Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it.
A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to get this chapter up, but that terrible writer's block has gotten to me. Sorry for the chapter.
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Apparating as soon as she reached the top of the stairs, Bellatrix found herself at their Headquarters of the most feared wizard to be, Lord Voldemort.
"Scourgify." she muttered, cleaning herself up. She walked past the Death Eaters, her head held high in that proud Pureblood way. No one said hello as she walked by, which was something she was accustomed to by now.
Stopping in front the double doors that led into the Throne Room she paused and wiped her mind clear. Her Master was a very accomplished Legilimens himself although Bella could keep him out. She pushed the doors open and walked ahead.
"Ah dear Bella. My most faithful and loyal follower." His dry raspy voice filled the room. Immediately she dropped in a deep bow of respect.
"Greeting my Lord, I believe you called me?" she asked in a low tone.
"Yes, get up Bella. Sit." He motioned to the chair nearest him. A foreboding feeling filled Bellatrix's senses, as she cautiously approached the man with so many snake-like features.
"As you wish my Lord." Silence engulfed them as she waited for her orders.
"Now Bella I have a very important job for you, which I trust you will not fail me in."
"Of course my Lord anything." She waited silently.
"I need you to deposit something in your vault at Gringotts, and make sure that no one knows what or where it is. There will be a list of magical protection that you will cast as well as being guarded by the dragon. Is this understood?"
"Yes my Lord you can count on me." She whispered.
"Good." A slimy smile slid over his features as he divulged the plan to his first Lieutenant.
…
Hermione was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling wondering what just happened, and more to the point what was going to happen to her once the deranged witch returned from wherever she had run off to. She had kissed her. She Hermione Granger had just kissed one Bellatrix Lestrange. Mass murderer and notorious Death Eater, and all she could think about at that moment was how soft her lips really were. How she tasted, like spice an something that was just Bellatrix. Needless to say Bellatrix was probably going to kill her.
"A fine mess you've gotten yourself into now Granger." She said aloud to herself.
"A fine mess indeed." The young witch was so startled she jumped off the bed landing hard on the cold floor. She looked up knowing the cold voice only belonged to one person.
"Mistress." She greeted her hoping the kiss was forgotten, at least for now.
"Don't try to butter me up Mudblood. I don't know what's gotten into that brain of yours, but rest assured you will be punished for it. Now on your feet." She commanded. The brunette did as she was told not wanting to push the grouchy witch.
"Mistress where did you go?" she asked genuinely interested in the older witches life. After all it was her only chance to catch up with the outside world.
"Where I go when I'm not here is none of your business Mudblood." She snapped effectively shutting Hermione up. They left the dungeon and went up the stairs. Walking through the halls she couldn't help but to again notice that there were no portraits of her family hanging on the walls.
"Mistress, why don't you have any portraits hanging up?" she asked curiously.
"When my parents died I took them all down. Even in death all my Mother did was nag me to be a proper Pureblood woman. I couldn't take it. So I put them away." She said simply. A look of annoyance spread over her face.
"Do you miss them?" she asked quietly, not wanting to push Bella too far.
"No." came the hushed reply. They walked to the upstairs library. Hermione looked at the tall ceilings lined with shelves that were stuffed with books, some so old and untouched dust covered them. "Ok Mudblood here we are. This place is filthy and since I'm going to need to use it more often I want you to clean it, top to bottom." She walked over to the large armchair and sat down summoning a goblet and some Fire Whiskey with her wand, she poured a large glass and took a drink. The bitter liquid burned going down, but it satisfied her.
"What am I to clean with Mistress?" she asked looking down at her trying not to notice the mounds of flesh peeking out from under her black corset.
"Here." She transfigured a rag and handed it to her. The younger woman went to start removing the dust from the books.
This was an exciting chore in Hermione's opinion. There were thousands! She dusted some off then read the covers and moved on to more. An hour passed and she had finally finished the complete lower shelves. She looked over to Bellatrix who by now had five glasses of the drink and had passed out on her chair.
Hermione took this as a chance for a small rest. Grabbing a book off the shelf she sat on the floor in front of Bellatrix and began to read. She glanced over to the half empty glass and decided to take a sip, just to see. She took a small sip and swallowed the foul tasting liquid that burned her throat. She coughed and shook her head. How Bella could drink so much of it was beyond her.
After her break the girl continued to dust the ancient tomes until she came upon a most interesting one. She pulled it off the shelf to examine it. It was a book about the Black family history. She couldn't help but let her curiosity get the best of her. Again she sat down with her book next to her Mistress and started to read.
Bellatrix was right about the House of Black, with its long history of Purebloods and their marriages, children that were had and accomplishments of the family. Skimming the pages she looked to see if the raven haired witch was referenced. She was not; the author must've died before Bellatrix came along. It was a clue this book. Apparently the Black family was very involved in the Dark Arts. No wonder Bellatrix turned out the way she did.
She took a moment to look at Bellatrix. She was dressed in another long black gown with a black and purple corset. As per usual leather metal studded boots. Her wild curls were in her face. She looked almost harmless when she slept, as if she couldn't commit all the heinous crimes she had. Her skin was deathly pale. Hermione reached out lightly to brush a stray curl out of her face.
'She's beautiful. If only…' she shook the thought away, no use wishing for the impossible. She noticed Bella's wand clutched in her hand. 'She doesn't trust anyone. Maybe I can make her trust me.'
Putting the book back she continued to dust, after yet another hour the young witch found herself tired and hungry, it looked like Bella was going to be out for a while. She padded quietly to the door trying to keep as quiet as she could. All the sneaking around in Hogwarts was a great help to this. Slipping out the door she walked down to the kitchen to make a dinner if not just for her then for Bella too. She set about her work humming a Muggle tune.
….
Bellatrix awoke to find herself alone and in urgent need of the loo. She wondered where the Mudblood had gotten off to. Grasping her wand tightly she looked around for the Mudblood and found no sign of her. Walking down the stairs the smell of food drifted form the kitchen. She stood in the doorway to see the girl pulling a roast out of the oven to rest. She had obviously been busy whilst she slept.
"What's all this then?" she asked in a commanding tone.
"It's dinner I saw that you were…deep into your sleep so I thought I'd cook something for you when you woke up." She lied.
"You wouldn't happen to be lying to me now would you Muddy?" she asked in a curious tone.
"Well maybe for the both of us but mostly for you." This was only half a lie she reasoned.
"Hm, how do I know you didn't poison it to kill me and escape?" she asked suspiciously.
"If you want I'll eat some first, or you could just read my mind if you haven't already." She said sarcastically. Bellatrix was not one to pass up an opportunity to invade someone's mind, especially with their permission. She went deep into the recesses of the brunettes mind and other then the slight attraction she felt for Bellatrix there was no malice detected.
"Well get on with serving me then girl." She sat herself at the table and summoned a bottle of wine and a glass, pouring herself a generous portion.
"Do you always drink this much?" she clapped her hands over her mouth at the question wondering if she could take it back.
"It's none of your business what I do filthy Mudblood. Get yourself a portion; be lucky that I'm feeding you at all." She snapped.
The Gryffindor did as she was told and sat across from the crazy witch. Hermione ate quickly while Bella was daydreaming as she ate. Once she stood so did Hermione, who was led to her cell. She looked to Bella.
"Listen up Muddy I told you that you would be punished. Crucio!" the angry red flash escaped her wand and attacked the younger woman. Screams of agony ripped themselves from Hermione's throat as she sank to her knees.
"Now then sit Mudblood." She even had the nerve to point her finger down towards the floor.
"I'm not a dog Bellatrix, don't command me around as one." These words were bound to bring more suffering.
"Just a glutton for punishment aren't you itty bitty Gryffindor. Very well then." With a silent swish of her wand the punishment began. At first it was not so bad she felt the ropes restraining her arms. But then when the rope moved upwards towards her neck and the oxygen came only when she struggled she became panicked. It took Hermione to turn a lovely shade of blue before the eldest Black thought she had enough. The ropes disappeared and Hermione went into a fit of coughs. Before she could realize what was happening Bella was in front of her. Grabbing the young girl roughly she whispered,"Now my brave Lion heart, are we going to behave now?" she asked in an annoyed tone.
"Yes…Mistress." It was a defeated reply.
"Good then. Good night my little mudbaby." She turned and the doors were locked again.
…
After the first two weeks had gone by the sixth year fell into a routine. Get up clean her teeth the best she could, wash her face and wait for Bella. Depending on her mood when she woke up foretold the pace of the day. Some days it was just insults, some days were filled with punishment for whatever little thing she had done, whether right or wrong. Some days the raven haired beauty never came. These days were the worst for Hermione.
"Well well good morning pet. How's your morning going?" she asked politely as if they were old friends.
"As well as anyone can do being stuck in a cell." She replied dryly. The older witch nodded cheerfully as she unlocked the cell.
"Well come along then." She said suddenly as she walked towards the stairs.
"What am I going to do today Mistress?" she asked.
"You're filthy. Today you're getting a bath." She stated. Turning into the one room Hermione had never gone into. The one that belonged to Bellatrix.
"A bath?" her eyes were shining as she entered then dark room. Bellatrix lit the room which revealed the decor. There was a huge queen size bed with a black and green silk bedspread. There were green and silver pieces on the walls which were painted a dark blood red. There was a cherry wood desk near the bed littered with empty bottles and papers. There was also a bookshelf which held many of Hermione's favorites. A dressing table and three huge wardrobes stood on the far wall, and there was a door which she assumed led to the bathroom.
"Well stop gawking and go into the bathroom." She said after a moment passed.
"Yes Mistress."
The bathroom was fabulous! There was a deep claw footed bathtub made completely of black marble. She stood as Bellatrix started the water.
"Hope you don't mind a rather warm bath." She said swishing her wand when the tub filled. "Well what are you waiting for girl?" she asked when Hermione made no attempt to move towards the water.
"Are you going to stay here the whole time?" she asked timidly.
"Well of course I am! Do think I'm dense? And just give you the chance to escape and get me captured. I'll stay right here thank you very much." The honey haired witch stood quietly as Bella finished her rant.
"Fine, could you at least close your eyes until I'm in the water then?" she pleaded.
"Is the ickle Mudblood embarrassed?" she teased before cackling madly.
"Please?" she begged.
"Fine Muddy just hurry up before I lose my patience." She spat.
It took the young witch no more than a second to rip off her clothe and jump into the scalding bath water, which was at the exact temperature she liked it. A failed punishment for Bella she thought. The hot water felt wonderful on her muscles and back. She slid down and closed her eyes just enjoying the feel of the water.
Bellatrix took a seat in the corner and watched as Hermione went about her bath. She couldn't help but notice the smooth muscles in her back, the soft creamy skin. The girl was beautiful even if her blood disgraced her.
'Stop this Bellatrix, do not lose sight of what the girl is here for.' It was hard to ignore the pit that was in her stomach. Should the Dark Lord find out… no not an option. She shook the thought away. She was shaken from her mental battle because Hermione chirped up.
"What did you say girl?"
"I said thank you Mistress. I also asked if I would be permitted to shave and possibly brush my teeth?" she braced herself for the pain that surely followed the question. But after a minute passed she felt nothing. She opened her eyes and look to Bella who had a curious expression on her face.
"Do you hate me?" came the sudden question.
Taken aback Hermione thought about it. She turned to face Bella as she crossed her arms on the side of the tub.
"Of course I don't hate you." The reply sounded strange even to Hermione herself.
"But why not? I've got you living in the cellar I torture you and treat you like a slave. What's not to hate?" she all but screamed.
"Please Bella if you'll calm down for a moment I'll tell you. I know I should hate you but I don't. I don't believe in hate. Perhaps it's just that I know the woman you are now isn't the person you want to be, it's the person you were molded into." Came the quiet response. Bellatrix sat in silence at this answer.
"Haven't you ever wanted a life where you could go outside and not worry about being killed? Have you ever loved anyone?"
"Humph. Of course I've loved before. I love my sisters, and I loved Hogwarts."
"You didn't love your husband?" her voice bewildered.
"Of course not you daft Mudblood. Rodolphus and I married solely because our parents. I had no say in it or else I would have never married that bloody arse. Status is more important than love in the Pureblood's eyes." Her tone was bitter. "When he died in the First Wizarding War I have to say if I'm honest, I was relieved."
Hermione took this information in silently as she Mistress's eyes wandered back to her youth.
"Mistress?"
"What is it Muddy?"
"You never answered my question." She reiterated.
"Very well then just be quick about it." With a flick of her wand a razor as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste appeared for her. "I'll say Mudblood for a minute there I forgot about your obsession with teeth."
"It's not an obsession. I just like to take care of them. I was brought up with Muggles after all and they can't just replace them if something happens to them." She explained. She quickly set about shaving her legs being careful not to cut herself. Her under arms followed. She debated about her most private areas but decided why not, in the end.
I'm done Mistress." The elder witch summoned a towel. The brunette set about frying herself when another question popped in her head.
"Am I going to wear the same clothes again Mistress?" she was careful not to push the older woman. The fact that she'd been this kind could only mean pain in the near future.
"I suppose not." she mussed. Looking through her wardrobe she found a pair of black leggings and a small black shirt.
"Thank you again, Bella I really appreciate the bath." She rushed forward and embraced the other woman quickly.
"Well back to the cellar with you Muddy. I 've got work to do, can't spend all day with you, you know. Oh, and don't get used to this treatment. It was a one time thing." They walked quietly to the cell. After locking Hermione away she went to her study to return to the bottle to drown out the feelings that were stirring for the younger witch.
"Damn you Mudblood." She whispered as she took her first gulp. Soon she faded to black with Hermione's name on her lips.
…
A/ N: So what did you think? Not as bad as I thought it would be. But leave me a review so I can find you. Thanks to all who do.