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Christmas Eve arrived far too soon for Hermione and Bellatrix. They spent the night making love and talking about anything and everything. Unwilling to sleep with the fear that when they awoke Hermione may not be there.
Bellatrix did nothing to hide her relief upon waking to find the brunette was still safely tucked against her chest.
'Baby.' She whispered against the girls cheek as she began pressing kisses against as much exposed skin as possible.
'Baby you're still here.'
Hermione grinned as she opened her eyes to see the dark witch's dark orbs filled with tears, sheer joy written on her face.
'It would seem so.' The brunette gently traced her fingertips along the dark witch's jaw, her smile growing as her love closed the distance between them, a sexy smirk in place as her lips attached to a slender neck.
'Miss Granger, how may I help you today?' Albus Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked at the beaming brunette. Relief flowed through his system that she was still there.
'Well I was wondering if you maybe had some more specifics... A time for my return maybe?'
'Of course. Take a seat.'
Hermione did as requested and perched on the edge of a small leather armchair that faced Dumbledore's desk. She was unable to relax into the seat, her body was tense. She could disappear at any moment and once again be without the love of her life. If there was a time for relaxing, it certainly wasn't now.
She stared at the wizard as he sifted through sheets of parchment, his brow furrowed in deep thought. She shifted nervously, unable to stop her hands from tapping the arm of the chair constantly.
Albus' kind eyes sparkled as he smiled knowingly at the girl. He could sense her fear and anxiety, it came off her in waves.
'Miss Granger please... Relax.' the elderly wizard seemed to hesitate before he spoke again.
'I have just conducted a simple sum and the only date coming up now is March. You will not be returning today. I do-'
Before the man could continue speaking he was cut off. The brunette had launched herself off the chair and wrapped her arms around him.
'Thank you.' She gasped as she clung tightly to the older wizard's frame.
'Go and see her Hermione.'
Dumbledore watched as the girl took a few deep breaths, trying to regain her composure. She shot him an unsure smile before leaving at a brisk pace.
When the girl left he felt his heart drop once more, the smile leaving his face and tears building in his blue eyes.
Bellatrix had never smiled so much in her life. Upon the brunette's return from Dumbledore's office the two witches had kissed passionately, desperately clinging to each other and hungrily ravishing each others bodies. Now they lay panting, a fine layer of sweat formed on their naked forms.
The dark witch couldn't explain what had come over her. She heard the words leave her lovers mouth, that she would not be leaving today, the rest seemed a bit of a blur. A fantastic blur that involved the intense moans of her Hermione as she brought her to a brilliant climax. But a blur nonetheless. Her gaze shifted to the brunette as she sighed, hazel eyes fixed on the ceiling, a grin in place.
'That was... Wow!' Hermione chuckled as she brought their linked hands to her mouth, softly pressing her lips to Bella's knuckles.
'That it was. I will never get enough of you H... How you feel around my fingers, how your body trembles, how your moans spur me on.' The dark witch smirked as her lover turned a brilliant shade of maroon.
'Merlin you're terrible!' The brunette groaned she buried her face in the dark witch's neck.
'I know.' Bellatrix grinned before placing a kiss on the girl's temple.
'I hate to do this now my love but I do have to get going.'
'I know Bella, it's okay. I'll be here when you return.' The brunette smiled as she placed a soft kiss to her love's mouth.
'Yes you will. I love you Hermione.' Bellatrix's lips brushed against Hermione's as she spoke, not wanting to break the contact.
'And I love you Bellatrix.'
Minerva McGonagall let her tears fall. There was nothing she could have done to stop them if she had tried.
'Albus... We have to do something!'
'There's nothing to be done Minerva. I've already brought heartache to them and I shan't bring more... I can't bring more.' Albus's voice was weak as he looked into the emerald eyes of his best friend. He wanted nothing more than to take them away, far away, find a way to hide Hermione and Bellatrix from the world, from fate and destiny but there was nothing the wizard could do.
'And you didn't tell her?' The usually stern witch queried.
'I couldn't Min, I doubt you would have been able to either. She tried to be strong but the fear was evident in her eyes. We have to trust that everything happens for a reason.' The man paused to stop his tears from falling. His hands tightly grasping those of the devastated woman sat opposite him.
'I have to believe it. There is no other way, I have tried.'
'I know you have Albus... I know. What do we do?' Minerva couldn't look up from her hands. She couldn't bare to look into those blue eyes. Eyes that usually sparkled but now were dull and sad.
'We wait. We let them enjoy their remaining time, oblivious to anything but each other and we wait.'
'How long?' Emerald finally met blue. Immediately Minerva felt her heart pang and more tears surface.
'Midnight.'
Bellatrix stared. It was as though she was staring into a mirror. Only to find a younger, softer version of herself. A softer version with a rather large and round stomach.
'How are you doing Andy?' The dark witch enquired, her hand reaching out to caress her younger sisters cheek.
'Im okay. Ted has gotten himself a job at the ministry, I've been offered a position at St. Mungo's, I can start whenever I want. The head healer was rather impressed with my potential.' The younger witch smiled.
'So she should be! You're incredible.' The dark witch smiled back at her sister. Pride filling her at how well the woman was doing.
'You're certainly getting big.' She stated causing a huff from the brunette witch.
'Thanks Bella.' She grumbled.
'Oh you know what I mean!' The dark witch laughed along with her sister for the first time in what felt like forever.
'She won't be long now.'
'She?'
'Nymphadora Belle Tonks.'
Bellatrix felt her eyes fill and mentally cursed Hermione. Before the witch came into her life she never showed the weakness of her emotions. She was strong but now, now she was a vulnerable mess who cried. Andromeda seemed to notice the difference, her eyebrows rising questioningly as her big sister cried.
'Bella... Talk to me.' She smiled knowingly, there was someone special. There had to be, and not Rodolphus bloody Lestrange either.
'I met someone Andy. I can't say much, not right now but... She's something special. She's my everything, my Hermione.' The dark witch beamed as she told her sister about the girl who held her heart.
'She must be if she's making you cry.' The brunette winked.
'Oh shush!'
The two women sat in silence a while. Bellatrix was just happy to be with her sister, not having to worry about her father punishing her for speaking to the 'traitor'. She rested her hand on the ever growing bump, feeling her niece kick and wriggle. Laughing as Andromeda told stories of her and Ted's life and how she was convinced Nymphadora would be a trouble maker like Bella, herself and Cissy had been, were still to a certain extent. She was also willing to bet that the unborn girl was going to be a quidditch player like her Aunt Bella, especially if her constant moving was anything to go by.
Bellatrix was expecting things to turn awkward eventually. They were going too well for it not too. You can't have a pleasant time for the entirety of a meeting with someone disowned from your family, someone you're forbidden to speak of let alone see.
'How's mother fairing?' The youngest of the two enquired carefully. She sighed as she noticed the sadness creep into her big sisters features.
'She is doing well, considering. She misses you Andy, so much. She'll never admit it of course but she will always love you.' The dark witch tried to smile but it failed to reach her eyes.
'I will always love her too. And you, Cissy too. Although she's too young to really understand all of this. She's happy to look beautiful and act properly. Always the favourite.' Andromeda smiled fondly at the thought of her younger sister. A part of her hated Narcissa for the favouritism she received from their father. Narcissa was never punished like her and Bella were. But a bigger part of her was glad. The young girl was soft and innocent. There was no way she could have coped with the punishments like the two eldest sisters had to.
'When she's old enough to think for herself and not through our father she'll realise too Andy.'
The dark witch held her sister close when they were due to part. She did not know when they would see each other again. She promised to visit when Nymphadora was born, a promise she may very well have to break. Her stomach dropped at the thought. She may never meet her niece and may never see her sister again. Only she would never tell Andy just how bad her situation was and she would never admit to anyone else how much her little sister's absence affected her.
Upon returning to Hogwarts the dark witch couldn't help but smile. Hermione was curled up on the sofa, book in hand, the fire blazing and a bottle of mead opened.
Bellatrix sighed softly, happily before crossing the distance and kissing the girl's cheek.
'Finally sweetheart. It's getting late.'
'Sorry, I was longer with Andy than I expected.' The dark woman smiled.
'I'm glad you were. Just not so glad you weren't here when I went for a hot, steamy shower all alone.' The brunette pouted.
'Mmmm... Hermione you know not what you do to me.' The dark witch growled, her hands snaking round a small waist and squeezing the other girls bum, resulting in a high pitched squeal.
'Oh Bella I think I do.' The brunette winked before hungrily kissing her lover. Tongues fought for dominance which Bellatrix won, as usual. Hands roamed, grasped and caressed. Moans collided as the two women collapsed on the sofa, their breathing significantly heavier.
Hermione took note of the clock on the wall next to the fire.
'5 minutes until our first Christmas together.' She stated as her hands found their way into dark curls.
'5 minutes until the greatest Christmas I'll ever experience.' The dark witch smiled and felt her body relax against the brunette's.
They snuggled against each other, fingers linked, legs entwined, eyes locked, lips parted.
'I'll never tire of saying this, I love you so much.' Hermione admitted, her nose gently rubbing against Bellatrix's.
'I will never tire of hearing it sweetheart. I vow to tell you everyday how much you mean to me. I love you.'
Lips melted as the two woman confessed their love only to be interrupted by the clock, softly chiming. Informing the two women that Christmas had come.
Sadness washed through Albus Dumbledore's body as the clock chimed midnight. Minerva stared into the fire, unable to look at the crumbling man. Both their hearts were breaking for what was to happen. Two women they loved as though they were their own. Albus was unable to speak as he thought of Bellatrix and how this was going to break her. The old man sank into his chair as his best friend and colleague poured them both a glass of firewhiskey. Minerva drank her own glass in one. Trying to distract herself from the pain in her heart.
'Merry Christmas Hermione.' The dark witch muttered.
'Merry Christmas.' The brunette replied before leaning in for another kiss. Their lips softly moved against each other, moulding together. Onyx orbs widened upon withdrawing from the kiss. Her heart stopped as she stared at her lover.
'H-Her...Hermione?' She whispered frantically, tears forming in her eyes as she stared.
A soft blue glow had surrounded the brunette witch, emanating from her. The brunette felt light, as though she were floating. Hermione's body racked with sobs as she saw the panic etched on Bellatrix's features. Panic which only increased as the girl seemed to fade. The dark witch's hands reached out, desperately trying to hold the girl, to cling to her and never let her go as she once promised. Her quest failing as fingers tried and failed. Nothing. Nothing but air. Still air. Emptiness. Nothing. The dark witch's hands tried again and again only to reach the same devastating conclusion; nothing. Nothing to grasp, nothing to hold on to. Tears flowed fast and hard as dark eyes stared. Her world collapsing in around her as Bellatrix stared at where Hermione used to be.