Bella once again pulled back, waggling her eyebrows. "Now birthday girl… what'll it be? My fingers, my mouth, the strap, my wand..." She began kissing down Hermione's neck as she waited for an answer.

"I get to choose? No tricks?" She asked; two no catch offers from Bella in one day? It really must be her birthday.

"You get to choose and no tricks." Bella confirmed.

"Can I have the strap…and the vibe?" Hermione knew she was being greedy but if you don't ask you don't get.

"How can I say no when you look at me like that. Go and get them then… hurry up, pet."

Hermione jumped from the bed and quickly ran across into her room, grabbed the box from under her bed and just as quickly ran back towards Bella.

She skidded back into the bedroom and plopped herself back onto the bed, handing over the box to Bellatrix.

"I can't believe you keep your sex toys in a shoe box under your bed…" She rolled her eyes with a smirk, pulling out the strap on and starting to attach it to herself.

"Well I wasn't expecting to be sharing was I? … I'd have come up with something much more incognito if have been in the dorms." She postulated.

"No you wouldn't, you even admitted that you weren't going to bring your collection of high tech sex toys with you until you found out you would have a room by yourself." She held the wireless vibrator in her hand and waved it round a little for emphasis.

"Just because I wasn't bringing the box with me doesn't mean I was planning on being a complete prude." Hermione pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Ah yes, because you Golden Girl was always diddling herself when she got bored of books and hunting for Horcruxes…"

Hermione began to get herself comfortable on the bed with a wide smirk on her face. "Actually Bellatrix… that is exactly what the 'Golden Girl' was doing. I even managed to create a ward so that it looked like I was fast asleep… in case the boys looked in. Our tent didn't exactly have a lot of privacy and I tell you hunting Horcruxes with two grumpy boys gets you stressed af! I had to relax somehow." She finished with a nod of her head.

Bella paused at the edge of the bed, she was about to climb on herself but the news of Hermione's endeavors during the war stopped her in her tracks.

"You create a brand new ward, a ward that shows you as asleep in bed… all so you could flick the bean… whilst on the run from the most evil wizard the world has seen?"

"What… like it's hard?" She teased, sitting up against her elbows as she spoke. "I am actually a rather brilliant witch sometimes, Bella."

Bella continued her climb onto the bed, her voice dropping lower as she crawled on top of Hermione.

"You are a brilliant witch always, Pet, but creating a brand new ward is really impressive magic! The fact you did it just to get off however is… hilarious." She let a giggle slip out as she was hovering above her witch. Hermione herself had an intense scowl on her face.

"What's up Pet? I'm only teasing… although you do look sexy when you're angry." Bella allowed her body to rest over Hermione's, bringing them flush together.

Hermione's scowl suddenly had tightly pursed lips as she tried desperately not to let the smile break onto her face.

"I know you want to smile, I can see you fighting it with everything you have. It's really sexy watching you try and stay mad at me." She leaned her head and began to pepper kisses across her chest and collar bones. "You could just admit that you know I was teasing and we could get back to the fun stuff?

Hermione wasn't really sure why she wanted to hold onto her anger, maybe it was because Bella had said that the magical accomplishment that she was most proud of was 'hilarious' to her or because she wanted Bella to try and coax her round… who can say.

What was clear as day, was how quickly Hermione's scowl was changing to a wide grin.

"Come on baby girl, forgive your Aunty Bella and let her make it all better. You do look very very sexy when you're angry. If it makes it better, I am so very proud of you for inventing a brand new ward. Now… am I forgiven?" Bella knew she never really needed to be forgiven, she had mildly annoyed the witch but the golden girl wasn't actually angry with her.

Hermione finally let the smile break onto her face. "I hate you so much!" She laughed.

"No you don't, you love me." Bella retorted as she effortlessly rolled them over so Hermione was straddling Bella with the strap resting against her belly.

Bella picked up the vibrator off the bed and handed it to Hermione.

"I don't know how you make it work with magic, but one of those sticking charms that you used last time, if you would be so kind." The way Bella said it made it sound like she was asking Hermione for a dance at a posh ball, not to place a sticking charm to keep a vibrator on her clit but that was the duality of Bellatrix Black; she could make perfectly dirty things sound eloquent and respectable. She could also make the most respectable and innocent things sound filthy, it was one of the reasons Hermione loved her.

Hermione quickly cast the spells, moaning softly as the vibrations started against her clit.

Bella looked up at her with wonderment. "You are so beautiful Hermione." A wicked smirk crossed her face. "And now you are going to ride me like a beautiful whore."

Hermione flushed as usual but of course she raised herself up on her knees before dropping back down onto the strap. They simultaneously let out breathy moans.

Bella grasped at Hermione's hips and pulled her down against her more forcefully. "God, Pet, I really do love it when you get on top."

Normally Hermione would flush and get shy but she was learning to lean into her sexuality with Bella, her few attempts at dominating her witch had helped to boost her confidence and she wanted to be an equal participant in the dirty talk. Bella's words always drove her to new heights and she wanted to do that for Bella too. She began to gently rock her hips, slowly finding a rhythm before she began to truly move against Bella.

"Me too Bella, you get so deep when I'm on top that it feels like you're going to rip me in two. I love feeling your hands on me, I love watching your eyes try and fail to stop watching my tits bounce as I move."

Bella's mouth was hanging open and Hermione felt a surge of confidence, this wasn't like when she was dominating Bella, she was definitely still in a submissive mindset but she was allowing her confidence to come out.

She began to lift herself up a little more as she rocked, pulling further off the strap and then sinking firmly back onto it. Bella's eyes instantly jumped to Hermione's tits, as predicted.

"Yes, just like that. I love the hungry look in your eyes as you watch me." Hermione's hands came up to toy with her own nipples, Bella ran her tongue over her lips, which had suddenly got very dry.

"I think I like this confident side of you, Pet. It's very sexy seeing you like this, trusting me to see you like this."

"I always trust you, Bella. God, fuck I feel so…. Fuck!"

Hermione was now riding Bella so hard that the bed was shifting and if either of them had been thinking straight, they would have been grateful for the soundproofing spells around the rooms.

"Do I feel good deep in your pussy, Pet? Do you feel like a dirty girl, riding the Death Eater like your life depends on it?"

"Fuck! Yes, I feel like a dirty whore when I ride you, you feel so fucking good inside of me Bella."

"Merlin, your filthy little mouth. I love hearing my prim and proper Golden Girl spill out such filth. Such a filthy girl for her Mistress."

"Yes, Bella. For you, only for you."

"Do you know how hot it is that I am the only person who has ever seen you like this, how powerful it makes me feel. I feel like I could take on the world when you surrender to me like this."

"Oh God, Bella please!"

"Please, what Pet? I know you possess the ability to speak, so use that pretty little head of yours and ask me properly." She smirked, gripping tighter to Hermione's hips and she guided her movement.

"I… Bella please!" She cried out, exacerbated.

"Are you really that far gone already, Pet? Do you want to cum on my cock, little girl?"

"God Bella please, I'm so close already."

"You always are, so responsive. My good little fucktoy, such a filthy whore for me. Are you going to cum on my cock like a good little slut?"

"Fuck, Bella please! Please let me cum!"

"One hand round your throat little one, and squeeze. There's a good girl." Hermione did as she was told, bringing a hand up to her own throat and squeezing the arteries on the side, giving herself a lovely woozy feeling. "Harder. That's better. Do you want to cum now?"

Hermione nodded her head. "Please!"

"Cum for me Princess. Let go."

Hermione let herself speed up as she ground down against Bella until finally, throwing her head back she came beautiful on top of the dark witch, Bella herself tipping over the edge as she felt Hermione's walls clamp down around the strap.

"Fuck, Bella!"

Hermione lay herself down against Bella's chest, breathing heavily. She was covered in sweat but her hair was still perfectly styled, just as Bella had promised her it would be.

There were still tremors running through Hermione, spurred on by the vibe that was still firmly attached to her clit. Once Bella had got her breath back, she quickly countered the sticking charm and turned off the little vibe.

"Thank you, it was getting pretty intense but I didn't have the strength to move." Hermione chuckled.

"Well you're going to have to find the strength to move because you've got a night at the pub you need to get ready for."

Hermione rolled herself off Bella and threw herself on the bed. "I'm soo tireddddd, can't I just stay here in bed with you all night? It's my birthday, surely I get to do what I want to do?" She pouted and yawned.

"Not when you've got the inner circle waiting for you, no." Bella checked the time with a quick Tempus charm. "You can have a half hour nap and then it's time to get ready."

"Ok, quick nap. I am a very sleepy Princess." She closed her eyes and was asleep nearly instantly.

"You're always a very sleepy Princess." Bella whispered softly to the sleeping girl.

She then carefully climbed out of the bed, took off the strap and set it aside to clean and put away later.

She headed over to the wardrobe and routed to the back where she had left Hermione's next gift. Bella really had enjoyed choosing so many gifts for Hermione, she was very grateful that most of the wizarding shops operated an owl order service or she never would have managed it all.

She took out the packages and laid it all out on the chair by her side of the bed. There was a black dress with see through puff sleeves, nude heels, a camel coloured jacket and a matching handbag. Bella had paid a pretty penny to have certain charms and spells placed on them but she was happy with the result; the jacket had a warming charm spelled into the weave so she knew Hermione would stay warm on her walk to the pub, she had a cushioning charm and stability spell applied to the shoes so her little witch couldn't sprain her ankle plus wouldn't get sore feet and the handbag bad an undetectable extension charm placed on it.

There was also a new set of jewelry, pear shaped diamond stud earrings, a silver onyx bracelet and the piece Bella was most proud of, a silver and diamond necklace which was in the shape of the constellation Orion; to those in the know it would be a symbol of Bella's love, for those that didn't they would just assume it was Hermione showing her love of stars (or just a pretty necklace if they were that unobservant).

Bella was disappointed to not get to spend the entire evening with Hermione but she understood that Hermione needed time with her friends and that Bella going with them would be very suspicious. She hoped by this time next year that they would be able to be seen together without the worry, after all they would be colleagues by then.

She sat herself on the desk in her room and just watched Hermione sleep for a moment. She was truly beautiful awake or asleep and once again Bellatrix felt blessed to have won the heart of the Golden Girl. She quickly shook herself out of her trance, it wouldn't be good to get caught staring at the sleeping witch.

She still had plenty of time left so, to distract herself, she decided to pack Hermione's handbag for her. Moving out of the bedroom with the bag in hand, she went in search of Hermione's school bag. She knew Hermione kept most of her things in there, including her beaded bag which was always packed for emergency getaways.

She transferred over the beaded bag, purse, tissues and perfume before beginning with her plan for the night. She collected a gift bag and a small box that had been stored in one of the cupboards and carefully added the contents of the box into the handbag. Finally adding in the drinking game she had purchased for them and a small sack of Galleons with strict instructions to use it to buy everyone's drinks.

She then took the handbag and gift bag back into the bedroom. Luckily this had taken a chunk of her time and she had about ten minutes before Hermione needed to wake up. She decided to jump in Hermione's shower whilst she waited, at least that way she wouldn't be caught staring at the sleeping witch.

One clean, she popped back on her PJs and made a quick cup of tea, just in time to wake Hermione up. She scooped the gift bag off the chair and, with cup of tea in hand, she sat on the edge of the bed. She wafted over the tea hoping the smell would wake Hermione up, Bella knew her soulmate could be grumpy after only a short nap and tea often helped her transition. Luckily the tea did its job and Hermione quickly opened her eyes and smiled sleepily up at Bella.

"The tea was a good move. Do I really have to get up already?"

Bella stroked a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear. "I'm afraid you do. I do, however, have more presents for you to open before you go."

Hermione shifted herself up against the headboard and took the cup from Bella.

"When you said overboard… you really meant it, didn't you?" She took a sip of her brew, sighing softly.

"I did warn you. These next presents are perhaps a bit pessimistic but I thought they were important. I want to keep you safe." She held out the gift bag to Hermione but didn't fully release it from her grasp… yet. "You don't have to tell me you like them and in fact, I hope you never have to look at them again but…"

"Bella stop waffling and just let me open the bag." Bella released her hold on the present. The first thing Hermione pulled out was a business card sized canvas pouch.

"It's a new tent. I know the one you had got left behind the day of…the day of the Manor and I know you haven't got a new one yet so…I got it."

"It's so small! Surely this isn't just a shrinking spell?"

Bella looked a little uncomfortable but she spoke anyway.

"Oh no… er it's a special design, it will put itself up and down as well. They are very common for the Pureblood families if they decide to try 'slumming it' and camp. All custom made altho very common for the world cup and the like. They are only available custom made. I thought it would be a good addition to your emergency bug out bag." She gave a soft smile. She knew that Hermione would appreciate the gifts but that they had the potential to make her melancholy.

"Thank you, knowing that if anything should happen I won't have to make a shelter from sticks.. it's actually a great weight off my shoulders." She gave Bella a genuine smile and Bella was more sure than ever that she had made the right decision.

Hermione pulled out the next item from the bag, it was a small keyring with a golden snitch as the charm. She looked at Bella a little confused. "It's beautiful but you know I don't like quidditch, right?"

Bella laughed. "I do, Pet. This is an emergency portkey. It will clip onto whatever bag you have with you at the time and if you pull the snitch off the keyring it will transport you and anyone touching it to Black Manor."

Hermione's jaw hit the floor. "Bella, I know how expensive these are. I looked at getting one for when we were on the run, I could never afford one. You really didn't have to spend this much money on me. You must have emptied out half your vault for everything you've given me."

"Pet, if you think this was anything more than a drop in the ocean then you seriously underestimate how rich I am."

Bella took the cup from Hermione and set it on the bedside table before taking Hermione's hands in hers.

"However, even if I had to empty my entire vault to be able to pay for this, I would do it to know you will be safe. You, Hermione, are more important to me than all the gold in the UK. Knowing that if you get in trouble, that you will be brought behind some of the strongest wards in the world and back into my arms, is the best present you could even get me."

Bella brought one hand up to cup Hermione's cheek, stroking the skin softly with her thumb.

"I don't think you realise how important you are to me, Hermione. I've never had that. I love my sisters, I do, they were my whole world and I would lay down my life for them but with you? Hermione, I would burn the world to ash and rebuild it again if it meant keeping you safe."

Tears were falling down the young witches face now and Bella brushed them away with her thumb.

"My beautiful girl, I love you. Now open the last bits so we can get back onto happy stuff." She gave Hermione a gentle pat on the cheek before sitting back again.

Finally Hermione pulled out a knife in a small holster, it was a delicate silver dagger with rubies inlayed in the handle. It was small but looked wicked sharp.

"The holster has a charm so it will stick wherever you want it to once you tell it the right word. I tend to have mine either on my thigh or between my cleavage, magic folk don't tend to expect muggle weapons so sometimes it can give you an advantage. I'm not suggesting you start carrying a dagger to class, but if you're going anywhere you might be in trouble or around certain people…" Bella trailed off.

"You bought me this to protect me from Ron?" Hermione asked, turning the blade over in her hands.

"Not just Ron, but yes. I know you, you put your wand down on the table when you're with people you trust, instead of keeping it attached to your arm. At least I know that if you have that strapped to you, you will be protected even without your wand."

"It really is beautiful Bella, and you're right, in the nicest way possible… these weren't the nicest presents but I know how much time and effort you will have gone to, to ensure that I am safe. Even if I never use them, knowing that I'll have them with me will help more than you could even imagine. Will you go grab my schoolbag? My beaded bag is in there currently."

She gave Bella a massive smile, even if she was still a bit bleary-eyed, and Bella knew she had made the right decision with her gifts. Granting Hermione peace of mind was worth every Knut.

"It's not in your school bag anymore, I packed your handbag ready for tonight and I know you take that beaded monstrosity with you everywhere. Your wand is in there ready and I also packed in some bits for you and your friends for whilst you're out tonight. I can, however, get that bag."

She stood and headed round to her side of the bed and picked up the new handbag.

"Wait, seriously there's more? Jesus Bella, remind me to never go to your vault… I think I might pass out."

"Mental note; Granger doesn't want to be in charge of the banking… got it. I think it would be best to just expect more until I tell you it's the last gift. Here, your beaded bag is inside already. Try not to look at what's inside, that's for later."

She passed over the new handbag and sat herself back down on the bed.

"This is absolutely beautiful, I don't know if I have anything to go with it for tonight though." To her credit when she opened the bag she looked the other way and only put her hand in to pull out her beaded bag.

"Actually you do, I got you an outfit for tonight… if you would like to wear it."

The smile on Hermione's face could have lit up half the world. "I love you so much, you are so thoughtful. Of course I want to wear my outfit! Can I see?"

The dark witch nodded with a smile on her face and went about bringing the clothes onto the bed whilst Hermione placed her new items inside her beaded bag and clipped the snitch keyring to her handbag.

When she had finished and slipped her beaded bag back inside, Bella had her outfit laid out ready, the jewelry still waiting in its box.

"Woah, Bella this is stunning. If you had asked me to think of an outfit you would buy me… this wouldn't be it. This is so me, I mean a little better put together and a lot shorter than I would normally wear but overall… it's very muggle."

"What were you expecting? A corset and robes?" Bella smiled wide, glad that Hermione was happy with her choice.

"Honestly, yes. This is so much better. I can't wait to put it all on. Do I have time to jump in the shower?"

"You do. Try not to get your hair wet, it won't actually affect it but still. Then once you're out, I'll do your face and you can get ready. I even popped a towel on the radiator for you so it'll be warm when you get out."

Hermione leaned over and gave her a quick peck "You're amazing, I'll be back in ten."

As promised ten minutes later Hermione had walked back into Bella's bedroom, a collection of black bras in her hands.

"I wasn't entirely sure what would work with the dress so I brought all the ones I had." She said to explain the collection of bras.

"There has to be something here that will do. Right sit down and let me do your face, we've not got long before Red comes knocking." Or banging she thought.

Hermione sat down at the vanity and with a skilled hand (and wand) Bella expertly applied the make up. Fairly natural looking makeup with a brown smokey eye, it was simple but beautiful.

Bella didn't let her look in the mirror, even going as far as to cover the vanity mirrors whilst she worked, insisting that Hermione just needed to see the final product.

They spent a few moments going over the right underwear but once it was picked, Hermione quickly slipped into the dress and shoes.

"Would you like your jewelry now?" She smirked at the shocked expression on Hermione's face. "Yes, Pet, more presents."

Hermione shook her head with a smile on her face. "What am I going to do with you? You can't spoil me like this for every holiday you know?"

"And why not?"

"Because you just can't. I've got to fit all my stuff in my room somehow."

"Meh, if needs be we can send some of it to Black Manor for storage. Now do you want to see your jewelry or not?"

"Of course I do!"

Bella happily collected the box and handed it to Hermione. The look of wonder that crossed Hermione's face would have gotten Bella through a hundred years of Azkaban, it made her so happy, that Dementors could have fed on that memory for years and still not leach all the happiness from it.

"It's Orion, it's literally your star. And the bracelet matches my ring. Bella, it's all so beautiful! Put the necklace on for me?"

"You really like it?" Bella had never really done presents, except for her family, so she was really happy that she had got everything so right. Hermione scooped her hair up off her neck and Bella carefully placed the necklace on, leaving a kiss to her shoulder when she was finished.

"Oh I nearly forgot, hand me your wrist, I want your watch."

Hermione did as she was told. With a quick tap the gold metal on the watch all morphed and was soon a gleaming silver to match the rest of her jewelry.

"You are just the best present buyer ever!"

Hermione said, standing up and giving Bella a big hug. Bella squeezed her back, tightly.

"Or maybe you're just easy to buy for. Do you want to see?"

Hermione nodded excitedly and Bella uncovered the mirrors. Hermione landed back on the stool in front of the vanity.

"Wow, Bella I look…"

"Hot, sexy, gorgeous, good enough to eat?" She said wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"I was going to say… beautiful. I actually feel beautiful. That hasn't happened since, well since the yule ball." She made eye contact with Bella through the mirror. "Thank you, Bella, for everything you do for me. Thank you for loving me."

"You don't need to thank me. Would you thank the sun for shining or the start for twinkling? No, because it is just what is natural for them to do. It is natural for me to love you, Pet."

Hermione laughed. "Oh god if Moldy-Voldy could see you now. Fawning over the queen of the muggleborn's, pioneer of elven rights, Harry's Potter's best friend and the brains of the Golden trio… even he would have you sent to St. Mungos thinking you had lost your mind."

"I lost my mind a long time ago, my love." She chuckled.

At that moment there was a loud bang from Hermione's door, a very loud bang. Ginny was clearly there and had assumed they would be at Bella's but knew she couldn't just knock on Bella's door.

Hermione grabbed her bag and coat, before giving Bella a quick kiss.

"I'll be back in a few hours, I love you so much. Bye Bella!"

"Have fun, Pet, don't let Red get you too drunk! Oh and when you get there go into your bag for an envelope with a number one written on it and you can read it to everyone." She shouted after the running girl.

By the time Hermione had reached her own door, Ginny was shouting.

"Granger, if you don't get your ass to this door in ten seconds I'm going to hide all your hangover potions!"

Hermione yanked the door open. "I'm here, I'm here! Don't get your wand in a knot."

Ginny's jaw dropped to the floor. "Hermione, you look hot! Like not that you don't normally but… wow!"

Hermione blushed before stepping out the door and closing it behind her.

"Thanks, Trixie got it for me. Hold this whilst I get my coat on?"

Hermione handed Ginny her bag and slipped her coat over her dress. Ginny herself was wearing a long black cloak so Hermione couldn't see her outfit but her make up was beautiful; black smokey eye with a deep red lip which looked amazing with her hair.

"Trixie…? Ohhhh no I'm with you. I'm guessing Trixie is your girlfriend this evening?"

"You would be correct, I doubt I can stop mentioning her so I figured this was at least some cover. Where are the others?"

Ginny handed back the bag and they started walking towards the main door.

"Harry is already at The Three Broomsticks, headed back there to save a table. The others will be meeting us at the front doors."

"I'm so excited to have a night in The Three Broomsticks, just like we used to. Well if Rita Skeeter can keep her nose out of my business at least."

"I think that's one of the reasons Harry wanted to go down ahead, make sure we've got somewhere a little bit out of the way."

Hermione bumped into Ginny with her shoulder. "Thank you for today, my last birthday wasn't the best. We were in some random forest, I can't even remember which one at this point but the boys made sure I didn't have to wear the Horcrux that day, and Harry had even managed to steal me a bar of chocolate. Still… this is going to be much better."

Ginny reached for her hand. "Not that last year is hard to beat… but I'm glad you've had a good day… Now let's go and get drunk!"