Hermione was relatively pleased the beginning of her day – she had had breakfast with Bellatrix, who had opened up to her a bit. Hermione didn't quite understand why she felt the need to connect with the other witch, she had her suspicions and they frightened her. She couldn't possibly be falling for Bellatrix Black, could she? She shook her head, trying to rid her thoughts of the Slytherin that had been on her mind since their first encounter in the bathroom.
It was nearing on lunch time when Hermione remember Bella's offer to go down to the Quidditch pitch, she decided against it though, because for one she didn't want to end up in the hospital wing again and two, she didn't know who could be there and wasn't quite sure if her and Bella should be seen together.
"Are you coming down for lunch?" Harry asked Hermione who had been reading in the common room.
"Yeah, let me just get my shoes."
When they got the great hall, it wasn't very busy. Hermione assumed most people were at Hogsmeade. She found herself searching the Slytherin table for Bellatrix, who she couldn't find.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted when a girl sat across from her – Hermione had to do a double take, she could have sworn it was Bellatrix – she similar features, only lighter.
"Hi, I'm Andromeda Black, but you can call me Andy." She smiled at Hermione, "You must be the exchange student."
Bellatrix's sister, Hermione thought, "Yes, I'm Hermione Shore." She smiled back, "Are you in Ravenclaw?" She hadn't seen her around before.
"Yup, I'm a 7th year."
"Nice to meet you." Hermione smiled.
"And you." Before she had a chance to say anything, she was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder – it was Bellatrix and Narcissa, who looked to be in about 5th year. Bella was wearing a tight black skirt, a t-shirt with a bleeding skull on, platform boots and a spiky dog collar. Hermione had never seen Bellatrix out of her robes, even at night she would throw them over the baggy black jumper she would wear. Although Hermione would never even dream of wearing anything remotely similar to what Bella was wearing, she had to admit that it did look good on her, very good. Their eyes locked for a moment before Bella looked away to her sister, "Hiya Bella, Cissy." She smiled, "What's up?"
Bella and Narcissa ignored the strange looks she was getting from the Ravenclaws, "We need to speak to you." Bella said; what ever it was didn't sound good, "Now."
Andy frowned, "Okay." She got up, "Bye Hermione."
"Cya." She replied. She caught Bellatrix's eye as they were leaving, she mouthed something that looked like 'tea party' to Hermione. Hermione smiled – Bella was telling her to meet her in the 5th floor bathrooms later, probably at night.
Hermione looked over at Harry who's eyes were filled with hatred and anger. "Do you know who that was?" Harry gritted through his teeth, "That was Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Bellatrix Black." Hermione corrected him. Harry glared at her, "Sorry." She said meekly.
"I hate her." Harry gritted through his teeth.
"I understand, Harry, I do – but you have to remember she hasn't killed anyone yet. She could be a very nice person." Hermione said.
Harry glared at her, "You're defending Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"No, I'm defending Bellatrix Black."
Harry nodded, he understood where she was coming from, but still he couldn't help but hate her.
In the whole time Hermione had been caught up with Bellatrix, she hadn't remembered about Harry and how much she hated her; well the future her anyway.
The day ticked on slowly – Hermione was eager to meet Bella, so when night came and the common room was empty, she scurried off to the 5th floor bathrooms.
Bellatrix wasn't there when she arrived, so she sat down up against the wall and waited for her. Hermione knew she was just making things difficult for herself – getting involved with Bellatrix and all wasn't exactly the best idea, but she couldn't keep herself away, she just couldn't.
She smiled when the young Slytherin walked in. Silently Bella sat down next to Hermione and took a sip from the bottle of fire whiskey in her hand. She offered some to Hermione, who had never had any. She took the bottle from her hand and smelt in cautiously, it had a very strong smell that burn her nostrils, despite that she took a very small sip. It burnt her throat on the way down, she spluttered and coughed. Bella chuckled at her reaction to the drink, "How can you drink that stuff?" She said with disbelief.
Bella shrugged, "It calms me."
"How was your day?" Hermione asked her.
"Pretty crappy."
"Why?"
"Andy got disowned and kicked out of home today."
"Aw gosh, that's terrible – why?" Hermione said sincerely.
"Mother and father found out about her boyfriend." She sighed, Hermione furrowed her brow, "He's a mud – muggle born." Bellatrix explained. Hermione noticed how she stopped herself from saying 'mud-blood', which surprised her.
"Oh." Was all Hermione managed to say, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be – it's not your fault."
"Is that what you meant when you said 'family problems'?"
Bellatrix shook her head, "No, not really – my family problems are very extensive."
"Do you want to talk about them?"
"Nope." She said shortly, taking another sip of fire whiskey, "Anyway, how was your day?"
Hermione shrugged, "The usual, kind of boring."
Bella laughed a little, "Come live in my life – you'll never be bored."
Hermione laughed, "I'm sure you must get bored sometimes."
"Eh." She shrugged, before leaning in close to Hermione's ear, "I always find a way to have a little fun." She said in a low, suggestive whisper that sent shivers down Hermione's spine. Bellatrix couldn't help but notice the way Hermione's breathing hitched a little – she smirked. Her breath tickled the other witch's neck, before her lips lightly brushed up against the soft skin of Hermione's neck. Hermione body tingled all over with the contact of Bella's skin to hers. Hermione turned her head to face the other witch; their noses were touching. Bella lent in and closed the small gap between them and hungry lips collided. Their tongues fought for dominance (during which Hermione noticed Bella had a tongue piercing) - and of course Bellatrix won. Hermione bit down on Bella's bottom lip, taking with her the tingly sensation from Bella's mouth she only guessed was the fire whiskey as she pulled away for air, she was about to say something before lips were crashed up against hers, again.
Hermione's hands tangled within Bella's raven curls, while the Slytherin's hands slipped gently around Hermione's neck before slowly moving their way down to her waist. Bellatrix shifted her weight and some how ended up sitting on Hermione's lap with her legs wrapped around her waist.
Neither witch left the bathroom for another half an hour.