Chapter 44: The Fight


Bellatrix' pride was the only victim of her encounter with a cursed howler.

Embarrassed enough by the situation, Bellatrix humored Hermione's demand to answer state of mind questions. With minimal complaint, and to Hermione's relief, she stated correctly her own name, the current year, and the Minister for Magic name. The what's my name got a massive eyeroll, the false starts of spawn and Golden Girl, and finally, with a smug grin, a singsong of Hermione Jean Granger. The when's your birthday just got a cackle and a good try, spawn in response.

Narcissa's diagnostic spell during the Sunday tea didn't find anything wrong with the witch either.

The two agreed to meet in the evening to make up for the previous day.


Hermione turned into the hallway leading to the Master suite.

Bellatrix was already at the end of the hallway, almost at the doors. She hadn't noticed the younger witch, but was still lingering at the entrance for some reason.

Hermione quickened her pace meaning to catch up.

Bellatrix appeared to look up to the ceiling for several moments, then ran her hand over the nearby plant and opened the door into the suite.

'Bellatrix!'

Hermione's call had the oddest reaction.

The witch visibly startled, then froze for a moment, then whirled around to face Hermione. She swallowed hard, as if choking, rasped Granger, and then let out a tiny cough.

The evening was starting spectacularly, mused Hermione. She muttered Sorry , unsure what she was apologizing for.

Bellatrix motioned for her to head into the suite first, and coughed again.

Several more stifled coughs followed, and then Bellatrix got into a true coughing fit.

It's like the drink went the wrong way... thought Hermione.

She ran over what she saw in the hallway once again.

Bellatrix was near the bed and Hermione was still lingering at the bedroom's doorway.

'I saw you…' Hermione said slowly.

Bellatrix paused looking questioningly at the younger witch.

'I saw you.' Hermione repeated with more conviction.

'And?'

'I saw you drinking lust potion.' Hermione became more confident about it with every word.

That got her a blank look and a tiny cough from the older witch.

'I don't know what you are talking about.'

Hermione heard these tiny coughs enough times to recognize. After all, her best friends were teen boys of dubious manners. They enjoyed inhaling food and drink, with the occasionally concerning and/or amusing consequences.

'Bellatrix, if you've changed your mind for tonight... or for a while... just say so. Officially, we spend more time together than apart. No one could accuse us of avoiding each other, of not trying to make this work.'

The witch blinked at her.

'I did not drink anything.'

The more Bellatrix denied what Hermione witnessed, the more frustrated and angry Hermione became.

'Don't lie!'

'I'm not-'

'Do you even want to spend time together?!'

The witch nodded.

'More intimately?'

The witch blinked at her flatly.

Hermione raised an eyebrow challengingly.

One shoulder rose in a half-shrug.

'Sure…'

'What about kissing?'

The witch sighed.

'Yes?…'

'Are you asking or telling?!'

'Why don't you tell me! You appear to know everything!'

Hermione's eyes narrowed.

'And the actual shagging … like regular people… without clothes and way more touching?'

'Now?..'

Bellatrix' startled look was the last straw.

Hermione's shoulders dropped and her eyes stung. No she didn't expected them to shag anytime soon, certainly not this moment... but Bellatrix didn't need to look so alarmed at the prospect!

So stupid. Why was she even bothering with all of this?..

Why was Bellatrix even suggesting doing anything new if she didn't wish anything to occur! If she needed to drug herself for anything to occur...

And by the look of it, it probably wasn't working anyway... same as before!

Talk about lack of progress!

How could one person hate the idea of the other this much?..

Narcissa's words from weeks ago popped in her mind…

Bellatrix would do as she must… as she must...

'I give up. I cannot do anything about my magic or my blood. If you are repulsed by me... No amount of potions, or clothing, or lack of light would change that.'

She leaned tiredly against the closest wall, and ran her hands roughly through her hair.

'I like my parents. Love them, but like them too. They are great. The Muggles. I'm of their blood. And if that disgusts you…'

Bellatrix went to say something but a stern frown and a raised pointy finger gave her a pause.

'I certainly won't kiss a slug... no matter the reason… They are gross! If I am no more than a slug to you… You've certainly displayed more self-control than I ever could. You don't have to anymore though.'

Bellatrix's I don't-'went unnoticed as Hermione continued talking over her.

'You don't need to. The law does not require us to. Not explicitly... You don't need to do anything... definitely not with me... to be safe from the Ministry, Bellatrix.'

Hermione continued.

'And I didn't steal magic. This is such a ridiculous notion! How?! How could a Muggle child do that?.. How could I or my parents?.. They didn't even know magic was real! And right now, they wish the magic had never come into our lives… I've studied and practiced and studied some more. I'm good because I'm good, not because I'm a thief!'

'I kn-'

'I thought if we spent time together you would see me as just a witch not a- well… as just me. It's been two months! And sometimes it seems as if you do see me but… You can't touch me, or stand my touch. Not unless it is under preset timelines and conditions… And don't start me on the lighting and clothing situation. '

Hermione paused to let Bellatrix speak, and to catch her breath, but Bellatrix stayed silent.

'You don't have to pretend, Bellatrix. I have eyes! And the memory you shared… It is not the idea of a witch that disgusts you, is it? It is me. That's what you were trying to explain, isn't it?!'

Hermione stormed out of the room not waiting for a response.


Hermione paced back and forth at the top of the stairway.

Disappointed with herself. Furious with Bellatrix.

She just had to go and say how she saw the situation.

Bellatrix just had to go and be her lying self!

Hermione paused in her pacing. Maybe she was wrong after all… The hallway was dim. Bellatrix as usual was in a black outfit… Perhaps it was just the play of shadows…

Hermione turned on her heels and went back to the Master suite doors. She felt around under the large leaves of the plant. There, lying under the thick leaves, was a small vial, and a tiny stopper too!

She stoppered the vial and stuffed it into her pocket, then entered the Master suite intent on confronting Bellatrix with evidence.


'Merlin!'

The room was awash in unnatural orange light, and murky with smoke.

Half the curtains were burned down. The other half was on fire. Windows were shattered. The window frames were cracked and twisted. The floor under the windows was simmering. Small fires were getting close to the thick rug Bellatrix was standing on.

'It appears I cannot put it out' Bellatrix stared calmly at the flames.

The fires grew larger and moved closer to her. Yet the dark witch didn't move.

It was getting hard to breathe. Hermione coughed. The discomfort made her take action.

'Aguamenti Maxima!'

The fires died and the room turned pitch black.

'Lumos Maxima!'

The large bright ball of light illuminated the destruction... and drenched Bellatrix.

'Reparo!.. Reparo!.. Rep- Alright this should do it...'

Hermione looked around the room.

The fire was gone. Windows were as good as new. The curtains and some carpet needed replacement.

Bellatrix stared at the window seemingly unphased by the events... or by her soaked clothing.

'I am not repulsed by you.'

'Will you tell me what I saw you drinking?'

The dark brows knitted. The mouth firmed stubbornly.

'Nothing.'

'Right!'

The witch's face was impassive, the eyes stayed fixed on the scorched curtain.

'We should go forward with our plans. Don't know why I sounded unsure. Whatever you suggest is fine.'

Fingers tentatively pulled at the side fastenings of the dress.

Black eyes met hers briefly, shot a quick unhappy look at the bright light orb, then looked down at her dress.

Dress ties were slowly coming undone.

'Please stop.'

Bellatrix blinked at the hand on her wrist, then glanced up to meet Hermione's eyes.

'I am not repulsed.' Bellatrix repeated. 'What would you like us to do?'

She will twist herself into believing that that is as she wishes… She would do as she must…

Hermione let go of the thin wrist and instead ran hands through her hair. Then refocused on the older witch. The beautiful face was impassive, head cocked, the black eyes unhappy. The freed hand was now worrying the sleeve over her left forearm.

Hermione was appalled that for a briefest of moments she actually considered potential to-do options.

'No… Merlin, no!' Hermione finally said. 'Neither.'

That brought Bellatrix's eyes up to meet Hermione's.

'Ever?'

'I don't know'

'I see' Bellatrix looked once more out the dark window. 'Very well.'

Hermione stepped away.

'Next week, after Hogwarts... if you still wish to... and can be in my presence without the help of potions.'


Hermione left for Hogwarts early next morning. For the first time in nearly two months, there were no bothersome owls with bothersome messages finding her in the middle of her school week.

And for some reason, that didn't at all feel like an improvement.


End of Chapter 44