Now that I'm on a roll, I guess I'll keep going until my fingers fall off and my eyes burn out of my head.

I hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter. It was just a little bridge for now. Because I like plot, too. But it'll be picking up again. Just have to figure out where this story will actually be going… Because who cares about endings until you actually reach them, right? Hehe.

Thank you to all who've been keeping up with the story!

Chapter Six

Bellatrix sat in the dining room, playing with a curl, reading the Daily Prophet with a mug of Firewhisky at hand. Engrossed in the article about herself, she startled when Hermione sat at the table. She glanced up and frowned. But instead of telling her to sit at her feet, she held the article up and pointed to the picture.

"Think they could've picked a better photo, pet?"

"You do look less frightening when you aren't screaming." Hermione leaned closer to see the photo and then looked to see Bellatrix snort and pull the paper away. "What?"

"You're a twit, muddy. That's all."

"You're already drinking?" Hermione ignored the insult and looked at the mug. Bella grinned and sipped it.

"Why? Do you want some, mudbaby?"

"No."

"What, are you one of those? Never touched a drop of good, hard liquor in your life?"

"No. I just prefer to go through my day sober."

"Of course you do. Who would want to forget such a glamorous life such as yours?"

Hermione just sat there, staring at the mug, thinking. If I take it, she'll have won. If I don't she'll continue this mocking and will most-likely become moody. Either way, it's a loss on my part. Sighing, Hermione slid the mug closer and took a sip. Before she could swallow it, she spat it on the table, coughing. Bellatrix cackled and took the mug back, looked in, and gulped from it.

"Not your cup of tea, Granger?"

Once Hermione was able to speak, she just glared and stood from the table. "What shall I do for you today, Mistress?"

"Hmm." She cocked her head from one side to the next, looking thoughtfully to the very high ceiling. "I suppose I had nothing plotted out for you today. See? My life doesn't revolve around you."

"I didn't say it did."

"You think all I do is think of chores for you, eh?"

"No!"

"Huh. I'm sure I can find something for you to do that the elf can't handle…" Hermione just stood there, a hand on her hip. "Ah! I know!"

Hermione groaned as Bellatrix walked past her and out of the room. "Follow, muddy!" Her voice rang through the halls and Hermione reluctantly obeyed. She had to jog to catch up to her captor, as she was already throwing her cloak on by the front door.

"Where are we going?"

"Out." Bellatrix looked at Hermione and frowned. "You don't have your collar on. Fetch it, girl."

"Must I?"

Bellatrix sneered and took a step towards Hermione, bearing her teeth. Hermione decided it would be best to follow the demand and bounded through the estate and to a little pantry where her leash, collar, and dining utensils were kept. She grabbed the studded collar and begrudgingly pulled the leash from the rack and returned to an impatient Bella.

"Hmm. Good girl. You remembered the leash." She walked behind Hermione and fastened the collar, hooked the leash to it, and pulled, yanking Hermione back into her body. "If you behave today while we're out and about, Mistress will reward her little pup this evening," she whispered into the girl's ear. Her breath sent chills down Hermione's neck and she leaned back into Bella; a heat began to spread to her core, but she reminded herself not to get her hopes up.

"Yes… Mistress," she said, her voice thin with the pressure of the collar beginning to choke her.

"Ah, much better…" And with that, Bellatrix wrapped a strong arm around Hermione's middle and they apparated.

###

"Why are we here?" Hermione looked around Knockturn Alley and Bellatrix stung her with her wand in the side.

"Sh! You aren't to speak while out, girl. I thought we covered that last time." Hermione just nodded, keeping her eyes down, her hand rubbing her side where she had been stung. Bellatrix huffed and pulled her forward to Borgin and Burkes. The two stepped in and Hermione was greeted with two, wide grey eyes and a sallow, sad face.

"Draco, come see your Auntie Bellatrix," the older witch cooed. Draco moved stiffly to Bella, his eyes never leaving Hermione. They embraced awkwardly and Hermione almost pitied him. "Don't stare, boy. Pretend she isn't even here."

"What is she doing here?"

"What did I just say!" She sneered, her face only an inch away from his. Hermione couldn't believe it, but he turned a shade whiter—apparently, anything is possible.

"Bells," a soft voice came, accompanied by light clicks against the wooden boards.

"Ah, Cissy. There you are." Bella tied Hermione's leash to a cupboard handle and sauntered over to her sister, whom she kissed directly on the lips. Hermione, whereas she would normally have been shocked (and disgusted), she felt anger boil in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't felt such deep jealousy since… Well, since the Lavender Brown affair with Ronald in their sixth year.

"Bella," said Cissy. She glanced in Hermione's direction. While her attention was diverted from her sister, Bellatrix smirked and winked at Hermione. "Why did you bring the girl?"

"I didn't feel like leaving her at the estate and very well couldn't drop her at kennel. So, here she is! And, perhaps Draco missed the mudbaby at school. They make such lovely toys, eh, Draco?"

Draco turned his attention from one of the trinkets on a dusty shelve and looked at Bella, then to his mother, then back to his aunt. "Yes, of course." He then looked at Hermione, who had a scowl plastered on her face. Once he was sure the two women were engaged in their chatter, he walked to Hermione and stood beside her, pretending he was interested in a skull.

"Thought you would've gotten out by now. You and Potter were always able to snake your ways out of trouble," he said. "Then again, you were never pitted against my lunatic aunt. Only daft Dumbledore and his motley crew of poor excuses for teachers."

"You know, Malfoy, I could very well say the same about you. Why play tea party with Voldemort when you could be back at the Quidditch pitch or bullying a first year with Crabbe and Goyle? Those two seem to be more your speed anyway. Not even you can be this dull by wanting to stick around with this crowd."

"You know I had no choice," he hissed.

"Likewise."

"Pet," Bellatrix cooed, walking back to her. "Having a nice reunion with Draco?" Hermione opened her mouth, but thought twice about speaking and simply nodded, which seemed to please Bellatrix. "Good girl. See, Cissy? Anyone can be broken."

"As if I needed any proof, Bella. You know what you're doing." Narcissa looked the girl over and offered a sympathetic smile. Although she frowned upon blood impurities, her maternal instinct kicked in—no mother would want their child bound like a dog.

"Have you gotten what we came for, Mother?" Draco left his place next to Hermione and made his way to his mother.

"Yes, Draco, I believe I have."

###

As soon as the witches entered the estate, Hermione pried off her collar and rubbed her neck. Bellatrix let her cloak fall to the floor and watched Hermione revel in her freedom—what little it was. Hermione noticed she was being watched and she stopped.

"Yes?"

"You behaved quite well today, pet," Bella said, lifting Hermione's chin. "I believe you deserve that reward. Go to your room and I will be there shortly."

Hermione's eyes lit with hope and Bellatrix gave her a knowing look, sending waves of excitement through the young witch's core. She spun and tore through the estate to the back staircase she and the elves (when not using magic) were to use. In her room, she combed through her hair with nimble fingers and, once the chore was done, she lay back on the bed to wait for her mistress.