Hermione woke the Lyra shaking her gently, "Wake up, Hermione, you'll be late for class."
Hermione open her eyes groggily, "What's the time?"
"7:15."
Hermione sighed pulling her self out of bed – she was tired from last night with Bella.
"I believe you have a few hickeys, but not to worry – your hair should cover them." Lyra smirked.
Hermione blushed, "I – uhh…" She covered the hickeys on her left that Bella had left. Lyra left and Hermione dressed for class. She carefully positioned her hair to cover the three hickeys her girlfriend had left and went down to the great hall for breakfast.
"Hey guys." She smiled, sitting down next to Harry, Andy and Ron.
"Hey 'Mione." They smiled, "What have you got first?"
"Transfiguration, you?"
"We have the same." Harry said, "Why are you down so late?"
"I uh – overslept." She said; it wasn't really a lie. "What have you got, Andy?" She said, quickly changing the subject.
"Potions – we are learning about love potions." She smirked, "Not that you'll need it." She gestured to the hickeys on Hermione's neck, she hastily re arranged her hair.
Harry frowned, "Who are they from?"
"Well, umm…" She stuttered, she shot a quick glare at Andy, who just laughed.
"You haven't told them yet?" She asked.
"Told us what?" Ron frowned.
"Well – I - uhh…"
"Yes?" Harry pressed.
"Uhh…"
"Got a girlfriend." Andy interjected, Hermione threw her another glare, "You are spending too much time with Bella – you're picking up her glare."
"Bella?" Harry asked, "Who's Bella?"
"My girlfriend." She admitted.
"Bella who?"
"Bellatrix Black." She gulped.
She could see the anger in Harry's eyes, "Oh." He tried to remain calm, "Excuse me." He said standing up and walking away.
Ron and Hermione ran after him, "Wait, Harry!" Hermione yelled desperately. She grabbed his hand. They stopped just outside the great hall.
"Bellatrix Black? Really?" He yelled, "Her of all people, her?"
"I'm sorry, Harry! It's not like a meant to fall for her."
"Her? Oh god." He sighed.
"Yes. You don't know her like I do – she's amazing."
"She killed Sirius." He gritted through his teeth.
"No she didn't! She hasn't done anything!"
"But she will."
"How do you know? What if this changes her?"
Harry thought about that for a second before shaking his head, "What happened to not forming any sort of relationship with people, especially people we know?"
"I know, I know, but…"
"But what?"
"I love her, I can't just walk away."
"Well you're going to have to – what happens when we have to go back?"
"I don't know. I've been trying not to think about that." She admitted.
"Hermione, listen – this will get complicated, too complicated. Walk away while you can."
"I'm sorry, but I can't, I just can't. Would you walk away from Ginny if I told you to?" He didn't say anything, "See, you couldn't, could you?"
Harry sighed, "How much does she know about our… situation."
"Not a thing."
Harry sighed, "Hermione…"
"I know, I know. This is a stupid thing to do, it's risky and irresponsible, but I can't walk away Harry, I just can't." Harry could hear the desperation and distress in her voice.
Harry sighed and rubbed his temples, "This is a big gamble."
"I know, but…" She trailed off.
Harry nodded understandingly – he knew what it was like to love someone. He thought of Ginny, he missed her so much. "Anyway, I'll see you guys at class." He sighed and walked off.
Hermione looked at Ron who looked slightly confused and was still trying to take it all in, "So, you and Bellatrix?"
Hermione nodded, "I don't need a lecture from you too, Ron."
"I wasn't going to give you one. I mean yeah, this isn't ideal and it could get complicated," Hermione frowned at him, "BUT, if you're happy then I suppose that's all that counts, right?"
Hermione smiled at him and gave him a hug, "Thanks."
When they got to Transfiguration Harry was already sitting outside the door waiting for McGonagall to open class, they still had another few minutes.
"Hi Harry." Hermione said.
He looked up at her, "Hi." He was still a bit mad with her.
Hermione felt someone tug on her hand, it was Bella. Her face soften and her eyes lit up, "Hi, Bella." She smiled.
"Hi." Bella smiled back, with a soft look in her eyes.
Harry observed the two interact; he could see the love in Hermione's eyes. Bella gave her girlfriend a quick peck on the lips and kept hold of her hand.
"Harry, Ron - this is my girlfriend, Bellatrix." Hermione introduced her, though the introduction was kind of pointless; they already knew she was.
Harry nodded as politely as he could manage, whilst Ron said hi; he looked a little intimidated by the Slytherin.
When they walked into class Bella kept hold of Hermione's hand and they sat down at one of the two seated desks and Ron and Harry sat in front of them. He looked back at the two girls who were laughing about something, even though he wasn't too keen on this new relationship yet, he had to admit they looked happy and he was glad that his friend was happy - even if the circumstances weren't exactly great