Warning for
SMUT, spanking, emotions there is talk about Nymphodora in this chapter so if that is going to make you feel sad don't read from Andy's letter.
Previously
So, now your birthday is officially over… have you had a good day?"
Hermione pulled her to a stop, stepped into her and kissed her quickly.
"The best! Thank you Bella for a brilliant Birthday. However, from here I can't hold your hand anymore, someone from school might see. Escorting me back is perfectly fine… holding my hand, not so much. Minnie would flip. It's only about five minutes from here."
Bella placed a chaste kiss to Hermione's lips and then stepped back an appropriate distance.
"I'm not sure I can keep my hands off you for a full five minutes but I will soldier on. We just have to make sure no one realises you're basically naked under there. Then we really would have a problem."
"Most definitely Professor. Oh, I forgot to ask Harry about helping with Patronuses. I can send him an owl about it tomorrow though, it's still days before class."
"I wouldn't expect you to have asked him on your birthday, otherwise I could have done it myself this morning. The fact that Potter spent the day with me, voluntarily, shows he's willing to put the past behind us. I just have to hope he is willing to help. If not, then I'm sure between you, Longbottom, Lovegood and Red we will manage it."
"I'm confident he will, honestly I'd be surprised if Harry doesn't end up in your job. I know he's predicted to become head of the Aurors pretty quickly but I don't think it's what he wants, it's just what's expected of him. The three of us, we were tired of fighting, before the war was even over. I doubt…"
She slightly stumbled on the name but managed to keep going.
"Ronald will even pass his medical with how badly he's coping and like I said Harry doesn't want to be an Auror, he just doesn't want to let anyone down. Give him a few years and he'll be back here and probably the happiest he's ever been. Anyway, that doesn't help us now so I'm still going to make you practice your Patronus. It's all based on happy memories and well… I hope you've got some of those now."
"I most certainly do, thanks to you my Golden Girl. Potter as a teacher… hey if it'll keep him from getting to use those awful baby names for a while longer, then I'm grateful. He can take over for me when I'm free. We'll have to find some budding transfiguration prodigy to take over from you as well. What a loss to Hogwarts it will be, when we finally leave."
Hermione rolled her eyes, trust Bella to be big headed about a job she had been forced to take by the ministry.
"Yes, however will they cope with the loss of their ex Death Eater turned defence teacher. Although it really will be a shame, you're a surprisingly good teacher."
"I was talking about you, Little Dove, but thank you. Believe me the irony of me teaching defence against the dark arts isn't lost on me…"
"No one knows how to defend against dark magic better than someone who gave themselves over to it. You lived and breathed dark magic, you are actually quite a sensible choice. Plus it's been weeks and you still haven't used an unforgivable on a student!"
"Technically that isn't true. I used one on you, Little Witch"
Hermione rolled her eyes again, she had a fleeting thought about training her eye muscles to contend with all her new eye rolling but it was gone as soon as it had come.
"Yes, but that was consensual. I mean, you haven't used an unforgivable as a means of punishment. Barty had only been here a matter of weeks when he turned Draco into a ferret."
Bella paused. "He did what?"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the outrage showing on Bella's face.
"He turned Draco into a ferret. Draco had tried to hex Harry when his back was turned and Barty didn't like that, turned him into a ferret and put him down Crabbe's trousers. Minnie was furious 'We never use transformation as a punishment, surely Dumbledore told you that'." Hermione gave a near perfect impression of McGonagall which left Bella cackling.
"Bella, shhh we don't want to wake up the whole castle thank you very much!"
They had just made it onto the ground of Hogwarts and Hermione knew if they were too loud they would draw unwanted attention to themselves.
"I can't believe Barty turned Draco into a ferret… What colour was he?"
"White blond of course. He was actually on his best behaviour for a while after that. Who would have thought the best way to make a Slytherin behave is to send a Death Eater at them."
"You do realise that most of your Slytherin's had Death Eater parents, right? Death Eater tactics will be all they ever knew. Although, apparently Gryffindors like being disciplined by a Death Eater too or is that just you, Pet?"
"I think that's just me."
They had reached the main entrance by now and both knew they had to be careful what they said from here on out.
They made their way through the corridors in near silence, not wanting the sound of their voices to draw the prefects towards them or be overheard saying something they shouldn't.
They reached their rooms without being caught by anyone and quickly headed towards their own door.
"Goodnight Professor Black."
"Goodnight Miss Granger."
They both headed through their doors, turned to lock them and then Hermione rushed through their connecting door into Bella's room. She ran straight into Bella's arms and gave her a heated kiss.
"Do you know how turned on I am right now, Bella?"
She said against Bella's lips as she struggled to remove her cloak.
"Oh? Why is that, Little Witch?" Bella asked with a twinkle in her eye and a smirk on her lips.
"Because I just walked through Hogsmead and Hogwarts pretty much naked with your cum dripping down my thighs!"
She had managed to remove her own cloak and was now working on Bella's.
"Oh, you enjoyed that, did you? How about our little bathroom tryst, did you enjoy that too?"
Hermione growled out. "You know I did. Now spank me like you promised, or fuck me and something just… eugh please!"
She was still frantically kissing Bella and trying to drag Bella's clothes from her body simultaneously. Despite the fact she had already cum twice tonight, she was furiously turned on by the events of the evening.
"I will spank you when I am good and ready. However, you need to keep your hands to yourself, shoes off and onto your knees."
"Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry, Mistress."
Hermione croaked out before dropping to her knees before Bella.
"Oh I do love seeing you on your knees for me, Little One."
Bella ran her hand through Hermione's hair, scratching her nails along her scalp as she did so.
"Are you going to be a good girl for me now, Hermione?" Her voice was calm but authoritative and Hermione couldn't help but to sink slowly into subspace.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Good girl, my beautiful girl."
"Thank you, Mistress."
"You really have missed this haven't you? I can see you drifting already. Shall we start your spanking?"
Hermione nodded softly, her eyes drifting closed.
"Please, Mistress."
"Come with me, on your knees."
Bella headed towards her bedroom and Hermione followed on her hands and knees, Bella reached the room first and sat on the bed to watch Hermione crawl slowly towards her. Finally Hermione reached her and knelt at her feet.
"I would like you to go to the toilet and do that teething brush thing you do please. You can walk. I will be waiting."
Hermione did as she was asked, wondering why the whole time. Bella had never asked her to brush her teeth before they played but she had no reason to argue so just did as she was asked. She brushed her teeth, relishing in the clean feeling after a night of drinking before heading back into the bedroom.
Bella was still sitting on the bed but she had taken off her clothes and was now sat gloriously naked on their bed.
"Shall we get you out of all these… clothes? Not that it leaves much to the imagination but I would like you out of it."
Hermione stepped close and allowed Bella to help her remove the complicated straps of the lingerie.
"You're so beautiful, my beautiful girl. I am so blessed to see you like this. No one else will ever see you like this. My beautiful girl."
Bella enjoyed the way the blush steadily traveled across her soulmate's body, traveling across her face and chest.
"How are your pretty little nipples doing? Tender? Let's take these clamps off."
She reached up and gently opened the clamp to release the tortured bud, she wrapped her lips around it and sucked gently, relishing in the sound of pain and arousal that flooded from her pet. She quickly withdrew and began the process on the other side to similar results..
When both the clamps were finally removed, Bella tapped her knee twice as an indication for Hermione to lie across her lap.
"Up you come, Pet."
Bella has positioned herself so Hermione's torso was lying on the bed, her hips rested over one of Bella's legs and Bella's other leg was over Hermione's so she was very much stuck. Bella wrapped her arm around the younger girl's waist to hold her tightly.
Hermione felt herself once again sinking into subspace, she felt her whole body relax, feeling both heavy and weightless at the same time. Bella was stroking softly over her bum and the points of contact between them helped to keep Hermione grounded.
"Seeing as though you are 19 now, my dear, we shall administer 19 spanks. You will not count, I just want you to sink into your subspace today. Sink as far into it as you want. I want to see how you react to falling asleep in subspace, instead of me bringing you back up first. So don't fight the subspace, give into it, completely."
"Hmm yes, Mistress."
"Good girl. Close your eyes and just feel."
Bella continued to gently stroke Hermione's ass and thighs, softly and slowly, feeling as her subs' breath began to slow down and even out. When she was confident Hermione was relaxed and happy she delivered the first hit.
She didn't really want to cause pain on this occasion, whilst she had said it was a punishment, what she actually wanted was to send Hermione deep into subspace.
The hits were delivered from more of a sensation angle, than pain and Hermione was moaning softly with each hit.
The steady pressure of Bella against her body was grounding and Hermione found herself completely surrendering to the sensation. She found herself having a strange out of body experience.
She wasn't looking down on herself from the ceiling or anything as drastic as that, but she felt a disconnect between herself and her body. She felt heavy but weightless, she could feel every point in which her body interacted with Bella's and every impact against her but they felt almost dull as if she was receiving the sensation second hand.
It almost felt like that moment between awake and asleep, when you are fighting to stay awake and you drift for a moment before waking back up and realising you fell asleep. She would drift for a moment and then realise that she had been hit and that it stung.
She had no idea if Bella had stuck up to 19, for all Hermione knew it could have been 10 or 200 but she knew that when she heard Bella's praise for a job well done, she gave a sleepy smile.
"I am so proud of you, you took that like a good girl. I'm going to move my leg now and let you go, once my leg is gone I will lift you up. Is that ok?" She was still stroking her hand across soft skin and Hermione was nearly distracted from the words but the sensation but she did manage to nod her understanding.
Bella removed her leg and quickly scooped Hermione up, rolling her in her arms so she was holding her bridal style. She brought them both into bed, keeping the young witch wrapped up in her arms until they were lying down.
"Sleep now, Little One, I've got you. You're safe here, I will never let anyone hurt you. Never again. I love you. Happy birthday my love."
All she got in response was a contented hum and Hermione snuggling closer into her.
The next week went by pretty uneventfully; she went to class, she ate her food, she came home and had mind-blowing sex with her soulmate… you know, just regular Hermione things.
She had sent a letter to Harry asking him to help with teaching Patronus and she was still waiting for a response for that plus her letters to the other Black siblings.
It was Wednesday morning when she received responses for all three.
Harry's letter was easily spotted out of the three, his handwriting obvious to her after so many essays proofread. The second had to be Narcissa, no one else she knew would write her name in such a beautiful way, the calligraphy turning her name into a work of art. The final letter must be from Andy as it came with two owls both attached to a large gift box.
"You're popular this morning." Ginny commented, nodding towards the collection of owls currently sitting around her plate.
"Wasn't expecting them to all arrive on the same day but at least they're all here."
"AHH the sisters?" Ginny had a knowing glint in her eye.
"The sisters." Hermione confirmed. "And Harry, I'm pretty sure this one is from him."
"Yep, definitely. I'd recognise that scrawl anywhere."
Hermione opened Harry's letter first as she knew it would be safe to open at breakfast, it was short and to the point.
Hi Mia,
Of course I will come and help with the class. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, I had to get my time off approved but I will be with you tomorrow (Thursday) ready to teach.
Love from
Professor Potter
She handed the letter to Ginny as she spoke to Bella.
-Bells, Harry is going to help with tomorrow's class.
-Amazing!
-Also I'm pretty sure I've got letters from your sisters but I'm going to deal with them after lunch. Just going to pop them in my room for now.
-Sweet Merlin, yes ok.
-It'll be fine, I promise.
-I love you, Hermione.
-I love you too, Bella
-Have fun in potions, give my favourite nephew hell from me.
-Of course.
"So Harry's teaching tomorrow?"
"Yep and we're basically signed up to be teachers' helpers. Me, you, Luna and Nev."
"I know you're the teacher's pet but did I have to be?"
"When your boyfriend is the teacher I don't think you've got a choice."
"Oh ye… I'll happily be Harry's teacher's pet. 'Oh Professor Potter, can I help you with that? That marking looks awfully hard, I'm sure I could help somehow' how's that sound?"
The voice of Draco cut in as he approached the table. "Like something I could have gone my entire life without hearing."
"What can I say? I aim to make other people feel uncomfortable, it's what I live for." Ginny chuckled.
"Well consider your mission a success for today. Is that my Mother's hand I spy?"
Hermione nodded, stiffly. "I finally accepted tea, I expect this is a confirmation of the date. I'm too nervous to open it yet though. So I'm going to do it later when I'm back home. Speaking of which, I am going to run back now. I don't want to be carrying whatever this is." She motioned to the gift box. "All the way to class and back. I'll meet you in the dungeons."
"We can come with you?" Draco offered.
"You haven't even had breakfast yet, Draco. You stay and eat. It won't take me long. I'll knock on for Neville whilst I'm there too."
Realising they wouldn't be able to argue with the Gryffindor girl, they allowed her to leave with present in hand.
They regrouped around half an hour later in the dungeons. Slughorn stood to begin his class with his usual showmanship.
"Good morning students, today we will be starting the process of a potion that will be monitored between now and Halloween. We will be starting the process of brewing Polyjuice Potion. Can anyone tell me about the Polyjuice Potion, its effects or how it is brewed?"
No one raised their hand, Hermione's friends looked at her strangely and when Hermione still didn't put her hand up, Ginny did.
"Miss Weasley."
"Erm, I don't know much about Polyjuice but Mione does." She was unsure about whether to give up this information but she knew that Hermione was a wealth of knowledge on the subject and the class should get access to that. Hermione gave her an annoyed look but Ginny just shrugged at her with a 'Well you do know all about it' look.
"Mis Granger, of course, what can you tell us about Polyjuice Potion?"
Hermione sighed, which wasn't missed by Ginny and her friends but she spoke anyway.
"Whatever you want to know, Professor. I can give a brief overview, a first hand experience of how it is brewed and a description of how it feels to take on various shapes."
Slughorn looked genuinely intrigued and surprised.
"You have brewed and used Polyjuice Potion?"
Hermione blushed slightly and cringed from the shocked faces of her classmates, she sometimes forgot that not everything was common knowledge.
"Er… yes Professor, I brewed it first try in my second year and have used it on multiple occasions since then."
"Snape had you brewing Polyjuice in second year?"
"Oh… no Professor, I ERM… I brewed it in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom in a toilet, in an attempt to close the Chamber Of Secrets."
"Brilliant, simply brilliant. Ok then Miss Granger, please describe to everyone how you would describe the feeling of taking Polyjuice Potion."
She visibly shivered at the thought.
"It's horrible. Your insides feel like a bunch of worms wriggling around, your skin bubbles like hot wax, you feel stretched painfully or compressed, depending on if you are growing larger or smaller. I've Polyjuiced as Harry, Professor Black and a ministry worker, all of them had their own distinct flavour and sensation. Some were disgusting, worse than Gurdyroots, some were palatable. The worst was actually my first time. I accidentally used cat hair instead of human hair and that was particularly painful as I grew fur and it also altered my voice box. Obviously Polyjuice Potion isn't designed for animal transformation so it was only a partial change but I had to see Madam Pomfrey to fix it. So whatever you do, make sure it's human hair you are using."
She finished with a huff, hoping that Slughorn wouldn't ask her anymore questions today.
"Brilliant, ten points for Gryffindor. I would be intrigued to know if there was any lingering effects from the partial cat transformation…but that is a subject for another time. The instructions are on the board, please begin, as always should you need assistance I will be at my desk."
Draco was instantly ready to go. "You get the cauldron, I'll get the ingredients."
Hermione just nodded and headed over to the ingredients. She was first there as she didn't need to check the ingredients list, so she got the best quality ingredients. When she got back she dropped them on the desk a little harder than she had meant to. Draco spotted this and pulled her round to face him.
"Ok, what's got your wand in a knot?"
"I'm fine, it's nothing."
"No, Hermione, it's not nothing. You didn't put your hand up about a subject that you are disproportionately knowledgeable about and then you slammed your ingredients down like they cursed your cat. Now, what is going on?"
"Eugh fine. You know I've got a letter from your mother and your aunt to open when I get back to my room, which means I've got to have tea with your mother which in itself is fine but it's everything that will come with it now that… well you know. And then Andy might never speak to me again because I tried to encourage her to form a relationship with your Aunt and she might never speak to me again. Plus I'm now going to spend the next however many weeks brewing a potion that I got right first time, six years ago, a potion I have brewed alone on multiple occasions and I could probably do with my eyes closed. It just feels like a waste of time and…"
Draco surprised her by wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his chest.
"Mum will be fine, she was behind the whole thing after all, she'll think it's Christmas and as for Aunty Andy, I've only met her once or twice but she's a Black, they're made of stronger stuff. It won't be an easy relationship for them to mend but I don't think she would hold that against you. As for the potion, I have never brewed it before so if you want me to take the lead I can. Heck I'm sure Slughorn would even let you try a trickier potion on your own whilst I do this, just keep an eye on me and don't let me ruin it, if I'm going to do it on my own."
He finally released her and wiped away the single tear that had rolled down her cheek.
"Thanks Drac, I think I will ask if I can do another potion, it just feels redundant to do this again. I'd be so bored. I'll be right beside you to keep an eye on you, don't worry."
"Go on, go ask him now before everyone starts getting confused."
She gave his shoulder a squeeze and went to Slughorn at his desk.
"Ah Miss Granger, surely you're not here for help already? Not when you have brewed this Potion before."
"Actually, Professor, that is what I wanted to talk to you about. Draco has said he would be happy to brew alone if I just kept an eye on him. Would I be able to take on a solo project? Something a bit more challenging. Only I've brewed this so many times now I think I could do it with my eyes closed and I don't want to waste my time redoing things I've been doing for years. Not when I have someone to help me if I get stuck."
"There aren't a lot of students who would take on extra work when they know how to do something. How would you feel about trying an Alihotsy Draught? It should take a similar amount of time and isn't on the syllabus so won't end up being repeated."
"Thank you sir, I just didn't want to waste class time, especially when I did this successfully six years ago. Thank you."
"You wouldn't be the brightest witch of her age if you didn't push yourself. If you need help just ask."
"Thank you again, Professor."
She walked back to Draco with a smile on her face.
"Feeling better?"
"Much, I hate wasting time on things I already know."
"Says the girl who made everyone personalised revision timetables." He said with a smirk that was very reminiscent of his aunt.
"How do you even know about that?"
"Potter and Weasel complained rather loudly about it… every single year."
"Of course, that's my boys." She said fondly but with a hint of sarcasm, they never had appreciated her revision guides or timetables.
"I would be thrilled to receive a personalised revision timetable near the end of the year."
"Then I will endeavour to deliver one to you. Now start on your potion, if you can't get it right in a full potions lab when I managed it in a toilet at age 13 then there's something wrong with you."
"Remind me why I hang out with you again?"
"Because I am your favourite Aunty." She whispered just loud enough for only Draco to hear.
Draco shuddered. "Please don't remind me!"
After lunch, Hermione headed back to her room. She sat staring at the two letters for a while, unsure which to open first and a little scared of both.
She must have been sitting there a while because Bella came in and slipped her arms around her shoulders.
"You won't know what they say by staring at them, Little Dove."
"I know, I'm just… I'm scared. It's your sisters and it's a lot."
"Narcissa will love you already and Andy… well if she's stupid enough to fall out with you over me, then she's stupider than I thought. Just open them, you never know it could be good. I mean Andy has clearly sent your birthday present."
Hermione let out a shuddering breath. "Ha it's Schrödinger's letter."
"It's what?"
"Oh I forget you magic folk don't study the same things as we did. Ok so run down. This guy called Schrödinger had a theory about a cat. Basically you put a cat and something that has the ability to kill the cat in a box together. Until you open the box again, you have no idea if the cat is dead or alive and so the cat is simultaneously alive and dead at the same time. It's hard to explain but what I mean is that until I open it I'm going to panic about both possible outcomes, once I open them then I only have one thing to worry about."
"So muggles put Minnie and Nagini in a trunk and let them fight to the death? That's twisted... I love it!"
"No, Bella, it's theoretical. It's like in theory you could transfigure someone into a bug and crush them but you wouldn't actually do it."
"You wouldn't?"
"No, Bella... Or at least you shouldn't! Either way basically Muggles pretended to put Minnie and Nagini in a box."
"Muggles are weird."
"Yes… yes they are. Right, I'm opening Narcissa's letter before I get into another theoretical conversation where I learn far too much about your morals."
Dear Hermione,
I do hope you had an enjoyable Birthday and got spoiled by your loved ones.
In regards to our tea, how would 11am on Saturday the 26th suit you? We could meet at Hogsmeade or my Manor, whichever would suit. I understand the Manor will hold memories and so if you do not wish to meet me here I will understand. However if we were to meet in public it would be just the two of us.
I am very happy to hear that my suspicions are correct and I wish you all the happiness.
Narcissa Malfoy
Ps. Please feel free to call me Narcissa or Cissy, Mrs Malfoy is awfully formal considering everything.
"Wow. Ok. Saturday then." She placed the letter back on the table in front of her.
"Can I?" Bella asked, cautiously.
"Ye, ye of course."
As Bella read through the letter, Hermione tried to think about what to do. On the one hand if she met Narcissa in Hogsmeade she would have to go on her own but she wouldn't have to set foot in the manor, but on the other hand if she did go to the manor she could have Bella with her. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face the Manor yet but she didn't really want to go on her own either.
"Any idea what you're going to do?" Bella asked as she placed the letter back on the table.
"Not a clue. I've made peace with the fact that that happened between us and, well, we both know I've got past the whole scary Death Eater thing, but somehow being in the manor is even worse than seeing you. Does that make any sense?"
"Honestly? I don't particularly want to be in the Manor either, especially not with you. I think it would force me to face some things I'm not 100% ready to face yet, I'm still trying to face the fact that me and her are the same person, even if we feel like we're not. Being in the Manor with you is terrifying but if that's what you decide I will be by your side the entire time."
"Thanks Bells. You may be the same person but you and her aren't the same. You have changed, even Harry can see that. When will Narcissa want an answer by?"
"She will expect your response with an owl before tomorrow night. Also I'm impressed she said you can call her Cissy, she must have seen something big at the Manor that we missed."
"Ok. So, I open Andy's letter now and deal with responses tomorrow. Once this is open we are going to work on your Patronus."
"Do we have to?" Bella pouted.
"If I have to open this letter from Andy, then you have to practice. Also you're literally teaching a class on it tomorrow. They will ask if you can cast one, if you haven't even tried, then what are you going to do?"
"I know, I know. I'll do it… I'm just going to complain about it the entire time."
"That's fair. Right, ok. Andy… here we go."
The letter was covered in ink splotches, multiple words crossed out and Hermione was pretty sure there were tear marks splattered across the page too.
Dear Hermione and Bella
Hi Hermione and Bellatrix
Dear Mione,
Don't worry about not writing, I didn't write to you either so we're both guilty. Life gets in the way sometime.Teddy is missing you though.
I was aware my sister had returned to the school, I wasn't aware of her work with you and Mr Longbottom.
In regards to Nymphodora,
I don't care
It doesn't matter
She's still dead
I want to view the memories before I make any comment about my sister. I trust you, Hermione and I trust your judgment on most things but this is really difficult to process
one of the hardest things to cope with horrible
important.
If you would arrange for the memories to be available for me to view with Minerva, I believe that would be the easiest thing for myself.
I have also received the letter from Bellatrix.
Tell her to fuck off until I'll seen the memories.
Please let her know I did receive it but I am not emotionally in a place where I can give her a response. Things may change after I view the memory but for now
I'm sorry your birthday present was late, it was ready to go but I wanted to send this letter with it and it's taken a lot of drafts. I'm still not sure this is right but it's all I've got.
Happy birthday,
Andy
"That's… actually not as bad as it could have been. It's better than I was expecting."
She passed the letter over to Bella and opened the package. Inside was a hand-knitted blanket, it was Red and Black and tiny gold lions woven into the knit. It was beautiful and would match perfectly with her room, Bella would probably try to ban it from her side but Hermione knew she could sneak it in anyway. She flung the blanket around her shoulders like a cloak and then looked deeper into the box.
At the very bottom of the box were two books; Eats Shoots Leaves By Lynne Truss and Can You Eat, Shoot and Leave? A Workbook By Lynne Truss.
"BELLA!!"
"AHH what?!" She shouted dropping the letter in her haste.
"IT'S GOT PUNCTUATION REPAIR KIT STICKERS!!!!!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Eugh look! It's a book about punctuation and then a workbook as a follow up from the book but look, here at the back it's got a set of stickers to correct people's punctuation! There are even big ones to go on posters and stuff."
Bella put her head in her hands.
"Oh god Andy… you've created a monster."
Hermione folded her arms and pouted.
"Humph I already correct everyone's punctuation, this just makes it easier."
Bella looked back up at Hermione with a fond but amused smile.
"I bloody love you, Hermione. Never change."
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?"
Her brow furrowed and Bella reached forward to soothe it with her finger.
"It's not, you are just so authentically yourself and it's refreshing."
"Hmm ok. Do you want to talk about the letter?"
"No. No, I really don't. Can we just do something else?"
"Want to try your Patronus?"
The excitement in Hermione's eyes washed away any of Bella's lingering doubt. Of course she would try, for Hermione. Either she could do it or she couldn't but not trying would only upset Hermione.
"Ok, Pet, let's do it."