A/N: Another week another chapter! Approximately. I don't keep track, I just post them as I finish them. Things are working out nicely for our two favorite witches, and I felt so warm inside writing this chapter. It's always the tender love that gets me, for whatever reason. Anyway, stay tuned for updates as this is NOT the last chapter.
Enjoy, my dear readers!
Lupin stood in the Minister of Magic's office. His office. He couldn't believe that he had actually won. Even with Hermione's endorsement, he was worried it was still a long shot. When it became public that Ron, Sirius, and Moody had been arrested for attacking Hermione and Harry unprovoked, the citizens' support for Hermione grew even more. There had been a few other candidates, but mostly, he was the major one after Sirius was disqualified. He was floored by the amount of support Harry and Hermione had in their world. Once Harry had announced his endorsement of Lupin, there was no way he would've lost. It had come as a surprise to him, but he was grateful Harry was not like his godfather. In fact, he was so much like his mother, now. Not in looks, but in nature. It was even more pronounced after the fighting was over and he came to terms with Dumbledore's lies.
His first order of business had been to officially appoint Minerva as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts. She had always been kind, if a bit strict, and Lupin felt she was the perfect fit for the school. He had a lot of work to do and a lot of things to figure out, but that was one of the few things he had been sure about. The second had been to request reparations from all the families involved in the war- on both sides. He had even taken some from his own account. To his surprise, the former Death Eaters were all too happy to help, offering at least double what he asked for. It would go a long way towards funding the proper function of the government and the restoration of the building.
"Congratulations, Minister," Hermione said as she entered his office.
"Congratulations, Remus," Bellatrix said with a respectful nod of her head.
"Thank you both. I couldn't have done it without you, Hermione. I hope I can live up to the expectations," he said graciously.
"I'm sure you'll surpass them. We came to give you this," Hermione said, holding a letter in her outstretched hand.
Lupin took it gently, smiling as he read the invitation. "I look forward to it."
"That's really all we came for, we have a meeting with Minerva just now. I can't wait to see what you do with this opportunity," Bellatrix said, looping her arm through Hermione's. Hermione nodded in agreeance, the two witches turning on their heels and disappearing.
Minerva sat in her office, looking over the contracts she intended to give Hermione and Bellatrix. She had looked over them dozens of times already, and she knew the two were more than happy to not be paid for their work, but she wanted to make sure they were compensated fairly. They would be here soon, Hermione had always been punctual, even if Bellatrix tended to be a little tardy. She was glad things had finally calmed down. She had yet to offer Hermione the research position, but she knew the young witch wouldn't need much time to think about it. Minerva had been waiting until the time was right and she was excited it was finally here. As if thinking about the two witches conjured them into existence, they appeared just as Minerva finished straightening the stack of papers on her desk.
She rose to give Hermione a hug, engulfing the brunette as she said, "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, Minerva. It means so much to me," Hermione said, returning the hug.
"And you as well, Bellatrix. I've always been impressed by you, and I'm pleased to see that you have developed into an incredible person." Minerva hesitantly hugged Bellatrix, the sentiment returned in kind. They weren't as comfortable as Hermione was with each other, but they wanted to be.
"Thank you," Bellatrix whispered, choking up, "It wouldn't have been possible without Hermione."
"I daresay none of this would be. Which is why I'm excited for both of you to look over your contracts for the coming year," Minerva said, moving back behind her desk.
"Both?" Hermione questioned, seeing a knowing smile on Bellatrix's face, "I thought only Bella was offered a job."
"Oh, goodness me, I must've forgotten to mention it," Minerva said with a twinkle in her eyes, "You would be taking on a research position, working with students and faculty as you see fit."
Hermione processed the information, a smile growing on her face. "Thank you, Minerva."
"With the resources you provided to Hogwarts and your part in the war, I could hardly deny you your dream job," Minerva said, shrugging. She passed them their respective contracts, sitting silently as they read through them.
"This is too much," Bellatrix said, her eyebrows raised, "I couldn't possibly be paid this much."
"It's the standard salary," Minerva commented, a small smile on her face.
"Ridiculous. I already have more money than I could ever use, I insist it be used for something else," Bellatrix pressed on.
"I agree, this is absurd. I don't even know what to do with all the properties I have, let alone the contents of my vault," Hermione agreed.
"I cannot ask you to work for free. I suspected you would feel this way, but that's the lowest amount I can offer by law."
"Then set up a fund for Hogwarts students," Bellatrix said, tossing the file onto the desk.
"Like a scholarship. Put our salaries into a trust and use it for students struggling to meet the cost of tuition and supplies," Hermione added.
"I think that's acceptable," Minerva said, nodding.
Hermione and Bellatrix watched as their contracts changed to reflect the new agreement, both of them quickly signing their names after reading through it once more. Minerva smiled as the two witches in front of her shared excited glances.
"This is for you," Hermione said, offering Minerva a sealed envelope.
"I have a feeling you already know what it is," Bellatrix added.
Minerva chuckled, unsealing the envelope and skimming over the invitation. "I have a feeling you already know my answer."
The three witches shared a laugh, taking several moments to chat before Minerva returned to work. Bellatrix wrapped her arms around Hermione, placing a peck on her cheek before winking at her. Hermione smiled, closing her eyes in anticipation of Bellatrix's surprise. Hermione felt them Apparate, swaying a little upon landing but steadied by her soon-to-be wife. She tilted her head up, keeping her eyes closed until she was instructed to open them. Bellatrix obliged the younger witch, indulging Hermione in a slow, passionate kiss that made their hearts flutter.
"Open your eyes, lion," Bellatrix whispered in Hermione's ear.
Hermione obeyed, her eyes seeing Bellatrix first. Their surroundings came into focus, taking in the spring surrounded by dense, but not imposing, pine trees.
"I found this spring while I was exploring."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Hermione asked, smirking at her soulmate.
"I was waiting for permission, I am a lady, after all," Bellatrix retorted teasingly.
Hermione hummed, leaning forward to nip at Bellatrix's bottom lip to distract her from the banishment of her clothes. "Lucky for you, I don't have near as many sensitivities."
"Cheeky witch," Bellatrix chuckled, swiftly hoisting the brunette onto her shoulder and carrying her into the water.
Hermione was released only when she trailed her nails lightly over Bellatrix's ass, sending shivers through the dark witch. She pressed against Bellatrix's front, draping her arms around her neck Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her closer as they moved slowly through the surprisingly warm water. Hermione leaned her head against her lover's shoulder, nuzzling into her pale neck. Bellatrix hummed happily, swaying lazily with Hermione until their skin started to prune.
"We'd better get going before we're late to dinner," Bellatrix mumbled into Hermione's hair.
"I love our family to death, but is it too much to ask for a night with just the two of us?" Hermione asked.
"We will be going to the island after dinner. Just the two of us," Bellatrix promised with a chaste kiss.
"That sounds perfect, Bella."
They smiled at each other, neither making an attempt to get out of the water. Bellatrix sighed playfully, turning with Hermione in her arms and Apparating them to their room in Malfoy Manor. Hermione sifted through her robes, choosing the one she knew was Narcissa's favorite while Bellatrix settled for her traditional outfit. Arm-in-arm, they hurried to the dining room, earning a raised eyebrow from Narcissa at their near tardiness. She let it slide, though, happy to let them spend time together without interruption.
The accumulated family ate cheerfully, chatting and drinking and laughing long after they had finished. They had been on edge for most of the summer, working hard to remedy the disaster caused by the war. Things had only begun to settle down, but they had always possessed an easy rhythm in their interactions, and dinner was no exception. All too soon, it was well passed the time to sleep, the accumulated witches and wizards bidding each other goodnight and retreating to their chambers for the remainder of the night. Hermione grasped Bellatrix's hand, pulling her into an embrace and swiftly Apparating them to the island. They walked along the tideline, holding hands and taking in the pale moonlight for a few moments before moving to their room.
Bellatrix brushed her fingertips over Hermione's skin as she rid the brunette of her robes, feeling Hermione respond in kind. Their movements were unhurried, absorbing the sensations they caused as they explored each others' skin. Hermione wound her arms around Bellatrix's waist, tilting her head for a languid kiss that increased in intensity when Bellatrix traced her bottom lip with her tongue. Hermione pressed her tongue against Bellatrix's, melting into the witch. Bellatrix guided her to the bed, laying her down and placing open-mouthed kisses over her torso. Groaning, Hermione tangled her hands in Bellatrix's hair, letting her take her time. Bellatrix moved tantalizingly slow across Hermione's chest, treating each nipple to a gentle tongue, across her abdomen in a way that made her squirm, and finally down to between her legs.
Hermione sighed when Bellatrix's soft, full lips pressed a kiss to her clit, pushing her hips up gently. She felt soft touches on the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs as Bellatrix repeatedly slid her tongue over her clit. Every action from the dark witch elicited a soft moan or sigh from Hermione, who melted into the dark witch as she was showered in gentle love. She felt the buildup of pressure at the bottom of her abdomen, growing until she couldn't hold it back anymore, and releasing at the gentle ministrations of Bellatrix's tongue. Hermione was quickly enveloped in Bellatrix's warmth, snuggling into it as the haze in her mind cleared.
Soft kisses peppered Bellatrix's collarbones as Hermione ran a hand over her side, reveling in the curve and fullness of Bellatrix. She felt blessed to wake up each morning tangled with her lover, and sometimes the sheets, and to be loved by such an incredible person. Bellatrix nuzzled into her hair, startling Hermione slightly from her half-aware state. She mumbled an apology, pulling the blanket tighter around them and positioning them so they were even closer together. Hermione smiled against Bellatrix's warm skin, placing a soft kiss there. Her breathing evened out, followed by Bellatrix shortly after. They dreamed of their wedding, their upcoming time at Hogwarts, and the children they knew they would have together. Such happiness brought smiles to their faces, even in their sleeping state. They both knew moments like this would be much more regular once they settled into their schedules for the upcoming school year, but they weren't worried. Both of them knew they would always have time for each other when they really needed it.