Black Manor looked much better. It was less intimidating, but not by much. The building retained its imposing qualities, but the garden was tamer and made it less creepy. It almost looked like a home, and it would be, once the Manor was repaired. Some of the plants Hermione had put in the garden seemed to be doing well.
"Wow. It looks great, Draco. You did all this by yourself?" Hermione asked, looking around in awe.
"Well, I did have a week to do it. But you and Aunt Bella aren't the only powerful ones. I mean, I can't summon a building in a day but I sure can clean up a garden." Draco nudged Hermione, urging her to walk forward. "There's a bit more to do out here before we can do whatever it is you plan to do for the house."
"I'm not sure if we should repair it or just start from scratch," Hermione said, looking at the house as she made her way through the garden.
"Honestly, I don't think it matters either way. Just make sure you save the books and such."
"Like I would ever destroy a book, Draco," Hermione retorted, rolling her eyes as she stepped over a particularly large root.
"I was just saying there are important things in there."
"I know, Draco. Maybe we should repair it and make a few changes. Make it a bit more like a home instead of a creepy abandoned mansion."
"It is kinda creepy. I can't imagine growing up here," Draco admitted, stopping next to Hermione.
"Me neither. I'm not sure what we'll do with this place but it would be nice to have it for something."
Draco nodded, drawing his wand as he looked out at the rest of the garden. "Has McGonagall written you back, yet?"
"Yeah, she did. I'm going to her house in a few days so we can discuss a few things. I offered my castle to the school," Hermione absently said, beginning to magically hack away the overgrown plants.
"You did?" Draco asked, hesitating mid-spell before shaking himself out of it.
"Yeah. I already have more places than I can use and Bella has a few places, too. I don't think she cares about them but still. I mean, it's just the two of us and it isn't as if we need so many places. Besides, I figured it would be cool if the students had somewhere else to learn and maybe it could be used as for research or something. It's just an offer right now." Hermione shrugged, continuing her spells with barely a thought.
"That's cool. I guess the Quidditch pitch won't be built there, then."
"Unless Minerva decides she doesn't want it. But there's always the island."
"Does that mean I can have one?"
"That is not a definite answer and you know it. I told you I'd think about it and I have been."
"Fine. If anything, I'll just ask Aunt Bella to convince you."
"That's cheating, Draco."
"There are no rules in Quidditch, 'Mione," Draco said with a smile.
"There are 700 fouls, Draco," Hermione said, halting her spells to look at him.
"I thought you hated Quidditch?"
"Doesn't mean I don't know the rules."
"I think you just like to say you hate Quidditch because you're shite on a broomstick." Draco turned to her, grinning broadly.
"Shut up." Hermione's face colored and she turned back to the overgrown garden, flinging spells at it again.
"You can admit it, Hermione. I won't tell anyone."
"I do not like Quidditch, Draco!"
Hermione's stubborn refusal didn't make Draco believe her, but he let the subject drop before she turned her spells on him. "We haven't dueled in a while, 'Mione. I could use some practice, do you think we could go for a round when we get back?"
"You know, I think I'd like that very much."
Draco gulped, Hermione's almost predatory gaze settling on him. "Are we- are we finishing this today?"
"We could. There isn't much left to do out here."
"I'm up for it if you are," Draco said, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Oh, you are so on," Hermione whispered. Draco gave a sigh of relief, glad that Hermione didn't want to throttle him anymore. They worked seamlessly, clearing the overgrown garden and removing vines from the building. They didn't get as filthy as last time but they had just as much fun. They even planted more of the plants from Hermione's gardens to help bring it to life. With the garden tamed and tidy, Black Manor was almost civilized. If it weren't for the obvious disrepair of the building, Hermione might have believed it was inhabited.
"Bella or Cissa?" she asked as she held her arm out to Draco.
"Aunt Bella," he said, placing his hand firmly on Hermione's arm. She nodded, Apparating them back home after casting a quick cleaning charm over both of them.
Bellatrix was in the garden, lounging under the willow tree with her eyes closed. Hermione put a finger over her lips, signaling for Draco to be quiet. He nodded, noticing the mischievous twinkle in Hermione's eyes and grin. Soundlessly, she shifted into a leopard, prowling toward Bellatrix silently. Her grin was slightly disturbing because of her long, sharp teeth. Her tail swished playfully as she approached Bellatrix, crouching lower to the ground with each step.
She leaped, shifting back to her regular form in midair so she didn't slam into the dark witch with so much force. Hermione collided with Bellatrix's side, narrowly missing the tree as she knocked them to the ground. Bellatrix let out a rush of air as Hermione collided with her, getting an arm out to keep them from falling to the ground.
"Bella, will you be the referee for me and Draco while we duel?" she asked sweetly.
"Of course. You didn't have to tackle me, love," Bellatrix chuckled, wrapping her arm around Hermione.
"I know, but I couldn't resist." Hermione pulled Bellatrix to her feet, kissing her on the cheek quickly.
"Thanks, Aunt Bella. I'm out of practice," Draco said, watching the witches with an adoring smile.
"I don't know if you want to duel Hermione, then. She can be vicious."
"You're no better, Aunt Bella," Draco pointed out.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Bella. I'm not gonna hurt him."
"That's comforting. Anyway, I won't get better if I don't duel someone better than me."
Bellatrix nodded, releasing Hermione and leading them through the garden to their dueling spot. "You both know the rules. Begin when ready."
Bellatrix stood with her arms crossed, watching as Draco and Hermione bowed to each other. Her eyes lingered on Hermione, admiring the slim, muscled figure of her soulmate. Shaking her head slightly, she watched Draco, taking note of his stance and form as he cast spells at Hermione. She dodged them all easily, returning spells Draco barely managed to block and dodge. Draco rolled to avoid a stunner, the spell flashing over his head. He panted, hastily deflecting Hermione's next spell.
"Compose yourself, Draco. You're getting sloppy," Bellatrix called. Hermione held her position, eyes dilated from adrenaline. Her chest heaved but she waited for Draco's next attack before moving.
Draco grit his teeth, forcing himself to stand. He whirled, flinging a Bombarada at Hermione's feet. She covered her face with her arm, holding a Protego to block Draco's subsequent spells. Hermione returned a volley of her own spells once the dirt had cleared. Draco narrowly avoided them, looking for an opening in Hermione's defense. He knew he would have to send multiple spells at once if he wanted to hit her, but between dodging and flinging his own spells here and there, he couldn't gather the energy to do it.
"You're getting frustrated, Draco. Calm down and focus." Bellatrix's voice cut through their spellcasting, distracting Draco enough that he missed dodging a spell. His breath left his chest in a rush, and he staggered. Hermione didn't follow through, giving him time to pull himself together.
"I know you're going easy on me, 'Mione," he panted.
"Maybe you're better than you think you are," she retorted.
"Please, you could have easily finished it there."
"Maybe I don't want it to end yet." Hermione ducked as Draco threw a spell at her. She laughed, spinning further away. He almost had her because she was distracted, but he couldn't afford to be distracted, too.
"Nice try, Draco. You almost had her," Bellatrix said, chuckling as Hermione glared at her.
"Aunt Bella, you'll never guess what I learned today," he said, deciding to switch tactics.
"What did you learn?" she asked, keeping an eye on Hermione.
"It's about Hermione and Quidditch." Draco threw himself to the side, narrowly avoided a strong stunner from Hermione.
"Draco, don't you dare," Hermione hissed. She deflected Draco's returning spell with a lazy flick of her wrist, advancing on the young wizard.
"Aunt Bella, if I tell you do you promise you won't let Hermione kill me?" he asked, backing away from the brunette.
"She wouldn't kill you, anyway. But yes, I promise."
"So, I found out today that Hermione hates Quidditch because she," Draco's other words were muffled by his mouth refusing to open. His eyes widened and he moved his hands to his face, ensuring that his mouth was still there.
"Hermione!" Bellatrix shouted, glaring at her soulmate.
"It's not the truth!" she said stubbornly, glaring at Draco. She watched as he struggled to open his mouth, his hands furiously trying to pry it open.
"Hermione, undo whatever you did," Bellatrix chided.
"Fine," Hermione muttered. She flicked her wand and Draco's mouth opened. He looked relieved and wasted no time in finishing his sentence.
"She's shite on a broom."
Bellatrix laughed, moving to stand in front of Hermione so she wouldn't hex him. Draco put his wand away, acknowledging his defeat. His tactic hadn't worked but it was worth it anyway. He moved inside while Bellatrix had Hermione's attention.
"Relax, love. He was just trying to distract you to try to land a spell. He's not being serious," Bellatrix soothed, rubbing Hermione's shoulders.
"That's not why I hate Quidditch," Hermione grumbled, crossing her arms and pouting.
"Okay, love. Just let it go, yeah?"
Hermione nodded, leaning into Bellatrix. "Fine."
"Let's sit under the tree. You can tell me why you really hate Quidditch." Bellatrix guided Hermione to the tree, an arm wrapped tightly around her shoulders.
"I just think it's silly. We have magic but we use it to chase things on broomsticks." Hermione sat down, scooting into Bellatrix's side.
"That's not all we use magic for. Besides, even Muggles have sports. It's something to do."
"I know. I just think it's boring to watch."
"I bet you wouldn't find it boring if I were playing," Bellatrix said, nudging Hermione's side playfully.
"I just like to look at you."
"Aren't you charming?"
"I like to think so," Hermione said, grinning at Bellatrix. She kissed the dark witch's cheek lovingly, interlacing their hands.
"I think so, too," Bellatrix whispered. Hermione leaned her head on Bellatrix's shoulder, inhaling the gentle scent of cinnamon and pine. They sat together as the sun arced across the sky, sitting in silence or sharing stories.