A/N Thank you for the faves/follows/reviews/general support y'all, most days it keeps me writing, so again, thank you. :)
Halfway through casting an attack spell, Bella stopped herself "Gosh you frightened me half to death!" Hermione's shocked and slightly guilty expression turned sheepish "Sorry Bella, I lost track of time here..." Taking pity on the younger witch, Bella kissed her forehead and pulled her into a tight hug "Could you send a patronus or even an owl next time..." Hermione smiled into her lover's shoulder "Of course." The brunette pulled back slightly and looked into those dark eyes she was always entranced by "We can't have the fearsome Bellatrix Black worrying like a mother hen..." Hermione's teasing was cut short as Bellatrix thwacked her lightly on the behind scowling inappreciatively she offered a dignified reply "Shush", before pulling her closer and capturing Hermione's lips softly.
Breaking away the a rare moment of vulnerability, Bella avoided eye contact choosing instead to focus on the numerous piles scattered around Hermione's room. There was a brief pause as Bella's face turned incredulous "You call this a few things? You could have been trying to move for years and only managed the books..." Hermione laughed, Bella seemed to have forgotten the three magical (and space enhanced) moving trucks they had had to book for her own things. "Well you'd better help me then!" Deciding against finishing the move manually she threw a pillow at Bella who deftly caught it, before ordering her to start flying boxes downstairs to make room for her to finish packing. Bella stood with her arms crossed, still holding the pillow, and stared at Hermione defiantly "Okay Bella, would you please help me move the boxes downstairs so I can finish faster?" She kissed her cheek "Please?" Huffing but pacified, Bella lifted four boxes with a quick flick of her wand, and marched down the stairs.
Relieved her dark witch was out of sight for a few moments, Hermione reached back into her pocket to pull out the locket, and covertly place it back into the spine of the book laying on her bed. Her fingers brushed the silver chain and she tugged it out carefully. Although she had been struggling to open the clasp mere minutes ago, it seemed that the clasp had now opened on it's own. Briefly thinking it strange before dismissing the thought, she held it open in her palm ready to put in the picture now that she could. Unfortunately as soon as she touched the cold hard steel rim on the inside, the portkey activated. The shocked and horrified look in Hermione's eyes was the only thing Bellatrix turned the corner and arrived in time to see before she disappeared.
Now there was nothing but empty space where the only person she cared about had stood a moment ago.