Hermione tip-toed through the corridors, praying she would not get caught out of bed. As she rounded the corner to the 5th floor bathroom, she began to realize she hadn't thought out her plan very well – what was she going to do, what was she going to say? 'Oh hi, Bellatrix! Just wondering if you are as capable of empathy, because the future you isn't.' Yes, that would go down oh so well, Hermione thought.

It was too late to back out now, Hermione concluded as she walked into the bathroom, and there sitting down in the exact same spot as Hermione was last night was Bellatrix. Could she have been waiting for me? Doing the same thing I was – searching her out? Hermione thought.

The young Slytherin girl looked up from the book she was reading in wand light, "You again?"

"I was just thinking the same thing."

"What are you doing here?" Bellatrix demanded.

"I could ask you the same question."

"I am reading."

"You came all the way from the Dungeons to the 5th floor bathrooms to read?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Yes." She snapped, "Does that bother you?"

"A little, yes."

Bellatrix glared at her, she was slowly being beaten at her own game… again, "What are you doing here?"

"Needed the toilet." She said simply.

"And what, the Ravenclaw tower doesn't have toilets?"

Hermione shrugged, "I like these ones more – they are quieter and I like walking at night." She lied.

They stood there with their eyes locked – something they seemed to do an awful lot, before Bellatrix spoke, "Don't you need to pee?"

Right, Hermione thought as she went to the toilet. When she came out Bellatrix hadn't moved from her spot. She washed her hands and shook them dry because the toilets were out of paper towel. "Watch where you flick your water," Bellatrix snapped, "You're getting it on my book!"

Hermione noted her respect for books, but didn't comment, "Why were you crying last night?" She asked, as she cautiously sat down on the floor next to the other girl. She didn't know why she did so, and she was admittedly a bit frightened that Bellatrix would hex her or something.

Bellatrix looked across at her with a hard glaze, "None of your business!"

"Sorry for caring." Hermione mumbled. She did not mean to say, but she did.

"Why the fuck do you care, anyway?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know."

Bellatrix sighed as she ran her hands through her black curly hair. What is she doing me? Why do I feel obliged to give her some sort of explanation? Why does she care? Bellatrix thought.

Hermione looked at her curiously.

"Listen, there's no reason to care." She said.

Hermione furrowed her brow, "Why do you say that?"

"Because if for some reason you actually did care, your care would be wasted because there is nothing you can do to help or to stop this."

"Stop what?"

"None of your business. Why do you care, Hermione? Why? Why the fuck would you care about me? Me of ALL people! Why me?" She yelled.

Hermione tried to remain as calm as possible, was she seeing Bellatrix being insecure? "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because, you don't know me! And besides, look at me!" She gestured to her entire self, "You would want to care about this?"

Was Bellatrix opening up to Hermione? Showing her a bit of who she is – her insecurities? "What do you mean?"

"Oh come on! You seem smart – you can't put the pieces together? Anyone would take one good look at me walk away. I'm a mess – physically and emotionally. I'm too much of a disaster for anyone to even consider caring about! So don't waltz on in here pretending like you care!" She said with exasperation as she stood up hastily.

"Hey!" Hermione said as she stood up after her and grabbed her hand, Hermione's touch sent shivers down Bellatrix's spine.

She whipped around to face Hermione, who still had hold of her hand.

"I'm not going to tell you how you feel inside, but physically your no mess." Hermione told her. She didn't know what kind of reaction she was expecting from the witch, whose hand she was still holding. She didn't even know why she said it, she could have let Bellatrix walk out of the bathroom and never again mention this night – perhaps never talk to her again, but something in Hermione couldn't bear to let that happen.

"What do you mean?" Bellatrix said slowly.

"You seem smart – you can't put the pieces together?" Hermione said, using the words Bellatrix had not long ago said to her, "Haven't you looked in a mirror lately? You're beautiful." Hermione help her breath, expecting a slap in the face.

Instead the corner of Bellatrix's lips turned up into a small smile before she shook her head, "Or perhaps you're just delusional." She looked in to Hermione's eyes before slowly releasing her hand from Hermione's – letting her fingers linger a little too long and walking out of the bathroom.