Draco's winter cloak did little to fend off the penetrating chill as he followed his mother down a long, stone tunnel. Moisture collected into little puddles that caught the light of his mother's wand as she strode confidently through the dark.
It all felt so surreal, he reflected as he struggled to keep up with the brisk pace. They had entered the tunnels through a secret entrance in a mausoleum. Though it was a muggle cemetery, he had recognized the name carved into the stone. Gibbon. One of the grey families that had branches in both the light and the dark.
His ears pricked, and his head shot up, his eyes trying to peer through the darkness. The sound was so faint he could scarcely hear it over the sound of their footsteps, but as they drew closer, the noise became more obvious.
Voices.
His heart sped with excitement, and he saw his mother reach into her sleeve and pull out a small glinting sickle. She pressed it to her forehead without breaking stride, and it expanded at once into a shining bear mask.
"They will only see your face once," she whispered to him, reaching out to clasp his sweating hand in her cool, dry one. She gave him a reassuring squeeze, and then stepped ahead once again.
There was a silver glow coming from the end of the tunnel now, and he could see where the tunnel curved.
The voices stopped as they drew near. Before Draco could ready himself, they rounded the bend, and entered a round chamber.
He squinted immediately at the brightness as dozens of bright wand tips were aimed at them. A man's voice boomed out, "Authenticate yourselves!"
What did they mean? He turned to his mother, but she was already pointing her wand at the man. A shining mist poured from it's tip, reshaping itself into a silver bear patronus. In his mother's voice, the bear said, "Ursula has arrived with a new addition to our ranks."
At once, the lights dimmed, and the chamber took on a more ghostly appearance. The walls were lined with tunnels. The stone walls were damp, and so shone in the light. Each person wore a shining silver mask in the shape of an animal, and Draco guessed that they reflected the witch or wizard's patronus.
His mother made her rounds, greeting each person by their code name. A pleasant hum of conversation arose as the other masked figures resumed their conversations. He stuck close to her, trying to figure out what exactly they were doing. It was clear they had been waiting for her, as they all watched her expectantly.
"We have information that the Order is meeting tonight."
He watched her back stiffen almost imperceptibly as a man wearing an eagle mask stepped forward. Her voice was steady, however. "Are there any reports that they plan to attack the Ball?"
He shook his head, "Not yet."
She hummed under her breath, her eyes scanning over the others. "Thorn, Hazel!"
A witch in a cat mask, and a wizard in a boar mask pushed their way forward. Both looked excited.
His mother eyed them both, "I want you to station yourselves at Little Hangleton once we are done with the new additions. Observe only, but report at once if there is any disturbance. Do you understand?"
The wizard nodded immediately, "We do."
"Wait, you spy on the Order?" Draco's brow furrowed in confusion.
With a last nod to the witch and wizard, his mother turned to look at him. Her eyes, which gleamed sharply behind the silver mask, met his and he felt himself straighten under her gaze. He knew his mother was a strong witch, but it was one thing to know that, and quite another to be standing in front of her as she radiated sheer power. For a moment, he wondered what she could have been had she not chosen to get married to his father.
"Rook?" She called to a tall man wearing a bird mask, "Are there any other new additions?"
The tall man known as Rook nodded his head. "Three more."
Her arm shot into the air, and a shower of white sparks erupted from the tip of her wand. "If there are no objections," she said calmly, "I will begin the meeting."
The floor immediately cleared as those assembled formed a circle.
Draco stood with his back to the tunnel he and his mother had come from, acutely aware of the curious gazes that showered him as his mother stood composed beside him.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," she began, her voice sounding clearly throughout the chamber despite the mask. "I know we are all busy with the holidays, and with your families," she shared a look with Rook, who stood on her other side, "but do not forget that we are here because of those that we love."
She stepped into the center of the circle. "The Patroni have existed for as long as written history has existed. Some say it has existed for as long as war itself has existed. We exist not to take sides," she moved constantly so that she could address all of them equally, "but to protect. The Patronus was invented as a protector, to save one's very soul from death. Most think that it can only be used as a defense against Dementors."
Draco stared unblinking as she wordlessly cast a patronus charm. The great silver bear looked at her for a moment, and then began circling her.
"We can use it to send messages," she continued, "to create distractions, some can even use them to shield others from minor curses and hexes. When the original Patroni figured this out they went to the battlefields to try and save the ones they loved. They went to the villages to try and rescue innocents from being caught in the crossfire. You've been asked here today because someone saw potential in you." Now she only looked at those who were unmasked, and Draco clenched his fist around his wand in anticipation as he soaked in her words. "If you can commit to staying neutral, to working together with your fellows to protect the innocent bystanders as well as those who have been dragged into either side of this war without full consent or understanding, then we welcome you. If you cannot commit, or if you do not feel safe doing so, we will obliviate this meeting from your mind and no one will think any less of you."
He swallowed heavily. He already knew he could commit, but it was difficult to release his hope of joining the Order. Of working together with Dumbledore and Harry to bring down the Death Eaters…
Hermione was a Death Eater. Or at least, she would be. His father… he stopped himself before he could finish that thought. His pale eyes slid upwards until they reached his mother's gaze, and she gave him the tiniest smile that made him think she might know what was going on inside his mind.
"If you're ready, step forward and declare your decision."
He stepped forward, along with two witches and a wizard.
The first witch looked shaken, and she flinched as his mother stepped forward. "I-i'd like to go home please."
His mother's voice was warm, "Of course. Rook will see that you get home safely."
Rook stepped forward and held out his arm, which the witch gratefully took. The circle parted so that they could pass, and then closed again.
"And you?" Narcissa addressed the second witch. "What is your decision."
The witch grinned, "I'll stay." She was only a few years older than Draco, and he was pretty certain she had been a Ravenclaw. Her brown curls bobbed around her chin as she looked up at his mother.
Narcissa nodded approvingly, "And who do you fight for?"
The witch looked over her shoulder at someone, and then back at his mother, "Who do I fight for?"
"Yes. Each one of us is here because someone we love is involved in the war. When we become frightened, or unsure, we ask ourselves who we do this for. Do you have someone in the Order or with the Dark Lord? Someone you worry for?"
There was a pause, and then the witch said in a barely audible tone, "My brother… he-"
"You don't have to explain," Narcissa cut in kindly. "Now, think of your brother and conjure a patronus charm."
The girl's chin was back up, and she nodded, readying her wand. "Expecto patronum!"
The mist that sifted from her wand was nowhere near as bright as Narcissa's had been, but the hound that emerged was recognizable, and it made Draco smile a bit as it wiggled around the witch.
Narcissa placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Welcome," she looked around at the assembled witches and wizards, "And who will train her?"
A plump witch wearing a mouse mask stepped forward, "I will."
Narcissa nodded, "Go to Fidget then. I look forward to learning your name the next time we meet."
The girl nodded, her grin back in full force as she walked over to the woman his mother had called Fidget. The woman wrapped an arm around her while those on either side whispered words of congratulations.
Draco tried to keep his composure calm as the man next to him took his turn. He was slightly older than Narcissa, and fought for his son, daughter, and cousin. A porpoise patronus bloomed from his wand and swam elegantly around him as the congregation welcomed him.
And then it was his turn. His mother's warm eyes met his, as if she already knew his answer.
"And what is your decision?"
He gripped his wand. "I'll stay."
"And who do you fight for?"
"My sister, and my friend." Hermione and Harry. He pushed away the thoughts of his father.
If she was disappointed that he did not mention Lucius she hid it well. "Think of them, then, and conjure a patronus."
He already knew the memory he'd use. It was the same one he used whenever he cast the charm. He remembered the feeling of exhilaration after he, Harry and Hermione had rescued Sirius and Buckbeak.
"We did it!" Harry had whispered as the three of them sat around Ron's bed in the Infirmary. The redhead snored softly between them. "We actually did it!"
"Of course we did!" said Hermione haughtily, tossing her slightly mussed curls over her shoulder. "The three of us can do anything." She caught Draco's eye and winked.
He started laughing first, then Harry, and finally his sister. They laughed so loud it was a wonder Madam Pomfrey didn't kick them out. He had never felt so at ease and free in his life.
"We can do anything."
With his sister's words thundering in his ears he shouted, "Expecto patronum!" and grinned triumphantly as his silver badger barrelled from his wand.
His mother's eyes were shining with pride as she clasped both of his shoulders. "Welcome." Addressing the room, she called out, "I will be training this one, and I expect great things from all three of our new friends!"
Cheers erupted from all sides of the chamber, and he beamed upwards as a slew of silver animals rocketed skyward. Something inside of him that had been hollow since the DA meetings had ceased filled. He was a part of something again, something that mattered.
Bellatrix must have been carrying a portkey, for Hermione felt the familiar pulling behind her navel, and then the two were deposited in the middle of a dark room.
Hermione had never seen the inside of Bellatrix's room before, but as she looked around she thought that it suited her.
The walls were covered in dark wallpaper. Tiny balls of light floated around the room, lazily moving in a circle. There was a writing desk in one corner and a gleaming ebony wardrobe in another. The wooden floorboards were highly polished. A bed piled high with pillows dominated the room, and Bellatrix walked over to it and flopped down, kicking off her heels in the process.
"Join me?" she husked.
Hermione swallowed. She could feel the fire of Bellatrix's desire melding with her own. Slowly, she walked over to the bed and eased onto it, her shoes joining Bellatrix's on the floor.
Bellatrix lay back against the pillows, gazing appreciatively up at the younger witch. Her dark curls sprawled around her face and down over her neck. They were a stark contrast against her pale skin and the white of her dress.
"You're so beautiful," Hermione whispered, resting her palm against the velvet of Bellatrix's bodice. The plush fabric was warm against her fingers, and she stroked her thumb over the space beneath the other witch's breast.
Bellatrix inhaled sharply, her hooded eyes darkening. "So are you."
A pink blush stole across Hermione's cheeks, and she worried her lip between her teeth.
"Come here," Bellatrix wove her fingers through Hermione's hair and pulled her down for a kiss. It started out gently, and then deepened. Bellatrix arched up into the kiss, her tongue slipping between Hermione's lips to trace the tip of Hermione's.
They broke apart with a gasp, and then Hermione let out a giggle as Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her all the way down.
"Bella," Hermione whined as Bellatrix began pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses against her neck. The older witch's fingers made short work of the buttons down Hermione's back.
Then the top of her dress was being pushed down, bunched around her waist as Bellatrix's kisses followed it's path.
"Take it off," Bellatrix commanded, pulling impatiently at Hermione's bra.
The brunette complied immediately, sitting up a little and unclasping it. Bellatrix helped her pull it the rest of the way off and flung it across the room, then gently pushed her back against the pillows.
Bella! Hermione gasped loudly as Bellatrix pressed a kiss to her sternum, one hand reaching over a breast, kneading it gently as she kissed lower still. Her whole body arched upwards when Bellatrix kissed the spot beneath her belly button.
"Up," Bellatrix tapped Hermione's hips breathlessly, and the brunette lifted them so that she could pull the dress (and her underwear) down over her hips and off.
Hermione was completely undressed. She panted in anticipation as Bellatrix sat back on her heels and looked at her, her eyes dark with lust.
"You're wearing too many clothes," she said, her fingers tangling in the blankets when Bellatrix settled between her legs.
Smirking, the dark witch pulled her dress over her head and dropped it over the side of the bed.
Hermione swallowed as her eyes roamed over the pale figure in front of her. Desire sang through her veins as Bellatrix divested herself of her bra, and then shimmied free of her underwear and stockings. "Better now?" she asked in a raspy voice, crawling back up the bed so that she could kiss Hermione again.
Hermione moaned into the kiss. Every inch of her skin tingled with electricity, and she felt like she needed to be closer.
Sliding the last few centimeters between them, she allowed her fingers to explore the slope of Bellatrix's spine, and then the curve of her hip. Her fingers dug into the skin there, trying to pull her even closer. Her other hand moved to the swell of Bellatrix's breast, and her fingers rolled and tugged at the older witch's nipple, a smug grin crossing her face at the noises it pulled from the other witch.
And then Bellatrix was moving on top of her, her hand stroking down the length of her thigh and then coming up to rest at the apex of her things. She sought Hermione's gaze, asking permission, which she gave immediately with a frantic nod.
She gave a shaky breath as a single finger slipped inside. It was quickly joined by another, and she dug her nails into Bellatrix's arm as the older witch's thumb found the small bundle of nerves.
The brunette threw her head back, her breath coming in ragged gasps as Bellatrix pressed into her.
Bellatrix kissed the column of her throat, grinning as Hermione bucked into her fingers. "That's it, Doveling." She straddled one of the girl's thighs and rocked lazily against it.
"Bellaaaaaa," Hermione whined again. She pressed her face into the pillows her thoughts came in broken fragments. So wet-Don't-Don't stop-I didn't know- I can feel her- Merlin, Bella!- I can feel…
There was a rush of affection, and Bellatrix once again began kissing a trail down the length of Hermione's body.
"Wha-?" Her head snapped up when Bellatrix removed her fingers.
"Easy, Dove," Bellatrix grinned wolfishly as she moved between Hermione's thighs, her fingers playing with the neat curls she found there.
Bella… please! I need you.
Hermione let out a low whine as Bellatrix settled and gave her a long, experimental lick. Her hands flew down to tangle in the black curls as she parted Hermione's folds and swirled her tongue around the bundle of nerves hidden there. Two fingers slid back inside, twisting and rubbing deep inside.
Hermione was a mess. Her legs seemed to move on their own, pressing against Bellatrix and sliding up and down the witch's body as she continued lapping her tongue in just the right way. "Yessssss, oh Bella," she whined, her breaths coming fast and shallow. She could feel something rising inside of her, swirling and pressing insistently. Bella, she struggled to form her own thoughts, Bella, something's happening. I, I don't…
"Shhhhh, Doveling," Bellatrix's voice was gentle inside her mind, even though she continued licking and thrusting her fingers in that steady, quick pace. "It's ok. You're about to come."
Hermione's mouth had gone dry, and she could feel Bellatrix's excitement behind her own pleasure.
It was too much. She was going to explode. But something still held her back.
And then Bellatrix spoke inside her mind, "Come for me, Dove."
The pressure burst. Her hips jerked uncontrollably against Bellatrix's unyielding tongue. She could feel herself spasm repeatedly around the curling of her fingers. Wave after wave of pleasure hit her, making her back arch and her breath come in sharp pants.
Bellatrix slowed as Hermione's back softened, her body still shaking from aftershocks as she gently withdrew her fingers and moved back up the bed.
Hermione barely moved as Bellatrix pulled her into her arms. Her eyelids felt too heavy to keep holding open. "Should I…?"
Bellatrix's laugh was low and gentle. "No, my little dove. You should rest."
Hermione hummed in response and nuzzled closer, resting her head beneath Bellatrix's chin. I love you, she thought sleepily.
A kiss was pressed to her head. "I love you too."
A/N: Let me know what you think!