Hermione and Bellatrix sat on the couch in the library, pressed close together while they waited for Narcissa. They were reading through the book Hermione had found in the Black library, skimming the pages. The only useful information they found was the first passage Hermione had shown Bellatrix. The rest was gibberish, almost as if the writer had been the one with the curse. They could look at the family tree but they were both too comfortable to get up and it wasn't a pressing matter.
"Bella, what if the Bridge is your sanity?" Hermione sat up, rummaging through the books on the table until she found the one with her prophecy. She flipped it open to the page, holding it next to the book she had found in Bellatrix's library.
"What do you mean?" Bellatrix reached for Hermione, mourning the temporary loss of warmth.
"The Bridge, Bella. 'The estranged Black shall place the last stone in the Bridge.' We know it's Andromeda but what if it's not that she places the last stone, what if she is the last stone? See, your book says when you're all together it eases your burden. You're saner when you're with them," Hermione said, gesturing to the text. She spoke faster and louder toward the end of her spiel, excitement palpable in the young witch.
"That makes sense. These," Bellatrix pointed to the eagle and lions, "Could be referring to Hogwarts houses. A Ravenclaw and four Gryffindors. Your friends and Potter and Weasley."
"Do you think all of this has come to pass?"
"Probably. I mean, Tonks would be the badger, right? She was a Hufflepuff, and that night at the Ministry she kept you safe after Potter cursed you. That could be it. The rest just seems like war gibberish."
"Bella?" Hermione put the books back on the table, leaning back against the dark witch and turning her head to look up at her.
"Yes, love?"
"About Harry and Ron. Ginny said they already know about us. And you know we're kinda trying to fix our friendship." Hermione paused, biting her lip as she stared lovingly at Bellatrix.
"We'll have to give it some thought, Hermione. I guess it depends on how the three of you are doing closer to the wedding. I mean, you still haven't actually spent time with them. Letters only do so much." Bellatrix stroked Hermione's hair, smiling adoringly at the young witch.
"I know, but so far the letters are okay. I just don't know if I can handle seeing them in person. I mean, I know I should but I just don't want things to go to shit, you know?"
Bellatrix kissed Hermione's forehead, resting her hands on her stomach. "You'll be fine, love. I'd offer to go with you but this is something you need to do for yourself."
"I know. Thanks, though." Hermione put her hands over Bellatrix's, playing with her fingers.
"Sorry to keep the two of you waiting," Narcissa said, smiling at Hermione and Bellatrix as she sat across from them.
"That's okay, Cissy. We've been reading," Bellatrix said.
"I'm sure you've been enjoying your downtime, Hermione. I know you've been busy. Bellatrix hasn't let me do much planning without you but now that we have time we can get to work."
"Are Andromeda and Aurion going to join us?" Hermione asked, stretching her legs out in front of her.
"I'm not sure where they are." Narcissa set a sheaf of papers on the table, flicking her wand to make space for them.
"Probably getting busy," Bellatrix whispered to Hermione, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Bella," Hermione chided, stifling a laugh.
"Hermione, I haven't come across any of your family traditions for marriage, I'm not sure if there are any. I guess it's up to you to make traditions. Is there anything you'd like to do?"
"I don't know if it counts, but I'd like to have a Maid of Honor and a Best Man. Ginny and Draco."
"That's possible. We'll have to choose a color for them. Do either of you have a preference for flowers? I think some Amaryllis flowers would look great. Or maybe a mix of red and white roses," Narcissa trailed off, mostly talking to herself and this point and making notes on the papers in front of her.
Bellatrix groaned, throwing her head back, "Merlin, I forgot how much I hate planning things like this."
"Hush, Bella. You're always saying how you want things to be perfect. This is how you make them perfect."
"I want things to be perfect but this is so much work."
"We haven't even gotten started." Narcissa looked up from her papers, looking her sister dead in the eyes.
"Don't give me that look, Cissy. I've never had the patience for this stuff."
"I think I'd like the roses with a touch of Amaryllis, Cissa," Hermione interjected, quickly shifting Narcissa's attention from Bellatrix.
"Hmm. Yes, that's a good idea. Bella? What do you think?"
"I like that idea. I think it'll look nice." Bellatrix did her best to appease her sister with a dazzling smile, earning an eye roll in return.
"We'll go to Madame Malkin's, of course. There's hardly any other suitable place. Unfortunately, Bella, you won't be able to wear black, lest people think it's a funeral." Narcissa began trailing off again, flipping through her papers.
"Actually, Cissa, I'd like to wear a Muggle dress. I mean, my parents are Muggles. I'd like to hold that tradition for them."
Narcissa chewed her lip, nodding repeatedly. "Okay. I don't know much about Muggle fashion, so Andy can help with that. I'll help Bella with hers."
"Why don't we both do Muggle dresses, love?" Bellatrix asked, ignoring the vaguely shocked look from Narcissa.
"You would wear a Muggle wedding dress? What about your traditions?" Hermione asked, tilting her head back to look at Bellatrix.
"I've already had a wedding with my traditions, I don't need another. It's part of who you are, Hermione, I won't ignore that. I might not completely understand it but I'll try."
Hermione gazed at Bellatrix with adoration, lost for words. Narcissa smiled sweetly at the two, making notes on her papers to give them a semblance of privacy. Bellatrix smiled at Hermione, tightening her arms in a hug. Hermione leaned into Bellatrix, pressing a kiss to her jaw.
"I love you, Bella," Hermione whispered.
"I love you, too."
"I guess that's enough for today. We have plenty of time, after all.," Narcissa said, quickly organizing her papers and leaving the room. It wasn't that she felt like she was intruding, she just knew Hermione and Bellatrix didn't get to spend as much time together as they wanted to.
"Do you want to go for a walk, Bella?" Hermione asked, gazing out the window.
"That would be lovely." Bellatrix urged Hermione off her, intertwining their fingers as she stood.
Hermione sidled closer to Bellatrix, sliding an arm around her waist. Bellatrix chuckled, draping an arm over Hermione's shoulders. They strolled through the garden slowly, not really talking but not really needing to. They were attuned to each other, reading the subtle shifts and changes in each other easily. Their magic danced lazily around them, a calming aura against the chaos their lives had been for months.
As the evening progressed, they made their way inside so they wouldn't be late for dinner. It was one of the few nights no one had any other pressing responsibilities. It would be this way more once things returned to normal. It would take some time but they already knew that. They were prepared for it, had been prepared for it since the war started. Technically, it was over, but there's more to war than fighting. There's always the politics of it after the fighting is done. They were getting there, though. For now, they would enjoy what time they could spend together.