Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased.
Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken.
But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.
~Anonymous

A walk under a star riddled sky, the snow still crispy underneath their boots. They held hands, the diamonds slowly easing in the rings around their fingers. The enchanting feeling in her stomach stills slumbered there, reminding her silently of the promise she had made. Hermione glanced at Bellatrix walking beside her. Her raven black curls seemed to glow in the silver moonlight that fell through the clouds. The snow sparkled like tiny crystals, leaving the world in a serene and in an almost mystic glow. Bellatrix's hand felt warm in her own and she could see the little smile lingering on her lips whenever the moon reflected of her face. Her heart had eased in her chest, beating contently in its newfound love. Hazel eyes searched her lover's face.

"What will this have done to the timeline?" It was the first time Hermione reminded both of them of what they had done. They had risked the fate of the whole world for their own love. Bellatrix stopped walking. "Because I know what would have happened to you. I know what lay ahead. And none of that is certain now"

Bellatrix turned to look at Hermione. Intense dark eyes caught Hermione's. The light she had seen when they were united still flickered in those dark brown orbs. "You never told me what happens to me. All these years from now"

Hermione's mouth became dry and she averted her eyes. "I am not sure if you really want to know that" she answered with a little voice. She easily called up the image of the deranged Bellatrix Lestrange she knew, dancing around and cackling manically as she fired curse after curse. She still remembered the erratic devotion in her eyes, her so called love for the Dark Lord. And she still easily could call up the moment in which she watched her die. "What happens in the future is filled with darkness, Bella. So many will die. So many will suffer... And now I don't even know which of that is true anymore"

Bellatrix slowly nodded. "I understand" She glanced up to the moon. "Do you think we would have known by now if anything had changed?"

"Maybe not us. But I think the others, back in 1999, will" Hermione answered softly. She tried to imagine what Minerva McGonagall would do. Surely she would have realized that it had been because of Hermione the timeline had changed. She wondered how it would manifest itself. Would things just change or would people wake up in the morning with new memories, events that took place over night that suddenly are thirty year old memories?

"We will never know" Bellatrix answered and glanced at Hermione. Honesty flickered in dark eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek. "You are afraid to tell me I am dead in your timeline, aren't you?"

Hermione's heart skipped. Hearing Bellatrix speak those awful words hurt. Suddenly the cold wind invaded her chest and numbed her heart. "I...Yes, I was. And I don't know what will happen now, Bella. This may have changed everything. Maybe you are alive. Maybe you are not. But it feels that, regardless of whatever, I am going to lose you when I leave. Because the Bellatrix I will find on the other side is not the same Bellatrix that I met here"

Bellatrix wanted to answer something but words failed her. She remained silent and her hand just took a tighter hold of Hermione's. The one hour they were going to spend away from Hogwarts rapidly faded. One hour turned into two, two turned into four. They walked till the sun began to climb over the horizon and made the snow glisten on the top of the hills. Somewhere a bird began to sing a winter song. Hermione looked at Bellatrix. Tears glistened in her eyes. Mere hours from now she would leave her. And she didn't know if, or how, she would ever see her again.

The sun climbed higher over the horizon. They could not deny it any longer and returning to Hogwarts became inevitable. Hermione held onto Bellatrix's hand as they Apparated. Seconds later, with a soft CRACK, they reappeared just outside the main entrance. Morning had fully broken and the first students had already made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Neither of them had slept and Hermione only now realized how tired she was. She still held Bellatrix's hand but was forced to let go when a group of seventh year Slytherins came down the Grand Staircase.

"Why Lestrange, isn't that your soon to be wife? She could do with a Beauty Spell" cackled an amused Lucius Malfoy when the group walked past Hermione and Bellatrix. The comment was aimed at the fact that Bellatrix's hair was tangled and she looked paler than normal due to the lack of sleep. Lucius made sure to crash into Bellatrix as they walked past.

"His wife?" Bellatrix hissed dangerously through his teeth and her hand slipped in her pocket, drawing her wand "Not until hell freezes over" She had muttered the hex under her breath and the spell crashed directly into both Lucius Malfoy and Rodolphus Lestrange. Painful looking boils appeared on their faces and began to spit yellow pus at their surrounding friends. Both young men screamed and cried in horror and began to run in the direction of the Hospital Wing.

Hermione smirked at the amusing sight and then followed Bellatrix into the Great Hall. There were only a few students sitting at the house tables. They sat down at the Slytherin table and played around with their breakfast. The sausages, toast and eggs were not interesting nor did they taste nice. Hermione's head felt heavy. The ring around her finger glistened and she glanced at it for a moment. The reminder of what she had done. The promise she had made. The reminder of how much she loved Bellatrix. A bit further down the table Andromeda and Narcissa had piled their plates full of food, oblivious to the emotional moments shared by Bellatrix and Hermione. Neither was hungry and the tired feelings quickly subsided when Hermione discovered McGonagall and Dumbledore walk to the Staff table. Suddenly she realized, from the serious look they have her, she didn't have forty eight hours. She had less. She glanced at Bellatrix and caught her hand.

"I don't want to waste time sitting here" she whispered and stood up. The hollow feeling in her heart only spread through her body. Bellatrix followed and the two of them left the Great Hall. Hermione could feel McGonagall's eyes in her back as they left but she didn't turn around. They walked through the corridors; their hands joined. And once again they found the favourite spot by the courtyard. Both climbed on the wall, Bellatrix's back rested against the pillar. Hermione rested her head against Bellatrix's chest and her lover ran her fingers through her bushy brown curls. They sat like this, in silence, as the minutes began to pass away.

"I won't have forty eight hours" Hermione whispered softly as a tear slipped down her cheek "I just know it. That look on McGonagall's face... it's the same wherever I am. She knows something. And I know that today they will send me back"

"Don't leave" Bellatrix breathed warm against the back of her neck and wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist. She kissed the side of her neck. "You can stay. I know it will be hard but you can do it. Please... just don't leave"

Hermione heard the tears in her lover's voice. She felt her black curls tickle her skin. Tears burned behind her eyes, angry and unfair. "I have to, Bella. There is too much at stake. What if I stay here and things happen differently? I don't think I could forgive myself if I stayed here without changing the timeline and save all those lives" She hesitated. "Listen to me..." She turned so she could look in Bellatrix's dark eyes. "Don't turn to the Dark Lord, Bella. Whatever happens, don't turn to him. You will lose everything. And... Always love your sisters" Tears were now really falling from her eyes. "Always love me"

"I will forever be yours, my love" Bellatrix kissed Hermione tenderly, their hands still clamped together. The diamonds in their rings were steadily beating in unison, like their hearts. The gold of their rings glistened in the early morning sunlight. It was as if their hearts fell apart, piece by piece until there was nothing left."My heart belongs to you"

Footsteps could be heard down the corridor and mere seconds later, Minerva McGonagall appeared in the company of Albus Dumbledore. Emerald green eyes swept across the faces of both witches. Almost instantly, Hermione hid the ring on her finger. Bellatrix followed. Both young women looked up, desperation flickering behind two sets of eyes. She wishes this wasn't true. She wished this wouldn't happen. That they would tell her that the Time Turner wouldn't work.

"Miss Granger, it is best if you come with us" Dumbledore said slowly, his eyes resting on both Bellatrix and Hermione. He could see the devastation in their eyes. His voice was soothing, calm. Though it could not erase the pain they felt. "It is time"

Hermione didn't move. Bellatrix's body felt so comfortable and warm against her own. She didn't want to leave her. She belonged with her. Her heart wept. Tears fell from her eyes. But Bellatrix's tender arms began to push her towards her teachers. Hermione's body froze and Bellatrix used a little bit more strength. When Hermione turned around she saw the endless tears stream down her face. Bellatrix's dark eyes were filled with tears; they trickled down her cheeks and slipped into Hermione's hair and robes.

After what felt like an eternity, Hermione slipped off the wall and turned to look at Bellatrix. Their eyes met and locked gazes. Words needn't be said. The look in their eyes said more than words ever could. Seconds felt like minutes and Hermione reached for Bellatrix's hand. The diamonds were still beating in unison. A reminder of the union their hearts had made.

"I love you" Hermione whispered so softly only Bellatrix could hear "Wherever I am"

"I will be waiting" Bellatrix leant in and tenderly brushed a string of hair behind Hermione's ear. She forgot about their teachers watching and kissed her softly on her lips. "I will be waiting, my love. On the other side. Waiting for you. Always. What we have, cannot be broken. Never"

Hermione held on to those words when she parted from Bellatrix. She instantly missed the feeling of her lips against her own. She missed the sweetness and the warmth. She missed the comfort of her body, having her near, touching her skin and holding her hand. She slowly stepped back, her eyes never breaking the intense eye contact. The space between them hurt more than anything. When she reached McGonagall she felt her teacher's hand on her shoulder. The touch was meant to be comforting but it just increased the pain. She spun around and suddenly ran down the corridor. Her heart was racing in her chest, her lungs pressing against her ribs. Tears burned the skin of her face. The pain she felt inside was worse than anything she had ever felt. Anger, pain, frustration... all the emotions rushed through her. She was panting by the time she reached Dumbledore's office. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. She dropped to the floor. Her knees crashed against the ground. She had no idea how long she had sat like this until Dumbledore and McGonagall arrived. She was still sobbing when McGonagall kneeled down beside her and steadily begun to help her up.

The climb up the stairs to Dumbledore's office was exhausting. Every step hurt and she lacked the energy to make it all the way up. Hermione was broken and devastated and desperatly clutched on to Minerva, relying on her teacher to guide her up the stairs. Once they stepped into the round office, Dumbledore did not waste any time. He walked around his desk, picked up the golden chain with the hour glass and turned to look at Hermione.

"Miss Granger, would you come here please?" he asked with a clear voice. It sounded more like a demand than a request and Hermione reluctantly stepped forward. She was shaking and her hands were trembling. Silent tears still dripped down her cheeks. Dumbledore hung the necklace around her neck. The hour glass resting on her chest was a familiar feeling. Hermione's shaking fingers touched the gold chain. It felt cold and distant.

"The Time Turner has been enchanted in such a way that when I cast this spell it will twist itself as many hours back in time as needed to return you to your own timeline, Miss Granger" McGonagall tenderly brushed Hermione's hair out of her face. "And I have to remind you that, when you make it back to your own time and the necklace still hangs around your neck, it will be impossible for you to instantly return here. You cannot recreate the events that led to your arrival here"

Hermione silently nodded. The thought had crossed her mind for just an instant. To try and spin it all the way back. And then destroy it. But it was clear she couldn't. She lifted up her head and met her teacher's green eyes. "Will you be waiting for me, Professor?"

McGonagall nodded and briefly touched Hermione's hand. "I will, Miss Granger. If we are correct the Time Turner will instantly send you back to this office. If not, the other possible destination is the bottom of Gryffindor Tower, where all of this started of course"

Hermione took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes and focused on the rapid beating of her heart. The darkness was slightly comforting. "I am ready, Professor"

She never saw McGonagall draw her wand from her sleeve. She never saw how she silently aimed it at the chain around her neck and whispered the spell. She felt the wind beginning to pull her hair. Jerky movements around her. Fragments of noises and bright flashes of light found their way into her ears and eyes. She picked up strange smells. She was too afraid to open her eyes. Opening her eyes would mean she could see everything change. She would see what she had lost. The spinning motion seemed to last forever. The jerky sensation didn't stop. It was as if an invisible force was pulling at her arms and legs and at her hair. Her stomach began to twist and turn and an intense sense of nausea fell over her.

And then it stopped.

There was silence. A deafening silence. She had expected voices. Someone calling her name. But there was nothing. Slowly Hermione reopened her eyes. The world was bright and she shielded her eyes from the intense sunlight that fell into the room. Her legs felt like jelly and her stomach was still rapidly turning. She felt like she was going to be sick. Her brain was trying to comprehend what had happened and with a thud she fell to the ground, landing on her hands and knees. She was heaving and her stomach emptied itself over the wooden office floor.

"Oh Miss Granger" It was the familiar Scottish lilt of Minerva McGonagall. Two strong hands suddenly clamped down on Hermione's shoulders, slowly pulling her up. Hermione fought. She didn't want to get up. She wanted to lie down. She wanted to sleep. She was still panting. Her stomach was empty and she had a disgusting taste in the back of her throat.

"Hospital Wing"

There was another voice. Hermione tried to recognise it but her mind was too blurred. There was a small flash of a light and a softly muttered spell. A light sensation swept through her and suddenly the floor seemed further away. The weightless feeling spread throughout her body and she just closed her eyes. She was exhausted.

The bed was soft and comfortable. Slowly her eyes reopened and the room around began to find its original shape. This was unmistakably the Hospital Wing. She recognized the two rows of beds and the screens separating them. The large window at the end of the ward let in the sunlight. She even recognized the blankets and sheets on the bed. The pillow was soft and somehow her head felt no longer as light.

"You're awake" said Minerva McGonagall and Hermione turned her head to the left. There was someone at her side. Her former Transfiguration teacher and now Headmistress had been sitting in the chair at her bedside but now stood up. It was strange seeing her like this. She was thirty years older. Her dark hair was slightly grayer in places. There were more wrinkles around her eyes and the glasses on her bony nose had not been there thirty years ago. However she was still wearing the familiar emerald green robes and black witch's hat. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I travelled through thirty years of time" Hermione groaned with a painful expression. She felt awful. Like her body had been mangled. She had a thumping headache. It was as if something or someone had reached inside her and just taken out her heart. She felt hollow and empty. All she could think of was Bellatrix. It had been her dark eyes she had seen whilst she was asleep. Her voice she heard echo around her head. Blankly she stared at McGonagall. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Just over an hour" McGonagall answered with a little smile "Which is not surprising considering what you have just been through. I will go and inform Madam Pomfrey you are awake. She can check you over and make su...-" She stopped mid sentence when her emerald green eyes dropped to the hand Hermione had just removed from under her blanket to rub her eyes. McGonagall reached forward and caught Hermione's wrist. The golden ring with the black diamond glistened in the sunlight. The diamond didn't appear to be beating like it had done before. Hermione's eyes widened.

"Miss Granger, what is this?" McGonagall's voice was suddenly sharp and her green eyes pierced into Hermione's. "You were not wearing this when you left so surely you must have acquired it whilst you were away..."

Hermione managed to free her wrist from McGonagall's grip and turned away. "It's a ring" she muttered under her breath. McGonagall's eyes still rested on her. She had not expected to have to share her secret so quick. Tears burned behind her eyes. The sensation the ring had given her in 1969 was gone. She felt hollow and empty. "I... It was a gift"

"There have been changes, Miss Granger. Big changes. Things which were different before you left. They seemed to have changed" McGonagall answered on a worrying tone "One morning we woke up in a different world. People who were dead were suddenly still alive. As if they had magically reappeared. Others were suddenly dead. People have memories they cannot quite explain. And the only reason I have for these changes... is you" She paused to take in a breath. "Though the changes cannot be undone you must tell me what happened, Miss Granger"

There was no answer and McGonagall seemed slightly agitated. "Hermione, do not take me for stupid or oblivious. I know this kind of ring. It is a ring that symbolizes unity. They often come in sets of two, with various gem stones. Each gemstone is rumoured to hold a different magical ability" Hermione slowly turned so she could look at her teacher. "It is the kind of ring shared between lovers"

Hermione's eyes fluttered shut at the mere mention of the world lovers and a tear slipped through her eyelashes. McGonagall saw it and cocked her head. "Then I am right. You have fallen in love"

Hermione reluctantly nodded. Bellatrix's dark eyes flashed before her eyes. She easily remembered her smile. How her fingers had felt against her own. "Yes, Professor..." Her voice had been reduced to a whisper. Another tear dripped down her cheek and fell onto her pillow.

"As long as the ceremony has not been performed, the magical abilities that linger inside the ring will not bind with their owners and the union has not been made" McGonagall spoke and then, when Hermione didn't move or answer, she dropped back in her chair. "Miss Granger... please tell me you haven't..."

Hermione's bottom lip trembled. Tears burned behind her eyes. "Professor, you don't understand..."

"The ceremony has been performed?" McGonagall asked and Hermione nodded very briefly "Dear God, Hermione. It means the union has been made. The binding between you and this other person is forever unless the spell is broken. And such an act can only be performed by someone in the same position as the one who bound you two together in the first place" She looked at Hermione. "It explains why the events have changed so much. Hermione, who is it? With whom did you enter this magical marriage?"

Hazel brown eyes unexpectedly lit up. Her lover's name fell of her lips so easily. "Bellatrix Black"

McGonagall looked defeated. The name of the most notorious Death Eater made her shiver. It felt unreal. She sat in her chair, devastation riddled across her face. Green eyes found Hermione's. The girl suddenly regained some of her colour and her cheeks had turned a light shade of pink. "Hermione, have you got any idea what this means?"

Hermione suddenly felt a sense of energy. Her lips curled up into a shy smile. "It means she is still mine"