Hermione sat in a secluded corner at the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for Harry and Ron. She chewed her lip and bounced her leg up and down, eyes darting around the room as she looked for Harry and Ron. She was early and she knew they would probably be late, if they came at all. Hermione banished the thought from her head. Harry and Ron would be here, she just had to be patient. Unfortunately, patience hadn't been her strong suit since she had met Bellatrix. She let her mind wander to Bellatrix, resting her chin on her hand.

"Hermione. Hermione!" Harry called, waving a hand in front of her face to get her attention.

"Oh, hey. Sorry, I was thinking," Hermione said, standing and giving each of them an awkward hug.

"We were trying to be early but it looks like you still beat us," Ron said, sitting across from Hermione.

"You are early. I was honestly prepared for you to be a little late."

"So were we. Ginny is the only reason we aren't," Harry said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"So, how have the two of you been?"

"Fine, I guess. School was fine. It was kinda weird without you. Are you coming back this year?" Harry asked.

"No. I feel like there isn't anything else for me to learn there. Besides, there's still a lot I have to do."

"Yeah, that makes sense. I heard about what you did to Azkaban. Are you sure it's a good idea?" Ron asked in an attempt to keep them from falling into an awkward silence.

"Yeah, I think so. Bellatrix helped me pick a spot and design the building, the wards are only responsive to three people, and a dragon is guarding them on top of Aurors." Hermione sat back a little as three butterbeers were placed on the table in front of them.

"The same dragon that was at Hogwarts?" Ron asked.

"Yeah."

They descended into silence, sipping their butterbeers and trying to think of something to say. Nothing came to them so they sat and played with their mugs. When they finished and paid they stood up, parting ways with awkward waves. Hermione turned on her heel as she stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron, Apparating to Black Manor.

She glanced at the garden as she went into the house, dragging her fingertips across the cool stone. The library was the only room she and Draco had completely cleaned, but they had gotten rid of all the dust. The portraits were still covered with white cloths and Hermione planned to leave them like that until Draco was with her. Hermione let her feet carry her through the Manor, taking random turns until she stood in front of a black walnut door at the end of the hall.

Hermione ran her fingers over the door, feeling faint traces of magic in the wood. It wove around her fingertips with a sense of familiarity. This had to be the door to Bellatrix's room. Hermione applied a light pressure to the door, surprised when it swung open soundlessly. She couldn't see into the room from where she stood. Hesitantly, Hermione stepped into the room, lighting the room with a pale white glow.

Bookcases lined the walls in Bellatrix's room, empty of anything to read. There was a small desk pushed against one wall, lopsided and almost looking like it was charred. It was hard to tell in the low light, but now that Hermione thought about it, the bookcases seemed the same. The bed and sheets were covered in what looked like dust but on further inspection was ash. Hermione let the light fade as she backed out of the room. Bellatrix's magic had sealed this room closed and had mistaken Hermione for her. Bellatrix hadn't talked about her past very much and she definitely hadn't talked about this. Hermione closed the door, feeling the magic seal it closed again. Another time.

Hermione ran her fingertips over the door before she turned away, heading back the way she came. She chose a room closer to the library to clean. It seemed like a drawing room, but Hermione couldn't be sure. She still wasn't used to all the rooms houses could have. The room was free of dust but she set about opening the windows and repairing the furniture. It didn't take her very long to finish. She left the windows open to air out the room and made a mental note to remember to close them.

She repeated the process in a few more rooms, only spending a few hours in the Manor. Her mind kept drifting to Bellatrix's room and what she had seen so far. Curiosity made her want to go back and look around more thoroughly but it wasn't her place. Bellatrix hadn't talked about it for a reason and as much as she wanted to ask the older witch about it, she wouldn't. She knew the memories were painful for Bellatrix and she wouldn't make her relive them to sate her curiosity.

Hermione made sure all the windows were closed before she left. The Manor was so large it could use more of them, or doors leading out into the garden. It was something Hermione could work on to make the Manor more like a home. Hermione took a quick stroll through the garden to check on how things were growing. It was lush and green, flourishing without being overgrown. There were traceries of magical creatures but Hermione didn't see any. It didn't bother her, she was just glad to know they were back. From what she could tell, it had been a long time.

Hermione turned on her heel, Apparating to her room. Bellatrix was in their room, half-dressed as Hermione appeared. She turned to the young witch, smirking as hazel eyes trailed over her chest. She stepped closer to Hermione, tilting her chin up so their noses touched. Hermione smiled, tenderly kissing Bellatrix as the dark witch's hand slid from her chin to tangle in her hair.

"How did it go, love?" she whispered, nibbling on the younger witch's lip.

"Awkward. I expected it to be, but still. It's been so long since we had a real conversation, we didn't know where to start." Hermione leaned into Bellatrix, resting her hand on Bellatrix's waist. Her skin was warm and soft under Hermione's hands.

"You were gone for a while, though, so I guess you managed."

"I actually was running some other errands. We had a glass of butterbeer and that's about it."

"Did you have fun, though?" Bellatrix pulled away from Hermione, removing the rest of her clothes.

Hermione couldn't help but track the dark witch's movements with her eyes. "Yeah. What are you doing, Bella?"

"Well, I was thinking you and I could go somewhere tonight, so I was picking out an outfit."

"Where would we go?"

"At first I thought we should go eat dinner somewhere, but we might attract a lot of attention. How does a picnic sound?" Bellatrix looked over her shoulder at Hermione, holding two outfits in her hands.

"That sounds wonderful, Bella. Should I get changed?" Hermione opened her wardrobe, looking through the clothes she had.

"I've already got something picked out for you. Where is it? Here, wear this, love." Bellatrix handed Hermione a set of robes in her wardrobe, turning back to hers and rifling through it.

Hermione put on the set of robes, watching as Bellatrix flicked through her outfits. She saw a set of blue robes and she pulled it out, holding it up. Hermione nodded at the dark witch, watching as she dressed. Her own robes were red, matching the color of Bellatrix's lips. Bellatrix held out her arm to Hermione, smiling softly as the young witch placed a hand on her arm. Bellatrix pulled her close, placing a chaste kiss on her lips as she Apparated them away.

The sound of falling water greeted Hermione before anything else and she knew they were at the waterfall. Bellatrix whisked her to the cave, still decorated from the night she had proposed. They both smiled at the memory, looking at each other with adoration. Bellatrix led them to the blanket and unpacked the food while Hermione poured drinks. They sat down next to each other, one side of their body pressed together as they fed each other bites of food and sipped champagne. They peppered each other with loving kisseswhile they talked, hands playing lazily.