A/N: I don't know about this one loves. I hope you enjoy it. I think I wanted it to be more, somehow, but 'tis what it 'tis. Enjoy it regardless.

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The manor was dank and stale once they were inside the impressive stone walls. Hermione saw Draco turn up his nose but he remained silent as they crept along dark corridors. The staircases seemed to go on and on even though she'd seen it on a map and she wondered if it was a spell or just the grandeur of the thing. As they got to the main hall, Draco pointed the other two in the opposite direction; they were to gather as much information as possible on the personnel and any plans that the enemy had lying around so that this trip was as useful as it could be. Once they'd disappeared around a corner, Draco pointed up the stairs. Hermione nodded for him to lead and followed behind Minerva and kept an eye on what was behind them. They all wore dark, heavy cloaks to conceal their faces and they walked as regally as they could up the steps.

There would be no sneaking around in such a place, they would have to be obvious.

A crash in another part of the house echoed through them and they froze. Minerva recovered first and nudged them both to keep moving.

"The enemy would not have stopped," she whispered. "Keep going."

The stairs really did seem endless and Minerva told her off more than once for complaining inside her own head. In any other situation, Hermione would have laughed. Instead, she kept her eyes on a swivel and followed up the rear.

Eventually, Draco led them down a hall lined with doors. He stopped at one and knocked three times on the door and waited.

And waited a little longer.

She shook her head when he went to do it again and drew her wand. Something felt just a little wrong and she pushed Minerva back at the last moment as the door swung open and two stunning spells careered onto them.

While she'd been stunned before as part of their training, this was slightly different. This spell seemed to hit her, square in the chest and then bounce off to the side. She shook her head at the force that rattled her mind and stood again. Before her, sneering over Draco's crumpled body, was a woman with familiar brown eyes, unkempt hair and a look that reminded Hermione of a wild animal. Hermione met her eyes and shot a thought to Minerva to stay hidden.

No, Hermione! That is Bellatrix LeStrange. You'll need me to -

Trust me, lover. She isn't expecting any of this. If it goes wrong then yes, hit her with everything you have but she hasn't alerted anyone, it's just her. Severus said she was protective, desire her broken mind. I bet Draco's mother is inside. Take him, wake him and then get them both out of here.

"How sweet likkle Drakey brought us a plaything."

"I am no plaything of yours," Hermione said evenly. The fact that she showed no fear seemed to confuse Bellatrix and she stepped over Draco and into the hall.

"Who are you?" she asked menacingly.

"I'm nobody," Hermione shrugged. "Who are you?"

"You don't -" Bellatrix stared at her, agog.

Min, go! Grab Draco, get Mrs Malfoy, be ready to leave.

Leannan -

Babe. Go.

Minerva swore at her and Hermione just saw a little tabby-coloured tail slip behind the unhinged woman who seemed to be expecting an answer.

"My apologies," Hermione said. "What did you say?"

"I -" She stared. "I am Bellatrix LeStrange."

"Oh" Hermione hammed it up. "That's you?" She glanced behind her and saw Minerva reappear just beyond the doorway. She had Lady Malfoy in her arms and a wobbly looking Draco beside her, lugging a chest. "Wow. I thought you'd be taller!"

Give me a moment to get her out of the doorway.

Darling, this woman is not like anyone you've faced. She could -

She's not going to have time. I'm going to distract her, not fight her. You get down the stairs and go. Don't wait for me, get them out.

Leannan -

I love you. Her eyes met Minerva's for just a second, over Bellatrix's shoulder. Until we are space dust and magic. She felt Minerva's unhappiness but Hermione could tell that she saw the sense in it too. You are the one I trust to keep them safe. Please, love, do as I ask.

"Who the hell are you?" Bellatrix hissed.

"Nobody," she grinned. She stepped back and turned in a half-circle pretending to look up at the ceiling. "This is incredible, isn't it?"

Bellatrix stepped forward and gave Minerva the room to leave the room Bellatrix was guarding.

"Why are you here?"

"I saw the house and was intrigued."

"You saw -" Bellatrix blinked. "Impossible."

Hermione saw Minerva and Draco slipping down the stairs and she laughed to cover their footsteps.

"Oh nothing is impossible, Miss LeStrange."

"Mrs -" she ground out. Hermione didn't dare let loose her feelings. She had no idea what this house would feel like - she could feel enough already - and Bellatrix was well renowned for being downright evil. Even so, the flash of something that whipped across her face was enough for Hermione to needle her.

"Oh!" she nodded. "That makes sense. Where's your husband then, I guess I should talk to him, right? You pureblood women don't make decisions, do you."

"You do not get -"

"Wait, are you the one whose sister married a mudblood?"

The explosion echoed around the halls and just barely did she hear Minerva's thoughts falter. She soothed her without words as Bellatrix started pacing. She needed every scrap of her concentration to make sure Bellatrix didn't get the jump on her.

"Wait until my Master wakes," she hissed. "Then we will find out who we are, won't we, pretty."

"Your husband -"

Another explosion and a scream.

"NOT HIM. NOT THAT WORTHLESS, PATHETIC LUMP." She faltered and just a millisecond, looked sad. "He betrayed me and all I stand for," she muttered. "No, not him." She sneered. "My Master; glorious and strong."

"Kinky," Hermione muttered. Bellatrix looked at her and for the first time, she looked just a little concerned.

"You name," she ordered.

"I think I'd rather give that to your Master," Hermione grinned. Her wand slid from her holster into her hand behind her back and she settled her feet. "Where is he, anyway? Is he around?"

We're going. Come home to me now.

Hermione smiled at Minerva's words, taking note of how far away she was and how quiet the words were. She glanced up at Bellatrix and wondered if she could step somewhere like she'd done at Hogwarts. Surely the protections on this house were not greater than Hogwarts.

She took a deep breath and realised that Bellatrix was watching her closely. She didn't want to lose one second of equality between them, and decided to wait for an opening to try.

"Sorry, I zoned out for a moment, what were you saying?"

There were no more words between them. Bellatrix had had enough and a flurry of spells designed to incapacitate and hurt were flung from a wand so tortured that it had curled in its mistress' hand. Hermione didn't fight back, but did her best to avoid getting caught by any of it.

"Ooh missy isn't very powerful, is she," Bellatrix simpered. "I'm going to enjoy dragging your worthless carcass before my master."

She could feel Minerva's worry but she clamped down on it and kept moving. Bellatrix was getting more and more frustrated and Hermione's heart was beating wildly as she realised that while her power was so much greater than it had been; greater than Bellatrix' for sure, she was no match for this woman's spellwork.

A little silver of unease began to churn in her gut and Bellatrix seemed to latch onto it.

"Ikkle baby looks scared," Bellatrix sneered. "I'm going to enjoy this."

Hermione glanced down the stairs and in doing so, missed the slicing hex that hit her shoulder and bounced up across her neck. She clamped a hand over it and desperately fought back to give herself time to escape.

She started fighting, using simple spells with as much power as she could muster just to give herself time to form some sort of plan.

I'm coming, Leannan. Hold on.

Hermione panicked harder and fought with no thoughts whatsoever except to get out before Minerva came back. She felt her feet get hot and she felt Minerva drawing nearer.

"Your master could be dead for all you know," Hermione growled. "Maybe I killed him."

Bellatrix paused in her casting and stared.

"You?!"

"Oh yeah, that was me," Hermione grinned. She had blood dripping through her fingers and down her arm. She didn't particularly want her blood in the hands of the enemy, even if Severus was now in their hands, so she healed it as best she could and sent a blast of water, as strong and as hot as she could. Bellatrix squealed and dived out of the way while Hermione washed everything away.

She turned and saw Minerva racing up the stairs and ran towards her.

"Hold on tight," she managed.

She grabbed Minerva's middle and stepped forward. They stumbled as they arrived in the field behind their house and Minerva pulled her arm over her shoulder with very little preamble.

"When I'm less angry, Leannan, I'll grumble about the fact that you could get out of those wards but not into our own?" Hermione snorted and by the time they managed to get into their foyer at home, Hermione was barely able to lift her feet. "Mac na galla," Minerva hissed as they collapsed onto the floor. She scrambled onto her knees and rolled Hermione over to look. "Hermione, talk to me?"

"I think I'm okay," she muttered. "Bleeding, but -"

"Fucking hell," she hissed. "Let me see."

Hermione dropped her head back to the floor and Minerva pressed down on the wound on her shoulder and made Hermione hiss in pain.

"Breathe," Hermione muttered. "Breathe, babe."

"Stop calling me that."

Hermione chuckled.

"Sorry," she muttered. "But really, calm down. I'm okay. I need you to calm down so your magic can take over."

"What -"

"I need you to be calm so one of us can do this. You or I can do it, we just need some calm."

Minerva's hands were trembling as she looked down at her and Hermione smiled up at her.

"I'm right here, love. I'm okay."

"You were careless," Minerva snapped. "What you did was -"

"Are Draco and his mother okay?"

"Obviously," Minerva growled.

"And Kingsley and Moody -"

"Fine. I met then outside. They took them back to Hogwarts."

"Then it's fine."

"YOU ARE BLEEDING!"

Hermione realised she'd seriously upset Minerva and sat up.

"Come here," she instructed.

"A quick fuck is not going to -"

"Minerva."

The growl worked and she stopped, breathing hard as she stared. Minerva's hands were as bloody as her own and Hermione got to her feet.

"Come with me, then," Hermione said softly, but with enough of a tone that Minerva followed, despite grumbling about it in her head. She pulled Minerva into the kitchen and pressed against her back as she turned on the tap. They washed their hands together and Hermione dried them and then picked her up and sat her on the counter.

"No," Minerva snapped and squirmed. "I do not -"

"I'm not going to do anything, I just want to talk to you," Hermione said softly. "I want to look in your eyes when I tell you this."

Those green eyes were stormy and becoming increasingly watery as she held Minerva's face in her hands.

"I am sorry," Hermione said genuinely. "I am sorry that we got separated. I'm sorry that I made you take them and stayed back to handle Bellatrix. I am sorry that I got hurt." Minerva shuddered. "I am not sorry that we did what we set out to do. I'm not sorry I got hurt and you didn't. I'm am only glad that she didn't see you, that our association wasn't known."

Minerva stared at her and shook her head.

"You were not ready."

"No," Hermione agreed as she wiped Minerva's tears. "I was not. But I did okay. You taught me well and I managed. The only reason she managed to get me was because I looked away to check the stairs were clear. Otherwise I was alright with keeping her busy until I could find a way to leave. Once she got me, I needed to find a way to clean up my blood and then leave. There was no way I was leaving it there for them to use." Minerva paled but Hermione held her steady. "Things didn't go according to plan, but we did what we needed to with minimal damage. So," she said gently. "Give me your hand and let me show you."

Minerva offered her hand and Hermione kissed the palm. Their hands pressed together and Minerva sighed and rested her head tiredly against Hermione's.

"I have never felt fear like that." She paused. "Only ever with you," she grumbled.

"You should have trusted me," Hermione said gently. "I had it under control."

"Like you should have trusted me in the Astronomy Tower?" Minerva looked at her pointedly. I will not be kept from you, not while we're fighting.

Hermione sighed and chuckled.

"Touche. But yes, exactly like that. I am sorry, my love. I really am." Minerva nodded and Hermione kissed her hand again. "Let your hand get warm, okay?" Hermione said gently. "Just when you are sure it's too hot, it'll happen."

Minerva frowned as Hermione pressed her hand against the gash on her neck. She rubbed her thumbs over Minerva's hips as they waited. Just as Minerva was about to huff and pronounce it not working, she gasped instead.

"Oh," she whispered. "Oh!

Hermione sighed as the sting of the cuts on her neck eased and then, as Minerva moved, the pain in her shoulder also disappeared. She glanced up at Minerva and found those stormy eyes fixed on hers and she smirked at the want in Minerva's soul.

"I thought you said a quick fu-"

Minerva didn't give her the chance to finish her sentence and instead kissed her hard to shut her up. She ripped Hermione's shirt from her shoulders and pulled down her bra straps while Hermione worked on Minerva's robes.

"Fucking hell -" Hermione grunted as Minerva pinched her nipples just enough to make her moan. She waved her hand and they were bare for each other and she wasted no time in wrapping her lips around Minerva's nipple in payback.

"Take me to bed," she hissed as Hermione worried it with her teeth. "Take me to -" She gasped further as Hermione bit down. "I need -"

Hermione picked her up with only a small grunt and carried her there. They stopped outside the guest bedroom when Minerva sank her teeth into the side of Hermione's neck and they both collapsed on the bed after Hermione managed to get them there.

"I need -"

"I'll give it to you," Hermione soothed. "I have you."

"No," Minerva muttered. "No."

Hermione pulled away and the hesitation was enough for Minerva to flip them over and press them back onto the bed.

"I need you," she hissed. "Need to feel you." Hermione gasped as Minerva slid her fingers into her with no warning and set a bruising pace. The frantic nature of her movement helped prolong their pleasure but it didn't take long for Hermione's body to start tensing as Minerva bit down on her neck this time. "Mine," she hissed.

Hermione wailed as she came and Minerva prolonged it as long as Hermione would let her before Hermione had the wherewithal to reach down and reciprocate.

Minerva rolled her hips into Hermione's hand and squeezed both her breasts while she did so. Hermione nearly came again. The sheer visual of Minerva's complete and utter freedom in body and mind was so special, Hermione couldn't help it. She sat up and brushed away one of Minerva's hands and sucked her nipple as hard as she could. Minerva screamed and as she tried to hang on but she grabbed the back of Hermione's head and mewled helplessly in her ear.

Hermione knew just what to do.

She slid her hand up along Minerva's spine and held the back of Minerva's neck. The connotations made Minerva come hard without any pressure at all. Hermione came again as she felt the pleasure slam into Minerva's body and they kissed messily as their body's chased each other to the end.

She removed her fingers and held Minerva where she was as they trembled.

"I -"

Hermione shook her head. Her mind was totally blank and they sat together, shaking, in the cooling air for what felt like hours.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked gruffly. Her throat was dry, she felt like crying but she needed to know Minerva was okay.

"Fine," she whispered.

Trembling hands passed over Hermione's head and wrapped around her shoulders. Hermione relaxed in Minerva's arms.

"Are you?" Minerva asked as she pulled away. She'd been crying herself and Hermione clicked her tongue and wiped away the odd tear that was drying on her cheeks.

"That was a lot, but I'm not hurt," Hermione muttered. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, that was -" Minerva shook her head. "I was so rough. Are you sure?" Hermione nodded as she peered up at her and saw the truth of Minerva's assurance as she let Minerva see her own. She nodded and laid her head on Minerva's chest and breathed out. "That was different to everything we had before."

Hermione nodded and glanced up at her again. Her heart seemed to be jittering in her chest and she felt cold then suddenly very hot.

"You're sure I didn't -"

"Tha mi gu math, leannan," Minerva soothed. She stared hard at Hermione and felt her forehead. "You, however, do not seem to be."

"I think it was a lot and the fighting and I -" She was shaking properly now.

"Come on sweetheart," Minerva whispered. "Stay with me for a while. Come on." She slid from Hermione's lap and pulled on her hands to get her to follow. "Let's get you in the bath and then we'll go back to Hogwarts. There you will rest. In bed. Until you feel better. I might even get Poppy to look you over."

"Yes Minerva," Hermione muttered with a little smile to show her intentions.

"Bloody Trouble," Minerva smiled. She breathed out a deep sigh and pulled Hermione in for a kiss. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me too. Me and you."

Minerva helped her onto the edge of the bath and ran the taps.

"Will you make it bigger? I don't want to be without you." Minerva beckoned her up and pulled her into her side as she did as she was asked. Not quite as big as it had been the last time, but deep enough and wide enough to fit them comfortably.

"As soon as this blasted war is over, I'm getting a Wizarding plumber in here to fix these bloody taps," Minerva growled as they filled the new bath slowly.

"It's alright," Hermione said tiredly. She leaned more heavily on Minerva as her strength waned.

"Hermione?"

"I'm okay," she whispered. The truth was, she wasn't actually totally certain she was okay.

"Hermione!"

Minerva shook her hard and she groaned at being woken up.

"Sleep," Hermione managed. Her mind tried desperately to form a thought as she thought it. She recalled their conversations about magical use and Amalle saying that they needed to sleep afterwards but she couldn't make the words come out of her mouth.

"HERMIONE!"

"Sleep," she muttered again, feeling her mind closing in on her. "Just -"

She watched Minerva's horrified face as the darkness closed in and she felt her body go slack. Everything passed into darkness as her body gave up.