IV

It was safe to say that by Friday, both witches had worked themselves into a frenzy regarding Saturday night. So, it was with great relief when Saturday morning began, and they could collectively sigh in relief.

Bellatrix Black awoke to the sound of tapping on her window. She yawned and stretched languidly, opening a one sleepy black eye to regard her window. "Who or what could that be at this hour?" she rose from her bed and made her way to the window, opening wide to allow her owl Raven to swoop in gracefully. Raven flew to her perch and held the envelope aloft in her beak dutifully.

Taking the envelope absentmindedly she patted Raven's head and removed owl seed from the drawer hidden inside the stand. Raven fluttered forward, pecking happily. Turning the envelope in her hands to search for the sender's information, momentarily she wondered if it was from Hermione, writing to cancel their date for the evening. Briefly she wondered why she would assume such a thing. Banishing that thought she felt relief when she saw the sender was indeed her sister Narcissa. Relief washed over her as she magicked the envelope open quickly scanning the contents.

It was news of Draco and his wife Semarasis. They were expecting once more, Narcissa was to be a grandmother again. Bellatrix smiled to herself as she read the letter, her sister's excitement practically jumped off the pages. Making a mental note to contact Draco later in the week, she set the letter on her desk and began her morning ritual humming a tune and pondering her choice of outfit for this evenings much anticipated outing. She had barely slept the night before, nearly taking a sleeping potion to calm her mind and help calm her restless nerves. She was relived when sleep eventually claimed her. Waving her wand to create an elegant chignon with her long locks, she selected simple robes for the days outfit. To help relax her, she reserved a space at the most exclusive spa for witches Hogsmeade had to offer. A massage, and a new hairstyle would help relax her before the evening. It would also provide a welcome distraction and kill time. For it was only 7am and she had an entire day to fill.

Hermione awoke with a smile on her face. Today was the day…finally. She had been looking forward to this day for the past week. She knew her feelings towards Bellatrix were reciprocated, she still felt nervous. It was a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Rising from bed, she began her morning routine, mentally reviewing her plans for the day. Breakfast, a little shopping in Diagon Alley, then, it would be time to get ready for their date. Date, even saying the words gave her butterflies in her stomach. She dressed in jeans and a light blouse, grabbed her bad and left her rooms. She pondered her form of departure. She could travel via floo powder to Diagon Alley or she could walk into Hogsmeade and arrange transportation from there. She decided to travel by floo, making her way to Headmistress McGonagall's rooms. The professor had special fireplaces reserved for teachers to use for various travel between the ministry and Diagon Alley as needed. The professor's fireplace was specially magicked to prevent the soot from ruining the clothing and getting on the face and in the eyes. The floo powder method of transportation was both efficient and very practical.

Hermione entered the fireplace rooms, she approached a free fireplace and gathered a handful of floo powder. In a clear voice she stepped into the fireplace and called "Diagon Alley!" tossing the powder with a flick of her wrist. She was gone in a flash. Emerging from one of the rows of fireplaces into Diagon Alley, she removed her sunglasses from her bag and began walking to her first errand of the day.

The atmosphere in the Feathered Broomstick pulsed with anticipation. Bellatrix Black gazed around the room hoping to seek out Hermione in the crowd. She found her sitting in the back of the bar looking slightly apprehensive. That look could have been nerves, little did Hermione know, Bellatrix was also nervous as well. She approached the table, Hermione looked up into her eyes and smiled.

"Hello" replied Hermione, "thank you for coming, please have a seat" Hermione stood to pull out a chair for Bellatrix. Bellatrix blushed prettily. She looked radiant by the low glow of the candlelight. She smiled at her Hermione and took her seat. "Thank you."

"You look beautiful tonight Hermione, thank you for inviting me. I've been looking forward to spending time with you." Bella said.

"I have as well, and you…you look good enough to eat" Hermione's eyes smoldered.

"Would you like a drink? She asked, clearing her throat, surprised at her boldness, it was time, time to jump in with both feet. She had everything she wanted sitting right across from her and she wouldn't waste more time being timid and shy. Tonight, was the night.

Bellatrix Black looked at Hermione in surprise. She liked this side of Ms. Granger. Although Bella usually saw herself as the more aggressive partner, she was more than will to submit to the witch across from her.

"Yes, I think I need one, something tells me this night is going to be one I'll never forget."

Hermione caught their server's eye and she approached their table.

"Hello, what can I get for you?" Bellatrix ordered a white wine, and Hermione requested a refill of her Ketel One and Pineapple juice. The server moved away from the table to fulfill the order and they were alone again.

For a moment, both witches simply stared at one another. The silence wasn't awkward, both women knew exactly what they wanted. Words weren't needed to fill every empty space. So, mush was being said without words.

"How was your day today?" Bellatrix asked. The server returned with their drinks and Hermione took a sip. She wanted to say that every moment leading up to tonight was useless, because all she wanted to do is gaze into Bellatix's eyes as she came apart beneath her. But, feeling that those words would be too much before they even had their first course, she simply said: "It was productive, I was able to get a lot of things done, not nearly as excited as what I'm doing right now."

Bellatrix felt her sex flutter lightly, she shifted in her seat and cleared her throat. "My, my, my, someone has certainly found her voice tonight. I'm pleasantly surprised at this aggressive side of you, I find it very sexy." Bellatrix practically purred the words as she brought her wine glass to her lips and took a sip. Things were progressing rapidly, and her mind raced with the possibilities that the night held.

As the first course arrived, the conversation flowed between the women. Although the sexual tension still pulsed between them, they still managed to converse on a level that was just as compelling as the desire they each felt for one another. Hermione found that beneath the somewhat cold, and at times intimidating exterior, that Bellatrix Black was s soulful person who loved her family, felt things very strongly, and was extremely intelligent. The most unexpected, yet pleasant surprise was Bella's love for muggle science fiction television shows, mainly Star Trek and Star Wars. Hermione chuckled inwardly remembering Bella's impersonation of Jean Luc Picard. This was turning into the most interesting date she'd been on in quite a long time…

Final chapter to come! Thank you all for sticking with me on this short ride.

Thanks!

R-