I am ignoring the real reason the Shrieking Shack was built.
It was late and the dormitory was silent. From one of the other beds came some soft snoring, a sound Hermione had grown used to over the last few weeks. She was hiding under the covers by the weak light from the tip of her wand. In front of her lay the journal given to her by Dumbledore. She had to wait till Bellatrix was asleep before she could write anything. Intense dark eyes watched her every move. It was something else she had gotten used to. Bellatrix's eyes were everywhere, silently following her. And she had realized her eyes had done the same. They lingered just that little bit longer on the dark haired witch and her mind, and her heart, had long forgotten what she was to become. Her ears pricked up when one of the beds creaked. It came from beside her. Bellatrix had rolled over in her sleep. Satisfied her friend was still asleep she dipped her quill in the ink pot and hesitated for a moment or two before she begun to write.
"Professor, I am glad to have found a way to let you know I am doing fine. Perhaps a bit shaken but fine. I am not sure if Professor Dumbledore told you where I am, but this is 1969. The accident with the Time Turner has sent me thirty years back in time. I cannot believe I have been this foolish. Something so small caused such an impact. I am doing all right. I have started taking my classes and I am making the most out of it while I am here. So far I have avoided running into anybody I know from the Order or anywhere else. It is terrifying to see such familiar faces sitting at the tables. Not to mention talking to Professor Dumbledore whilst I know he is dead. He and Professor McGonagall – you- are taking good care of me and I know everybody is working hard to find a way to get me home. Please let everyone know I am doing all right and there is no need to worry. I am thinking of all of you. Hermione"
It was late and after a few minutes, when an answer had not appeared, Hermione closed the diary and safely pushed it under her pillow. The Professor McGonagall on the other side obviously was asleep. She put away her ink pot and her wand and then lay down. She stared at the ceiling for several moments, as she thought about the diary under her head. It was her portal to home. A way to know how they were doing and for them to know she was fine. Her eyes felt heavy. She had been forced to stay awake until everybody slept and now her tired body gave in. Her eyes fluttered shut and, for the first time since her accident, she dreamt of being a Gryffindor Student and laughing with Ginny in the common room.
The next morning Hermione couldn't reach for the diary under her pillow because Bellatrix had unexpectedly appeared at the side of her bed. From under messy, curly hair a set of dark eyes caught Hermione's. She couldn't deny Bellatrix looked amazingly beautiful even though she had not combed her hair and was wearing her pyjamas. The sudden realization of Bellatrix's beauty slightly scared Hermione and, eventually, she averted her eyes. The image of a young Bellatrix Lestrange with her wild hair bore little resemblance to the deranged witch she knew in her own time. There could not be a more different picture.
"It is Hogsmeade today" Bellatrix smiled and seemed to be wiggling from one foot onto the other. Around them some of the others girls were waking up and one of them magically opened the curtains in the dormitory. Weak sunlight fell into the room, reflecting of Bellatrix's raven black curls. She looked pale in this light but Hermione could see the slight blushes appear on her cheeks. She remembered the trip to Hogsmeade. The notification had only appeared on the message board in the common room three nights ago, causing a stir of excitement amongst the students. However, Bellatrix had said she wasn't going. Though now it appeared she had changed her mind.
Bellatrix leant against one of the bedposts of Hermione's bed, her slim fingers trailing the shape of the wood. She arched a finely shaped eyebrow. "Are you going?"
Hermione hesitated. There was a hidden invite hiding in Bellatrix's comment. She had spent enough time around the girls in the girl's dormitory in Gryffindor to read between the lines. And she knew herself well enough to know she would ask a similar question. She ran her fingers through her bushy brown curls. "Maybe"
Bellatrix cocked her head. Her curls danced around her face. The pink blushes on her cheeks only darkened when she spoke again. She blinked a few times and then suddenly averted her eyes. "I am meeting Cissy and Andy in Zonko's but we could go to the Three Broomsticks if you want?"
The Three Broomsticks, Hermione thought. That pub already existed – even in this timeline. Though it was most likely not owned by Madam Rosmerta. She wondered what it would look like. She suspected the Hog's Head was around, owned by Dumbledore's brother Aberforth. Though, if it had the same questionable reputation now like it would in the future, she doubted students went anywhere near it. Hermione looked at Bellatrix. There was anticipation glistening in her dark eyes. And she smiled. "Sure. I'd love to"
Bellatrix nodded and then turned around. She gathered her things and disappeared to the girl's bathroom. The other remaining girls quickly followed and silence fell over the dormitory. Reassured that Bellatrix and the other girls were gone, Hermione's hand slipped under her pillow and she withdrew the diary. A strange, almost nervous feeling overwhelmed her as she opened it. Her heart leapt up in her chest when she recognised Minerva McGonagall's neat handwriting.
Hermione, you have no idea how worried we were. We realised the Time Turner got damaged in your fall but we didn't know how badly damaged it was. We tried to track you but found nothing. Then, one morning, I found an old diary on my desk. It had once belonged to Professor Dumbledore. Clearly this same diary exists in your time and he must have realized it created a chance for us to communicate.
1969. I remember that year and I feel your anxiety over seeing those who passed. That included Professor Dumbledore. I admire your courage and strength. However, though many we know have not yet started Hogwarts in 1969 it is the year of the Black sisters. It is Bellatrix's final year, if I remember correctly. Her sister Andromeda should be a fifth year, Narcissa a third year. Surely you must have seen them. Stay away from Bellatrix and her sisters, Hermione. She was dangerous, even then. Whatever you do... stay away from Bellatrix Black...
Hermione's hand almost automatically reached for the quill on her bedside table but the door to the dormitory opened and Narcissa's head appeared. Blue eyes swept across the almost completely empty room and when she found Hermione she smiled. "Hermione, have you seen Bella?"
Hermione clutched the journal tightly in her hand, making sure Narcissa could not see it. She heard McGonagall's face in her head. Stay away from the Black sisters. She looked up and her lips curled up. "She is in the shower, Narcissa. I shall tell her you are looking for her" She slipped out of bed and Narcissa nodded before closing the door. Hermione hid the diary under her bed and went on to find some clothes before she too headed to the girl's bathroom.
By the time Hermione had showered and got dressed, she was the last to leave the dormitory. She suppressed the desire to pick the diary up again and made her way into the common room. Apart from a few first years it was empty and Hermione hurried to the Great Hall. When she walked in she found the Slytherin table practically full with students and she quickly searched the faces for Bellatrix's familiar dark eyes. She found her sitting a little bit away from Narcissa and Hermione sat down beside her. There was a sense of excitement amongst the students and Hermione overheard some of them discuss what they would do once they were no longer under the ever watchful eye of teachers. She smirked to herself as she buttered her toast. Some things never changed.
It was half way through October and the weather had significantly changed outside. Rainclouds had begun to obscure the sun. The realization what time of year it was hit her completely unexpected and she almost knocked over her goblet of pumpkin juice. Half way through October... She had been here for several weeks now, living a life that had never meant be hers. And she only now realized how little she really thought about her own time. Occasionally, just before she fell into the slumber of sleep, would she suddenly think of Ron or Harry. With a painful expression she tried to imagine Ginny's fiery red hair between the Gryffindors but her friend's face rapidly faded into a blur.
Narcissa suddenly leant in, obviously trying to reach Bellatrix but Hermione noticed there was very little response coming from the girl beside her. Narcissa was happily chatting away about her plans before meeting Bellatrix and Andromeda in Zonko's. Hermione realized there was no sign of Andy. Her eyes swept across the Great Hall but the middle sister was nowhere to be seen. She glanced at Bellatrix from the corner of her eye. She had bound her hair back in a neat pony tail and it hung down her back. She clutched her pumpkin juice and seemed to be staring into it.
After about fifteen minutes, Bellatrix's hand unexpectedly caught Hermione's under the table and Hermione looked up at the sudden touch. Dark eyes met hers and Bellatrix stood up. Her hand slipped from Hermione's, leaving it suddenly cold. Reading the signs, Hermione followed and she realized how Bellatrix skilfully managed for Narcissa not to notice they were leaving. She could hear her mutter "She really needs friends of her own" under her breath.
They walked out of the Great Hall, through the main entrance and outside into the fresh autumn air. Rainclouds had packed together in the sky and it looked like they were in for another rainy day. It would not be long before the rain would be replaced by snow, leaving the grounds in a mysterious shade of untouched white. Hermione wrapped her Slytherin scarf a bit tighter around her neck and the lower half of her face. She had grown rather fond to the silver and green. At first she had felt the obvious loathing but, like everything else, it had become part of her.
She walked alongside Bellatrix. The sound of their boots echoed of the road leading from the castle into Hogsmeade. The windy road led through a part of the woods and Hermione could see fragile drops of rain glisten on a few remains leaves. Voices from excited students could be heard all the way along the road. There were a few teachers about and Hermione suspected they too would be heading out to the Three Broomsticks. She glanced beside her. Bellatrix was walking briskly, with her scarf wrapped around her neck and her hands firmly pushed in the pockets of her robes. The autumn wind pulled her hair, making it look like her curls danced to a tune no one could hear.
"Come on, I want to show you something" Bellatrix unexpectedly said and diverted from the main road into Hogsmeade. Hermione knew this turn well enough to immediately realize where the diversion would lead to. After a few minutes the Shrieking Shack appeared just over the hill. It looked as unloved and daunting as it did in her own time. The roof had not yet partially collapsed but most of the windows were broken.
"That is what most students would call the Shrieking Shack" said Bellatrix as dark eyes looked up to capture Hermione's. She searched for a reaction. Maybe a hint of fear. She found none. "It is supposedly the most haunted building in Britain. Very strange things apparently happen in there"
Hermione nodded. She knew the Shack had been used to support Remus Lupin whilst he was in school so he could transform into a werewolf. Also, Sirius had dragged Ron inside in an attempt to get to Peter Pettigrew. Voldermort and his Death Eaters even used it as a hideout, which seemed all the more remarkable since all of the dark wizards and witches were used to luxury and comfort. And, in the final end, it was where Severus Snape had died. But she said nothing to Bellatrix. She just stared at the haunting building and believed what people said. It truly was haunted. But not by ghosts but by memories.
Hermione cocked an eyebrow and chuckled. "Stranger things than at Hogwarts?"
Bellatrix smirked, her eyes still resting on Hermione's. "Much stranger"
Unexpectedly her hand slipped into Hermione's, much like she had done earlier that morning in the Great Hall. Hermione's heart suddenly pounded against her chest and nervously she glanced at Bellatrix. The dark witch's fingers brushed against the palm of Hermione's hand. It was warm and tender and it made Hermione's hand glow. The autumn wind grew stronger and pulled their hair and for several moments it was just them and the haunted building behind them.
Feeling Bellatrix's hand into her own felt as if somebody had suddenly put a missing piece back in place. Hermione realized she had never before felt what it was like to have someone hold her like this. It felt nothing like when Ron had taken her hand. Bellatrix's skin was tender and soft. The dark witch's fingers were still drawing figures against the palm of her hand. Hermione didn't want her to let go. She wanted to rest her head on the other witch's shoulders and feel what it would be like to run her fingers through those raven black curls.
Suddenly the voices of a few curious Hufflepuffs disturbed the moment between them and Bellatrix's hand slipped out of Hermione's. She only just managed to smother a moan of protest and hazel eyes caught dark brown. Bellatrix turned away from the approaching Hufflepuff's and Hermione followed. Neither of them spoke on the way down to Hogsmeade. Their silence however said more than words could ever describe.
They entered the Three Broomsticks ten minutes later and they ordered their drinks at the bar. It was crowded inside, mostly with students. It was an ocean of colours: Gryffindor's gold and red mixed with the green and silver from Slytherin, yellow and black from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's blue and bronze. Whatever regulars there had been before the arrival of students, they had disappeared. There were only students occupying the various tables. Bellatrix and Hermione found a seat in the corner, away from most of the others. The silence that had lingered between them as they walked up lingered on. Both witches stared intently into their Butterbeers and occasionally allowed their eyes to sweep around the pub.
Hermione remembered what it had felt like to feel Bellatrix's hand into her own. Who would ever have believed it would feel so tender to hold another person's hand? She tried to ignore the Scottish accent of McGonagall as her voice echoed through her head. Stay away from Bellatrix Black. Hermione's eyes snapped up. Bellatrix was staring into her Butterbeer. Her raven curls still neatly bound back in her ponytail though a few persisting ones had managed to wiggle free and were falling down her sides of her face. They were a sharp contrast to the ivory tones of her skin. Underneath her robes a beautifully sculptured body was hiding. A body Hermione had seen when Bellatrix got changed at night and she had forced herself to look away. She feared getting caught as she stared at the beautiful raven haired witch. Bellatrix Black had slowly captured her heart.
Hermione suddenly looked up when a loud roar of laughter erupted from one of the neighbouring tables and she only now realized it was occupied by Lucius Malfoy, Severus Snape, Wilkes and Avery. To her horror the Lestrange brothers walked in, the reason of the outburst. She tried to forget the thought that each and every one of the young men at that table would become Death Eaters in the future. The thought was frightening as she looked at their youthful faces. Snape looked almost terrified in his present company, a look that only intensified with the arrival of Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange.
Bellatrix groaned at the arrival of the two brothers. One of them would become her husband once she left Hogwarts. Hermione observed her reaction. Bellatrix's eyes darkened at the sight of Rodolphus and she could only describe the dark glare as pure hatred. Suddenly they both were painfully reminded of Bellatrix's oncoming marriage.
Fearing that a natural outburst of magic was inevitable, Hermione leant over the table towards Bellatrix and whispered "Perhaps we ought to leave"
They left the pub without finishing their drink. They wandered around Hogsmeade without saying much. They occasionally peered through a window, their bodies so close together their hands almost touched. Hermione could feel the warmth of Bellatrix's body. Neither of them said much, apart from the occasional appreciative word of items they say displayed in the shop window. Without fully realizing they reached the outskirts of the village. They were surrounded by trees and Bellatrix sat down on one of the large rocks. Hermione followed and she too sat down on the cold stone. Bellatrix didn't look at Hermione. Unexpectedly, Bellatrix's hand searched and found Hermione's and she took it. Hermione looked at her. The feeling was just perfect.
"I feel different when I am with you" Bellatrix whispered without looking at Hermione. Once again her fingers drew figures in the palm of her hand. "It is forbidden and yet it feels so free"
"Forbidden?" Hermione questioned softly. Her heart was racing in her chest and it felt as if it was going to explode right out of her body. She covered Bellatrix's hand with her own. They seemed to fit together so perfectly.
"A pure blood family will never accept the affection from one woman for another" Bellatrix answered with a hollow voice. It sounded as if she was fighting back tears but when Hermione glanced at her she could see no tears glistening in her eyes. Her dark brown eyes darkened even more. "It will only bring shame upon the family name. It is next to marrying a Mudblood... Marrying another woman...It does not matter if she is of pure blood"
Hermione swallowed. Same sex marriages were not uncommon in the wizarding community. She had learned so herself when she researched one of her school essays. The contradiction between the wizarding world and the Muggle word in that respect were amazing. In the wizarding community a marriage between two women was generally not frowned upon, no matter in what timeline they were. Unless said witches and wizards were pure blood. Prejudice survived in every world. "Bella..."
"My heart will never belong to Rodolphus Lestrange" Bellatrix whispered and suddenly intense dark eyes caught Hermione's "I cannot give my heart to someone else... For my heart belongs to you"
Butterflies danced in the pit of Hermione's stomach. Bellatrix was beautiful with a few curls having freed themselves from her ponytail and her amazingly dark brown orbs. Her skin was the purest ivory she had ever seen and her lips were plump and dark pink. She was still memorizing Bellatrix's every beautiful trait as she slowly leant in and her lips found Bellatrix's. Dark pink lips feel soft and sweet against her own. Her heart cried in triumph and victory as fear and hesitation fell away.
Bellatrix's free hand slipped into Hermione's curls and she pulled the brunette deeper into the kiss. Hermione's arms carefully found their way around Bellatrix's waist and willingly moved herself closer to the other witch. She felt amazingly warm and soft under her hands. There were so many emotions running through her. Minutes felt like hours as their hands softly trailed the sides of the other witch's face. Hermione let one of Bellatrix's curls run through her finger.
And when they eventually broke away they looked at each other. There was slight confusion flashing through Bellatrix's eyes but it quickly faded and was replaced by intense happiness. For the first time, Hermione really saw Bellatrix smile. It was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. A memory she would cherish forever. Her own lips curled up into a smile as she rested her head on Bellatrix's shoulder. And silently she wished it would never end.
It had been five days since their trip to Hogsmeade. Five days since their first kiss. They had shared secret moments when no one had been watching. Every night when darkness fell they went for a walk around the lake and they would watch the stars and the moon, much like they had done before. They would talk and laugh or just lay down in silence. Tonight however, Bellatrix had been called away to meet with Slughorn over her Potions essay and Hermione found herself in the girls' dormitory alone.
From under her bed she took the diary. She had only written in it once since the first time she saw McGonagall's message but she had not yet seen her teacher's answer. She flicked the pages and recognised McGonagall's handwriting instantly. Reading the answer made her heart cringe in her chest. It appeared her teacher trusted her to do something she had failed to do. She had neglected to inform Minerva McGonagall that she had moved into Slytherin.
Hermione, I am glad to hear you are making the best out of an almost impossible situation. Perhaps following your classes is the wisest decision at this moment. Believe me when I say we are still trying to find a way for you to come home. It is almost the end of October and the longer you are there, the bigger the risk you might be discovered or something else happens. I trust you to keep a low profile and hope you are coping well. I dare say I am not sure what I would do had this happened to me.
I hope you have taken my advice and have refrained from communicating with the Black sisters. They are in Slytherin so I expect you have little to do with them unless it is in class. It will keep you safe. I trust you are well and hope that, soon, we will find a way to bring you home.
Hermione sighed. Tears burned behind her eyes. She slipped from the bed, hid the diary underneath and dropped down to the floor. From another hiding spot under her bed she pulled her Gryffindor scarf. She had been wearing it the morning she appeared here. This was the first time she looked at it. It felt almost strange holding it. It was the only thing that reminded her of home. Or whatever it was called. Tears of frustration fell from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.
She was in love with Bellatrix. She felt something she had never felt for anyone else before. Whenever the other witch touched her hand she suddenly fell alive. But she knew it could never be. Everything around her was an illusion. A dream from which she had to wake whenever the time came. She would have to leave it all behind. She would return to a timeline where the young woman she had come to love was dead. A world in which she no longer existed. The thought of never being able to hold her hand again or see the little lights in her eyes ignite, broke her heart. Hermione pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms around her legs.
For the first time she hoped they would never find a way to bring her back.