Warning: There is a small amount of torture near the end of the chapter for anyone that is sensitive.
Exam were finally over and Hermione could not be more excited. She was going back to Malfoy Manor and more importantly, back to Bellatrix. All she had to do was get through breakfast and the train ride, with Harry and Ron, and she would be free.
Her updated portkey was on her wrist. To activate it, she simply had to press the charm of the broom and say "Malfoy Manor." The biggest issue would be slipping away from Harry and Ron, without them suspecting. They could not know she wasn't returning home, that she would never return home. Her time in the muggle world was over. She had fully embraced her life as a witch.
Hermione looked around her dorm room one final time to make sure she had everything. Her dormmates were scrambling to get everything packed as they, once again, slept in. Once Hermione was satisfied she had everything she put her book bag on and shrunk her trunk down. She refused to lug it around the castle and had begged Bellatrix to teach her the spell.
She left the dorm and found Harry and Ron waiting for her in the common room. Their trunks sitting beside them. "Morning," Harry greeted. He frowned when he didn't see Hermione's trunk. "You're not ready yet? Breakfast has already started."
Hermione patted her pocket. "I shrunk my trunk down so I didn't have to carry it," she explained.
They boy's eyes lit up. "Can you do that to our trunks?" Ron asked eagerly.
Hermione removed her wand from her pocket and waved it at their trunks. Both were shrunken down and the boy's pocketed them. "Thanks," Harry said gratefully. He wasn't looking forward to dragging his trunk to the Great Hall, and then the train.
"We're all ready then?" Hermione asked. They nodded and stood.
The three of them headed to the Great Hall in silence. She knew Harry wasn't looking forward to the summer. His relatives weren't the most pleasant of muggles. While she did feel bad for him, it wasn't enough to make her change her plans.
"What are you plans for the start of the summer?" Harry asked conversationally.
"My parents were planning a trip," Hermione lied. "They haven't said where yet as they're not sure if we'll be able to go for sure. What about you? I know you're going to the Burrow at some point."
"Yeah," Harry said. "According to Dumbledore I have to stay with my relatives for at least three weeks every summer. Then I can go to the Weasley's."
"That's terrible," Hermione exclaimed. "Why can't Dumbledore figure something else out for you?"
They sat down on at their usual spots at the Gryffindor table. The table was emptier than usual. The older students weren't awake yet and would most likely rush to breakfast before heading out to the train.
"I don't know," Harry said as he piled sausage, bacon, toast and eggs onto his plate. This would be his last real meal for a couple of weeks and he wanted to eat as much as he could before he went home. It wasn't smart. He should have started decreasing his food intake during the last week to compensate but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Is there is anything we can do for you?" Hermione asked. She may be siding with the Dark Lord, but she didn't want Harry to die from starvation or whatever his muggle relatives should do to him. Besides, she had to play the role of the best friend.
"No, there's… wait, can you guys send me food, possibly?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, I'll have mum make you something," Ron promised. He glanced at Hermione.
"Yes, of course," Hermione agreed. She was sure the house elves wouldn't mind making some extra food. Though she was sure the Malfoy's would be thrilled she was sending it to Harry. But if the Dark Lord wanted to kill Harry himself, then Harry needed to not starve to death.
"Thanks guys," Harry said relived.
Once they finished eating they made the journey from the castle to the train station. It was a bit of a walk, normally they would take the carriages but today the three all agreed that they wanted to walk. It gave them some privacy to chat and Harry really didn't want to leave.
Even though they walked to the Hogsmeade station, they were among the first to arrive. The train would leave at eleven, just like it did at Kings Cross Station. Breakfast ended at nine, which gave all of the students at least two hours to finish packing and get to the carriages. The carriages ran constantly until the train left.
Hermione, Ron and Harry arrived at the train around nine-thirty in the morning. Far earlier then they should have. But it didn't bother them in the slightest. Being early meant they could pick out their compartment and get settled in before anyone else arrived. It also meant they got bored far quicker. It took only half an hour before Ron pulled out his beat-up chess set for him and Harry to play. Hermione wasn't a fan of chess and preferred to read a book on Ancient Runes that Bellatrix had sent her.
Shortly after their first game, in which Harry lost rather badly, the other students started to arrive. Occasionally, someone would poke their head inside the compartment to see if it was empty. When they realized the compartment was claimed, they would move on and check the next compartment.
Hermione waited until the train left the station before pulling out her journal.
How is Malfoy Manor? Hermione wrote. It wasn't exactly what she wanted to say but it would have to do.
Narcissa's been preparing for yours and Draco's arrival since dawn. Be prepared for a feast tonight. She's requested the elves prepare yours and Draco's favorite foods. I believe she's missed you both.
I missed her too though not as much as you.
Hermione regretted it as soon as she wrote it but she couldn't help it. She did miss Bellatrix. Their last training session before the end of term had been cancelled by Bellatrix due to exams. Hermione had protested but Bellatrix insisted it was necessary so Hermione could rest and be prepared. Hermione had wished Bellatrix would at least meet with her for an hour or two but she had to admit Bellatrix had been right. But the only thing that kept her going was knowing that she would see Bellatrix today.
Hermione was ready to close her journal and pretend she didn't write those embarrassing words, but before she could she saw a response. I missed you too Hermione. I'll see you in a few hours. The portkey will take you to your room, where I will be waiting.
Hermione closed her journal with a smile on her face. Bellatrix would be waiting for her.
"What is that Hermione?" Harry asked curious. "I've seen you with it several times. I glanced at it once and it was blank."
Hermione tensed slightly. Her hand tightened around the journal in case Harry or Ron tried to take it from her. "It's a diary," Hermione lied. "Sometimes I take notes on things, things I want to look up or things I want to tell my parents about. Since it's an actual diary, it has wards on it so only I can see what's written in it."
Harry nodded. Hermione looked back and forth between the two. She wanted to make sure they bought her explanation. It seemed they did which made Hermione feel much more comfortable with writing to Bellatrix.
The seven hour train ride was the longest seven hours of Hermione's life. All she could think about was getting back to Malfoy Manor. She had briefly considered activating her portkey from inside the train and going back now but she quickly dismissed the thought. Harry and Ron would hear her call out Malfoy Manor and the whole point of the portkey was so they did not know where she going to spend her summer.
With less than an hour until they reached King's Cross Station, Hermione decided now was a good time to take off her robes. She started to unbutton her robes much to Harry and Ron's horror.
"What are you doing?" Harry exclaimed. "At least let us leave before you…" he trailed off when Hermione's robes dropped to the ground, revealed slacks and a purple button-down shirt, made out of Acromantula silk, a gift from Bellatrix.
"I wore my muggle clothes under my robes," Hermione explained. "I didn't see a reason to wear our school uniform when school was over."
Harry and Ron exchanged looks and Hermione realized they had worn their school uniforms. "Right," Ron said awkwardly. "That is rather smart. Next year we'll have to do that." Harry nodded in agreement.
"I'll change in the bathroom," Harry decided. He didn't want to kick Hermione out of the compartment to get changed nor did he feel comfortable changing in front of her. He grabbed his stuff out of his bookbag and left the compartment.
That left Ron and Hermione alone. They'd never been one on one before. Harry had always been there as a buffer. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Hermione hated Ron for how he had treated her, and for almost getting her killed. Sure, if it wasn't for him she probably never would have met Bellatrix, but still… the troll was his fault. She couldn't wait for the day when she could practice her curses on Ron.
The compartment was silent the entire time Harry was gone, which was no more than five minutes but felt much longer. When they were alone, they had nothing to say to each other. Ron studied the chess board. Hermione assumed he was determining his next five moves. Hermione continued to read the book on Ancient Runes that Bellatrix had sent her. She enjoyed the quiet much more than Ron did.
When Harry returned to the compartment Ron slipped out with his own clothes to change into. "How are you Hermione?" Harry asked once they were alone.
Hermione put her book down. "What do you mean?" she asked. She had no idea why Harry was asking.
"You were friends with Malfoy before and now you're not," Harry said. "I know Ron and I weren't really nice to you about it and I'm sorry about that. But if you want to talk about it I'm here for you."
"Thanks Harry," Hermione said. She was touched that he cared enough to offer to listen to her. It was a shame her falling out with Draco was nowhere near accurate. She would have to remember to pass that along to him. He would, no doubt, be amused. "I'm okay though. I should have known Draco was using me. But now I do, and I can move on, with my real friends."
Harry beamed as Ron came back into the compartment. "What happened?" he asked looking back and forth between the two.
"Nothing," they both said. They looked at each other and laughed.
Hermione sighed in relief when the train stopped. Their things were still shrunk in their pockets so it made it far easier for them to get off the train. Harry and Ron opened the compartment door that led outside and all three jumped down onto the station.
Hermione removed the charm that shrunk Harry's trunk. He would need it to do his homework over the summer. Ron's she left because his parents or siblings could undo the charm.
Harry loaded his trunk and Hedwig's cage on a trolley. They walked out of platform 9 and ¾ and into King's Cross Station. The station was packed with muggles which would make it far easier for her to escape. All she had to do was ditch the two.
"There's my aunt and uncle," Harry said with a sigh.
Hermione followed his line of sight and found a very large man along with a much smaller woman. Neither looked happy to be there. "Stay safe Harry," Hermione said.
She watched Harry slowly make his way to the Dursley's. Now that Harry was gone it would be much easier to slip away. Ron wasn't as observant as Harry was. She doubted he would notice when she disappeared.
"My parents are over there," Ron said pointing to his family. She saw the twins talking to Lee Jordan. Percy looked uncomfortable but that was normal. Ginny was there too. Hermione had seen her throughout the year but Ginny was a first year so she didn't spend much time with her. "Do you want to come meet them?"
"I actually need to run to the bathroom," Hermione lied. "Maybe after that?"
"Sure," Ron agreed.
Hermione made her way toward the bathroom. She had no intention of meeting the Weasley's right. She hoped they would leave without a second thought. If not, she would lie and say she found her parents and was unable to stop and say hello.
Once she was in the bathroom she looked around to make sure she was alone. With that confirmed she gripped the broom charm and muttered, "Malfoy Manor."
She felt the now familiar tugging of the portkey and squeezed her eyes shut. When the movement stopped she opened her eyes and found herself back in her bedroom at Malfoy Manor. She looked around and saw Bellatrix lounging on her bed.
"Hermione," Bellatrix exclaimed. She got off the bed and went to Hermione's side.
"Morgana," Hermione greeted before throwing her arms around the older woman.
Bellatrix pulled away from Hermione so she could study her face. "You're here much sooner than I thought," she said. "Lucius and Narcissa haven't returned with Draco yet."
Hermione shrugged. "Harry's relatives were waiting for him. I told Ron I needed to use the loo. When I got there I portkey'd out, after first making sure it was empty."
"And when Weasley realizes your left?" Bellatrix questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Honestly, I don't really care. But I'll just tell him I saw my parents and had to rush off. He won't question it."
"Good," Bellatrix said with a smile. "You look like you've been sleeping. Have you been eating?"
Hermione blushed at the concern Bellatrix was showing. "Yes, I have," she answered. "With exams over I've been far less stressed."
Bellatrix pushed a lock of hair from Hermione's face. "You're going to be a right mess for OWLs, aren't you? But that's okay. I'll take care of you." She held out her hand to Hermione. "Come, it is about time for dinner and Narcissa will be expecting you."
Bellatrix kept ahold of Hermione's hand as they made their way to the dining room. It was approaching dinnertime and Hermione was starving. The trolley had come and Harry had bought them all snacks but all she had was a couple pumpkin pasties. Next time she needed to arrange something with Bellatrix so she could have real food on the train.
Draco, Lucius and Narcissa, having arrived in the dining room only minutes before them, were already at the table when Hermione and Bellatrix arrived. "Hermione," Draco exclaimed in relief. "I was worried when I didn't see you get off the train. I thought something may have happened before you got here."
Hermione took a seat next to Draco while Bellatrix sat down beside Narcissa. "Nothing happened," she said with a laugh. "I had to ditch Harry and Ron before I could come here." As soon as they were all seated a salad appeared in front of each of them. "Harry told me he was sorry our friendship didn't work out," she informed Draco.
It was Draco's turn to laugh. "I'm surprised he even noticed," Draco said.
The salad dishes disappeared and bruschetta took its place. "I missed Malfoy Manor," Hermione sighed happily. "Is Tom still here?" she asked curious. She would have referred to him as the Dark Lord but she wasn't sure if Draco knew the truth.
"He had some business to attend to," Lucius informed her. "He should be back in a fortnight."
Hermione nodded. Tom had promised to help train her over the summer and she was looking forward to it. She enjoyed Bellatrix's training but training from the Dark Lord himself would be an experience in itself.
"You will be working with me until his return," Bellatrix inputted. "Unless that's a problem."
"No," Hermione said a little too loudly. "Of course not, I love training with you."
"Will I be joining them Father?" Draco asked curious.
"I will be working on your Occlumency," Bellatrix answered. "Your mother doesn't wish you to participate in the rest of the training I am providing for Hermione. When the time comes I'm sure your father will train you." Lucius nodded.
"But why?" Draco protested. Hermione had told him about their training. He wanted to learn the Dark Arts and he knew Bellatrix would be teaching her to duel this summer. He wanted to learn as well.
"Your parents are responsible for your education. I am responsible for Hermione's," Bellatrix said.
Hermione cocked her head to the side. She was under the impression that Lucius was her magical guardian. Wouldn't that make Lucius responsible for her education? She wasn't sure and she didn't plan on asking. But from what she gathered, Bellatrix might be her magical guardian after all. She would have to see if she could find out for sure.
"Enough Draco," Narcissa said sternly. "Your father and I will discuss your tutoring later. For now, behave yourself.
Draco blushed. "Yes Mother," he said respectfully.
Hermione glanced at Bellatrix. The older witch met her gaze and winked at her. Hermione grinned. The main course appeared and Hermione dug in. "When do you plan on going to the Weasley's home?" Lucius questioned Hermione.
"The last week of summer," Hermione answered. She sat down her fork. "Ron said he would owl me the exact date, so I imagine I won't know until right before." Draco snorted.
Lucius nodded. "If you wish to take a trip to Diagon Alley before then, please let us know and we would be more than happy to take you. I know some of your tastes in literature would not go over well with them," Lucius said.
Hermione understood what he was getting at. It was safer to get books on the Dark Arts with the Malfoy's and Bellatrix then with the Weasley's. "Yes sir," she agreed. "I was hoping Morgana would be willing to take me sometime. I've heard Knockturn Alley has some interesting books."
Bellatrix looked to her brother-in-law and he nodded. "I will need some glamours but yes, I can take you to Knockturn Alley," Bellatrix confirmed. "We'll discuss it later Hermione."
Narcissa looked ready to protest but she didn't say anything. At the end of the day it was Bellatrix that decided what Hermione could and couldn't do. Bella was her magical guardian after all. While she knew her sister would listen to her suggestions, odds were that Bella wouldn't change any of her plans.
Dessert was an assortment of fresh fruits with some cream. Hermione loved the taste of fresh fruits and the cream was a pleasant accompaniment. She wished the Malfoy Manor house elves would work at Hogwarts for a while to teach them better cooking.
After dinner Hermione excused herself so she could get ready for bed. It wasn't that late, around eight at night. But the long train ride made Hermione tired. Before Hermione could get to the stairs she could feel Bellatrix approach her.
Over the last month, Hermione became more aware of Bellatrix's magic, to the point where she could feel it and knew when she was close by. Hermione was no expert in magic but it seemed like Bellatrix's magic was always there to comfort her, even if she wasn't actively seeking the comfort.
"I have a surprise for you," Bellatrix said excitedly. Hermione thought she looked like Christmas had come early.
"What kind of surprise?" Hermione asked uncertain.
"Come with me," Bellatrix requested. She held her hand out to Hermione to give her the choice to accept or not.
Though Hermione was unsure about this surprise she didn't hesitate to take Bellatrix's hand. Though she would admit that she simply wanted an excuse to hold her hand.
Hermione walked with Bellatrix through Malfoy Manor to a part she'd never seen before. "Where are we going?" Hermione asked.
"To the dungeons," Bellatrix answered promptly.
"Dungeons," Hermione squeaked. "There are dungeons here?"
Bellatrix laughed and squeezed her hand. "All pureblood manors have dungeons," she explained patiently. She vowed one day to take Hermione to Black Manor. Malfoy Manor was nice but Black Manor was far older.
Bellatrix led her to a door which began their downward trek to the dungeons. She flicked her wand and the torches lit up. Another flick of her wand she was covered by a glamour. It wouldn't do well for her guest to recognize her and blurt out her name.
Hermione's head whipped back and forth as they walked in an attempt to see as much as possible. They passed four empty cells on their way to their destination. The fifth cell was where Bellatrix stopped.
"Here," Bellatrix said gesturing to the cell.
Hermione peered into the cell and gasped at what she saw. Lockhart was seated on the floor, a chain around his ankle. His normally perfect hair was all disheveled. His clothes were torn and dirty. "Lockhart," she muttered.
Lockhart looked up at the sound of his name. "Ms. Granger," he exclaimed. He got up and walked over to the door. "What are you doing here?" He shook his head. "You shouldn't be here. If you let me go I can get you out of here."
Bellatrix stepped out into the open and Lockhart gasped. He didn't know who Bellatrix was. The glamour she wore hid her identity perfectly. But still, he wasn't expecting someone to be with Hermione.
"You're not going anywhere," Bellatrix said gleefully. "It took weeks to track you down, but with Cissy's help, I found you!" She cackled loudly.
Lockhart paled. He'd gone to school with Narcissa Black and there was only one person that called her Cissy. "Ms. Granger, you need to get away from her. She's dangerous. She's…" He didn't get a chance to say more as Bellatrix flicked her wand and silenced him.
Bellatrix wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist. She laid her head on Hermione's shoulder. "You were saying?" she said innocently. "Do you like my present?" she asked Hermione.
"I… what am I supposed to do with him?" Hermione asked.
She wasn't scared. Part of her thought that maybe she should be scared. This was Bellatrix after all. She didn't know much about the witch but she did know how much Bellatrix enjoyed torturing people. But Bellatrix had done nothing but take care of her, since the moment they met. She knew Bellatrix wouldn't hurt her, not matter what Lockhart said. So, while she wasn't afraid, she was confused on what Bellatrix wanted.
"Lesson one in your summer training," Bellatrix said. "Practicing the Dark Arts is good, but until you use them on another person… it really isn't the same. I'm giving you that opportunity."
Hermione's eyes widened. Bellatrix was going to teach her how to torture. She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about torture. Until she did it, it was hard to say how she would react. But Bellatrix was giving her the opportunity to learn and she wanted to learn whatever Bellatrix would teach her.
"Which curse?" Hermione asked.
Lockhart's eyes widened in horror. He didn't expect Bellatrix Lestrange of all people to teach a young muggleborn anything, let alone the Dark Arts. And she wanted her to practice on him! He couldn't believe she was considering it. Even though his books were fake, he knew how the Dark Arts worked. They were about intention. She had to want to cause him harm for it to work. And Lockhart didn't believe she had the intent. She just a thirteen year old witch, nothing special.
"Did I tell you Cissy went to school with Gilderoy?" Bellatrix asked. Hermione shook her head. "He was in the same year as her. I remember her telling me the rumours that were going around Hogwarts. It seems Gilderoy here liked younger boys. As a seventh year he was caught with a second year Hufflepuff."
Hermione clenched her fist at the thought. "Did he…" she couldn't finish her question.
"I don't know," Bellatrix said honestly. She wouldn't lie to get Hermione to torture him. She didn't need to lie. "I don't think it was proven either way. Lesson one for torture, the best way to torture someone is to take away something they love. For some, it is their loved ones, for others it's certain body parts."
Hermione was confused at first until she realized what Bellatrix was implying. Lockhart was vain. He loved his hair and he loved being attractive to women, and possibly men as well. Hermione removed her wand and pointed it at Lockhart. "Sectumsempra," she cast as Bellatrix removed the silencing spell. She wanted to hear him scream.
The curse hit and Lockhart howled in pain. He looked down and saw the curse had severed his manhood. Blood was gushing from the wound and he was feeling woozy. He vomited all over the floor. Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Bellatrix moved closer to him. She aimed her wand at the wound and said, "vulnera sanentur." She repeated the words for a total of three times. She then banished the severed penis. There was no point in keeping it seeing as a body part severed by a dark curse couldn't be reattached.
Once she finished she snapped her fingers and Lucifer appeared. "You called for Lucifer," the elf said. He glanced at Lockhart and looked equally disgusted.
"His wound has been sealed. He'll need a blood replenisher and a mild pain reliver," Bellatrix told the elf. "We need him alive Lucifer. I'm not ready for him to die yet."
"Yes Mistress," Lucifer said with a bow. "Lucifer will keep him alive."
Bellatrix turned her attention to Hermione. Casting the Dark Arts against another person was wildly different then learning the spells. Bellatrix should have focused on Hermione first but she couldn't let Lockhart die, not yet.
"Hermione," Bellatrix said in a soft tone that was reserved solely for her young bonded.
Hermione still had a death grip on her wand. She was torn between dropping it and cursing him again. So, she stood there, wand out and pointed at Lockhart. Part of her hoped he would do something to justify her cursing him again.
Lockhart whimpered as Lucifer fed him potions. "I shouldn't have tried to Obliviate you," Lockhart said weakly. Hermione's wand lowered a fraction of an inch. "I should have killed you when I had the chance. You're just as evil as she is." He turned his attention to Bellatrix. "She doesn't know who you are, does she? Because you know she'll hate you when she finds out," he taunted.
Hermione's eyes snapped to him. He knew who she was, how she wasn't sure, but he knew. And he assumed Hermione would hate her. She raised her wand. He'd been wrong.
Hermione had known for months who Bellatrix was and not once had she cared. She's read about the things Bellatrix had done. While Bellatrix hadn't taken part in the attack on Frank and Alice Longbottom, she was by no means innocent. She was single-handedly responsible for the deaths of Fabian and Gideon Prewett, the twin brothers of Molly Weasley.
She should have known Bellatrix would react to his accusations. But part of her hoped she could get in another good curse. Before she could say anything, Bellatrix yelled out, "Crucio."
Lockhart screamed. After all of her studying, she still wasn't prepared for the…shear pleasure at watching Bellatrix cast the Unforgiveable. This wasn't Bellatrix Black, her trusted mentor and crush. No, this was Bellatrix Lestrange, loyal Death Eater who was perhaps a bit mad. And Hermione loved it.
Hermione lowered her wand and walked over to Bellatrix. Though Bellatrix had refused to teach her the Unforgiveables for now, it didn't mean she hadn't studied them. She put her hand over Bellatrix's and forced her wand down. If it had been anyone else Bellatrix would have thrown them into the wall for daring to stop her. But not Hermione, never her young bonded.
"You had to stop," Hermione said ignoring the glare. "You would have driven him mad and while I'm sure that would have been a fun thought, torturing an insane person is not as fun."
Bellatrix cackled loudly. "Right you are my little witch," she said. She tucked her wand away. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good," Hermione told her. "He's wrong you know. I said it before and I stand by it, I don't care who you are. It won't change anything for me." Lockhart's eyes widened at her words.
Bellatrix tucked a piece of Hermione's hair behind her ear. "I know," Bellatrix said. "You look tired. Come on, I'll walk you to your room."
They walked in silence until they got to the stairs. "What do you plan on doing to Lockhart?" Hermione asked.
"What do you want?" Bellatrix countered. "You were the one he attempted to curse. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make."
"I wouldn't mind using him for target practice," Hermione said. She would never forgive him for trying to make Bellatrix doubt her. "Other than that, you can do what you wish to him."
Bellatrix grinned and Hermione had no doubt she made the right decision. "I'll make sure he suffers," Bellatrix promised. She stopped outside Hermione's room. "You should get some rest. We start dueling practice tomorrow and I know Cissy wants to teach you some things."
Hermione nodded. She hugged Bellatrix. "Goodnight Morgana."
It was after one in the morning. Everyone inside of Malfoy Manor was sleeping peacefully. Hermione was tossing and turning in her bed. She was having a nightmare.
Hermione knew something was wrong. Lockhart was locked up and there was no way he had his wand right now. It wasn't possible. Yet, here he was, pointing his wand at Bellatrix.
"Did you really think you could beat me?" Lockhart hissed. "I am Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin first class recipient. I will kill you and once again be the hero. Avada Kedavra." A flash of green light shot toward Bellatrix, with Hermione powerless to stop it.
Hermione screamed and shot up in her bed. A thin layer of sweat covered her body. Her legs were tangled up in her blanket. She kicked the sheets off.
She didn't have a chance to grab her wand to clean herself up as Bellatrix burst into the room seconds later. Her wand was up, ready to cast the first curse. Her dressing gown was hanging off her shoulder, revealed the small straps of the nightie Bellatrix wore underneath.
"Hermione," Bellatrix said when she realized there was no danger in the room. Still, she didn't lower her wand.
"I'm okay," Hermione assured her. "Just a nightmare, you can go back to bed."
Bellatrix flicked her wand and silently cast a refreshing charm on Hermione and the bed. Hermione felt much better now that she wasn't covered in sweat. Bellatrix waved her wand once more and lit the candle beside Hermione's bed.
Bellatrix walked over to the bed and sat her wand down next to Hermione's. She turned to study Hermione's face. Her young bonded was pale. Whatever happened in her nightmare was still bothering Hermione. She removed her dressing gown, revealing the, a little too short nightie underneath, and walked over to the bed. "Scoot over," Bellatrix instructed softly.
Hermione moved over and Bellatrix climbed onto the bed. She held her arms open, giving Hermione the choice on whether or not to accept her embrace. Hermione crawled into her open arms and clung tightly to Bellatrix. She cried for several minutes before pulling away. "Thank you," Hermione said gratefully. Bellatrix grabbed her wand and cleaned off her nightie. "You don't have to stay, I'll be okay now." Hermione really wanted her to stay but she wouldn't ask.
"I can stay, if you're okay with that," Bellatrix said. Hermione nodded against her. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"We were in the dungeon," Hermione started. "I knew something was off. Lockhart had a wand pointed at you. He was going on about how he was going to be a hero. He cast the killing curse at you… I didn't see what happened. I woke up before the curse hit you."
"It's okay Hermione," Bellatrix said. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. Rest now, I'll be right here with you."
Hermione closed her eyes and let Bellatrix's comforting words lure her back to sleep.
