It had been a long night, staring out into the blackness as they diverted their course, sailing straight past Port Fulgar and onwards in the direction of Port Ventus. After the events that took place yesterday, it was agreed it might be better to remain off the grid for a little longer so that a connection isn't made between the disappearance of Cormac's ship and The Black Serpent.
Bellatrix pushes open the door to her cabin, with the distinct feeling that she's intruding on something private. Hermione was brought to her quarters and now, the morning after, she's still unconscious. The sheer, raw power that Hermione displayed yesterday was something none of them had quite seen before. In a place where there should only be trace amounts of magic, the woman had harnessed an enormous amount of power. She'd certainly saved the day, but at what cost? The expense of her own magical core, for one.
Narcissa and Andromeda are watching Hermione around the clock, and every time Bellatrix visits, they shoo her away with a reprimand, firmly repeating that Hermione needs to rest. As Bellatrix steps inside her quarters, her eyes meet Narcissa's and she wonders whether she will get a better reception now. Judging by the narrowing of her sister's eyes, she realises with a sigh that it's not likely.
"How is she?" Bellatrix asks in little more than a whisper, having been told her voice was 'too loud' the last time she tried to enter her own damn quarters.
"She's… better," Narcissa replies, frowning. "She's projecting, Bella. Somehow, in her unconscious state, her brain is projecting her thoughts to me. Shouting them, actually. Thoughts that have long since been hidden from her."
"What do you mean by that?"
Narcissa moves to sit on the edge of the bed, giving up her seat. Bellatrix takes it, squashing down the vague jealousy that rears its head at the way Narcissa is guarding their newest recruit, physically putting a barrier between them as if Bellatrix is somehow a threat.
When Hermione fidgets under the sheets, Narcissa makes a gentle shushing noise, tenderly brushing the hair out of her face and stroking her cheek with her thumb until she settles. The blonde turns to face Bellatrix. "She was Obliviated. She had no idea that she had magic, because they took her memories from her. More than once, actually."
"Who did?" Bellatrix growls lowly.
Narcissa glares, bringing a finger up to her lips. "Keep it down," she snaps in a harsh whisper.
"Sorry."
"Her parents. Well, the people she thinks are her parents. I'm not sure. It's confusing, but I'm not sure even that part of her life is the truth. It's a mess, Bella. Her thoughts are so jumbled, and I don't think we will really make sense of it until she wakes up. One thing is clear, though. She's been through far more than any of us realise."
"And will she? Wake up, I mean?" Bellatrix asks, trying to ignore the cold sensation spreading through her stomach at the thought that Hermione might have damaged herself irreparably with her accidental magic. That she might have sacrificed herself in a more permanent way than Bellatrix thought, to try to save the crew. Hermione's bravery had stunned all of them. The woman, or rather, the witch as they now know her to be, had been willing to go back to Cormac in order to save the Captain from certain death. It's not something any of them are likely to forget soon.
"She will." Narcissa offers her a warm smile. "Don't worry, Bella. She's going to be fine."
"But when?" Bellatrix hears the whine in her voice, but doesn't care. It's been too long. Hermione has been too still. Too vulnerable. Seeing her laying on the bed, Hermione looks so much smaller than she knows her to be, and the lack of colour in her cheeks is disturbing. Fists clenched by her sides to stop her from bypassing her sister and reaching out to touch Hermione, Bellatrix waits for Narcissa's answer with baited breath.
"Stop being so impatient." Narcissa rolls her eyes. "She just needs time to recover, okay? Now, you've disturbed her enough, Bella. Leave us."
Bellatrix huffs. No one else would dare evict her from her own quarters, and she almost stays just to be obstinate. She knows Narcissa has Hermione's best interests at heart, though, and that's the only reason why she slips through the door and doesn't contest her sister's orders. Aimlessly, she wanders into the common room, searching for entertainment. Looking for something or someone that will distract her from the too-pale woman lying in her bed.
"How's Hermione doing?" Ginny asks, the moment she shows her face.
Bellatrix slips into a seat opposite her, fingers digging into the bowl of cashew nuts Ginny shoves across the table. She helps herself to a few, and then sits back, chewing thoughtfully. Of all her crew, she does have a good friendship with Ginny and there is no one else to listen to her complaints. Andromeda is firmly sided with Narcissa and between the two of them, it might actually be easier to break into Gringotts Bank than it is to spend time in her own quarters without interference.
"Cissa says she's doing well. They're not sure when she will wake up, but she will. Her and Andy are convinced that she just needs rest."
"Did you know? That she had magic, I mean?" Ginny asks, and it's not an accusation, just a genuine question. Bellatrix frowns though. Had she known? No, not explicitly. She had told Alecto that their connection felt magical, before dismissing it as impossible. What now, though? Is the connection she feels to Hermione real in a magical way? Nothing is impossible now Hermione has magic, and a fusion of fear and longing makes itself known as she considers the prospect.
"I didn't know," is all she says, stealing a few more nuts before pushing the bowl back across the table. "Cissa thinks Hermione might have known at some point, though. There is evidence she was Obliviated."
"Really? But why?" Ginny asks, and Bellatrix shrugs helplessly.
"Damned if I know. Once she's awake, I think Cissa will have a root around and see what she can find out. With Hermione's permission, of course."
Ginny nods, brow furrowing. "Maybe she should work with Rose too. If Hermione was Obliviated, then there is every chance they did the same to Rose."
Bellatrix slaps the table. "Of course! Why didn't I think about that? I'll get Cissa to look at Rose's mind. That might shed some light on things."
"She won't do it," Andromeda interrupts, walking into the room and sliding in next to Ginny.
"Why not?" Bellatrix demands. "We need answers, Andy. There is much more to Hermione than we ever realised, and none of us are safe until we know what the fuck has been going on."
"Cissa won't do anything to that child without Hermione's permission. I know you want to know, Bella, but you're going to have to be patient," Andromeda answers firmly, and Bellatrix recognises that tone immediately. This is not a battle she is about to win, so there is no point in pushing the issue.
Instead, she chooses to grumble. "Since when did you and Cissa become her keepers? I can't spend more than two minutes in my own cabin before she bloody kicks me out."
"Hermione needs us, Bella. She needs looking after, and, you might not like to admit it, but right now she needs Cissa more than she needs you."
Ginny grins across the table at her. "Consider yourself lucky, Captain. When Ron tried to sneak in to see Hermione, Cissa zapped him with Furnunculus."
Andromeda laughs. "He's still covered in boils and hiding out in the crow's nest where no one can see him."
Bellatrix allows her lips to curl into a smile. "I think I might just have to find a reason to call him down then."
"Coffee?" Ginny asks, gesturing for Andromeda to move so she can get out from behind the table.
"Yeah, sure," Bellatrix agrees, turning to greet Anathema when she waltzes in.
"The whole thing was a set up," Anathema announces dramatically, shooing Bellatrix so that the Captain slides along the bench.
"What do you mean?" Bellatrix asks. "What was a set up?"
"There never was a job for us at Port Fulgar," Anathema explains, shaking her head. "It was all a ploy to get us near one of the poles without our magic. I started asking around, discreetly of course, and I just had confirmation come through over the comms. We all know Port Fulgar live by their own rules, and apparently they can be bought for the right price."
"Cormac?" Bellatrix guesses, sighing.
"Yes. Though it would seem that he is not the only one with a vested interest in getting Hermione back. There is chatter all over the dark web about Cormac's ship dropping from comms, and they don't seem to care that the President of Port Solis is missing, presumed dead."
"They don't care that a President is missing?" Andromeda asks, brow wrinkling.
"No," Anathema confirms, lowering her voice. "But do you know what they do seem to care about?"
"What?" Bellatrix urges, resisting the urge to snap at the woman, asking her to just spit it out. Anathema has always been dramatic in the way she delivers information, a true story teller at heart. Whilst she has been the entertainment for many an evening, now Bellatrix wants to wring her pretty little neck. Ginny walks back in with a carafe of coffee and mugs for all of them, retaking a seat at the table.
"Hermione. They seem to be quite desperate to locate her and bring her back to Port. You wouldn't believe the reward they are offering," Anathema reveals, letting out a low whistle. "It's enough to make most people forget their morals, and go chasing after a woman who obviously doesn't want to be found."
"Does anyone suspect we were involved in Cormac's disappearance?" Bellatrix queries, already thinking of what consequences might lay ahead and how best to deal with them. Being Captain always means being ten steps ahead of everyone else.
Anathema shakes her head. "Looks like Cormac was so convinced of his victory, considering he assumed we would be without magic, that he didn't even confirm they had us in their sights. As far as anyone knows, we were nowhere near them."
"What about Port Fulgar?" Andromeda wonders. "They were expecting us, and it's going to look dodgy if they think we changed course for no reason."
Anathema grins, wagging a finger at the witch. "I thought of that. There is a storm coming in from the west, and while we did get quite close to Port, it wasn't close enough to outrun the storm. I simply told them we were rerouting to Port Ventus to avoid the storm, and that we would be back."
"It's called the City of Lightning for a reason," Ginny muses. "I'm guessing they'll assume Cormac's comms were knocked out, and then it's not too much of a leap that they were caught in the storm and went down. It'll probably be a while before they come to the conclusion he really is actually dead."
"By which time we should have a better read on the situation," Bellatrix deduces. "Good thinking."
"Anyway, I'm just here to grab a bite to eat, and then I'll be in the comms room if you need me," Anathema informs her, getting up and heading down into the galley, where Bellatrix hears her greeting Harry warmly. She rolls her eyes at the woman's attempt to flirt with Draco's boyfriend, knowing how easy it still is to ruffle his feathers. After several years on board The Black Serpent, she would expect him to know what Anathema is like, but he still gets flustered by her outlandish come-ons.
"So what's the plan?" Ginny asks, bringing the Captain's attention back to the table.
"We head toward Port Ventus as planned. We've always had a good reception there and we have some trusted allies both in the port and up in the city," Bellatrix confirms. "In the meantime, we hope Hermione wakes up soon so that maybe we can get some answers."
"Cissa isn't sure how much she will know when she wakes up. It could be the burst of accidental magic broke through whatever charm or spell was blocking her magic, and will also return her conscious memories. Or…" Andromeda trails off.
"Or it could mean that they are still hidden and Narcissa will have to use Legilimency?" Bellatrix guesses, frowning. "What on earth happened to her? This whole situation is a mess."
"Whatever it is, it can't be good," Ginny mutters. "And it's not like we thought everything was fine. It's bad enough what Cormac put her through."
"She has a family now. She has us," Andromeda reminds them. "Whatever has happened, and whatever she has been through, we will all help her."
"And if anyone comes for her, then they'll regret it," Bellatrix growls menacingly, eyes blazing. "They don't get to lay another finger on her. I don't give a fuck who they are."
"Well, look on the bright side," Ginny suggests, grinning. "We've already had to take out a President. How much worse can it be?"
Bellatrix laughs, and just like that, the tension is broken and she allows herself to relax.
-xXx-
Hermione stirs, the soft weight of blankets covering her skin in a layer of comfort. The familiar scent of neroli surrounds her and she relaxes when she realises exactly where she is. She opens her eyes, but it's not the black orbs she was expecting that she lands on. Instead, she finds herself staring into startling blue.
Narcissa smiles at her. "How are you feeling?"
Hermione tries to clear her throat, but it's scratchy and dry. Wordlessly, the blonde passes her a glass of water and she sips it gratefully. "I feel… okay, I guess. Tired… and, well…"
"Confused?" Narcissa asks gently.
Nodding, Hermione pushes up on weak arms, accepting Narcissa's help to settle against the cushions. "What happened? Where's my daughter? Is she okay?"
"Rose is fine. She knows you've been resting, and understands you're being well taken care of," Narcissa hastily informs her. "As for the rest of it, you have magic, Hermione. You're going to be fine, but you drained your magical core."
Hermione lifts her hands in front of her, staring avidly at them before flipping them over to examine the palms. They don't look any different to how they had the day before. They don't have a single mark on them, and yet she saw the electrifying white streams of magic that had burst forth from her palms. She turns to the witch next to her, frowning slightly. "I don't understand, Narcissa. How is that possible?"
Narcissa raises a wand, a silvery lynx erupting from the end, bouncing around the room like an overgrown kitten. "Andy, Hermione is awake. Come alone, for now. Bella, if you are listening, wait your turn!"
"Your Patronus is a cat too?" Hermione realises, smiling as the ethereal beast disappears from view.
"All of our Patronus' are," Narcissa replies. "Bella's is a puma, Andy's is a jaguar and mine is a lynx."
"What will mine be? Well, if I have one?"
"You'll have one," Narcissa assures her. "We'll get you a wand in Port Ventus, and begin your training. There is a fantastic little wand shop near the harbour, run by an old acquaintance, Ollivander. There's no one better."
"And then I'll be able to… create one of those?"
"Summoning a Patronus is quite advanced for a beginner, but we'll all help with your training," Narcissa promises.
Hermione relaxes back, taking stock of her weakened but otherwise unharmed body. She's tired, exhausted really, but more than that, she just doesn't feel herself. Her body hums, almost vibrating with something that she knows she doesn't recognise, but it feels so familiar somehow. Like she's always had it. Like it's always been a part of her. She knows that's not true, though. Most of all, she feels cloudy; her thoughts racing at a million miles an hour, jumping up and rolling around over each other, refusing to make sense.
"Are you alright, Darling?"
Hermione sees nothing but kindness in the blonde witch's expression, a genuine concern for her wellbeing. "I'm okay, I think. Really I am. I'm just… I don't know. I feel like I've forgotten something? Something important. Something I really should know but every time I find a thread in my mind that I think will lead me to it, it slips away like smoke on the wind."
"When you were unconscious, you were projecting, Hermione. Do you know what that means?"
"No?"
"It means that you were projecting your thoughts to me. As a Legilimens I am particularly receptive, but even I couldn't make sense of much of it," Narcissa admits.
"Then why do you look so worried?"
Narcissa hesitates, and Hermione waits her out. She knows that the crew have her best interests at heart, but she needs to know what is concerning the youngest Black sister. After a few moments of silence, Narcissa begins to speak, though Hermione can tell it is with some reluctance.
"I have reason to believe that you have been Obliviated. I don't know by whom, but at some point a witch or wizard cast a spell to change some of your memories, going so far as to remove or block some of them altogether."
"Why would someone do that? Who would do that to me? And what memories?"
"I don't know who, and I can't even really guess at why," Narcissa replies, lips pursing. "As for what has been changed, I believe it will be simple enough to find out, with your permission, of course."
"More magic?"
"Yes. I'll be as non-invasive as possible, but I genuinely believe it's in your best interests to know what has been hidden from you," Narcissa tells her, with a small shrug. "Ultimately, it's up to you, and only when you are fully recovered, of course."
The door swings open, and Hermione feels her heart skip a beat when the Captain strides through the doorway, her eyes pinned to Hemrione's face, carefully examining her for any signs of harm.
"I'm okay, Bellatrix," she reassures the Captain.
"You idiot, Hermione. What the fuck were you thinking?" Bellatrix blurts out.
Andromeda grabs her arm, having walked in behind her. "And this is exactly why you were told to stay away. Hermione is awake and she's fine, as you can see. She needs her rest though, Bella, so with all due respect, get out. Please."
"It's okay, I don't mind her being here," Hermione interrupts the two sisters scowling at each other. "I want her here."
Hermione doesn't miss the smug grin Bellatrix throws at Andromeda as she wrenches her arm free and walks towards the bed. She hears Narcissa sigh, but the blonde gets up and walks towards the door. "Five minutes, Bella, and then you're leaving her to rest," she warns, following Andromeda out of the room.
Hermione fills with warmth as the Captain waves them off without even a backward glance, focusing all her attention on Hermione, as she reaches out to take her hand.
"Are you really okay?" Bellatrix asks softly, her thumb gently stroking over the back of her knuckles.
Hermione nods slowly. She's fine. She knows she is. So why are her eyes suddenly burning? Why is there a lump in her throat? Without a word, she shuffles sideways, pulling back the covers and looking up at Bellatrix with pleading eyes.
The Captain nods, offering her a small smile as she takes the unspoken invitation, slipping off her boots and sliding into the bed under the covers. Hermione doesn't resist when Bellatrix pulls her into her arms, burying her nose in her hair. "I was really worried about you," the dark witch whispers hoarsely.
"I really am fine, I promise. I'm just exhausted, even though I must have slept for hours." Hermione turns her head to peer out of the porthole, where the sun is dancing across calm waters. "What time is it?"
"Mid-morning," Bellatrix replies. "It's just coming up to 10:30am and you've been unconscious since yesterday."
"How? I mean, have I not needed to… um…"
Hermione flushes as she stammers over her words, unable to ask the question she needs to, but Bellatrix seems to understand, laughing quietly.
"Andy had you under a stasis spell, which stops some of your more basic requirements while you are unconscious. As soon as you start eating and drinking again, everything will start working as normal, and you'll need to relieve yourself."
"Oh. Magic."
"Which you also have," Bellatrix reminds her, before asking, "Did you really not know?"
Hermione shakes her head, moving so that her face is pressed into the side of Bellatrix's neck. "I had no idea," she replies with a stifled yawn.
"Why don't you sleep for a while longer? We can discuss everything else later."
Hermione is touched. She can hear from Bellatrix's tone how eager she is to talk about this, and it's heartwarming that the witch cares enough to put her needs first. She nods, sleepily. "Will you stay with me?"
Bellatrix reaches down under the covers, to pull Hermione's leg over her own, arms tightening around her. "If you want me to."
"I want nothing more," Hermione answers, closing her eyes. She enjoys the sensation of being wrapped up in a blanket of calm and safety. By the time Narcissa and Andromeda enter the room again, she is too tired to open her eyes, balanced as she is on the border of sleep.
"Don't even think about kicking me out," Bellatrix growls. "She needs this. She needs me."
"That's fine," Narcissa replies softly, and Hermione can hear the smile in her voice.
"She needs sleep more than anything else right now," Andromeda agrees quietly, the sound of glass being placed on wood reaching Hermione's ears. "Make sure she drinks this when she wakes up again. It's a restorative draught that will make her feel much much better, and help her appetite return."
"Fine," Bellatrix replies impatiently. "Now, it's your turn to get out," the Captain demands gruffly, pulling Hermione even closer to her.
Hermione hears the other two sisters chuckle under their breaths as they leave the room, pulling the door gently closed behind them.
"I know you're awake and I know you have questions," Bellatrix starts, dropping a soft kiss onto her forehead. "But sleep now, Pet. I'll take care of you."
Hermione doesn't answer with words, choosing to burrow into the Captain's embrace instead. Later, or even tomorrow, she knows there is a lot to talk about. For now, she is just happy to accept the comfort of being in Bellatrix's arms, as she drifts off to sleep.
-xXx-
"Mum!"
Hermione lets out a small groan as Rose throws herself into her arms, hugging her tightly. In the short time they have been on board, Rose's strength has dramatically increased, and Hermione laughs quietly. "I need to breathe, Sweetheart."
Rose releases her with a laugh of her own, turning her hands over to show Hermoine her palms. "Look! I've been working hard."
"I'm so proud of you," Hermione praises, running her fingers over Rose's barely calloused hands. "Have you been making yourself useful?"
Rose nods excitedly. "I've been helping Neville with the plants. Oh! And I've been helping up on deck. Come with me? I'll show you."
"Good girl." Hermione smiles, taking her hand and allowing herself to be led up on deck. The ship is strangely quiet and she wonders where everyone else is. The common room had been empty when she walked by and there wasn't even the sound of Harry's almost continuous chopping coming from the galley.
The sun is beginning to dip below the horizon, but when Hermione climbs the stairs, she blinks against the lights surrounding the deck. The usual dim off-white lights are still there, but woven around the railing along either side of the ship and wrapped around the mast spiralling up to the top, are strings of multicoloured lights that twinkle brightly in the dusk.
"What's this in aid of?" Hermione wonders, climbing the final steps and looking around. The entire crew are up on deck and a quick glance at her daughter confirms her suspicions. Rose grins back at her, tugging on her hand, guiding her towards the stern.
Andromeda steps forwards, pulling her into an unexpected hug. "Thank you, Love."
"Whatever for?" Hermione asks, looking around the deck. All eyes are on her, and she blushes slightly under their scrutiny.
"You saved my sister. You saved all of us," Narcissa answers on Andromeda's behalf. "You were ready to go back with him, rather than let him kill Bellatrix. We'll never forget it, Hermione."
She can see the rest of the crew nodding seriously, all of them wearing the same warm smiles. "It was nothing," she mumbles.
"No," Draco denies, stepping forward to wrap his arms around her. "It was everything."
She awkwardly pats him on the back, smiling shyly when he releases her.
"Okay, you lot. Give the little witch some space," Bellatrix demands, grinning broadly.
Witch. It hits her then that Bellatrix is talking about her. In a place where all of them were stripped of their magic, Hermione had amassed huge amounts of power, getting them out of danger. Why she was able to do that, she has no idea, but she's happy knowing that she can.
"Why are we up here?" Hermione asks, looking around at them all.
"We're celebrating," Anathema informs her, darting forwards to kiss her cheek. "This impromptu little gathering is a party in your honour."
"It is?"
"It is," Bellatrix confirms, withdrawing her wand and flicking it silently through the air. A glass full of firewhisky appears in front of Hermione, and she plucks it out of the air, bemused. The rest of the crew raise their glasses in her direction.
"To Hermione," Bellatrix announces loudly.
The echo of "To Hermione" sounds out in the cooling air, and Hermione follows their example, raising the glass to her lips and taking a sip. It's only been a few days since she joined the crew, but already she savours the flavour, no longer wincing at the inevitable burn as the liquid slips down her throat.
"Look at her," Anathema cackles. "She's half pirate already."
"Half pirate and half witch. She fits right in," Ginny agrees, with an approving nod.
Ron steps out from behind Harry, his own glass raised, but Hermione cannot help herself.
"What the hell happened to you?" she asks, giggling. The normally pale skin on Ron's face is covered in unsightly boils that, judging by the redness around each one, look rather painful.
"Narcissa. That's what happened," Ron grumbles, but his lips twitch up in a smile.
Hermione looks at the blonde who stares back at her with innocent eyes that sparkle wickedly. "Should I ask?"
"Little boys should do as they're told," Narcissa replies haughtily, tutting at the redhead. Her lips pull into a wide smile and Ron rolls his eyes goodnaturedly.
This feels like family, Hermione realises. There is such love here on this ship. They tease, and mock, and sometimes they snap and argue, but underneath that there is nothing but the utmost love, trust and respect. This is what it should feel like, and Hermione understands for the first time in her life just how wrong her family had been.
She's never been close to her parents. For as long as she can remember, they have felt like strangers to her. She doesn't even look like them, and as far as personalities go, they could not be more different. This closeness she has found in the crew is something she has never experienced before, and she's determined to never let it go.
"To The Black Serpent," Hermione bravely calls across the deck in a toast of her own. "And the people who have given me the happiest home I can remember."
She chokes on the last words. Home. Why does that word fill her with such longing? She hated living at home, didn't she? She's never seen eye to eye with her parents and she couldn't wait to leave the academy so she would be free of them. So why does she now feel wistful, like she has lost something she never once had? She swallows back the emotion, determined to enjoy the evening for what it is.
The crew drink silently, and Bellatrix flicks her wand again. Large cushions appear on the deck, and Hermione sinks down gratefully. The potion Andromeda had left next to the bed rapidly made her feel better, but Hermione's legs ache and her back is sore. She leans back on her arms, legs stretched out in front of her, and happily listens to the rising chatter of the crew around her. They talk about things they have seen and done, reminiscing about old times, and she hopes that one day she will be as much a part of their stories as they are.
"Mind if I join you, Pet?"
Hermione nods, smiling. "Take a seat, Captain."
Bellatrix rolls her eyes, the reflection of colourful lights dancing there for a moment. Hermione is entranced, caught up in a maelstrom of emotions that flutter in her stomach. As much as she is enjoying the evening, the desire to be alone with Bellatrix is growing.
If there is one thing she is sure of, it's that Bellatrix wants her too. Whatever self-imposed boundary Bellatrix had erected to stop herself accepting her advances before, has been stripped away and Hermione has no doubt that if she pressed her lips to the Captain's, she would not be rejected.
She chuckles to herself, turning away to stare out to sea. If the Captain thinks it will be that easy, then she has another thing coming. After the way Bellatrix rebuffed her, the witch can work for it, Hermione decides, her lips quirking up at the corners.
"What's got you so amused?" Bellatrix asks, slipping her fingers under Hermione's chin and turning her face back to meet her gaze.
"I'm just happy," Hermione replies, grinning.
Bellatrix stares intently, and Hermione feels a light tugging before the witch huffs. "Did Cissa teach you that? Already?"
"Teach me what?"
"You're blocking me," Bellatrix says with a pout. "I'm not as good as Cissa, but I can usually tap into people if I actually try."
"You're trying to read my thoughts?"
Bellatrix smirks. "Scared of what I might find?"
"Not at all," Hermione answers smoothly, lowering her voice. "Why, Captain? Do you think you can handle seeing exactly what I want to do to you?"
"What you-" Bellatrix splutters. "What?!"
"Oh yes," Hermione purrs. "But… you made your feelings perfectly clear, didn't you, Captain? So, I guess I shouldn't tell you what I did in your bed when I woke up alone - wet and aching - surrounded by your scent."
Hermione gets up from the cushion and strolls across the deck, hips swaying far more than they would usually. She turns slightly, winking over her shoulder at the Captain before settling down between Narcissa and Andromeda, the latter of which wraps an arm around her, leaning in to kiss her temple. It's an affectionate gesture, nothing more, but Hermione can feel the indignant waves of outrage rolling off of the dark witch she's just left seated on their cushion. She grins to herself.
Time to play, Captain.
-xXx-
A/N No, this is not going to be a hattrick! Sorry to disappoint!