A/N: Hello, I am very late. Just to let you all know, updates for this story will be moved to once every week or so because I'm taking extra classes. Most likely, I'll be posting on the weekend so if you don't get updates, that would be the best time to check. I hope you're all doing well and wish you luck with whatever you're doing. PM me if you have any questions or leave it in the reviews if you can't and have a wonderful week!

Enjoy!

"Easy, love. Find your center and balance," Bellatrix whispered in Hermione's ear. Hermione shivered as Bellatrix's breath tickled her neck, wobbling slightly on the broom.

"Bella, I can't focus with you doing that," she said, gripping the broom tightly.

"Doing what?"

"Distracting me."

"This is hardly me being distracting, Hermione." Bellatrix tightened her grip on Hermione's waist as they started to drop, halting with a jerk

"I can't believe I agreed to this. Your broom was so much easier to fly, can't I just use that one?"

"That one is mine. You gotta fly your own broom," Bellatrix said, pouting slightly.

"Okay, well I don't see why I have to learn in the first place." Hermione tensed as her balance shifted, easing only under Bellatrix's guidance.

"It's a useful skill. Just trust me, okay? I won't let anything happen. You have to actually move, though, not just hover."

"Of course I trust you, Bella. I'm just scared."

"That's okay, Hermione. Breathe, focus on control. You can do it." Bellatrix squeezed Hermione's sides reassuringly. She rested her chin on the younger witch's shoulder, gently guiding her movements.

Hermione took a deep breath, following Bellatrix's directions. She still felt uncomfortable on a broom but she was easing into it with Bellatrix's help. Her movements were jerky but at least she could get off the ground. Bellatrix whispered encouragement and advice until Hermione let her take over. She easily flew them around the Manor's grounds, smiling into Hermione's neck.

The wind pulled at their hair, chilling the two witches as Bellatrix increased their speed. Hermione gripped Bellatrix's forearms tightly, her nails making pale crescents in Bellatrix's skin. The dark witch chuckled, kissing Hermione's neck. She slid an arm around Hermione's waist, steering the broom with one hand. Bellatrix whispered reassurance into Hermione's ear, feeling the young witch gradually relax. She smiled, gripping the broom with two hands again and angling it sharply to the ground.

"BELLATRIX!" Hermione squealed, squeezing her eyes closed and holding onto Bellatrix's arms as tightly as she could.

Laughter bubbled from Bellatrix's lips, trailing after them as they plummeted. She eased the broom to a stop and dismounted, holding Hermione up by her waist. The young witch stood on shaky legs, panting and twisting her hands into Bellatrix's sleeves. Bellatrix kissed her forehead tenderly, scooping her into her arms and carrying her inside.

"Please, never do that again, Bella," she whispered, burying her face into ebony curls.

"I won't, I promise. You did good, love. You'll have the hang of it in no time."

"You don't have to carry me," Hermione said, rubbing the tip of her nose along Bellatrix's jaw.

"Do you want me to put you down?"

"No. Unless you want to." Hermione laced her arms around Bellatrix's neck, smiling into dark hair.

"In that case, I'll never put you down," Bellatrix said, carrying Hermione up the stairs, "You'll be mine forever."

"I already am, Bella. Nothing is going to take me away from you."

Bellatrix smiled, laughing as she opened the door to their room. "Nap?"

"I was thinking something else that involves the bed," Hermione whispered into Bellatrix's ear, nibbling on her earlobe.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Cuddling." Hermione kissed Bellatrix's cheek.

"I'd like that, Hermione." Bellatrix laid them both on the bed, adjusting Hermione so they were against each other. Hermione tapped Bellatrix's nose with her finger, laughing when the dark witch scrunched her nose. Bellatrix chuckled, kissing Hermione on the nose.

"Tomorrow I'm meeting Ginny. What are you gonna do while I'm gone?" Hermione asked.

"I'll probably help Cissy stock her potions. Maybe we'll go shopping, she always enjoys that."

"I've been meaning to go shopping for books. If you see any about magical theory would you mind getting it for me? If you go, of course."

"Absolutely. Any specific title?" Bellatrix ran her fingers through Hermione's hair, somehow avoiding the tangles.

"Not really. Preferably something we don't already have." Hermione wiggled in Bellatrix's arms, scooting lower and pressing her forehead into a pale neck.

"That would be the point, love. Tired?"

"No. Will you tell me a story?"

"About what?"

"I don't know. Whatever comes to mind."

"Okay." Bellatrix rolled onto her back, pulling Hermione on top of her and waiting until she was comfortable. "A long time ago, there was a girl made of fire. Her parents tried everything they could to calm her, but the girl could only take so much. For a time, the girl would be an ember, relatively calm and mannered, but there were times where her energy was stoked and she became a brilliant blaze. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but burn the ones she loved. It was difficult for the girl to distinguish between friend and foe, she was held to very high expectations by everyone, and she couldn't control her fire. She was too determined to be wild and untamed, like the very thing she was made of. She didn't start learning control until she was older, after she hurt someone she cared about."

Bellatrix paused, swallowing the lump in her throat and blinking away the tears gathering in her eyes. Hermione moved her head back, tilting it up and frowning slightly. She gently stroked the dark witch's cheek and whispered, "You don't have to keep going, Bella."

Bellatrix caught Hermione's hand with her own, bringing it to her lips and pressing a kiss to it. "It's okay, I can. The girl made of fire took one look at her injured sister and vowed to control the flame that burned in her very soul. She tried to keep it obedient and only let it out when she was alone so she couldn't hurt anyone. The girl grew famous for her fits of solitary rage, but everyone seemed to forget about the fire that burned her, even as it was her. She fought this battle so no one got hurt because of her. And then she met a fire that burned as bright as her own while and it soothed her because she knew she wasn't alone anymore."

Hermione was quiet for a moment, letting Bellatrix's words hang between them. Her hand was still in Bellatrix's and she swam in the depths of onyx eyes. "Thank you, Bella. For the story."

Bellatrix nodded, still fighting back lingering tears. Hermione gently freed her hand, stroking Bellatrix's cheek tenderly. The young witch leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Bellatrix's cheek, conveying everything she didn't have the words to say. Bellatrix gave her a small smile, moving her hand so it was at Hermione's waist. She knew the story Bellatrix told her was true, that much was obvious. She let the story roll through her brain as she let her fingers play along Bellatrix's sides.

"Now it's your turn to tell me a story," Bellatrix whispered.

"Okay." Hermione rolled off of Bellatrix, laying on her back and staring at the ceiling. She hummed, chewing her lip while Bellatrix repositioned herself so her chin was on her chest.

"You're so cute."

"I'm trying to think, Bella," Hermione playfully chided.

"Well, you're cute when you're trying to think," Bellatrix said. She tangled one hand into Hermione's hair and rested the other on her waist.

"Hush, you," Hermione giggled, "Okay. There used to be a girl who tried her best to convince herself she was more than ordinary. She took it upon herself to learn as much as she could, hoping to impress people with her advanced knowledge, but it only drove them away. They were intimidated by how much she knew and afraid of her because weird things always happened when she was around. Since she was alone, she had plenty of time to learn, but she always felt like part of her was missing. Many hours were spent staring wistfully up at the sky, dreaming of more than there was. And then the day came where she discovered she was more than ordinary. She was placed with those who value bravery and courage, even though she never understood why because she had always sought knowledge.

"There were two boys in need of her help and she did, even though they often broke the rules. And as she grew and their adventures continued, that missing space inside of her gradually filled, but there was still a small part left. She grew older and began to realize why she was placed among the brave. Even though she did not consider herself brave, she had always been one to strive to do right by others, even when it was the hardest thing to do. Then, she was faced with a life-altering decision, one that required bravery, and she knew she could do it because she had already done so much, and that still-empty part of her screamed at her to do it." Hermione stopped, smiling at Bellatrix as the dark witch watched her with admiration.

"Well?" Bellatrix asked.

"Well, what?"

"Is that the end?"

"No, Bella. There isn't an end, yet." Hermione lifted Bellatrix's chin, pulling her up until their faces were even and kissing her tenderly. "The end doesn't matter, so long as I have you."