieces of one of the roots she had collected from Hermione's garden. The liquid in the cauldron turned bright orange and Narcissa took that as a sign she was on the right track.
"Yes. You plan to use the eggs?" Hermione changed the direction she was stirring at Narcissa's gesture, watching the bright orange liquid darken into an almost red color.
"I think if I pair the root with the eggs, and a few other ingredients, we'll have a potion that can cure even burn scars."
"That's amazing. How do we test it?"
"I do hope you don't mind, but I'm going to need to inflict a small burn on you. The potion will need to sit for a week or so before it's ready. That should be enough time to scar." Narcissa cracked an egg into the cauldron, indicating for Hermione to stir slowly. She watched as the potion turned yellow. Frowning, Narcissa cracked another egg into the cauldron. The potion turned blue and she smiled.
"Whatever you need, Cissa. Is it ready?"
"Not quite," Narcissa said, adding a splash of dittany, "There." The potion settled on a dark blue color and Hermione stopped stirring, lining up a few glass bottles. Narcissa hefted the cauldron, pouring the potion into five separate bottles. Hermione put a cork stopper in each, moving them to the darkest part of the room.
"Cissa, can you do something for me?"
"What is it, Hermione?"
"Well, Draco and I managed to get the bird through alive. We both agree that the magic is strong enough and stable enough to transport a human. It can't be him because he doesn't have anyone to send him through, but you can send me through." Hermione sat on the worktable, holding her arm out to Narcissa. The blonde witch held her by the wrist, gentle and steady.
"Are you sure it's safe?"
"I have no idea, but we need to find out. This is the only way I can think of, and I can't ask anyone else to go through." Hermione winced as Narcissa pressed the tip of her wand to her arm, leaving a small circular burn.
"When?" Narcissa rubbed her thumb over the burn, placing a weak numbing charm over it.
"I'm not sure. We haven't really worked up the guts to try it yet."
"There is no shame in being afraid. There is still time. When you're ready, I'll send you through." Narcissa released Hermione's wrist, arm falling to her side.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, hugging the blonde witch.
"Whatever you need, Hermione." The words hung in the air, an echo of Hermione's. Narcissa held the younger witch tightly, afraid of what might happen if the cabinet wasn't safe. She tried not to think about it.
"Are you ready for the meeting?" Hermione asked, pulling out of the hug. Narcissa nodded, a lump in her throat. Hermione gave so much so they might have a chance in the war and Narcissa feared she might give too much. Hermione slid off the table, standing in front of Narcissa. The blonde witch held out her arm, Apparating them when Hermione's hand grasped it firmly. Bellatrix was already waiting for them, sweeping Hermione into a hug before she even knew what was happening. Narcissa smiled, dismal thoughts driven from her mind for the moment.
"Bella put me down," Hermione protested, struggling to break the dark witch's grip so she could properly hug her.
"Why would I ever do such a thing?"
"So I can hug you, silly."
"Fine," Bellatrix huffed, setting Hermione on the floor. Arms wrapped around her waist and Bellatrix rested her arms on Hermione's shoulders.
"Do you know what the meeting is about?" Narcissa asked, smiling at the two witches.
"No idea," Bellatrix said, letting Hermione go and hugging her sister. Narcissa kissed her sister on the cheek, returning the hug.
"I hope it's a raid," Hermione whispered, catching Bellatrix's eye. The dark orbs glinted with amusement and Bellatrix winked in her direction. Hermione grinned, her heart skipping a beat. Bellatrix smirked, releasing her sister and guiding the two witches to the dining room. They took their seats, masks on the table in front of them.
"Looks like you might be right, love," Bellatrix whispered in her ear.
"You knew the whole time, didn't you?" Hermione whispered. Bellatrix nodded furtively, biting her lip in excitement. Hermione laughed softly, turning her attention to the Dark Lord, who had just entered. He sat at the head of the table, looking over his Death Eaters and loyal followers.
"My friends, I have exciting news for you. Tonight there will be a raid on Diagon Alley. Hermione and Bellatrix will lead the raid. It is my understanding that Ollivander's is not to be harmed." The Dark Lord looked at Hermione for confirmation. She nodded once, grinning excitedly. "Ollivander's is to be left alone, anything else is at your discretion. No killing."
"Yes, my Lord," they chorused. They rose from the table to prepare for the raid.
"Narcissa, I'd like to talk to you about the wedding while we wait."
"Of course, my Lord."
Bellatrix and Hermione donned their new outfits for the first official time. Anticipation curled around them, tangible in the air between them as they dressed. The deep red of Bellatrix's outfit complimented her lips perfectly and Hermione couldn't resist the urge to lean over and claim them. Bellatrix gripped her hips tightly, pulling Hermione roughly to her. She bit the young witch's lower lip, pulling it gently with her teeth. She slid the younger witch's mask into place after a chaste kiss, fingers brushing just over Hermione's heart.
"Promise you'll be safe tonight?" the dark witch whispered, staring into the eye slots on the mask.
"Only if you promise to do the same," Hermione whispered back, caressing Bellatrix's cheek with her hand.
"I promise." Bellatrix leaned into the hand on her cheek, closing her eyes and pressing a kiss to Hermione's wrist.
"So do I." Hermione withdrew her hand, sliding Bellatrix's mask into place. They pulled their red hoods into place, linking arms and Apparating back to the island. The stood in the garden, formidable and deadly. The Death Eaters gathered around them one by one, waiting for the command to leave. Bellatrix waited for Hermione to Apparate them, the two witches looking out over the Death Eaters. They all loved their new outfits. Not only did they fit better than their old ones, they offered more protection, too. Hermione steeled herself, trying not to get lost in the magic in the air. Bright whorls of color wove through the air and her eyes unconsciously followed them. It didn't hurt to see them anymore but it still awed her. With a final steadying breath, Hermione Apparated Bellatrix and herself to Diagon Alley, the others following right behind her.
The Death Eaters prowled through the streets, led by Hermione and Bellatrix. They stunned any pedestrians they came across but refrained from doing lethal damage. Rain dripped from the sky but the Dark Lord's followers paid it no mind. They sent hexes into walls, reducing them to rubble. The walkway was no safer, parts of it blasted to dust by powerful spells. Hermione and Bellatrix split, the latter taking to the air with half of the Death Eaters. The others remained with Hermione, following her as their compatriots rained spells from above. Ollivander's was left untouched, the only one without any major damage. Hermione heard footsteps that did not belong to the Death Eaters, halting her progress as a group of people approached. Aurors. They fired spells at the Death Eaters, all redirected by Hermione with ease. The light surrounding them was faint compared to the Death Eaters and Hermione knew they stood no chance. From above, she faintly heard the sounds of battle. Bellatrix's adrenaline was potent and she could feel the dark witch's excitement pounding in her veins.
Hermione ordered her Death Eaters to hold their position, advancing on the group of Aurors. She counted five, and she stopped a few feet away, waiting for them to make the first move. She wanted to toy with them. The first spell came from the youngest looking one and she easily brushed it aside. She heard it impact a wall nearby. Broken out of their trance, the other Aurors began firing spells at Hermione. She cast them away with a proficiency only Bellatrix could match. The Aurors faltered, spells weakening and Hermione allowed one to brush past her instead of evading it. With renewed hope, the Aurors began casting with newfound vigor. They just needed one good shot and they could take out the rest of the Death Eaters. Hermione felt the rush of battle in her veins and she struck hard and fast. She was a flurry of motion the Aurors couldn't hope to track. Her spells connected, all stunners, right in their chests. They were knocked backward several feet but not entirely out of the fight yet. Hermione advanced, sending another wave of stunners at the Aurors. This time, the Aurors crumpled to the ground, alive but unconscious. Hermione waved her hand for the Death Eaters to continue the onslaught.
Bellatrix was a black streak through the air. Laughter followed her as she flung stunners at the Aurors around her. Their unconscious forms impacted the ground and rooftops. They were all alive, of course. She was only sending weak stunners their way. It wasn't her fault they lacked proper training for battle. She observed Hermione as she fought, the red of the young witch's uniform making her easy to spot. She was flinging spells aside with practiced ease and Bellatrix felt pride bloom in her chest. She turned her attention back to the Aurors in the sky, dodging spells and sending her own at them. They didn't always find their target but she had time. Laughing madly, Bellatrix sent another flurry of spells at the remaining Aurors. The other airborne Death Eaters were engaging some, but mostly, they were continuing to wreak havoc on the alley. As the last Auror fell from the sky, Bellatrix shouted with glee. She resumed the destruction of the alley, leaving Ollivander's alone.
Hermione stopped as she reached the end of the alley. Bellatrix landed beside her, the other Death Eaters falling into position. Hermione's mask hid her smile but she knew Bellatrix could feel it. They turned to face the Death Eaters and Hermione raised her wand to the sky. Magic shot from the tip without a word, the Dark Mark appearing in the sky. She could feel the buzz of magic around her, could actually see it. Her breaths came in pants, from exertion and excitement. She grabbed Bellatrix's arm roughly, not that the dark witch minded, and Apparated back to the island. The other Death Eaters appeared moments after they did, filing into the dining room. They all took their places at the table, albeit restlessly. Narcissa and the Dark Lord already there.
Removing her mask, Hermione began, "My Lord, the mission was a success. Diagon Alley has been sufficiently damaged, aside from Ollivander's. Aurors made an appearance but they were no threat to us."
"Excellent. You have done well. You are all dismissed." The Dark Lord waved his hand, sensing the pent-up energy in his followers.
Hermione and Bellatrix stood eagerly, both of their masks on the table. Bellatrix swiftly Apparated them to their room in the Manor, pressing Hermione against the door. Their entire bodies melded together and if it weren't for their clothes, neither witch would've been able to tell where theirs ended and the other's began. Bellatrix's lips ghosted over Hermione's neck, hands gripping hips tightly. She could feel the pulse of Hermione's artery and she closed her lips over it, sucking the flesh into her mouth. Hermione gasped, pushing into Bellatrix and her hands tangling into dark curls. She tugged, earning an appreciative moan from Bellatrix. She could feel the vibration in her entire body, and she banished both of their clothes. Bellatrix pressed closer to Hermione, feeling a hand leave her hair and travel over her back. Hermione's nails left red lines in their wake but Bellatrix's mind barely registered it. Bellatrix released Hermione's neck, admiring the deep purple bruise she had left.
Hermione took the opportunity to drive Bellatrix toward the bed, leaving bite marks across the dark witch's collarbones. Bellatrix's knees hit the back of the bed and she quickly reversed their positions. Hermione found herself on her back on the bed, Bellatrix straddling her hips and her eyes raking over her torso. Hermione felt her skin flush, and she slid her hands over Bellatrix's sides. The dark witch leaned forward, capturing Hermione's earlobe between her teeth. Hermione moaned, hips bucking into Bellatrix. She could feel Bellatrix's own wetness against her skin and her hips bucked again.
"Tonight, you are all mine," Bellatrix husked. She kissed a path down Hermione's neck and collarbones, stopping at the scar on her chest. She traced the lines with her tongue, pattern already memorized by her fingers. Hermione tangled her hands in ebony curls again, arching her chest into Bellatrix's mouth. She was slowly coming back to herself, every bite, every caress, drawing her more solidly into her body. Bellatrix couldn't tell the difference between Hermione's body and her own, only focused on the skin in her mouth, under her hands. Salt lingered on her tongue, mixing with walnut and rain and she closed a mouth around Hermione's nipple, biting and sucking. Somewhere outside of herself she heard a moan, felt hands tighten in her hair. Hips bucked into her and she resisted the urge to rock against them.
"Bella," Hermione gasped as the weight of the dark witch shifted from her hips to between her legs. The air raised goosebumps, aided by Bellatrix's mouth traveling lower. A tongue dipped teasingly into her navel as fingertips slid through her folds. Hermione's hips bucked into the touch that wasn't enough. Bellatrix stilled her with a hand on her hip, pressing against her and preventing motion. Hermoine growled in frustration, yanking sharply on Bellatrix's hair. The dark witch met her eyes and Hermione could see the swirling madness mixed with desire. Their eyes were locked and Bellatrix smirked, lowering her mouth to Hermione's center. She ran her tongue through slick folds, savoring the taste of Hermione before latching firmly onto her clit and sliding two fingers into the awaiting wetness. Hermione broke their eye contact as her head tipped back, a rough moan sliding past her lips. Bellatrix continued unforgivingly, sliding a third finger into Hermione with ease and setting a deep and fast pace. She curled her fingers purely by instinct, teeth and tongue toying with Hermione's clit. Distant moans egged her on and she growled against the body that belonged to her.
"Fuck, Bella," Hermione gasped, head thrown back. Bellatrix's eyes lingered on the purple trail of dots, following them down an exposed throat, over prominent collarbones, a defined stomach. She recognized her handiwork, how could she not? She felt the telltale signs of Hermione's impending orgasm and she bit down on Hermione's clit, continuing her thrusts into the young witch. She felt the walls around her fingers flutter but she didn't stop, wasn't done yet. Hermione rode the waves of pleasure Bellatrix brought to her, quickly peaking again when Bellatrix kept going. She could feel the dark witch's satisfaction, the claim on her. Hermione tugged sharply on Bellatrix's hair, forcing her to detach from her clit. She pulled her up the length of her body and framed the pale face with her hands. Bellatrix's eyes were wild, unfocused and mad, a darker black than Hermione had ever seen.
"Bellatrix," she whispered against the dark witch's neck, "let me bring you back." She punctuated her statement with a quick bite, breaking the skin. She ran her tongue over it, eliciting a shiver from Bellatrix. Hermione slid a hand over Bellatrix's arm, removing the fingers still inside her with a pull to her wrist. She kept hold of it, feeling Bellatrix's muscles tense to fight her. Swiftly, Hermione rolled Bellatrix onto her back. She sat on Bellatrix's hips, using her weight to keep Bellatrix's arms pinned.
"Bella," she hissed, applying more pressure. She leaned forward, trailing bites up Bellatrix's sternum. When Hermione reached the hollow of the dark witch's throat, she sucked on the skin, purpling it while keeping Bellatrix pinned. She could feel the fight in the older witch, the desire to dominate, to control. Hermione didn't give in to her, knowing the only way to bring Bellatrix back to stability was with pain, as she had done for her. Hermione dragged her nails down one of Bellatrix's arms, leaving trails of red welts. She traveled over her shoulder, down her side. With every passing moment, Hermione saw Bellatrix return in small increments. Bellatrix felt teeth close over a nipple, her back arching upward and a moan passing her lips. Her mind was less cloudy, she was better able to tell her body from Hermione's but there were still points that melted together. She felt the last hand release her wrists and she slid them into Hermione's hair, anchoring herself to the young witch. Her mouth traveled lower, bites and kisses sending shivers down Bellatrix's spine, her mind slowly pulling itself together amidst the madness. The desire still remained, but it was no longer the desire to claim. It was the desire to be claimed. Bellatrix knew Hermione felt it, had sensed the change in her when bites became gentler, nails became softer. It became a pain of pleasure rather than necessity.
Moans spilled from Bellatrix's throat when she felt teeth nipping her thighs and fingers teasing her entrance. She hadn't even felt Hermione move from her hips to between her legs. Hermione ran a tongue through her folds, once, twice, three times before latching onto her clit. Bellatrix's hips bucked into the young witch's mouth before Hermione abruptly stopped. Bellatrix growled, still not entirely herself, and it quickly evolved into a moan when Hermione deftly slid three fingers into her. Her hips met Hermione's fingers thrust for thrust, driving them deeper, harder. Her hands gripped Hermione's hair tightly and she could feel kisses being trailed up her body, thrusts continuing. Hermione reached Bellatrix's neck, whispering in her ear and keeping up the fast pace she had set. Bellatrix felt herself returning, reality settling firmly in her brain and her thoughts calming. Hermione smiled, kissing down Bellatrix's jawline as she thrust into the dark witch, now firmly settled in her sanity. Bellatrix's hands untangled from her hair to wrap around her shoulders, pulling the young witch tightly against her as she reached her climax. Hermione peppered light kisses over Bellatrix's skin, fingers gradually slowing as Bellatrix calmed.
"Are you okay?" the dark witch asked, holding her tightly.
"I'm fine, Bella. You're fine. Welcome back," Hermione whispered. She gently kissed Bellatrix to reassure her, one hand on the dark witch's cheek. She pulled away, smiling lovingly at the witch below her.
"Thank you," Bellatrix croaked, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"I'm always here to bring you back. What happened? I've never seen you like that before." Hermione stroked Bellatrix's cheek with her thumb, wiping away a lone tear.
"I got carried away. I didn't focus and I got caught up in the feeling of our magic. That's never happened before, not like that."
"I've got you. Always, Bella. It's okay." Hermione pulled the blanket over them, turning onto her side and pulling Bellatrix into her. Bellatrix settled her head at the hollow of Hermione's throat, the warmth of her soulmate calming her. Her breathing steadied, heartbeat matching Hermione's in a lazy rhythm. The scent of walnut and rain enveloped her, making her eyelids heavy. Exhaustion settled in her body and she relaxed into the young witch, energy spent. Hermione kissed Bellatrix's mess of curls, sensing the moment the dark witch had drifted into sleep. She yawned and closed her eyes, Bellatrix's heart beating with hers.