AN: This chapter is a lot later than I originally hoped but life got in the way. I apologise for the delay, it he next chapter will hopefully be up in the week. I don't own Harry Potter. Hope you all enjoy! Also I'd love some more reviews :)

Hermione sat at the great table amongst the staff, pushing bits of bacon around her plate. It was still early and only few students had ventured down for breakfast. Bella had barely been in touch for a week and despite her best efforts, Hermione couldn't keep the look of dejection at bay. With a sigh the brunette glanced at the parchment next to her plate again.

Hermione,
In response to your previous owl; I am well thank you. I am also hoping you are too. There is an order meeting tonight so I have no doubt that I shall see you there.
Bella.

Hermione frowned. She was so used to Bella writing excessively, emotively and elaborating everything. For 7 days she'd been receiving minimalist replies, 7 days of feeling deflated; as though she was the reason for Bella's sudden disinterest.
'Is everything okay dear?'
The distinct Scottish accent of her 'aunt' yanked Hermione from her train of though.
'Fine. Thanks for asking.'
'I did not realise that fine consisted of 6 sighs in as many minutes.' The older witch smiled knowingly at the brunette.
'Please Hermione, I like to think you can trust me. Don't hesitate to come to me if need be, I will always be here.'
'She said that too.'
'Hermione?'
'Bella.' Minerva's smile faltered, replaced with a look of melancholy as she gazed at the girl.
'The night before... It, happened. She told me she'd be back by morning and that she'd always be there.'
'Just because she's not physically here Hermione, does not mean that she is not with you every second of every day.'
'Is this the part where you tell me she'll always be with me in here,' The girl tapped her chest. 'because that is getting rather overused and clichéd by now. She may very well be with me in my heart but that is not the same and never will be. Yes, I have precious memories of our time together but nowhere near enough. We didn't get around to doing half of the things we planned before our marriage.'
'Fate can be cruel dear, unnecessarily so.'
'Fate is a twat if you'll forgive my language Minerva.'
The older witch couldn't help but chuckle.
'While that is not a word I would have chosen, I can't help but agree. Love is never easy, there will always be obstacles. I believe you being here, in 1972 is one of those obstacles. I shan't pretend to understand why you are here but fate must have its reasons. Twat or not, there is always a reason.'
Hazel eyes filled with tears threatening to fall.
'I lost the love of my life, my soul mate after so little time together. Only to be thrown into a foreign time where she is very much alive but with no idea of what the future holds. I can't sit back and do nothing but my doing something may change everything.'
'That is just a risk you'll have to take sweetheart, you can't be expected to be here and not do anything.'
'What if she doesn't love me in this time? Will that affect the future? If she doesn't love me now those feelings may not change, then our marriage will never occur.'
'It does not take a genius to know that she is smitten with you Hermione. Don't think too much into things. Let things flow, what will be will be.'
'I know I just... I don't know how I can go back to normal with the knowledge that she won't be by my side.'
Minerva had no reply. Her heart ached for the other witch who was so lost and scared.

Once again, Dumbledore's office had been rearranged to host the order of the Phoenix. Hermione sat between Minerva and a young Arthur Weasley who was increasingly interested in the young girls knowledge of all things muggle.
'So what exactly is a telfishun?'
'A television, it's a box that plays movies and shows.'
'A movy?'
'Think of a portrait but unable to respond to you, it's programmed to play recordings of people doing all kinds of things, from the everyday to fighting zombies.'
'Fighting what?'
'Uh, zombies. Undead people. It's just a muggle fantasy. I'll have to set up a television for you one day, it's better to see it than have my dreary explanations.'
'How did you come across these tevelisions?'
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. No matter how many times she corrected him, Arthur's excitement always won out, leaving him with terrible pronunciation.
'My parents wanted me to have good knowledge of the muggle world so I could make my own decisions.'
Hermione didn't register Arthur's reply, her focus turned to the dark beauty who sat down opposite her. Almost black eyes met her own and for a moment Hermione's heart ceased beating.
'Now that everyone is here we can begin.' Dumbledore's voice silenced the room completely.
Hermione fidgeted impatiently as she listened to various reports and ideas. Her attention to the official order business was minimal. Her mind always wondered back to the woman opposite. The way her hair was let loose, a few strands framing her pale face. Hazel eyes frantically sought out dark ones but the other witch seemed hesitant to look her way. Leaving Hermione with a sinking feeling deep in her gut.
She couldn't help but notice the dark rings around those mysterious eyes nor could she help the pang of worry they caused.
Bellatrix spoke last, her low voice bringing Hermione back to reality. She was eager to hear everything and anything the dark witch had to say.
'There was a rally last Wednesday night. There were far more than 500 in attendance, human invites only.'
'What does that mean?' A portly woman who sat next to Kingsley Shacklebot asked. Hermione couldn't help but notice this woman had a certain knack of questioning everything and found herself thinking, wishing that the woman would just shut up and let Bella speak.
'It means his numbers are growing, rather rapidly. There are far more than 500 witches and wizards willing to follow him and call him lord. That's not even touching on the number of creatures he's managed to secure already.'
'Go on...' Dumbledore prompted.
Bellatrix swallowed nervously.
'He's managed to convince the giants to side with him, as well as several herds of centaurs in Latvia and Russia. They are far more... Aggressive than those from this side of Europe. The ministry have managed to keep things from reaching the public so far but having Lucius as a future brother in law as been helpful for once, he informed me this afternoon that the dementors have abandoned Azkaban.' This was met with several gasps; not only were foul creatures now free to do as the pleased but the prison was left unguarded. There was no denying the ever growing threat they faced. After Bellatrix had spoken the meeting seemed to deteriorate. People became restless as their awareness of the opposition grew.

Hermione was more than relieved when Dumbledore announced the end of the meeting. As usual many people stayed a while longer to speak in smaller groups but Hermione felt herself leaving the room hurriedly. The last thing she wanted was to speak about Voldemort and the war. She already knew everything they had discussed and also knew that unless the timeline had changed they would be victorious. Deciding she was far enough away, the brunette sat on a large windowsill overlooking the grounds. She was so lost in her thoughts she hadn't heard the approaching footsteps.
'There you are.'
Hazel eyes snapped to meet dark before returning to the window.
'Why the sudden disappearance H?'
Hermione smiled at the nickname, although this Bella was unaware, her own Bella would often call her H.
'I just didn't feel like socialising.'
'Well I hope that doesn't involve me because I've been dying to talk to you.'
Hermione's stomach dropped. Nice choice of words. She thought to herself.
'Of course that doesn't involve you.'
Bellatrix grinned.
'Im sorry I've not been my usual self this week. There is an explanation I promise.'
'I believe you, perhaps we should move this conversation from the corridor though.'
Hermione stood, extending her hand out to the other woman who eagerly intertwined their fingers.
'I've missed this.' She muttered as the strolled hand in hand to Hermione's chambers.

The two women sat close together on the small sofa. Their fingers still linked as they relished in the contact.
'I would have explained sooner but it was too risky to write much.'
Hermione smiled warmly, encouraging the dark witch to continue.
'Its been the week from hell. I've been forced to join my mother in planning my future wedding, as well as trying to find as much information on Voldemort as I can. On top of all that my sister ran away.'
Hermione gave a pale hand a reassuring squeeze as she noticed the tears building in dark eyes.
'My father found out that she had been dating a muggle-born. He went ballistic and ordered her to stop seeing him or she'd regret the day she was born. I've never seen him that bad before, he's always been hot-headed and aggressive but this was something else.'
Bellatrix paused to compose herself. Andromeda and Narcissa were her everything and it pained her to know what her sister was going through.
'She told me she loved him and planned to marry him. I tried to convince her to stay but she wouldn't listen. She's pregnant Hermione, I'm going to be an aunt but I'll never get the chance to meet my niece or nephew. I helped her go, father doesn't know. He'd kill me if he did. I couldn't let her live the life we're expected too. I gave her money and helped her escape. Narcissa hasn't said much, mother spouts bullshit that she's a traitor but I know she hates it too. She thinks i don't know, i cant hear that she cries herself to sleep every night. I know it's horrible but a part of me regrets it. I miss her so much and I may never see her again.'
'Its not horrible Bella. If you weren't upset then it would be. She's your sister and your forbidden from seeing her, I can't imagine how horrible that feels.'
'I wish I could be as brave as her.'
'Bella, you're the bravest person I know.'
'Not really. My life is pathetic. I know what I want but I can't do anything to get it. I want nothing more than to have what she has. A life away from the darkness, away from prejudice and hate. A life with someone I could love for them not their name or money. A life with... You.'
Tears spilled down both witch's cheeks at Bella's revelation. Hermione felt relief, Bella did care for her. More than she imagined. Carefully she wiped the dark witch's tears away.
'Things have a habit of working themselves out you know. Things will be okay in the end, if they're not ok then it's not really the end.'
Bellatrix laughed.
'That sounds a hell of a lot like something I often say to Andy and Cissy.'
Hermione smirked.
'The best person I know taught me that.'
The dark witch was unable to prevent the jealousy that flashed through her. Jealousy that didn't go unnoticed by the witch next to her. Hermione softly pressed her lips against those of the other woman in a bid to reassure her. All thoughts of jealousy were banished from Bella's mind as the feel of the brunette's lips overwhelmed her. Moans collided as their kiss grew in intensity and tongues melted together.
The two witch's spent the night in utter bliss. Passionate kisses were exchanged until early hours of the morning. Limbs tangled as they yearned to be as close as physically possible. Smiles remained etched on both faces as the two fell asleep feeling happier than either had in a long time.