Bellatrix woke early to an urgent tapping noise. The sky outside the curtains was still inky. Gently disentangling herself from Hermione, she rose and crossed to where a ruffled-looking barn owl was pecking at the glass.

When she opened the window the gust of wind chilled her to the bone. Necessity made her seek out the dressing gown she had haphazardly thrown over a chair the morning before, and she slid into it as the owl hopped into the room, hooting in annoyance.

"If you wake her, you'll regret it," Bellatrix warned sleepily. She sank into the chair, and patted the arm in invitation.

Paying no heed to her words, the owl fluttered up to join her. A slim roll of parchment was attached to it's leg, and she removed it. Her eyebrows rose in amusement as she took in Severus' irritated scrawl.

I know you have her there. Allow me to enter through your wards so that I may escort her home. She was to be home hours ago, and I do not want to cause unnecessary worry for Narcissa. -S

Rolling her eyes, Bellatrix rose and crossed to her desk, rifling through until she found a self-inking quill.

I'll take her home myself. -B

She was not looking forward to facing Narcissa, but she certainly did not want to put Hermione through the awkwardness of being escorted home by her professor after…

A rare blush warmed her cheeks, and she busied herself with tying her response to the owl's leg. The animal hooted in alarm as she practically threw him from the window, and flapped away as quickly as his wings could take him.

Securing the window, Bellatrix padded back to the bed and eased herself down with her back to the headboard. A grin tugged at her lips as Hermione snuggled up to her at once, throwing an arm over her legs and resting her cheek atop Bellatrix's thigh. The only noises in the room were Hermione's soft breaths, and the quiet shuffling of the furry creature in the birdcage on Bellatrix's desk.

Never in her life had she cared so deeply for another person. She had loved her sisters, yes, and she was devoted to her lord, but the fierce love that Hermione evoked in her was surprising. She rested a hand in the unruly brown curls, and smoothed them away from the girl's face. For a moment she ran her eyes over the curve of her nose, the swell of her cheek, the dark of her lash against the milkiness of her skin. The makeup from last night had survived, looking as if it had been applied only moments ago. She had always expected to die in service for her lord, but Hermione unearthed something deep within her that she hadn't felt since her girlhood.

She wanted to live.

Sitting there, in the quiet stillness, she could imagine that the world was at peace. That she wasn't a wanted criminal. That Hermione wasn't a pawn in Dumbledore's game. She swallowed, forcing herself not to think about the role she was about to play in the Dark Lord's game. He would keep Hermione safe, of that she was certain.

And yet there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Perhaps it was the same thing that kept her from revealing the bond to her lord. She had tried, to be sure. More than once she had envisioned herself seeking a private audience and admitting the whole thing. She never could. She told herself it was to protect her sister. To keep Narcissa safe from the Dark Lord's wrath. But it was more than that. She could not be sure that Hermione would be safe if her status as a muggleborn was made public.

And Hermione would be safe. Even if Bellatrix could not make it through the war, Hermione would. Bellatrix would make sure of it.

The sky faded from black to plum, and then to lavender, and the brunette began to stir.

"Good morning, Dove," Bellatrix said softly as brown eyes fluttered open.

"Where are we?" came the groggy response.

Fondness flooded Bellatrix's entire being as she stroked the brown curls. "You're in my bed."

There was a tiny affirming hum, and then Hermione seemed to register the words. "Oh!" She sat up quickly, and Bellatrix missed the warmth immediately. "Oh."

Bellatrix didn't need a psychic link to know that Hermione was remembering the night before. The girl's cheeks were painted crimson, her arms crossed over her bare chest. She reached out for those emotions that were not her own, a smirk playing on her lips as she registered Hermione's lust. Then it fell as she felt...embarrassment?

Concern laced her voice, "You're not... " she searched her mind for the right word, "regretting it, are you?"

Confusion filled the eyes she loved so much, then cleared. "No. No, of course not, Bella. I just… I wanted it to be special, and I didn't even… I mean, I fell asleep right after! And we…"

Understanding filled the older witch, and she quickly smothered a laugh. Forcing her face to be as serious as possible, she slid her fingers beneath Hermione's chin and stroked her thumb along her jaw. "It was special to me."

She meant it honestly, but Hermione looked at her with growing horror. "Merlin, you're laughing at me!"

"I am not!" She had been very successful in holding it in.

Hermione's brow furrowed, "I can feel you Bellatrix!" she snapped, her cheeks growing even darker. She bent to snatch up one of the pillows, and buried her face in it. Her shame felt so strong that Bellatrix wasted no time in sliding forward and wrapping her arms around the girl.

"I'm not laughing at you, doveling," she purred into the curls by Hermione's ear. "Or our perfect night, because that's what it was. It was absolutely perfect."

There came a muffled, "Then what are you so amused by?"

"The fact that you think I didn't have a great night." She grinned ferally, "and, if the noises you made were any indication, I'm pretty sure you had a great night as well."

Hermione let out an embarrassed squeak, and Bellatrix did laugh then, rocking them back and forth.

I won't fall asleep next time, Hermione promised silently. Not before you… you know. Before I reciprocate.

Bellatrix pressed a kiss to her head, "I wouldn't mind if you did," she said truthfully. Then she looked at the ever lightening window and groaned, "But we won't be testing your stamina today." Letting go of the brunette she slid from the bed and gathered up their discarded clothes from the night before.

Hermione's disappointment was so palpable she swore she could taste it. Still, she dutifully accepted her clothes and hurried into them.

"I wish we could take Vercingetorix," Hermione said wistfully, knowing that it would take too long.

Bellatrix flashed her a toothy smile, "Next time, yeah?"

A few spells were hurriedly cast to make them look presentable, and then Bellatrix apparated them to the edge of the gate that marked the edge of the Forest Cottage's wards.

The sun had not yet made an appearance, but it was light enough to see the stone path that led up to the Forest Cottage…

And the blonde perched on the wall beside the gate.

"Shit." Bellatrix spat, loosening her hold on Hermione.

"Good Morning," Narcissa said calmly, looking only at Hermione. "Severus owled me that you would be later than expected."

"Mother, I-"

Narcissa raised a hand. "Darling, you look tired. Why don't you head up to the cottage and get some more sleep. I've had the elves prepare a bath for you."

Hermione clamped her mouth shut, and nodded.

"Don't worry about me Dove, get some more rest."

Casting her an unsure look, Hermione gingerly opened the gate and stepped through. You'll call me if she gets too angry?

Bellatrix had no intention of doing so, but she promised anyway. In silence, she and Narcissa watched Hermione climb the path and disappear through the front door.

Then cold blue eyes were staring her down. "Let's take a walk, shall we?" her little sister asked in a tone that allowed no dissent.

All Bellatrix wanted was a warm bath of her own, but she obediently followed her sister down a hidden little path in the forest that gave the cottage it's name. The snow made the path slippery, but Narcissa did not stumble as she picked her way through the trees. At last she stopped at a spot where the trail widened into a little clearing. The blonde did not turn around at first. She continued facing away as the wind roared through the trees above their heads.

With a thought that she should have worn a thicker cloak, Bellatrix stood there waiting for her sister to begin yelling.

Without warning, Narcissa turned and shot a particularly nasty stinging hex at her. She doubled over, growling as the pain shot through her entire torso.

"My daughter?" Narcissa's icy facade was gone. Pure rage etched across her face as she shot another stinging hex, this one hit Bellatrix in the shoulder. "My daughter?!"

Another hex hit her in the leg, and she stumbled, landing on her knees in the snow. "Narcissa!" she hissed. Her hand itched to draw her own wand, but she knew doing so would make things much worse.

"You're lucky it's only a hex, Bellatrix," Narcissa spat. Her hair was coming loose as she stalked across the snow towards the darker witch. "I'm well within my rights to do so much more!"

"She's not a child anymore," Bellatrix shot back, "She's of age! There's nothing wrong with-"

Another stinging hex hit her in the cheek, and it was as if a thousand bees were stabbing her over and over again. "Argh!"

"Tell me nothing happened!" Narcissa commanded, reaching down and grabbing a fistful of her sister's hair. She jerked Bellatrix's head back and glared into her eyes, "Tell me my suspicions are wrong!"

Bellatrix's voice was hard, "You want me to lie to you?"

Narcissa froze. Bellatrix could feel the tell-tale prickle of legilimency at her mind, and she let her sister in. Snapshots of the night before were summoned, and it only took a brief glance for Narcissa to wrench out of Bellatrix's thoughts with a snarl.

The older witch barely had a second to recover before she found a wand jammed under her chin.

"The only reason I'm not ending your miserable life right now," Narcissa scathed through gritted teeth, "is because I don't know how your bond will affect Hermione. But mark my words," the wand jabbed harder into the soft skin of Bellatrix's chin, "if I could I would do it in a flash." Her eyes were like pools of blue fire.

Bellatrix scoffed, "I'm your sister."

Nothing wavered in Narcissa's gaze, "And she's my daughter. She deserves so much more than you."

For the first time, Bellatrix felt a very real stab of fear. She had never seen her sister so angry. Not when she got the mark, not when her husband got one. Not even the night Draco was born and she had commented on what a fine warrior he'd make for the Dark Lord. "Cissy," she said quietly, placatingly, "I love her."

Her sister let out a bark of a laugh. "You don't even know what love is," she snarled. "The only thing you've ever loved is your master, and that's not even really-"

"I know," Bellatrix whispered. "I know, and that's not the kind of love I'm talking about." Without realizing it, her hands had wrapped around Narcissa's wand arm. "You don't know what it was like to go to Azkaban," she said. "I hope you never will. It's like nothing on earth but a dark, suffocating chamber of pain. And I was there, suffocating inside of it. And then she was there, and I wasn't alone anymore. She saved me, Cissy. She kept me from losing myself. I've never felt that connection with anyone, I don't even know if it can exist outside of what we have."

"She was a child," Narcissa spat.

"I didn't feel this way about her then," Bellatrix shot back, horror dripping from her words. "I didn't feel this way until I saw her in the Department of Mysteries-"

"I don't care," but the pressure from her wand had eased enough for Bellatrix to feel comfortable continuing.

"For years she was all I had, Cissy. She was my whole world. Is my whole world. It's like she's part of me. I can always feel her. Even when we couldn't speak I could still feel her."

"And she could feel you."

The wand had dropped completely now. Slowly, the rage drained from Narcissa's face, replaced by something closer to despair.

Leaning closer, Bellatrix reached to grasp Narcissa's robes. "I won't let anything happen to her, Cissy. I'd never let anything happen to her. There's nothing in this world more precious to me. She'll be safe, I promise."

"You can't promise that," Narcissa said, her voice tired. "No one can promise that. Not even I can promise that." Her voice rose, ringing through the trees, "I have worked tirelessly to try and protect my children, and I can't even guarantee that they will survive the end of the year. Neither of us can. But I can guarantee that I will die trying."

"And so will I," Bellatrix said quickly.

"Is that so?" Blue eyes examined her, weighing the sincerity of her words. Narcissa shook her head. "Don't make promises you don't intend to keep."

That offended her. "I absolutely intend to keep it!" She clambered to her feet, hissing at the pain. "I will burn this whole miserable world to the ground if it means she will be safe!" Her curls flew wildly around her face as she leaned close enough that their noses almost touched. Her eyes bored into her sister's, daring her to hear the truth of her words.

Narcissa didn't flinch, "Would you burn your Dark Lord to the ground?"

"It won't come to that."

"If you don't realize that it's very swiftly coming to that then you are a fool!" It was snowing now, but neither sister reacted to the great fluffy flakes. "Hermione's best friend is Harry Potter, Draco's best friend is Harry Potter. When that boy faces off against the Dark Lord my son will fight to protect him because he lacks self-preservation. When that happens, do you really think Hermione is going to stand by and allow the Dark Lord to kill her own brother?"

The answer was no. Hermione was about as likely to allow harm to come to Draco as Bellatrix was to allow Narcissa to throw herself in harm's way. That's what had started this whole mess to begin with.

But Narcissa wasn't done.

"And do you think the Dark Lord would be understanding if he realized who Hermione's birth parents were? Do you think he'd have the same creepy designs towards her-"

"He doesn't have any designs towards her!" Bellatrix protested, her eyes widening with shock. The very idea of it was repulsive.

Narcissa let out a harsh laugh, "Don't be stupid," she spat. "Severus told me all about his obsession with the Song of Lothar-"

Her brow wrinkled, "The old legend?"

"- and it doesn't take a Ravenclaw to put two and two together. I don't know what his motives are, but his intention is pretty clear."

"You're wrong," Bellatrix insisted. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared into Narcissa's unflinching gaze. "He has far more important things to worry about than-"

"Romancing a teenager?" The blonde's jaw hardened, "Careful, Bella, you're starting to sound like a hypocrite."

But she would not believe it. It couldn't be true, it just couldn't.

They stood there in the falling snow in silence, neither one of them breaking eye contact, and then Narcissa sighed.

"I have to go prepare for Christmas," she gave her sister a once over, "but while you're out enjoying whatever revelries the Dark Lord has prepared I want you to think. Think very carefully. If you had to kill him to be able to save her... would you do it?"

She left without another word, leaving Bellatrix alone with the falling snow.

XX

Christmas was a subdued affair. Their mother tried to be as cheerful as possible, but neither of her children were fooled.

Hermione didn't comment on how exhausted Draco looked, and in turn he didn't comment on watching her climb back into the house at the break of dawn. There was an unspoken agreement that they would pretend everything was as normal as possible. They sant carols and gorged on Mardie's roast duck, and when Narcissa drank too much of the spiced wine and began recounting stories of the christmases of her youth both of her children listened attentively.

Later, when Narcissa urged them both to get some rest, they padded sleepily up to their rooms.

Hermione was at her door when she felt two sturdy arms wrap around her middle and catch her in a strong embrace. "Oof, Draco!" she laughed as he hugged harder.

"I love you, you know?" he whispered softly.

She patted his arm, "I never doubted it."

Reluctantly, his arms loosened, and he stepped back as she turned. "I just… I don't want you to ever doubt that."

She smiled softly and reached out to squeeze his arm, "And I love you too. You're the best little brother a girl could ask for."

His smile was blinding, "Well. Er, that's all I wanted to say. Goodnight!"

Giggling a little, she reached out and ruffled his hair, "Sweet dreams, Draco."

"Oh they will be," he winked.

Her giggle turned into a laugh as he ducked into his room. That night she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

XX

"-did he say why?"

"I'm sorry Narcissa, he did not. All he said was that he was called away unexpectedly and he wants to see her before he goes."

Hermione frowned as she went down the stairs into the living room. "Uncle Sev!" she greeted, rushing over to hug him.

He allowed her embrace, but frown disapprovingly at her, "Don't think I've forgotten your little little escape. That's the last time I let you out of my sight. Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

She squirmed under his gaze, "I'm sorry, Uncle Sev, I didn't think-"

"That much is evident. I'm very disappointed, I expected better of you" he said sternly, but his gaze was softer than she expected it to be. "I didn't come here to lecture you," he said with a sigh. "The Dark Lord has summoned you-"

"Me?" Hermione looked quickly to the worried expression on her mother's face.

He nodded, "I'm to escort you there immediately. That is," he looked to Narcissa, "if you have no objections?"

She looked very much like she would object, but she merely nodded. She strode purposefully to the cupboard and pulled out Hermione's cloak, securing it around her daughter herself.

"I'll see you soon," Hermione promised, kissing her mother's cheek.

Riddle Manor was trashed. She and Snape picked their way through the empty bottles, broken glasses, and various other debris as they headed up to the study on the second floor. The carpet was smeared with red stains, and she stepped closer to her uncle, threading her arm through his.

"Have courage," he said in low tones, reaching over to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "No matter what he wants you will get through it."

She felt a wave of anxiety, "He might not ask anything of me." It came out more like a question. They were slowing down as they drew nearer to the door. "He might only want to wish me a happy…" but she knew in her gut that she was wrong.

"Are your occlumency shields up?"

They were now. Her mouth was suddenly very dry.

With one last squeeze, Snape dropped her arm and knocked on the door.

"You may enter."

He was in the high wing-backed chair before the fire, Nagini curled around his shoulders. His red eyes glowed eerily in the firelight. A dark figure sat on the ottoman before him, and her stomach relaxed as she took in Bellatrix's composed figure.

Thank Merlin you're here.

Bellatrix gave her a warm look. "He says he plans to build your reputation."

How?

"I don't know, he wanted to tell us together."

She didn't need to wait long.

"Hermione, Severus! I'm so happy you could join us."

She bowed her head respectfully, and she and Snape chorused "My lord," together, prompting an amused chuckle.

Chairs were conjured, and the Dark Lord had an elf bring tea.

"It must have been a difficult holiday without your father."

Hermione stiffened, but caught Bellatrix's warning glance and forced herself to relax. "It was, my lord."

"I hope he will be with us next Christmas."

Hermione nodded quietly, and took a hurried sip of tea. "Me too."

He gave what he must have thought was a warm chuckle, "If all goes to plan, we will have control of the prison by midsummer. All of my followers would be freed, your father included."

She blinked, and breathed out, "That would be wonderful!"

"I want to give you the honor of being the one to free him."

Now it was Bellatrix's anxiety that hit Hermione, and she blinked under the weight. "O-oh."

"That is, of course, an honor reserved for my inner circle." He leaned forward, his eyes boring into hers. "When your father first approached me about adopting you, he expressed your mother's desire that you follow in his footsteps. Did you know that?"

She shook her head. She had no idea they had spoken to him about her adoption. She caught her uncle's carefully blank look out of the corner of her eye, and steeled herself. "They didn't tell me, my lord."

He hummed noncommittally, "I think you would be a good addition to our circle. Breathe a little life into it. What do you think, Severus?"

His voice was steady, "I think she's a little young, my lord."

"We were all young once, Severus. I don't care about her age, I care about her ability! Speak to that!"

Her uncle looked to her, his eyes unreadable as he examined her. She would have given anything in that moment to be able to read his mind. Finally, he said in a calm voice, "I think she's the most capable student I've ever had. Undoubtedly she will be invaluable to your ranks."

"Just as I thought, and Bella, you've made no secret of your enthusiasm."

She didn't like the way her name sounded in his mouth, nor the way Bellatrix brightened under his gaze. She could still feel the anxiety, but it was flooded with a rush of warmth that Hermione had begun to associate with their interactions alone.

"I think she'll be everything you hope for and more, my lord!" Bellatrix gushed.

Those red eyes turned back. He ran an appraising look over her. "Your father has been a loyal asset to me all of these years, and I have no doubt that you would be as well. What do you say, hmm? Would you like to be a part of my inner circle, Hermione?"

There was nothing else to say. Every meeting with Dumbledore, every training with Uncle Severus and Bellatrix had led to this moment. The weight of their expectations crashed heavily around her. She licked her lips and tried to put as much excitement as she could into her words. "Yes, my lord!"

A victorious smirk curled his thin lips. "Good. Of course, I couldn't just let you in could I? The others would accuse me of favoritism."

Bellatrix's anxiety coiled tighter inside her, and she found herself wishing that Turnip were there somehow. "I wouldn't want that."

"No, I'm sure you wouldn't. Every member of my inner circle has proven themselves to me. Their loyalty, their dedication to the cause. The task I've picked for you will demonstrate both your loyalty and dedication. In fact, it will be the second-greatest act in assuring our victory in the coming war."

All three of them were frozen, each gazing unblinkingly at him. But he had eyes only for Hermione.

"Fail me, and I will make sure your father rots in Azkaban until the end of his days."

It took every inch of willpower not to flinch at the sudden venom in his voice.

"But succeed, and I will honor you above all else. Will you do this for me?"

Her father's face swam in her mind. She would do whatever she could to free him. Her next words came out breathlessly, "Anything, my lord."

He sat back, and stroked Nagini's head. "Your task is to kill your uncle. Albus Dumbledore."