Disclaimer: I do not own any characters and no money has been made from this.

Enjoy...

Chapter Sixteen

"Tom, this is your last warning," Hermione whispers.

The stapler feels heavy in her hand, the idea of hitting Tom, Bellatrix's ex-boyfriend. It leaves a bad taste in her mouth, her wand is in the safe, she hasn't used it for a long time, not since she duelled Bellatrix. The idea of hurting another leaves her numb, and petrified, she can barely look at the wand.

She's only just started meeting her gaze in the mirror.

The hand tightens, the space invaded, his right-hand lifting. At the angle she's at, she can't see if he got his wand. Has he got his wand? Heart pounding, she raises the stapler. The blood rushes through her body, the sweat drips down her back.

"Tom."

The stapler tumbles from her grip hitting the table with a thud, the hand restraining lets her go. Chest heaving, Hermione watches the wizard step back, his attention drawn to the front door. Neither of them had heard the bell above the door ring.

"Back the fuck up." Bella's voice is barely a growl.

The temperature in the room is dropping as the lights flicker above. Swallowing, Hermione notices the wand in Tom's hand. What was he going to do? Curse her? He bumps into the sofa in his attempt to put distance between himself and Hermione.

Boots hit the floor as Bella circles, placing herself between Hermione and Tom. The wizard, appears confused, the sweat on his forehead, the glaze on his eyes. Drunk, so heavily drunk Hermione can still smell the alcohol from where she's standing.

"You need to leave Tom," Hermione orders pushing from the desk. "Now."

"Bella," Tom whispers, his hand reaching for Bellatrix. "I…"

The wand is moving, swirling, a crazed look in Bellatrix's eyes. The curved wand lands on the pale neck, a silent threat, Tom stumbling back as it jabs against his jugular. Forcing him back towards the front door.

"Bella, his drunk, just let him go," Hermione orders, her words causing Tom to look at her briefly.

"Hear, that Tom," Bella hisses. "Let you go. But I'm in half the mind to send you to lockup. Let you sober up there, you can kiss any chance of redemption in your political career goodbye."

"Bella, there's no need. I…" Tom tries to explain.

"You what?" Bella sneers as she swings the door open.

Sighing, Hermione cradles her arm, choosing to leave Bella to deal with Tom. Heading to her flat, she goes in search of her first aid kit. Placing it on the table, she pulls her sleeve up, wincing at the bruises, the nail imprints, and the dried blood from where his nails have dug too deep.

Unwrapping the antiseptic wipe, wincing as she dabs at her cuts. The door to the flat swings open, Bella a fury of a storm barging through. Eyes pitch black they sweep across the flat until they land on Hermione. Bella's stride falters at the sight of bruises. Forcing a smile, Hermione focuses on using the wipe to remove the dried blood.

Her back aches from where it hit the desk, and her arm will be bruised for a few days, but it will heal. Tom will sober up and life will plod along as usual, as though it never happened. A hand lands on the chair opposite, Bella a barely contained hurricane, Hermione is half expecting to find Tom dead on the street in the morning.

"Why did we just let him go?" Bella demands.

"He's drunk." Hermione shrugs.

"And?

"What are you going to charge him with Bella?"

"Oh, I don't know assault?" That is the sarcastic reply.

"It's a bruise." Hermione dismisses, packing the first aid kit away.

"Are you listening to yourself, it's assault, essentially breaking and entering, his in your shop after hours."

"It's hardly breaking and entering."

"Did you invite him?"

"No."

"Did you tell him to leave?"

"Yes, but."

"But he didn't leave?"

"No, Bella."

"So, breaking and entering." Bella summarises. "I should lock him up. Why the fuck did I just let him go?"

"Because he's drunk and angry. It's hardly worth destroying his career over, is it?"

"Why are you protecting him?"

"I'm not." Hermione sighs, rubbing her face. "I just know how this will go down."

"How exactly?"

"What are you going to do? Arrest him for a few bruises? For being in a bookshop? Please,"

"What was your plan if I hadn't turned up?" Bella questions.

"He might have left on his own, he's so drunk he could barely stand."

"Excuses." Bellatrix snaps, fist hitting the table. "I don't understand why you're not bothered by this. Why on earth are you okay with him assaulting you? He could have done anything? Where the fuck was your wand?"

"Tell me, what do you think will happen if you arrested him? For the assault on me? When he sobers up in the morning and starts running his mouth, I'm not going down that road again."

"What road?"

Rubbing her temples, Hermione tries to calm her racing heart. Her throat is dry, the room feels too claustrophobic. She moves to the cupboards, reaches for a glass she pours herself a drink of water. The urge to grab the wine bottle, remove the lid and swig until it's all gone is overwhelming. But she needs to be sober, she won't be able to deal with this drunk.

"It'll just be the same as last time," Hermione mutters swallowing water. "Think this through, your ex-boyfriend is in jail for assaulting a 'friend' of yours who happens to have a history of sleeping around with ministry staff. You've only just come out of the gossip columns with your ex-husband. The moment you arrest him, it will drag your name through the mud."

"It doesn't matter it's not true."

"The truth doesn't matter," Hermione sighs. "It never has. The truth will be what the media portrays it. With your investment in the bookshop, our friendship will be spun as something more. It will taint your career, the judge will take one look at his arrest and declare you too close. You are not rational to make a decision. Your whole career will forever be defined by that time you arrested your ex because he fought with your lesbian lover."

She decides to open the wine, it's not as though they'll be going to the theatre tonight. She pours herself a healthy glass, leaving the bottle open to allow Bella to decide if she'll be joining her or not. Hermione heads towards the sofa, lowering herself down, she winces as the bruises flex. Pulling a cushion onto her lap, she sips at her wine.

"That's bullshit," Bella whispers, grabbing the wine. "I don't care, he assaulted you." "And I don't want to press charges." Hermione declares softly.

"So, he can do it again?"

"I'm not going to risk your career because your ex-boyfriend is having a paddy. I'm sorry. I'm not."

"Let me worry about my career."

"it's a no. Bella. No."

Biting her lip, Bella turns her head away staring off into the distance. Hermione doesn't need to see the witch's face to know she's angry, contemplating the answer. The hand tightens around the neck of the wine bottle, the frustration rolling off the witch in waves.

The sofa dips as Bella sinks into the cushion opposite Hermione, the conversation not over. Those dark eyes are riveted to Hermione's arm, the bruises on display. Hermione would pull her sleeve down, but she wants the cuts to air out.

Silently, she offers her hand to the witch, watching in trepidation as Bella stares at the hand. With a huff, a warm hand encases Hermione's tightening slightly before holding her hand loosely.

"Thank you for interfering." Hermione murmurs.

"I was going to kill him," Bella replies darkly.

"No, you weren't," Hermione scoffs rolling her eyes.

The look she receives would melt ice, it's hot, angry, pure malice produced only by hate. Hate at the wizard Hermione refuses to press charges on. Shifting on the sofa, Hermione places her glass down, turning until her knees touch the Aurors. She takes the hand in both of hers smiling at the angry witch.

"Well, it's a good job we know how to dispose of a body," Hermione chuckles.

"Hmm, don't tempt me," Bella whispers taking a swig from the bottle of wine. "Where's your wand?"

"Should we try to make the theatre?" Hermione asks looking towards the clock.

"Hey, don't change the topic, I haven't seen you with your wand in… a long time," Bella says tugging on Hermione's hand forcing her attention back to the conversation at hand.

"I don't see the point of having it around," Hermione shrugs. "It's not like I need it."

"Your lying," Bella states quietly. "Don't lie to me."

"I…" Hermione trails off, reaching for her glass of wine. "I don't want to talk about it,"

"He had his wand drawn, what were you going to do?"
"I had a stapler."

"Hermione."

Sighing, Hermione swirls the contents of her wine around in her glass. She already feels vulnerable enough tonight, she's not sure she wants to have this conversation as well.

"It's in the safe."

"Why?" Bella asks.

"Because. Because I don't want to use it."

"Hermione. Talk to me."

"I haven't used it, for a while. Not since… Well, I just don't see the point."

"Not since we duelled, not since the warehouse." Bella deduces.

Swallowing, Hermione tries to ignore the thumb that's gently caressing her knuckles. Bella trying to help Hermione relax, to make the conversation easier. It's heart-wrenching because this is the woman she had assaulted. She had attacked Bella, had her foot to the witch's throat had her pinned to the ground gasping for air.

"I've used it a few times since," Hermione replies. "But, I just don't see the point of it."

"Come 'ere."

The hand tugs, pulling Hermione closer to the witch, she manages to put her glass down before falling into Bella's embrace. She lands between the witch's long legs, the tug making her land awkwardly. Two arms circle her shoulders, Bella holding her in a loose embrace.

"We're going to duel."

"I don't want to."

"I don't blame you for what you did," Bella whispers into Hermione's hair. "You know that, don't you."

"I do, but it doesn't mean I don't blame myself."

She curls up in the witch's embrace, the warmth from Bella, the comfort. God's this is much better than going to the theatre. The breath on her neck as Bella cradles Hermione, the arms are tight, comforting. She shivers as she feels Bella gently lift her top, revealing the bruises on her tailbone. The hand on her shoulder tightens in silent anger as Bella lowers the top back down.

"Still not pressing charges." Hermione mumbles.

The groan from the witch holding her.

"Fine, but you need to start using your wand. No arguments."

"Fine."

February 21st…

Finger tapping, Bellatrix stares at the information in front of her. She had honoured Hermione's request not to press charges against Tom, but it didn't stop her from filling out the form. The said form sitting in front of her. Torn, she wants to file it, she wants to go to Tom's house and put him in cuffs.

The rage she felt that night, she had felt something was off all day. She couldn't explain it, the feeling something bad was about to happen, she couldn't ignore it. It grew worse as the day progressed, until she clocked out earlier, deciding to visit Hermione early. The moment her eyes landed on Tom in the shop, she knew something was wrong.

The anger had burnt any rational thought from her mind, the urge to curse the wizard. She had to restrain herself from drawing her dagger, from slitting his throat. The grip of his hands, the fear on Hermione's face. She marvels at her restraint, she should have cursed him.

She didn't want to upset Hermione though, not with everything she's been through. The media, the damage it would do to the bookshop, to Hermione's sanctuary was the only reason she stayed her wand. The only reason she has yet to file the charges. She didn't want Hermione going through the bad press, the witch is only getting back on her feet.

She had slept on Hermione's sofa that night, holding the witch, bundled under a Doctor Who blanket. Hermione slept, and Bella stayed awake, listening to any sound wondering if Tom would come back. Would he try something again? Was Hermione right? Was it just a drunken rage? If he came back when Bella wasn't there, Hermione refusing to use her wand. The thought has kept her awake lately, the idea Tom could hurt Hermione out of jealousy. Because of Bellatrix?

Groaning, she thumps the desk, how did it all become so complicated? How did Tom mess everything up? The reasons not to press charges make sense, of course, they do. Hermione had thought it all through, her concern for Bellatrix overruling her safety.

It's not lost on her, how much time they're spending together, how Bella yearns to be with Hermione all the time. She enjoys the witch's company and enjoys spending time at the shop. It's their little project, the witch reminding Bella the shop is just as much hers as it's Hermione's.

Sighing, she reclines in her chair staring at the ceiling, how had it all become so complicated? They're friends, so why would it matter if she placed charges on Tom? So what if the world interprets their friendship as something more? Was it such a bad thing? She wouldn't be ashamed if the world thought she was dating Hermione, is Hermione ashamed of the idea? Is that the real reason behind her concern? Did she not want the world to think they were dating? Was she seeing someone?

Why does it matter if she is seeing someone? It does matter though, the idea plagues her, the thought of Hermione spending time with someone else. The moment Luna had stepped in to look after the witch, pushing Bella to the back burner. It hurt, she had Tom to distract her, but their love life had grown stale.

The thought of Hermione falling for someone else was another reason she stayed awake at night. She had spent a few months without the witch, that was enough to drive her mad. This isn't normal. This isn't a normal friendship, heaven's she knows this. She's aware of it. The kiss they shared, just the brush of the lips, ignited something.

"This is so complicated." Bella mumbles. "I'm not gay."

She's not gay, she had experimented in school. Sure, she had the odd thing with the odd witch, but nothing serious. She found men attractive, didn't she? It was expected of her to marry well, expected to marry Lestrange. Tom was a good fit, had a good job, respectable. Oh heavens, she sounds just like her mother.

The knock at the door breaks her spiralling thoughts, she shoves them away back inside the box they broke out from. Dolohov standing in the doorway with folders, and more reports for her to check. She waves him in shoving the form to the side, and turning upside down but the movement gains Dolohov's attention.

"You alright boss?" Dolohov asks setting the reports down. "You have that face."

"What face is that?" Bella questions annoyance slipping in.

"You seem conflicted."

"Shut the door." Bella orders.

Nodding, Dolohov shuts the door to the office before taking a seat and helping himself to the sweets on Bella's table. The crinkle of the wrapper as he pops the boiled sweet free waiting for Bella to continue.

"Tom assaulted Hermione the other night."

Choking, Dolohov is currently choking on the sweet, inhaling at Bella's words, he had sucked the sweet straight down his throat. Coughing, he pumps his chest. Rolling her eyes, Bella swishes her wand clearing the wizard's airway as he coughs the sweet into his hands.

"Merlin." Dolohov spits wiping drool from his mouth as tears sting his eyes. "Wasn't expecting that."

"Hermione refuses to press charges."

"Okay." Dolohov nods.

"I filled out the form." Bella sighs slapping the form back onto the table. "I don't know what to do."

"That's a first."

"Tell me about it."

Reaching for the form, Dolohov's eyes scan the pages, normally Bella would make a quip about Dolohov not being able to read. She hasn't got the sarcasm in her today, she feels drained and tired from the other night.

"That's difficult," Dolohov sums up placing the paperwork back down. "What did Hermione say?"

"She said it would be a waste of time. That Tom would start sprouting shit about me being romantically involved with Hermione. Our names would be dragged through the mud, it'll all be over the gossip columns that no self-respecting judge would take it because I'm too close to the situation."

"Well, she's not wrong."

"I know she's not wrong, it's Hermione, she's hardly ever wrong." Bella sighs.

"Want my opinion?"

"No," Bella remarks folding her arms. "Yes."

"Don't file it."

"Let him get away with it?"

"Look, what's worse? Tom getting away with giving Hermione some bruises or are you upsetting Hermione and potentially damaging your friendship? If she's saying no, then I'd let it pass."

"That's not right,"

"No." Dolohov shrugs. "But Hermione already knows that, hell, she's experienced what's not right for a long time."

Finger tapping her chin, Bella stares at the form, she knows Dolohov is right. If she files it, the likely hood of anything happening is slim, but she knows it will damage her relationship with Hermione. She's not willing to do that, not after everything.

She grabs the paperwork scrunching it up into a ball, she throws it into the bin. Kicking the bin for good measure. She doesn't think Tom will be foolish enough to return, she's sure he crawled away with his tail between his legs.

"I mean it's not like they haven't got history," Dolohov comments rising to his feet.

Frowning, Bella turns her attention back to the wizard, what history? As far as Bella is concerned, Tom and Hermione only know one another through her.

"What history?" Bella questions.

"I thought you did a background check on Hermione?"

Heart sinking, Bella had done a background check on the witch, but nothing flagged. Nothing but her affair with a high-ranking ministry witch, nothing else had flagged up. Was there a history between Hermione and Tom? Had they dated? No. Hermione would have said something, wouldn't she?

"They used to work together," Dolohov explains. "Back when Hermione was in politics, they were both in the same office. The missionary work Riddle went on, Hermione was originally meant to go. She was the one who had secured the contract, she was picked by the ministry to represent them abroad. Not long afterwards, the story broke with the picture, she was dropped from the missionary work. Riddle was next to go."

"I didn't know this," Bella replies. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Bit of an awkward conversation, what did you want her to say? 'Hey, Bella, when I was a rising star I was meant to go on that missionary work that your boyfriend got. But I got caught with my pants down.' I doubt she likes to think about it, she'd only just completed her internship. The next big star, unfortunately, she turned into a comet, someone brought her crashing down to earth."

"She could have mentioned she used to work with him before I started dating him," Bella argues.

"She came to see you for lunch one day, you weren't at your desk. So I offered to go with her for coffee, she knows my ex, before you ask. She keeps trying to get us back together. Anyway, we went out to get coffee and we saw you with Tom. You seemed quite smitten, she made some excuse that she had forgotten something, and soon scarpered. I thought it was because she had a crush on you, but I did some digging on Riddle, to make sure he was above board. It's when I saw the picture of them two and a few others, signing a new law that passed. They had worked together, for a while. Rivals, that's what Bones told me when I went probing."

"You should have told me."

"Nah, sorry boss, you told me not to get involved in your love life."

"Who released the pictures of Hermione? Who took them?"

"No idea, they were sent anonymously, trust me, I tried to find out. What? Don't give me that look, the witch is like a sister to me."

Smiling, Dolohov sinks his hands into his pocket wandering towards the door.

"Antonin," Bella calls after the wizard.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"No problem boss,"

She waits for the wizard to leave before she drags a binder from her top shelf. Dolohov may not have found a name for whoever destroyed Hermione's career. That doesn't mean Bella isn't going to try looking. Was it Tom, did he destroy Hermione's career so he could get the missionary work? She needs to speak to someone and find out exactly what was involved with the missionary work.

February 22nd…

Humming, Sheryl is humming as she turns off the coffee machines, the crinkling of foil as she places the food away for the day. Smiling, Hermione swings the open sign around to close for the night. Locking the door is a habit she's developed since Tom paid a visit.

Taking a seat she wonders if Bella will be around tonight, she's not expecting the witch, but Bella has been around every night since the Tom incident. She had half expected the witch to report the assault despite Hermione's pleas not to. Nothing has reached her ears, the witch still sulking, although she has managed to placate Bella by intentionally using her wand in front of her.

Smash. A small scream makes Hermione jolt her wand in hand before she's even aware. Sheryl is staring at the window hand covering her mouth broken cup on the floor. Moving across the room Hermione gently lays her hand on the witch's shoulder staring at the window confused.

"What happened?" Hermione asks gently.

"Someone was there," Sheryl whispers.

A buzz fills the shop before the lights flicker off. The shop falls into darkness, the lights outside die, and the whole street falls into darkness. Power cut. Lifting her wand, Hermione uses it to cast a small light.

She jumps in shock, nearly dropping her wand as she bumps into Sheryl

Outside the window a hooded figure. Heart pounding, she lifts her wand again. Nothing. Blinking, she uses the light to check the window once more.

Nothing. She swears there was someone there a second ago. Shivering, she moves to the front door checking once more to see if it's locked.

"You saw them, right?" Sheryl asks.

"I think so," Hermione mutters. "Perhaps it was someone just finding cover from the rain."

"They were watching me," Sheryl states shakily.

Hermione hadn't told the witch what happened a few days ago, she wasn't sure if she wanted to worry Sheryl. She also didn't want anyone else to know, but had Tom come back? Had Hermione made a dreadful mistake in not filing the report? She's seconds away from casting a patronus.

Bang. A hand hits the window, making both witches jump, Sheryl stumbling away. A flash, mumbling from outside, teenagers. Hermione sighs, noticing the teenagers running past the shop, one had tripped into the window.

Shaking her head, she laughs nervously, sharing a look with Sheryl. The weather most likely has caused a blackout. Regardless, Hermione heads to the back door, just to make sure it's locked and bolted. It is, they're secure. Shaking her head, she uses the wand as a torch, releasing a breath. She's going to get a heart attack at this rate.

"What's that," Sheryl breathes.

Stepping closer to the window, Hermione frowns spotting the amber glow not far from the shop. What is that? It's moving, fast the wind is howling down the street, blowing in their direction.

February 22nd…

It's a rare occasion for Bella to find herself at a dead end. She can find no information on who leaked the pictures on Hermione, nothing at all. She could ask the witch if she had some idea, but that would mean admitting she's investigating.

Sighing, she looks at the clock it's past six pm, she should probably call it a night. She's not getting it anyway, Hermione would have shut the shop up an hour ago. Should she visit tonight? The witch can look after herself, she knows this. Especially now she's using her wand again, although, Bella still wants to duel the witch.

Maybe she should just walk by, just check to make sure everything is okay. Pushing from her desk, she stretches removing the kinks from her back. The wind howls past the window, the rain has slowed during the day. Grabbing her coat, she hears the commotion from her office. She wonders if there's a big case, she hasn't heard anything.

Nope, she fancies chicken a good burger it's just what she needs, she's been thinking about a takeaway all day. Hermione will probably moan, she's been cooking lately, trying to put off buying a takeaway. This new health kick is getting quite boring.

Although she won't begrudge the witch, the running has brought a spark back into the witch. She hadn't expected Hermione to shed her clothes on her way to the shower the other week. Watching the witch change into a vest top, silver chain hanging loosely. She had tried not to stare, thankfully Hermione had thought she was staring at the boxers.

Merlin, she's lying to herself if she thinks their friendship is platonic. She just needs to figure herself out, she doesn't want Hermione to get the wrong idea. What if the witch isn't interested? What if they give it a go and Bella fails to perform, she hasn't been with a woman fully, she's kissed. Played around. But never had sex with one. she wouldn't know what she was doing.

"I'm not even that way inclined." She mumbles.

She's confused, the only person who could talk sense into her, is probably Hermione. But that would open a can of worms that Bella isn't ready to open.

"Bella!" The voice was urgent, a shout from the main office.

Holding back the urge to groan, Bella follows the shouting, wondering what has got Dolohov in such a mess. The wizard panting, sweat on his forehead, as though he just rushed up the stairs. Hadn't she sent him home half an hour ago?

"Central Alley is on fire." Dolohov rushes out.

Fear strikes her numb. Central Alley. No, no. That's where Hermione's bookshop is, that's where Hermione will be locking up for the night. It's where the witch is right now, probably cooking tea, or cashing up the register.

Bella's moving, pushing past Dolohov, rushing towards the nearest floo network stumbling to a halt as she passes a window. A crowd of ministry workers have gathered, staring in disbelief.

Central Alley, it's in flames, the smoke stories high, blocking out the moon. Billowing into the night sky, the wind carrying the smell of smoke across London. It's not a small fire, it's a raging inferno. Hermione.

A/n: Can we just ignore the fact the wizarding world doesn't run on electricity. For this chapter, it does. :D

Also, Cost of Valor will continue once this story come to an end. If I write Cost of Valor, I lose motivation for this story, so I will finish this first.

I really should be asleep, but I wanted to post this chapter. I have work in a few hours, ha. Oh, well. I hope you enjoyed it...