A/N: Thanks you for all the reviews and support :) They are very much appreciated. Tonight is a double dossing of Bellamione action ^^ The Future Black, my second Bellamione story has also been updated. This one will remain my primary project with TFB taking over once this is done. I know some will have questioned Hermione's behaviour from the last chapter, this chapter will shine some light on it as well as future chapters.

Some questions from the previous chapter have been addressed at the end ^^ Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter and the original storyline are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling.

Read, review and most of all… Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Guilty Attraction

Bellatrix

Bellatrix was grinning to herself as she finished drying her hair, her mind kept drifting back to the mudblood girl and what had taken place ten minutes ago. She looked casually over her shoulder at the girl who, was frantically trying to get ready and cover up a couple of marks Bellatrix had left on her exposed skin before the guards returned. She cackled and gave the girl an innocent smile when the brunettes gaze snapped to hers and was happy to see she was still flustered and weak at the knees, even by the time the guards turned up.

Bellatrix rested against the counter seductively as Oswin and Gabriel entered, her mischievous expression masking her intend. She studied both the guard's expression when they saw Hermione alive and well, looking for the slightest hint that would betray their covert identity if indeed one of them was her mysterious contractor. Unfortunately both acted preciously how they usually acted, no shock or disappointment hung behind their eyes, either they had nothing to do with the contract on the brunettes life, or they were very highly skilled in the art of deception.

'Cissy could work this out in a heartbeat; deception has always been her way of life. The typical pureblood wife and mother, who attends public events and boasts at snobby pureblood gatherings about her family, no one would ever guess how highly skilled she was in the dark arts.' Sadness spread out throughout her heart as she thought fondly of her little sister, her veiled emotions forgetting briefly about Narcissa's betrayal. Bellatrix casted a glanced over at Hermione who seemed also to be watching the guard's curiously while engaging Oswin in conversation.

Gabriel approached the barrier, he aimed his wand at her and with a quick flick he conjured and bound her with a heavy pair of iron manacles. Once she was firmly secured, he dropped the barrier and motioned for her to come forward.

"Unfortunately we have to move you back to own cell today. But mark my words, if you step a toe out of line you'll be straight back in solitary confinement Mrs Lestrange." Oswin said darkly, glaring at her before patting Hermione's shoulder sympathetically.

"Believe me…" Bellatrix cooed sweetly. "That might not be as unfortunate as you believe." She grinned slyly and her gaze flashed to Hermione for a split second to see her reaction. To her displeasure the girl kept her expression neutral at best and refused to look in her direction.

Oswin raised an eyebrow at the comment but let it drop before turning to the brunette and then started to lead her out. Bellatrix frowned and begun to follow; pushing past Gabriel as she made her way to the door, the sound of something being crushed underfoot gave Bellatrix cause to look back. She watched as Gabriel moved his foot and bent down to pick up the remains of the cap she had rolled across the floor earlier, frowning he inspected it between fingers and glanced over at the shelf before looking at Bellatrix.

His expression flickered slightly before pocketing the cap and ushering Bellatrix out of the bathroom. Bellatrix smiled to herself as she walked ahead. 'Interesting.'

The remainder of the day proved to be completely uneventful as the younger witch kept to herself, huddled in the corner with her face buried between her knees and didn't make a sound. Bellatrix at first couldn't care less about what was wrong with the girl, instead she just used the time to relax her back on a proper size bed after having been forced to sleep in a ball for the past week.

Her mind turned to her mysterious contractor, what his identity possibly was and if he'd show his face anytime soon. 'Gabriel.' She thought to herself as she remembered what Hermione had told her earlier, was he the one who was in the Goblin's pocket? It was him who erected the wards earlier, so he would have known how to lower them without drawing attention to himself. Bellatrix also recalled the odd look that briefly graced his face when he retrieved the cap, she had seen it enough times before and if it was what she thought it was… Then her contractor was a far bigger threat than she originally believed. 'Muddy needs to be very careful, something isn't right…'

Bellatrix froze in place a few seconds after that line of thought, blinking in disbelief when she realised she had just been voicing her worries about the girl's safety in her head. 'Hmph… I'm not concerned about the Mudblood… I just don't like to share my toys.' Bellatrix repeated that line over and over several times in her head but frustratingly it didn't eliminate the sickening feelings that were spreading's their poisonous roots every time she thought about the mudblood. Bellatrix turned to look at her and despite herself, smiled slightly; it did feel good to be wanted again, even if that want was just lustful desires.

As the day dragged on and she grew more and more bored, Bellatrix slowly started to become frustrated and annoyed at Hermione's silence, and her sudden change in behaviour. But it wasn't until after dinner and lights out did she finally give in.

She looked over at the brunette who was lying on her side with her back to her, judging from her breathing, Bellatrix guessed she was still awake. "Ok muddy, your silence is starting to irk me. If I remember right I left you alive and satisfied, not as a cowering wreck, what changed?" Bellatrix asked trying to keep her tone sweet, hoping it would lure Hermione out to play.

A deafening silence filled the air, Bellatrix had no idea how long she waited for a reply and it wasn't until she was about to speak up again did the brunette's reply came. "Nothing Lestrange, it was just a shag." Hermione said shortly without looking up in a quiet yet cold and bitter tone of voice. An involuntary cold shiver ran down Bellatrix's spine at the girls sharp tongue as she twisted and repeated Bellatrix's earlier words.

To Bellatrix's surprise the comment slipped through her natural thick skinned defences with ease and as much as she tried to deny it, hurt her. She dug her nails into her palm trying to control her anger; she didn't want to give the guard's a reason to send her away back to solitary confinement anytime soon. She tried to get Hermione's attention again, probing her with her sweet tongue, trying to get under her skin and find out what she was thinking. But the younger witch didn't utter another single word, eventually Bellatrix gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep, and just before she fell fast asleep, a single word fell from her tired lips. "Hermione…"

Bellatrix woke with a small yelp when she felt a jolt prick at her skin. Feeling absolutely shattered she sat up and growled as she looked around, it was still the middle of the night and the girl opposite looked to be fast asleep. Believing she was imaging things, Bellatrix grumbled with annoyance under her breath as she lay back down and tried to fall back asleep.

"Mrs Lestrange." The mysterious masked voice of her contractor penetrated her ears just before she could close her eyes.

"Go away!" Bellatrix hissed in defiance, growling in frustration knowing that sleep wouldn't be returning anytime soon now. "Some of us need sleep."

"This time tomorrow you could have been getting all the sleep you desired in your own bed as a free woman. Yet, you failed us Mrs Lestrange. Why?" The voice asked coldly and Bellatrix found herself rolling her eyes at his attitude.

Bellatrix yawned and stretched casually, purposely dragging out the time it took her to reply. "Did I? Can't say I noticed." She replied sweetly and cackled lightly as she arched her back.

"Do not believe you can play games with me. You agreed to kill the girl for us, yet she lives."

Bellatrix slipped out of her bed carefully, she moved towards the bars slowly and quietly. Although she doubted someone so apparently skilled in deception would be caught out in such a simple manner, she still tried to catch a glimpse of him from her cell. She could see the vague silhouette of the man but he was so cloaked in darkness that she couldn't even judge his height, let alone anything else.

"Why don't you come a little closer, I'm having trouble hearing you." Bellatrix purred, laying on a very thick seductive tone hoping it would entice him towards her.

The man cloaked in shadows didn't budge. "A poor effort Mrs Lestrange."

Bellatrix scowled and stuck her tongue out childishly at him before catching a glimpse of the girl turning in her sleep from the corner of her eye. "What about her? What if she hears you?" She asked quietly, her eyes not leaving the sleeping figure of the girl. Hermione must have been wriggling a lot in her sleep, her blanket was only partly covering her and the legs of her pants had ridden far up her thighs, revealing her long smooth and slender legs. She purred at the sight and tried to imagine what they would be like wrapped around her waist.

The mysterious man's voice snapped her out of thoughts before she got too carried away. "A silencing charm is in effect; even if she woke up she wouldn't be able to hear us. All she'd see was a mad old woman muttering to herself." Bellatrix snarled at the insult, oh how she wished she could get her hands on this man who believed he could order her of all people around and disrespect her. "You didn't answer the question, why is she still alive?" He asked again, his speech modification charm failing to mask his growing impatience.

Her hands wrapped around the bars as she pulled herself close to them, her cheek coming to rest on the cold iron. "Hasn't anyone told you?" She whispered slowly, her tongue darted out across her lips then grinned. "I like to play with my food before I eat it."

"Mrs Lestrange-"

Bellatrix cut the man off with a loud cackle, one of her hands left the bars and came up to her hair where she casually played with her stray curls, just like how she was playing with him. "If you wanted a common murderer, you could have approached anyone. But you came to me… She will die, slowly… Inside and out." She said in a deadly whisper, pausing after she stressed out the last three words, letting them sink in before carrying on. "I think that will appease your employers very much."

A long silence followed, if it wasn't for the silhouette of the man remaining exactly where he was, Bellatrix could have sworn he had left. "It would. But I warn you, do not cross us. We got you your privileges back; we got you where you needed to be today and lowered the barrier for a second time for you. Thus far we've kept up our side of the deal; if you want your freedom, you'll have to kill the girl soon."

"What do you mean, a second time?"

Another silence followed, as if he was debating with himself about how much he should tell Bellatrix. "When you… Attacked Miss Granger last week. I lowered the barrier to see if you'd live up to your reputation. You did."

"You were testing me?" Bellatrix asked, she wanted to snap at the man for luring her into something to suit his and his employers own needs. But her curiosity got the better of her and so she forced herself to stay calm.

"In a way… But to make sure you… Preformed shall we say? You had a little something added to your breakfast that morning to… heighten your senses."

Bellatrix's eyes grew wide in disbelief and anger. "You drugged me?!" She shrieked out in fury, the palms of her hands slamming into the bars.

The shadowed figure was unaffected by her anger, if anything his voice seemed slightly pleased about it. "Think of it more as a little boost, we gave you something that would alert you to the slightest change of magic in the air. How else would you have known the barrier had fallen? We also gave you something that would… Play on your hatred."

"You dare think you can control me!? I was the Dark Lord's most faithful and devoted servant! His strongest lieutenant!" Bellatrix screeched, unable to contain her anger at the fact that they had the nerve to try and manipulate her. 'That explains the hallucinations I had… Why I saw the whore instead that day.' Something else then dawned on Bellatrix, if they had drugged her, could they have drugged Hermione too?

"Perhaps it was a precaution too far. Yet it's worked out in your favour, we still need the girl dead and we are willing to give you another chance… If you are up to it."

"Of course I am!" Bellatrix snapped. Of course Bellatrix had no intention of doing as she was told, she knew that her contractor couldn't be trusted and would betray her the second she carried out the task. But that didn't mean she couldn't drag it on for as long as possible and have fun along the way.

"Good. Three nights from now both your cell doors will be opened. Finish the job."

Bellatrix couldn't help but laugh at that. "And if I choose to escape?"

A short silence fell again before he answered her. "You won't get far. Be sure to eat your dinner that night, there will be a little something to keep you energised… Now, Good night Mrs Lestrange."

Without another word the figure cloaked in darkness started to disappear down the corridor, his footsteps not making a single sound as he drifted away. Bellatrix stuck her tongue out at his back then looked over at the sleeping figure opposite her. 'Well muddy, I guess we'll be having another little chat sooner rather than later.'

Hermione

Three days later and Hermione woke up in another miserable mood, since what had taken place in the bathroom a few days ago, Hermione's nightmares had changed. They still revolved in some way around Bellatrix, but in these ones it was her friends and everyone she cared about that hurt her. In her nightmares they found out what she had willing done and allowed to happen with Bellatrix, they forsook her but not before labelling her a traitor amongst other things.

Even now she was awake she could see their hurt and betrayed faces, Harry's and Tonks's were the worst. 'SHE KILLED SIRIUS! HOW COULD YOU WHORE YOURSELF TO THAT CREATURE?!" Harry had screamed at her, he looked like he could have struck her but even in her nightmares Harry wasn't capable of such a thing, instead Ginny had given her a brutal slap. 'I… Thought… You and I had something, you loved me once and I thought… Hoped that maybe we could, start over one day… But instead you went off with her, after all she's done…' Tonks had whispered out her heartbreak while tears streamed down her face.

After returning to her cell that day and once her carnal desires had subsided, she was mentally assaulted by overwhelming and sickening guilt, disgust and shame. Her nightmares had only heightened what she felt, even now, three days later those feelings hadn't faded in the slightest. Her behaviour that day absolutely disgusted her to the point where bile would travel up and get lodged in her throat every time she thought about it. She had succumbed so easily to her dark desires, she willingly gave herself up to the dark witch and allowed Bellatrix to humiliate and degrade her.

'What the hell was I thinking?! I happily settled for a quick fuck with a monster that has ruined countless lives and hurt people close to me…' Her mind turned to Harry, to Neville, two people that called her their friend, which had suffered losses at the hands of Bellatrix. Harry had lost his godfather Sirius to her and Neville's parents had been tortured to the point of insanity by Bellatrix. She and the boys had also lost a very dear friend to her, Dobby the free house elf who had met his death at Bellatrix's hands after he saved them from Malfoy Manor. Hermione's eyes started to swell up at the thought of Sirius, of Dobby, of hurting all those she cared about; she gave herself a sharp pinch to stop the tears. 'No I don't deserve to feel sorry for myself… I deserve to feel this guilt and shame…' Her mind then wondered over to the other people closest to her that she had betrayed by what she had done, Ron and Tonks.

Ron… He was meant to be her boyfriend, he was meant to be the love of her life… Hermione was unable to help herself as she made a sarcastic sound at that. 'If he was the love of my life then I would never have given myself up without a fight to Bellatrix…' The sad fact was that one look from Bellatrix, one kiss from the dark witch's lips, filled her with more passion and lust then her entire time with Ron combined had ever did, it wasn't even remotely close. 'Oh Ron… I'm so sorry…' Hermione knew that the first thing she had to do when she left Azkaban was end it with the redhead, he in no way deserved to be cheated on with a murderer.

Tonks on the other hand… Hermione had always believed Tonks to be her true love; she had certainly been her first, in many aspects… And even when Tonks had got together with Remus, Hermione never stopped loving the young Auror, nor did part of her ever stop wanting her. Hermione fully understood how she used to feel about Tonks, how part of her still did and that's what was worrying Hermione the most… For despite how she felt for the Auror, she never felt as alive, never as closely connected, never as free as she did in that short moment with Bellatrix… The thought that there was a possibility she felt something deeper than sexual desire for the Death Eater terrified her. 'If they ever found out what I did… Harry, Ron, Neville… Tonks… Everyone. They'd hate me; I don't think I'll ever be able to look them in the eye again…'

Hermione threw a hateful look over in Bellatrix's direction but it immediately softened as soon as her eyes settled on the sleeping woman's peaceful face, the older witch didn't deserve her hate, at least not for what happened. She did spare her life and was honest and upfront about what she wanted, the dark witch saw something she wanted and had no quarrel with taking it without a care in the world. Bellatrix was just being Bellatrix.

There was something about the older witch that had Hermione's inquisitiveness working overtime, she was an enigma, the dark witch who hated muggle-borns with a passion had loved one once and perhaps still did judging by the pained look that hung about her eyes when she told her story. Hermione was starting to believe that there was far more to Bellatrix then met the eye and she felt her curiosity would never be sated until she cracked the surface and uncovered her secrets. Hermione smiled slightly, the mystery revolving around Bellatrix was almost as alluring as her beauty… Hermione gave herself another hard sharp pinch as her thoughts about Bellatrix started to turn sympathetic and complimentary. 'God… I can't even feel guilty without still desiring her.'

She sighed and shook her head before looking away. 'Bellatrix hates me, I disgust her and she doesn't hide that, yet I was so willing to screw her… While she verbally abused me… And I had enjoyed it… Even now despite all the guilt and shame I feel, I'm still admiring her… What the fuck is wrong with me…' Although as much as she hated herself for what she had allowed to take place, and as much as she tried to, she couldn't bring herself to regret the act itself, it was the twisted silver lining in her dark cloud.

All in all, Hermione found her state of mind to be in a complete and utter mess, it was almost as if someone had let Crookshanks loose in her head where he had mistaken her brain for a ball of twine. All her morals, her emotions and her feelings were twisted and tangled, crisscrossing into a never ending labyrinth. She was thoroughly mentally and emotionally torn in half over it. Although she felt truly guilty, ashamed and disgusted with herself about what had happened, she also still felt drawn to the older witch, she still smiled when she thought about her, and she still felt butterflies flutter about her stomach when their gazes met. Over the past couple days Bellatrix had tried hard to get her attention, her methods varying. More than once Hermione had almost given in to Bellatrix's seductive singsong voice and it had taken all of her restraint not to engage with the dark witch.

She sighed and stared up at her ceiling, wondering what the day would hold for her. However she didn't need to wait long when a familiar voice then broke the morning silence and found its way to her ears. "Wotcher!"

Hermione's head snapped to the side and looked over to the source of the voice, where she saw the young Auror standing in the corridor. A sharp stab of guilt pierced her heart when their gaze's met and Tonks smiled warmly at her. "Tonks!" She yelled out in surprise and quickly she got out of bed. "I wasn't expecting you today." Hermione forced a smile to mask her guilt as she moved closer to the Auror, in the background she could see Bellatrix's sleeping figure behind Tonks and the rippling guilt intensified.

Tonks's smile broadened as she whipped out her wand, with a few effortless strokes the gate to her cell appeared. "Thought I'd surprise you." She said happily as she stepped through into Hermione's cell and without warning hugged her. Hermione returned the hug despite the sickening reminder of her betrayal looming in the background. "Now I hope you don't mind if I crash on your bed for a while." Tonks let her go with a yawn and stretch before waltzing over to Hermione's bed and collapsing on it.

"Tired?" Hermione giggled slightly; trying hard to push aside her guilt she took a seat on the edge of the bed next to Tonks.

The Auror groaned into the pillow. "Knackered, please do me a favour. Swap places with me…"

Hermione blinked slowly in confusion and frowned. "What?"

Tonks looked up from the pillow and pouted. "I'll stay in Azkaban and you can take my place at home."

"Why? Is something wrong?" Hermione asked softly as she rested a hand on Tonks's shoulder, feeling concerned.

"I've had… The longest fucking week ever. If I knew what moving into mums would entail I would have apparated to the other side of the bloody world." Tonks grumbled immaturely, giving Hermione her big warm eyes as she looked for sympathy, but Hermione was too confused as to what Tonks meant. "I've had my aunt round most days this week."

"Mrs Malfoy?" Hermione asked, not hiding her surprise at the fact that Narcissa Malfoy, a pureblood fanatic would be socialising with her blood traitor of a sister. 'She must be trying hard to change; she took a big risk betraying Voldemort… Perhaps making amends with her older sister is the next step in the right direction.'

"Yep… I never knew my mum could be such a bloody pureblood snob, gossiping with her all day long, both of them kept trying to dress me up…" Tonks moaned out as she sat up, her arms folded as she continued to pout. "I'm a 25 year old Auror, not some kind of damn doll. Criticizing what I wore, the way I spoke, how I picked up my damn knife and fork. It has been… Hell!"

Hermione laughed slightly then hit Tonks across the arm. "Ow! Hey what was that for?"

"I thought it was something serious." Hermione said with a sigh and a playful frown.

Tonks mouth dropped open as if she had just been slapped. "This is serious! They are driving me insane!"

Hermione shook her head smiling. "Come now they can't be that bad, Bellatrix grew up with them and she's… Oh yeah…" She quickly bit down on her tongue when she let Bellatrix's name slip and quickly made something up to cover up her blunder. Thankfully Tonks didn't notice anything odd about her mentioning Bellatrix like that.

"Exactly." The Auror whispered quietly with feigned fear as she cocked her head to the side. A fresh surge of guilt passed through Hermione, her brain had quickly made the connection between Tonks and Bellatrix after witnessing Tonks's innocent little motion.

The sound of Bellatrix cackling in the background caused both Hermione's and Tonks heads to snap in her direction. "I guess some things never change, Cissy and Andy were quiet the insufferable pair at times when they were younger." Bellatrix said innocently and smiled briefly when her gaze met Hermione's.

"Lestrange…" Tonks growled out darkly.

"Hello my dear little niece." Bellatrix slipped out of her bed and Hermione's jaw almost hit the floor at the sight. The dark witch seemed to have decided against wearing pants to bed and stood there, her legs completely bare and wore just her top. Unable to help herself, Hermione's eyes slowly drifted down her body and forced back a moan, the bottom of Bellatrix's top flapped about as she moved, revealing her plain black issues underwear.

Hermione felt her cheeks heat up and was eternally grateful that Tonks was far too busy gritting her teeth at Bellatrix to notice how the half-naked sight was affecting Hermione. Bellatrix strolled casually to her bars, her hips swaying side to side tempting Hermione's eyes and body. Her hands came up and teasingly caressed the bars as she peered her face through before looking straight at Hermione. "Morning my pet"

Hate and anger flashed in Tonks's eyes as she bolted up from Hermione's bed, her hair turned a ferocious fiery orange that reflected her anger. Leaving her cell and coming face to face with her aunt, her wand shot out as she thrust it point blank at Bellatrix's neck. Bellatrix's eyebrows quirked up and she grinned in reply, her gaze briefly between the two witches. "Temper temper little Tonksee." Bellatrix purred sweetly, not flinching in the slightest at the wand pressed against her neck.

Hermione moved closer to the bars of her own cell as Tonks pressed her wand harder against her aunt's neck. "Don't you dare speak to her! After everything you've done to her… I should kill you right now."

Bellatrix tilted her head back, giving Tonks clear access to her neck. "Do it." Bellatrix hissed through her teeth. "Go on! Show me just how much Black runs through you."

Despite being unsure if she should, Hermione slipped out of her cell and rested her hand on Tonks's outstretched arm. "Leave it Tonks… She's not worth it." She said tenderly as she squeezed her arm.

Tonks stared hard at Bellatrix, gritting her teeth as she twisted the wand against Bellatrix's neck, the tip of her wand lit up briefly. Bellatrix snarled as Tonks burnt a mark onto her neck before slowly lowering her wand, and looking over at Hermione and softening her expression. "You're right… She's not."

Bellatrix cackled as she lowered her head back down to meet Tonks gaze then looked at Hermione, her head cocking to the side, unintentionally mimicking Tonks's action. "Your behaviour the other day said otherwise muddy."

"What's that meant to mean?" Tonks snapped at her aunt.

Hermione pulled on Tonks's arm and tried to lead her away, growing afraid fast at the idea that Bellatrix was going to tell Tonks what had happened. Even though she knew Tonks wouldn't believe Bellatrix, she would only need to peek inside either of their heads to see the truth if Bellatrix kept pushing it. "Tonks… Come, she's just trying to wind you up." Hermione pleaded softly, hoping she could get through to Tonks with her gentle tone.

It seemed to have the desired effect as she felt the tension in Tonks slip away slowly and the Auror began to follow Hermione back to her cell. But Tonks seemed to want to have the last word as she spoke over her shoulder. "If you ever touch her again-"

The poor choice of words was enough to start Bellatrix of laughing again, cutting Tonks off midsentence. "If I touch her again, I'm sure you'll hear her… screams." The dark witch cooed with a knowing smirk, purring out the last word, knowing full well Hermione would know what she meant and felt her cheeks redden against her will again.

A flash momentarily blinded Hermione; she heard a bang and the sound of someone stumbling. When her vision cleared she saw Tonks's wand aimed high at Bellatrix who had been thrown against her bed. "Shut it bitch!"

Bellatrix growled as she stood back up, straightening her top. Hermione could see the anger in the dark witch's eyes; she wasn't going to let that slide and would use the only thing she could to get back at Tonks. Their sexual encounter. Hermione's eyes widened, she bit down hard on her bottom lip and shook her head when she caught Bellatrix's gaze, 'Please Bellatrix… Please don't…' She mouthed at the dark witch, begging her, feebly hoping Bellatrix would show some compassion.

'Shit…' The dark witch glared at the pair of them, breathing heavily and once again Hermione was at her mercy. One wrong word from Bellatrix and her world would continue tumbling down. 'And I have no one to blame but myself.' The dark witch toyed with a stray curl that dangled in front of her and clucked her tongue. "Bored now." Bellatrix said finally in a droll tone and lay back on her bed without another word.

Hermione was genuinely surprised that Bellatrix had taken notice and made sure not to give Bellatrix a chance to reconsider as she dragged Tonks quickly back into her cell. Her hands firmly on both of Tonks's arms and kept the Auror looking at her, smiling as her thumbs gently caressed her arms, hoping to cool her down. "You ok?" Hermione asked softly.

"I… Yeah… I'm sorry you had to see me like that…"

"It's fine."

"It's not, I shouldn't have snapped like that… It's just been… Difficult. It was only a few weeks ago that me and the Malfoy's were enemies, now I'm sitting around the table eating lunch with one… Feels like I'm betraying those that we lost…"

Another guilty spasm shot through Hermione as Tonks voiced her misplaced guilt, 'If Tonks feels bad over something like that… How will she feel when she finds out I did something far more then eat dinner with Bellatrix…' Shaking her head, Hermione gave Tonks a small hug, ignoring the look Bellatrix was giving her. "You aren't betraying anybody. Mrs Malfoy took a grave risk betraying Voldemort-" Bellatrix hissed in the background, cutting Hermione off briefly but she ignored it and carried on. "They aren't your enemies anymore. From what I gathered they were more prisoners then followers by the end and I think… They are trying to change."

"I know… It will just take time I guess to get used to the idea." Tonks tightened her arms around Hermione, dark eyes met chocolate. A chill ran down Hermione, 'Can see the family resemblance, their eyes are so similar…' "I found mum… Crying the other night after my aunt left, I thought she was crying because she hurt her… But they were tears of joy… She was crying because after all these years, she's finally got one of her sisters back."

Hermione was fully aware of the other set of dark eyes that were burning into her, no matter how hard she tried to ignore it. "Then try and make the effort, for your mum's sake if nothing else." She gave Tonks a smile, trying hard to concentrate on the woman in front of her.

"Yeah, you're right of course. I don't think she ever thought she'd be happy again… You know, after dad…" Tonks paused as she shut her eyes tight and tried to hold it together, Hermione gave her a sympathetic look and ran her hand slowly up and down the Auror's back. "After dad died. But if having my aunt back in her life makes her happy then… I won't stand in the way."

"Good." Hermione spoke softly and enjoyed the friendly embrace, until she started to feel something hot against her leg. "What's that burning?"

"Oh!" The Auror yelled and shoved a hand into one of her pockets, she pulled out a single gold coin, burning on the surface of the coin was a simple message 'Report for Duty' "Typical…" Tonks muttered. "Soon as I get some time to myself… Sorry, I need to cut this visit short. Been called into work."

"It's ok. Hey are they…" Hermione asked curiously as she eyed the coin.

"The coins you used for Dumbledore's Army? Yes." Tonks smiled, she flicked it in the air and caught it again. "Kingsley thought it was a great idea and now all Auror's carry one so they can be summoned if needed in a hurry."

Hermione felt a small sense of pride that one of her ideas was being utilising by the Ministry of Magic. "Well you must get going then, don't want to find out I'm being kept here longer because of your tardiness." She teased.

"I feel bad; it's not been a very uplifting visit… Sorry. But I'll come back tomorrow and I promise, I'll have you smiling." Tonks said as she gave Hermione a final squeeze, then without warning placed a small kiss on Hermione's lips, locking them together for a few seconds. Just behind Tonks, Hermione could see Bellatrix looking very shocked, and something else… Something she couldn't quite believe. "Catch you later." Tonks said when their lips parted.

Hermione stood there staring, frozen in place by the kiss as she blushed slightly. Tonks giggled and slipped out of the cell before locking her in, and then with a final cheeky smile and a wink, Tonks turned tail and hurried away. Hermione's eyes followed the Auror as she left but all she could think about… Was the look of hurt in Bellatrix's eyes.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed Chapter 9 ^_^ and that you don't hate me too much. Thank you for reading and I'll update soon x

LoveSKINS94: It smacked her pretty hard I reckon, and will continue to do so for some time :P

DrunknMunky85: Glad you think so, was worried, still am but slightly less now lol.

Greyella: Hehe *innocent smile* Glad you enjoyed it so much and feel it stayed in touch with their characters, was my biggest worry with that chapter.

Etainlives: There are a variety of reasons for her submissive behaviour, some of which are addressed here, and some won't be clear for a few chapters. The boys were released in a previous chapter so it's safe to say they are free of any unexpected developments in their cells. No need to apologise either :) I appreciate smut isn't everyone's thing which is why I make a point of warning before the start of a chapter.

alex1966: The answer to that question is getting closer ;) so stay tuned :D

Goth Albino Angel: Please try not to die :P Since it will be awhile before that topic is covered.

Darkshadow-lord: thank you for the great review :) and while I won't reveal what path lays ahead of Hermione, she is already a changed person, how far that change will extend ;) we'll have to see.