A/N A chapter a day keeps the boredom away. Supposedly. I still feel like there's so much more I have to do to solidly wrap up this story but it's getting there, I swear. I think I'd like to have the last chapter up on Christmas to make it a nice, even three months. We'll see how that works out.
Enjoy!
"Did you see? Hermione shut down Azkaban. Everyone has been moved to St. Mungo's," Ginny said, sitting down next to Luna at breakfast.
"She didn't just shut it down, she completely leveled the place. Aunt Bella wrote me last night," Draco said.
"By herself?" Neville asked.
"No, there were Aurors there, too. I'm sure she did a good bit of the work herself, though."
"There's gonna be a lot of backlash for that," Neville mumbled.
"I don't know. I think once she proposes an alternative it'll be alright," Ginny said through a mouthful of sausage.
"I think you're right, Ginny. Most everyone knows Hermione always thinks of something," Luna said.
"Do you think everyone will elect Hermione to be Minister?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know but I can tell you she definitely doesn't want it. She never did," Draco said, portioning eggs onto his plate.
"Yeah, but if they pick her what could she do?"
"I mean, she could just reject the position. Right?"
They all shrugged, unsure of how choosing the Minister would work. They let the topic fall, enjoying their breakfast. Harry and Ron joined them, picking up a conversation again. It was strange to all of them how comfortable they had gotten with each other. They were willing to put aside their animosity for the sake of Hermione. They would all be key to helping the new world come together.
Bellatrix skimmed her fingers across a sleeping Hermione's exposed stomach. The young witch stirred slightly and Bellatrix placed light kisses along her jaw. "Good morning, love."
Hermione hummed, tilting her head to the side. She ran her hands down Bellatrix's back, prompting the dark witch closer. "Morning, Bella."
"So, I was thinking we could enjoy each other for a bit before joining the outside world," Bellatrix husked, sliding her hands up Hermione's sides.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Hermione whispered, rolling so she was straddling Bellatrix. The dark witch smirked, sliding her hands to Hermione's breasts and squeezing gently. Hermione arched into the touch, grinding down on Bellatrix. She leaned down, trailing love bites down a pale throat and stopping at pronounced collarbones.
"I hope you're thinking what I'm thinking," Bellatrix whispered, running her thumbs over Hermione's nipples.
"If you're thinking about what a nuisance these clothes are then yes, I'm thinking exactly what you're thinking." Hermione traced the hollow of Bellatrix's throat with her tongue, their clothes banished. They both sighed, sinking into each other.
Bellatrix flipped them, positioning herself between Hermione's legs as she traced her collarbone with her tongue. Hermione hummed, moving her hands to Bellatrix's waist as the dark witch kissed lower. A skilled tongue circled her nipple, eliciting a moan from the young witch. Bellatrix smirked as she lightly caressed the inside of Hermione's thighs. Hermione's hips bucked, body arching into Bellatrix's mouth. A moan slipped past her lips as Bellatrix ran her fingers teasingly through her center.
"Bella," Hermione panted, winding her hands into dark curls. She pulled lightly, guiding the dark witch back up. She captured ruby lips, wrapping her legs around Bellatrix's waist. Teeth nibbled her bottom lip, immediately followed by a tongue. Hermione deepened the kiss, taking Bellatrix's moment of distraction to roll them so she was sitting on Bellatrix's hips.
"You little sneak," Bellatrix playfully whispered.
"Is that a complaint?" Hermione asked, her tongue marking Bellatrix's prison tattoo.
"Fuck, no" the dark witch breathed, clutching Hermione's waist. Hermione smiled, dragging her nails down Bellatrix's sides. The dark witch shivered, hands traveling over the expanse of Hermione's back. Hermione kissed down Bellatrix's chest, stopping to flick her tongue over each nipple. She felt Bellatrix slide a hand between them brushing her clit before two fingers slid into her. She pressed her head against Bellatrix's chest, moaning as she ground down against slender fingers.
"Fuck, Bella," she managed, looking up at Bellatrix. The dark witch had an amused smirk on her face as she steadily thrust into Hermione.
"You can't distract me that easily, love. I have a way of getting what I want." Bellatrix kissed along Hermione's collar, eliciting a series of gasps and moans from the young witch.
"As if I would ever deny you anything, Bella," Hermione whispered. She sat up, sliding one hand behind her and up Bellatrix's inner thigh. She heard soft gasps as her fingers reached their target and she wasted no time sliding them into the dark witch. Bellatrix tipped her head back, her eyes closing at the overwhelming sensation of Hermione grinding down and thrusting into her drawing a moan from her lips.
Bellatrix teased Hermione's clit with her thumb as she thrust, curling her fingers each time. In turn, Hermione increased her pace, rhythm becoming more erratic as she approached her climax. Hermione's walls tightened around Bellatrix's fingers at the same time Bellatrix's tightened around hers. Panting, Hermione leaned against Bellatrix, removing her fingers from the dark witch. Her breath fanned across Bellatrix's chest, sending shivers down her spine. The dark witch removed her own fingers from Hermione, lazily wrapping her arms around Hermione's waist.
"I love you, too, Hermione," Bellatrix whispered.
Hermione looked at the dark witch, brows furrowed in confusion. "I didn't say anything, Bella."
"You don't have to. I know what you're thinking."
"Well damn, that's gonna make surprises hard," Hermione joked.
"You know what else is hard?" Bellatrix asked, wiggling her eyebrows and smirking at Hermione.
"Don't say it, Bella."
"My dick," Bellatrix whispered, laughing at Hermione's playful eyeroll.
"I can't believe I'm engaged to you," she teased.
"Neither can I. But I'm still glad you are," Bellatrix whispered, nudging Hermione with her nose.
"Me too, Bella," Hermione whispered back, kissing the dark witch tenderly.
"I don't want to get up," Bellatrix mumbled childishly, burying her face in Hermione's neck.
"You never do. Unfortunately, I have to. I need to talk to Aurion to see if he has any ideas for a new prison."
"If we must," Bellatrix sighed, prodding Hermione until she moved. The two witches dressed and made their way downstairs, finding Narcissa, Andromeda, and Aurion just starting breakfast.
"Oh, look. We didn't even have to fetch you. Good, I didn't want to be the one to interrupt," Andromeda said, smiling as she buttered a slice of toast. Hermione's face colored slightly.
"For your information, Andy, I would've hexed you before you knocked on the door," Bellatrix quipped.
"Bella," Hermione scolded, pulling her into the seat next to her, "We don't hex family."
"Yeah, Bella," Andromeda said, sticking her tongue out at the dark witch.
"So, Hermione, I transferred a decent sum to St. Mungo's. They were very pleased with your consideration," Narcissa interjected, smoothly shifting the conversation.
"Thank you, Cissa. Aurion, is there any way one of my properties could be converted into a prison?"
The elf tapped his chin thoughtfully, mulling over a response. "I suppose it's feasible. It depends on the property and the wards. I would suggest the island because of how isolated it is but I think it would be too enjoyable. We can go through all your properties this evening to see if we can find one suitable enough."
"You could always build one in place of Black Manor," Andromeda said bitterly.
"It's true, that place has horrible memories for all of us. None of us want it," Narcissa said.
"You can keep it in mind, love. It's as much yours as it is ours. It wouldn't be missed by any of us," Bellatrix mumbled, squeezing Hermione's hand.
"I'll consider it," Hermione said, returning the squeeze.
"The wards may be tricky but it shouldn't be impossible to change. If we can't come up with anything else, it's nice to at least have an option," Aurion said.
"The wards would have to prevent all the prisoners from using any type of magic while still allowing the Aurors to." Hermione nibbled a piece of toast, looking at Aurion for a response.
"I'm sure out of the five of us we'll come up with a solution," Narcissa said, sipping her pumpkin juice.
The four witches and one elf enjoyed the rest of breakfast with companionable conversation. They kept the topics light for Hermione's sake. They could all see the stress of so many decisions weighing on her and they wanted to do what they could. Even though the war was over, they still weren't done. They had all expected Voldemort to survive and take care of everything and Hermione and Bellatrix would assist as necessary. They would make it work, though. They always did.