Bella was staring at the clock on the wall as the seconds hand ticked past the 12 once more. Her arms were folded on the table in front of her, leaving just enough space for her to rest her forehead before the edge of the table. She closed her eyes and sighed, she thought they were never going to finish packing. It was a late Saturday afternoon and they had pretty much finished packing up Hermione's apartment about an hour ago. There was nothing Bella wanted from Black Manor enough to return and face her mother and that damn portrait of her father that continually found new inventive ways to insult her every time she was within earshot. So, while Hermione had gone to say goodbye to the room she grew up in, Bella had found herself killing time in what was now their old apartment until the apparition people arrived or Hermione returned. Seeing as the apparition people helping them move were due to arrive tomorrow morning, and it wasn't even dark outside yet, Bella really hoped Hermione would come first.
After Hermione had asked Bella to move in, they had had a blissful few hours of simply enjoying each others company, before the adjustment pain kicked in. Bellatrix had a lot of stuff. Now, Hermione knew the witch was unorganised at the best of times, or to put it Bella's way 'organised mess', but Hermione was not aware of just how many things Bella possessed within the mess. They had quickly come to realise that a one bedroom apartment would not last them very long.
"Why do you have three toasters?" Hermione turned to face Bella incredulously. "They make different shapes on the toast!" Bella stepped out of a pile nearly as high as she was that appeared to be a mix of scarves, a toy snake (in the Slytherin colors of course), and more books than the entire small bookshop in Hogsmeade would hold, to look closer at that particular toaster. "Ah yes, that black one tells you today's weather forecast." She replied matter-of-factly and smiled happily, muggles really had some ingenious ideas. Hermione didn't know how to react for a moment, she simply stood there wondering how Bella's mind worked. "You realise if you opened the curtains..." Hermione reached up and pulled the blinds open sharply, blasting the room with the bright autumn sun. Bella instantly shied away, hissing before scowling and casting a quick Alarte Descendare at the blinds, forcing them back down. "I have a toaster for that" she growled. Hermione turned away so Bella wouldn't see her silent laughter, how was she so... adorkable. Yes, adorkable is the perfect word she mused.
Hermione was still smiling, distracted by that train of thought allowing Bella to sneak up on her and tackle her on the rug, pinning her down and straddling her easily before Hermione had a chance to fight back. "What, no more laughter?" Bella smirked. "Get off" Hermione tried to shove her "I'm trying to help you find your wand if you remember" her tone was confident, but Hermione knew Bella wouldn't let her go so easily. "But, it's only a little bit of fun..." Bella leant in closer to Hermione, her lips ghosting over the brunette's cheek and down to her ear "I know how you love a bit of fun." The darker witch's scent was still intoxicating though Hermione smelt it every day, her voice still sent shivers down Hermione's spine when it sounded like that... so full of want. The brunette's senses were already overwhelmed, getting lost in the rush of Bellatrix being in such proximity. Bellatrix started to weave kisses in a haphazard trail across her neck, pausing briefly to suck her neck and mark her territory, her mate. She knew Hermione loved it, which was further confirmed by the blissful expression Hermione wore, succumbing entirely to Bella... for the moment at least. Bella saw her chance, and she took it. A devious grin broke across her face, and she debated continuing their little game for a split second before she sat up, ran her hands ever so softly under Hermione's top and rested on her hips. This was just too easy. Bella seized the moment, and started tickling Hermione without mercy nor warning. Hermione was instantly alert and trying to wriggle away, but to no avail. Between breathless laughter and gasping for air, she managed to plea "Stop stop pleaase" Bella simply grinned as she found one of Hermione's weak spots, just below her ribs "Nooo Bella!" Hermione was instinctively trying every which way in which to slither out of Bella's grasp, until she saw that the toy snake was within reach. Hermione went for it and managed to grab the snake, and proceeded to attempt to use it as a weapon. Hitting Bella and attempting to bat her away, catching her off guard Hermione managed to writhe free, and Bella landed next to her with a thump. "Oww..." Bella's knee had hit another toaster on the way down "This is why muggles usually only have one..." Hermione couldn't resist the jibe. Bella pulled her best hurt puppy dog face, and the younger witch instantly crumbled "Here, let me kiss it better." Hermione scooched across to Bella's now red knee, and kissed next to the scrape tenderly. She kissed the other side, and reached into her sleeve for her wand to heal it. Bella held her arm, "Don't" Hermione gave her a quizzical look. "You've kissed it, that's enough. It will get better now."
Hermione smiled back at Bella and leant towards her, kissing her lips lightly. Definitely adorkable.
The clock striking the hour broke Bella out of her thoughts about that night, and the delicious way it had ended, and she frowned. Hermione had been gone for close to two hours, if it was just one room surely Hermione should have been back ages ago...
Hermione had insisted on moving the things in her childhood home without magic, so that as well as a few bits and pieces in in their bedroom and kitchen, such as table and chair Bella was currently occupying, were the last things to prepare for tomorrow. Something was nagging at her. Hermione was the queen of efficiency, hell she'd even tidied Bella's mess, a task that should have taken a highly skilled work force several days, in a mere evening. Bella decided to go and check on Hermione, to make sure she was alright it nothing else. Checking her wand was still stored in her sleeve, and it was, she stepped towards the fireplace and floo'd to the Granger's living room. It would be easier than apparating in case she ended up stuck in the bathroom while Hermione's parents were sharing a bath. It had happened before.
The Granger residence was eerily quiet, and very tidy for somewhere that should be filled with boxes, and possibly have Hermione's favourite music on in the background as she liked to do when she packed. "Hermione?" Bella chanced, slightly louder than a whisper, the nagging feeling was stronger and she needed to find Hermione, now. Her parents should be half way through a week's holiday in Cornwall, but even so it was better to be cautious. There was no reply. Suddenly, Crookshanks came storming down the stairs and straight to Bella, rubbing against her legs before heading back towards the stairs. Crookshanks looked over his shoulder, as if expecting her to follow. Bella drew her wand, this was weird. Crookshanks usually tended to keep at least ten feet between them unless he was curled up on Hermione's lap. Performing a quick Revelio, her wand told her that this was indeed Crookshanks and not some impersonator. Definitely odd behaviour, something was wrong. Her instincts kicked in and Bella cast quick disillusionment and protective charms before cautiously starting to follow the cat.