There are some elements taken from Beltane and Pagan ceremonies for weddings, the rest I made up to fit in the world of Harry Potter. There is no offense meant to any Pagans as I have total love and respect for that community. Thank you to everyone for all your comments, messages and reviews. For those who asked, no this is not the end for this AU of Bella and Hermione, some elements did not make it into the final version so they have been set aside for another story. I hope you enjoy the final chapter.

Andromeda helped Hermione pull her robes down, they were made of the softest silk and as green as spring. She guided Hermione to a chair and began to brush her hair, Bellatrix was away with Cissy preparing for the night to come.

"Are you nervous?" Andromeda asked as she began to braid thin plaits into Hermione's brown curls.

"Does it show?" Hermione asked, her heart was so loud in her ears she was sure that Andromeda could hear it.

"No love, I just know how nervous I was on my Beltane Night." She said beginning another plait.

Hermione turned to look at Andromeda, "What if, what if I don't know what to do?"

Andromeda pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead, "You've made love to her before Hermione."

"No I know, it's just…"

Andromeda hugged her from behind, "I know you're nervous, you don't have to be." Andromeda straightened and continued on Hermione's hair.

"Did you finish your tapestry?" Andromeda asked beginning the third plait.

"Yes, last night. Bella finished hers last week though I haven't seen it."

"Well no you're not supposed to. In fact-" Andromeda took the brush to separate the hair away, "You can't even see Bella until tonight."

Hermione smiled, she had spent the hours before dawn kissing Bella until right before the sun began to peak up. Cissy arrived to take Bellatrix away and Andromeda arrived to help Hermione.

"We're doing five or seven plaits?" Andromeda asked moving a little to catch the other side of Hermione's hair.

"Seven." Hermione said looking up at the mirror to see Andromeda's handy work so far.

"Lucky. It's going to be a clear night, perfect for Beltane." She remarked finishing the fifth plait.

Hermione took a sip of water; people would begin to arrive at sunset. She was shy and not sure of what to do with herself without Bellatrix by her side. Tonks was going to serve as her handmaiden so that put her mind at ease. Andromeda was to be Bella's. Her gown matched the same green colour as Hermione's though it lacked the white embroidery pattern down the front that denoted Hermione as the maiden.

Andromeda finished the plaits and began to add little flowers into them. When she finished Hermione stood and looked in the mirror. She was a vision of a Beltane maiden, her outfit a moving version of spring. Delicate white flowers had been embroidered along the front of the dress and ending at the hem. A vine of gold moved up the sleeves and ended underneath Hermione's hair.

"Oh my darling girl." Andromeda whispered pressing a kiss to Hermione's lips. "You're so beautiful." Hermione stared at herself, she'd never felt more beautiful than she did in this moment.

Andromeda led Hermione down to the beach at sunset, the guests had arrived and were seated, Ginny had declined the invitation but Harry had arrived along with many former Hogwarts students and teachers. Hermione saw Bellatrix standing at the cauldron with Narcissa by her side. The sight of Bellatrix took Hermione's breath away. Bella's black curls trailed down her back, tiny flowers decorated her hair similar to Hermione's. Her robes were as black as midnight, tiny stars decorated the fabric and shone in the light of the candles set up around her. A similar golden vine moved up Bella's sleeves to disappear under her hair. Her hands held the white embroidered tapestry similar to the one Hermione held. Tonks took her position at the cauldron when Andromeda and Hermione approached.

"Blessed be." Tonks said when Hermione joined Bella at the cauldron.

"Blessed be." Intoned the guests before taking their seat.

"We have come together on this most sacred night of Beltane to join together in the bond of the goddess Bellatrix Black and Hermione Granger."

Bellatrix looked at Hermione for a brief moment, her heart ached with the beauty of the woman standing next to her.

"While the bond joins these two women in the most sacred love of our maiden, our mother, our crone we are reminded that love binds us to one and love binds us to all."

"We are one. We are all." Intoned the guests.

"The sacred bond of the goddess requires the blood tribute of a maiden."

Hermione stepped forward, "I am the maiden of the goddess." Hermione recited holding out her hand to Andromeda. Andromeda pierced Hermione's finger with a silver dagger allowing three drops to fall into the cauldron. Red flames rose from the cauldron and rose into the night sky.

"May the blood tribute to the goddess grant you a long life of honour."

Hermione stepped back beside Bellatrix, their eyes met and Hermione melted slightly at how beautiful Bellatrix looked. The delicate flowers held tiny diamonds at the centre that caught the light every time Bellatrix moved.

"The sacred bond of the goddess requires the physical offering of a mother."

Bellatrix stepped forward, " I am a mother for the goddess." Narcissa took silver scissors and cut a piece of Bella's hair to put into the cauldron. As it burned, purple flames rose from the cauldron into the night sky.

"May the physical tribute to the goddess grant you a sacred bloodline."

Bellatrix stepped back, she longed to take Hermione in her arms, her soul was aching to touch her.

The sacred bond of the goddess requires the tribute of nature from the crones."

Birch-Lock stepped forward and handed Hermione and Bellatrix a flowering hawthorn branch.

The two women went together to the cauldron and dropped in the hawthorn branch. "We are the crones of the goddess." They said together as green flames rose into the night sky.

Birch-Lock returned to his seat, his fingers entwining with his wife.

"May the tribute of nature grant you wisdom in all matters."

Tonks stirred the cauldron seven times, the potion in the cauldron turned clear. Narcissa handed Hermione a silver goblet while Andromeda handed Bellatrix one made of gold. Bella and Hermione approached the cauldron and dipped their goblets in, the liquid in Hermione's turned gold while Bella's turned silver. They placed the goblets onto the stand behind them and held out their hands. Andromeda took Hermoine's tapestry and folded it over seven times. Narcissa took Bella's and did the same.

"As you are bound in the goddess you are bound in love. Love binds us to one. Love binds us to all." Tonks said as she wrapped the two clothes together and dipped them into the cauldron.

"We are one. We are all." Intoned the guests again.

When Tonks removed the two clothes from the cauldron they had fused into one cloth that had turned from pure white into gold. Bella and Hermione entwined their fingers as Tonks wrapped the cloth over their hands seven times.

"The maiden, the mother, the crone." She interned as she picked up the silver dagger again and pricked Bella's finger and held it over Hermione's goblet letting three drops of blood fall into it.

"The maiden, the mother, the crone." She interned to Hermione as she pricked her finger letting three drops fall into Bella's goblet.

Together the two women lifted their goblets to the moon. "We are one. We are all." Hermione looked in Bella's eyes, "Love binds me to you. Love binds me to all." With those words she drank from her goblet. Bella smiled and looked at Hermione, "Love binds me to you. Love binds me to all." As Bella took her sip the cloth that had their left hands bound together began to glow, Tonks moved her hand away from cloth as it began to melt into Hermione and Bella's skin. As it melted a vine of gold moved its way up their arms, it glowed against their skin and disappeared, the cloth was gone. The mark that had been left resembled a tattoo that matched perfectly in the moonlight.

"May the goddess bless you in love and light." Tonks said when the tattoo stopped glowing.

"Blessed be in love and light." Intoned the guests for the last time.

Bellatrix leaned forward and kissed Hermione deeply, the glow from the tattoo still warmed their arm. The guests cheered and the band started playing music. Tonks and Andromeda hugged Hermione while Narcissa kissed and hugged Bellatrix. The guests began to move in and hug and kiss the bonded women. Many of them looking at the tattoo that graced their arms. It was in that moment that Hermione saw Birch-Locks tattoo that matched his wife's. It showed on Beltane in the light of the moon, every year. Each tattoo was different for each couple but identical to their partners.

"Now the fun starts." Bellatrix whispered in Hermione's ear. "Almost time for the hunt." Bella grinned, kissed Hermione again and headed off to change her clothes.

"Come." Tonks whispered, "You're not in the hunt, you're the maiden."

Hermione's heart pounded. Beltane Night had begun.

The drums pounded into the night as the bonfires along the beach were lit. Hermione laughed and talked with her friends from school, they wall wanted to see Hermione's tattoo. The food and whiskey flowed, couple began to dance around the fires to the constant drumming. The hunt would begin at an hour to midnight, it wasn't a real hunt, it was ceremonial, the leader of the hunt was given the virgin while everyone else paired off with a variety of lovers.

"I always wanted a Beltane Night." Cho said leaning back in a chair sipping on her fire whiskey.

"Why don't you have one?" Hermione asked as she drank her butterbeer.

"I'm not a maiden am I." Cho said laughing, the fire whiskey taking effect. "I might have to indulge in Beltane festivities, maiden or not." Hermione laughed along with Cho. The night worn on, Tonks stayed with Hermione protecting her from would be suitors on the night of her Beltane. It was fun, the boys played their part in trying to woo Hermione away from her betrothed, Tonks proved an adequate handmaiden to 'protect' Hermione until the trumpet blasts to begin the hunt. On the other side, Narcissa and Andromeda were charged with keeping Bellatrix away from Hermione until after the hunt. It was a wild good time with Hermione and Bellatrix teasing one another across the bonfire. Shouting jokes and 'I love yous' to one another as the crowd grew more rowdy.

Precisely at an hour to midnight the trumpet sounded, Bellatrix emerged with the other hunters. They all appeared to be fierce warriors of old.

Tonks took Hermione with her to the Beltane Bed to prepare for Bellatrix' return. There was a small alcove for Hermione to bathe and change while Bellatrix was out in the woods competing for the prize. Tonks helped Hermione prepare herself in silence. She let down Hermione's hair, leaving in the plaits and flowers then undressed her. She stored the silk robes in the alcove and gave Hermione a white gown to wear. She dropped perfumed oil on Hermione's wrists and temples and gave her wine to drink. At ten minutes to midnight the trumpet sounded again signalling the hunt was over. Hermione heard the crowds cheering outside and the drumming beginning again. The beat had changed, it had slowed. The 'warriors' had returned and they were enjoying the spoils as they ate and drank some more.

Tonks pressed a kiss to Hermione's lips and let herself out of the alcove. Hermione heard Bellatrix enter the domed room. Her heart hammered in her chest despite the glass of wine. She took a breath and walked into the finished room. It took her breath away. Bellatrix stood in the center of the room, her hair was pulled back, her changed outfit was green and short. The same colour green that Hermione had worn earlier in the evening. She held a pair of stag horns in her hand as she watched Hermione enter the room in her white gown.

The candles were glowing along with the fairy lights. The bed, which Hermione had not seen until now was sitting on the raised area of the hawthorn roots. The vines of jasmine had climbed up the four posters and across the top to form a flowered canopy above the bed. Moonlight beamed through the opening in the top of the trees. Flowers lay thick on the ground and the bed. The perfume of the flowers mixed with Hermine's oils. She stood in the middle of the room waiting for Bellatrix to come to her.

Bella laid the stag horns down on a table and closed the distance between them. Her fingers pulled the ribbons apart across Hermione's breasts. She placed her hand on Hermione's chest and felt her heart. The tattoo from earlier in the evening glowed on both their arms. Bellatrix looked her up and down slowly, her dark eyes drinking in the sight of Hermione standing there. She took Hermione by the hand and led her to the bed.

Her mouth closed over Hermione's as she laid her back into the bed, Hermione moaned into the kiss as they sank into the impossibly soft bed. Bellatrix removed her robes and stood naked over Hermione's gown clad body. Hermione reached her hand out to trail across Bella's stomach ending between her legs. Bella closed her eyes to the touch, she needed to take her time as much as she wanted to ravish Hermione she held herself back.

Bellatrix leaned down and helped Hermione remove the gown, her beautiful perfect body lay bare before her. The golden tattoo went from their arms and over their stomachs a delicate gold vine with leaves and flowers that mirrored one another.

Hermione's eyes focused for a moment on the lights above her, her felt Bella's warm mouth moving across her body, gentle kisses that ended between her legs at her core. Bella moved off her and left the bed. She returned with their goblets from earlier and gave Hermione's hers. The golden liquid had returned as they both sipped it.

"Our love binds us eternal to make us one." Bella said drinking all but the last drops of the liquid.

"Our love binds us eternal to make us one." Hermione repeated doing the same. The remaining liquid was left for her as well.

Bella took the silver dagger from the nightstand, the one that she had used over and over to prick their fingers over the hawthorn trunks. She pressed her lips to Hermoine's fingers and then pricked it. "Your blood is my blood. Your love binds me to you." Bella's tongue flicked out to catch Hermione's blood on her tongue. Hermione repeated the gesture catching Bella's blood saying, "Your blood gives new live. Your love binds me to you." Their kiss sealed the final spell.

Bella laid the dagger to the side, Hermione saw the silver light against the entrance, the entire dome glowed silver as the moon reached the highest point above them. The candles and fairy lights faded until just their bodies were illuminated by the glow of the moonlight. They laughed hearing the cheers outside, their Beltane bed was sealed to all but them. No soul besides them would be granted access to the domed room after it was sealed with the moonlight.

Hermione laid back on the bed, Bella's fingers slowly moved over Hermione's body. "I love you." She whispered before kissing Hermione's stomach.

"I love you too."

Bella was a gentle as she could be when she entered Hermione, the gasp echoed for a moment in the room as Bella thrust into her. "I'm here Pet." She whispered as she thrust again. "Look at me." Bella whispered, her lips pressing kisses to Hermoine's neck. She could feel Hermione's nails in her back. She felt Hermione stretch, the blood stained the cloth beneath them. She opened her eyes looking at Bella, tears seeped from the corners of her eyes. Hermoine's mouth opened slightly in pain as Bella thrust again. Hermione's eyes opened even wider and Bella stopped, she lay inside her for a moment barely daring to breath.

"No-no don't stop." Hermione said, her fingers pulling Bella closer. "I'm ok." She said with a smile.

"It hurts Pet. It always hurts the first time." Bella said thrusting slower. Hermione nodded, the pain was less intense now. "Relax." Bella said moving down to kiss Hermione's breast. She felt Hermione's legs relax, "Good girl." Bella rolled Hermione over so she was straddling Bella's hips. "That's better Pet." She said, her hands on Hermione's hips rocking her forward. Hermione's eyes closed against the sensation, a smile played on her lips as Bella rocked her forward again. The drink from the goblet had finally taken effect to relax Hermione into their love making.

They could hear now the crowd outside getting quiet, the drumming continued as though setting the pace for their movements. Hermione felt dizzy as the music pulled her mind away, Bella pushed her down into the bed as her own drink took effect. Her teeth bit into Hermione's neck leaving delicate bruises. Hermione's nails dug into Bella's back as she begged Bella to go deeper into her body.

The act was desperate, the desire to consume one another. They couldn't get close enough, their bond tattoos glowing in the moonlight across their skin as though the vines tied them together and pulled them deeper into each other's souls. Hermione's mouth closed over Bella's, her nails drew blood as she desperately tried to get Bella closer. She could feel the pressure building through them, they couldn't speak and all at once they were nothing and everything. Their bodies seemed to float above the bed, the silver of the moon faded as it passed over their Beltane bed. Their desperate act slowed to kisses, touches, soft moans. Hermione felt Bellatrix fade from her body slowly as they floated back down to the bed.

Bella pressed a kiss to Hermione's sex and wiped the blood away with the cloth. The white cloth that was a combination of their earlier tapestry. She held it up to show Hermione before she carried it to the entrance of the domed room. The silver dagger in her hand to pierce herself once again, Bella's blood mixed with Hermione's on the tapestry. Tonks would be waiting for it; the cloth was to be added to a separate incantation that did not involve either Bellatrix or Hermione.

She returned to the bed with a bowl of warm water and a towel. She silently washed away the rest of the blood from Hermione's body, her lips pressing kisses against the bruised tender flesh. Hermione rose after a few moments and wiped away the blood from the scratches on Bella's back. Together they took the bloodied water to the base of the largest hawthorn and poured it out. The trunk glowed silver and then faded. The candles and fairy lights lit up again and then they spoke.

"Did I hurt you Pet, are you sore?" Bella whispered, her arms wrapped around Hermione in the bed. Their tattoos were fading as the moon sank lower.

Hermione tightened her grip and laid against Bella's chest. "A little. I feel bruised" She said, the warmth of Bella's arms around her felt more amazing than ever before. So many times they had held one another talking like this, but this, this was something else.

"Was it worth all those sweet months of torture?"

Hermione lifted her head and laughed at Bella's words. "Yes."

"Bella?"

"Hmmm?"

"How does it work? The spell I mean, for you."

Bella laughed and kissed Hermione's mouth and stretched, "Remember how Tonks gave you the wine and I gave you the goblet?"

Hermione nodded.

"They were laced to relax you."

"And your one?" Hermione asked taking each of Bella's fingers and kissing them in turn.

Bella smiled, "The opposite, I become the stag, it's an ancient spell. That's why I wanted the goddess bond."

Hermione continued to kiss Bella's fingers, she had read about the goddess bond enabling two women to have children.

"But how does it work, I didn't see anything." Hermione said looking at Bella curiously.

"Some things aren't seen." Bella said as she pulled her fingers away from Hermione's mouth to pull the blankets away.

"Come my Pet, there is still darkness." She kissed her way down Hermione's body, her mouth pressed gently against her lost virginity.