Hey everyone! Here's the update! I apologize for the delay. I was super sick over Christmas and couldn't bring myself to write. I started my new job today and it's going to be a busy one so I don't think I will have an update for you all this weekend but possibly the next. We will have to see how it goes. Thank you all for sticking with this story and enjoying it as much as you have!

Also stay tuned for the release of my third novel. Should be soon!

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked her roommate.

Bellatrix was seated on the couch with Crookshanks perched on her lap, petting him slowly. Her eyes were trained on his fur as if they held the answers to the universe. Each stroke was methodical and Crookshanks purred happily and snuggled further into her lap.

"Hmm?" Bellatrix hummed, eyes snapping up to Hermione's.

"You've been distracted the past few days. Ever since you got back from Narcissa's actually..." she trailed off, examining Bellatrix. "Are you still thinking about the memories?"

The raven-haired Slytherin nodded and shrugged. "Just is...strange to see myself in such a way."

"Does it scare you?" Hermione inquired as she rounded the couch and sat down next to Bellatrix.

"I think that the fact that I am not that...and am actively trying to make sure that doesn't come to pass is helpful..."

Hermione reached out and cupped Bella's chin to tilt her head up and meet her eyes.

"It's okay if it scares you though. Like you said, you're actively trying to make sure it doesn't come to pass."

Bella gave a small nod. The weight of her head fully rested in Hermione's hand. They grew quiet, and Bellatrix felt the butterflies churn pleasantly in her stomach. This time was different though. She was nervous and excited, of course, but it didn't carry the same anxious energy as before. Now, she felt calm and safe around the brunette. She allowed herself the few moments of comfort that was given to her before she pulled away.

"You're going to go home for the holidays, yes?" Bella asked softly.

Hermione offered her a bright smile. "Yes, I am, thanks to you."

Bella found herself returning the smile. "Do you have your dress for the Yule Ball yet?"

Hermione blanched.

"You completely forgot," Bellatrix said pointedly with an amused smirk.

"I completely forgot!" Hermione groaned. "Everything has been insane lately and I completely forgot about the damned ball."

Bellatrix chuckled. "It's funny that you forgot, considering Ginny was just speaking of it the other day and how it'd be fun for all of us as a group."

"Thankfully I do have my dress already." Hermione groaned again and rubbed her face.

She vaguely remembered Ginny talking about it at dinner a few nights ago. Everything had been crazy as of late. Bella was revisiting memories and they had the whole day trip for Neville, not to mention the homework and studying as the term was ending. It had slipped her mind. Thankfully, she did have her dress already, having procured it earlier in the year—as the ever prepared person she was.

Bellatrix grew quiet for a moment, and resumed her petting of Crookshanks. Then without looking up asked, "Are you going with anyone?"

Hermione froze at that. She had completely forgotten about the ball, so why would Bellatrix be asking if she was going with anyone...unless she wanted to go with her...

A pleasant sensation settled in her chest and she forgot how to breathe for a moment. Her thoughts were racing and she was picturing Bellatrix and her on a dance floor with the raven-haired witch's hand on the small of her back.

She realized suddenly that she was taking too long to respond and replied breathlessly, "No. Why do you ask?"

Bellatrix fidgeted with Crookshanks tail before releasing a long breath and muttering as she exhaled.

Hermione's brow furrowed. "What did you say?"

Chocolate orbs made eye contact. "Would you like to go with me?"

Warmth surged through Hermione's body and she felt her mouth widen into a grin. "I would love to."

"Fantastic," Bellatrix replied, as calmly as possible. Little did Hermione know, but she was a mess of nerves and emotions. She had never been so nervous asking something before in her life. She had slept her way through a fair amount of girls in her time at Hogwarts and she had never been nervous about that.

She quickly realized just how different what she wanted with Hermione was from her past experiences. Of course she wanted to sleep with the brunette...but she also wanted more. She wanted to kiss her and hold her after a long day, bring her dinner when she was too engrossed in her books to go, be there to soothe the bad dreams and wake up next to her in the morning...

"Do you have your dress already?" Hermione asked casually, trying to not sound like a bomb just went off in her chest.

Bellatrix groaned as she was brought out of her thoughts. "I don't, which means I will be seeking Andy or Cissy's help."

"Oh pleaseeee let me come along with you to see that!" Hermione begged, her bright laugh resounding through the room.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Absolutely not. It is bad enough that I'll have one of them...or both...hovering over me."

Hermione shrugged and laughed again before helping Bellatrix up from the couch. "You can figure out the logistics later. We have an end of term test to get to."

Bellatrix grumbled but grabbed her bag and shucked her cloak over her body. She cast one last glance at Crookshanks, who was eyeing her sadly. She closed and opened her hand quickly, in a little 'goodbye' motion before following Hermione out into the stone hallway.

They had Andromeda's end of term test first. She wasn't worried about it though. She and Hermione had studied for it, not that either of them really need to. However, Hermione was insistent. Bellatrix didn't have the heart to tell her that she never studied for a term test in her life. She remembered everything.

The memories of her pre and post-Azkaban self came to the forefront of her mind as they walked. She could see the differences in her demeanor, and fully understood why she was so much more frightening after Azkaban. She noted to herself that her pre-Azkaban habits were dark and dangerous but carried a lilt of sensuality that she would hope aspired fear and sexual arousal. Post-Azkaban though...she still had a hint of sensuality, but there was more than that. She was feral, dangerous, primal, poised...batshit.

No wonder everyone was so terrified of me when I came to this time.

They arrived in Andromeda's classroom and took their seats. Once everyone was present she came around and handed out parchment and told them to begin.

Bellatrix finished first, and Hermione second—for which she got a narrowed gaze directed at her for beating her to the finish line.

Bellatrix snickered under her breath as they stayed seated and waited for the rest of the class to finish.

"Thank you all for a wonderful term! I will see you all again when term resumes. Have a lovely holiday if you won't be attending the Yule ball on Friday eve!" Andromeda waved at the students with a bright smile.

Bellatrix approached and gave Hermione a nod to go on without her.

"I asked Hermione to the ball," Bellatrix found herself blurting out.

Andromeda's eyes widened, and then a beaming smile split her face.

Bellatrix grumbled, "Don't seem so enthused."

"Bella, that's fantastic! Good for you," Andy said sincerely.

Bellatrix shrugged like it was nothing before she cleared her throat. "I need a dress."

"Hmm," Andromeda hummed. "You may want to consult Cissy on that. I'm happy to go with you to make sure she doesn't put you in anything utterly ridiculous, though."

Bellatrix guffawed. "That's fair. Cissy has excellent taste from what I've seen, but lord knows what she would stick me in."

"The ball is Friday...you didn't think to procure a dress before that?"

"...No," Bellatrix muttered. "I was a bit busy trying to work up the courage to ask Hermione to go with me!" she sneered.

Andromeda held her hands up in peace. "That's fair. I commend you on that and I understand. You should send a message off to Cissy as soon as possible though so she can prep. You know how she is."

Bellatrix gave a heavy sigh before pulling out her wand and summoning her patronus. The silvery panther appeared and looked at Bellatrix expectantly, before peering past her and making eye contact with Andromeda.

"I forgot how beautiful your patronus was," Andromeda breathed with a soft smile.

Bellatrix smiled tightly before looking at the conjured panther. She rattled off what she needed to say and sent it on its way. The raven-haired witch turned and eyed her sister a moment.

"I was at Cissy's for supper the other evening and we went through a few memories..." she trailed off.

Andy's eyes widened, as did her mouth before she closed it with a pop. "Are you well?"

Bellatrix sighed. "It is...hard to see myself like that. I feel as though I am looking at two separate people. I don't know either of them. There is a fanaticism in both of them that I don't understand. It seems like such a foreign concept to me. Although, I enjoy the way my pre-Azkaban self moves and carries herself...but I also admire the freedom my post-Azkaban self exudes. She has no conscience and there is a simplicity in that..."

Andromeda stayed silent while Bella spoke. She allowed the words to wash over her and hear what he sister was saying. She understood that Bella had felt very caged through her entire life—expected to follow their father's doctrine and be the pureblooded heir that he needed her to be, all while suffering at his hands. Voldemort saved her from that life...and then she went to prison for him for fourteen years—another cage. She was still bound to Voldemort when she was freed, but her position among his ranks was already solidified and he gave her so much free reign. It must have been the closest thing to freedom she had ever tasted.

"I can understand that. You have freedom now though, to choose. We can only hope you choose in favor of not joining Voldemort...but the choice is entirely yours, Bella."

Bellatrix held her gaze for a few moments before finally looking away and nodding, grateful for the recognition.

"I should be off, I have another final test," Bellatrix said with a sigh and turned to leave.

"I'm proud of you."

Bellatrix froze, her head whipping around to look at Andromeda with shock.

Andromeda nodded as if to say, 'you heard me.'

Bella swallowed thickly and nodded in return, grateful for the praise, and then turned on her heel and headed for the exit.

"Honestly, Bella, would you stop fidgeting," Narcissa growled out in frustration.

Bellatrix huffed and stopped her struggle.

They were in Malfoy Manor. They just needed to see how various materials looked on her so that they could alter the dress...or at least that's what Bella thought.

Narcissa had other ideas, though. She wanted to see what materials looked good against her skin...also take her measurements and see how certain designs would feel for Bella. All of which required the raven-haired witch to stay still.

"I'm having Minny sew your dress from scratch, so if you would be so kind as to allow me to do what I need, you will make her job all the easier."

That forced her to still. She didn't want to make the house elf's job anymore difficult, and she knew Hermione would be completely disappointed in her if she did—and all because she couldn't stand still long enough for Narcissa to do what she needed to.

She remained patient while Narcissa worked...and she would be the first to admit that it was a challenge to stay still while Narcissa flitted about. It seemed like hours had passed by the time she had finished and gotten everything she needed.

The moment she was told that she was permitted to move, she leapt from the pedestal and shook her limbs dramatically.

Narcissa merely rolled her eyes and passed off everything to Minny. "Your dress will be ready by Friday morning. I'll have Minny drop it off in your room for you."

"Thank you, Cissy," Bellatrix said sincerely.

"How are you holding up?" Narcissa asked. She was aware that seeing the memories was taking a toll on her eldest sister.

Bellatrix rolled her shoulders. "I am coming to terms with them."

Narcissa hummed, but said nothing further.

"I'd like to see another."

Narcissa whipped her head to look at her sister, shock written on her face. "Are you sure you want to do that again, so soon?"

Bellatrix nodded. "I want to see more."

Narcissa swallowed but conceded to Bella's request. She led her from the room and toward the library. When they reached the pensieve, Narcissa opened the cabinets that held her memories of Bella.

"What would you like to see?"

"Something with Voldemort in it," Bellatrix answered. Her gaze on the pensieve was unwavering. "I've yet to see this Dark Lord."

Narcissa pursed her lips. She plucked a vial from the shelf and uncorked the top. The silver stream poured into the pensieve and she sat the vial back on the shelf.

Then they plunged in.

"Hermione!" Ron called, spotting the brunette heading down the hallway toward the professor wing.

She stopped and turned to face him, a small smile on her face. "Hello, Ron."

"You coming to lunch?" he asked as they walked a little.

"Yeah, I just need to drop off my books. How did your finals go?" she asked as they approached her room. She opened the door and stepped inside, depositing her books on the counter.

"Well enough I think...at least I hope," he replied with a sheepish grin. "Hopefully I did well enough without you being up my arse about studying."

Hermione snickered and rolled her eyes.

"So...this is where you and Bellatrix live," Ron commented, eyes sweeping over the room. "How's living with her?"

"It's good. She's surprisingly tidy," Hermione replied honestly.

"Good, good," Ron said with a fidget.

Hermione led them from the room and shut the door behind her. She noticed he seemed rather nervous all of a sudden.

"What's wrong with you? You're...all fidgety," she asked, gesturing to his body.

"Um," he started, rubbing the back of his head in a nervous fashion, "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the Yule ball...with me?"

Hermione blanched.

"I know that things hit a stopping point with our disagreements over Bellatrix and the war ending and everything...and whenever she goes back if she chooses different...everything with us will be different. I don't want to have any regrets," he finished his speech with a firm nod.

"Oh." Hermione didn't know what else to say.

"Oh?" Ron asked nervously. "Do you not want to go to the Yule ball with me?"

"Oh...Ron..." Hermione started. "It's sweet of you to ask me...but I'm already going with someone."

Ron's brow furrowed. "With who?"

"Bella," Hermione answered with a small smile.

"Well yeah but that's as friends," Ron commented with a chuckle. "I'm asking you to go as my date."

Hermione shook her head. "Ron, I'm going with Bella as her date."

Ron's face paled instantly. "Y-you're going as her...date? Like...you're going to snog her?"

Hermione's face reddened in embarrassment and anger. "Just because I am going as her date doesn't mean that she instantly gets to snog me, Ronald."

"I just don't understand why you would agree to go as her date! She's probably trying to get in your pants. She's mad after all!"

"Are you implying that someone needs to be mad to want to get into my pants?" she hissed. "I'm going with Bella because I like her, Ronald. And I believe she likes me too since she asked me to the ball with her."

"But she's a girl, Hermione!" Ron defended.

"So what!" Hermione was exasperated. "So what if she's a girl! I like her and want to go with her and I am. If you don't like it, Ronald, that is your problem!"

"But Hermione, we were so close to actually being together. You don't want that at all? I've been better around Bellatrix and I think she's rather cool, even though I'm still skeptical." Ron began pacing. "Can you honestly tell me you don't want to even see with me?"

Hermione sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I don't want anything with you other than friendship, Ron. I...I want to see where things go with Bellatrix."

Ron's gaze hardened. "I'll tell you where things will go. They'll go to shit. She isn't from this time, 'mione. She's going to have to go back, and when she does things may be different and you'll probably never even meet...and if things don't change, she will still be dead."

Then he sulked off, leaving Hermione in the hall all alone with tears running down her cheeks.

Bellatrix took in her surroundings, unsurprised when she noticed they were in Malfoy Manor once again. She glanced at Narcissa, waiting for her to begin leading the way. The manor was considerably darker than ever before, and a cold feeling of danger surged through her body.

Narcissa led her into the dining room and her eyes widened at the twenty or so members dressed in black that sat at the ebony table. Her eyes fell on the seat at the head of the table, the only seat that was empty, and glanced to her right.

Her post-Azkaban self, sat in the first chair to the right side, a bored and cagey expression on her face. She could see that behind the bored facade, her eyes were drinking in everyone else with skepticism.

They were all chattering amongst themselves. She gathered that this was the first time they had met like this since Voldemort had fallen. They were convening to discuss how best to hit the Ministry of Magic and obtain the prophecy.

Bellatrix understood only a portion of that, from what Hermione had mentioned and what she could piece together from other memories. She was drawn from her thoughts then when the room grew dead silent.

She turned to the entrance of the dining room to see—and she faltered. The man entering the room in a dark green clock was...not a man at all. His nose had slits like a snake, and his eyes and brow no longer looked human. He looked reptilian...and then she noticed the large snake trailing at his feet.

She stepped back out of habit as he passed by and took his seat, the snake coiling up the back of the chair to peer over his shoulder.

"Friends," Voldemort greeted, his disgusting teeth showing beneath thin lips. "It has been...so long, since we convened."

Bellatrix sat straighter in her chair, chin tilted up in superiority.

"Or perhaps I should not call you all friends..." Voldemort trailed off, his eyes flashing menacingly as ice oozed from his words. "Only four of you came looking for me...and those four should be honored."

His gaze fell on Rodolphus and Rebastan Lestrange, seated midway down the table on the opposite side of Bellatrix.

"Rodolphus and Rebastan. You two went to Azkaban with me, along with Barty Crouch Jr. However, Jr. was successful in tricking the guards and was a crucial part of my return and he is commended for that. You two, you have my deepest thanks and gratitude."

Rodolphus and Rebastan offered grim smiles and nodded their heads in gratitude.

Then Voldemort's chilling gaze fell on Bellatrix.

"My dear, Bellatrix. My most loyal and trusted servant. Your devotion is inspiring," Voldemort told her.

Bellatrix brightened with wide eyes, clearly delighted by the praise and honor.

"It is for this reason that I am tasking you with something...enjoyable."

"I am at your service, my lord," Bellatrix replied, head bowing obediently.

His eyes trailed to some of their other members, and he thrust his wand out, keeping them stationary.

"Crabb, Goyle, Avery, Nott," Voldemort addressed as he held them in stasis. "You were among my top loyal followers...and you came when called but you did not bother to seek me out. Instead you cowered and hid. I said I wanted thirteen years repayment...and I shall have it, but I believe you are all in need of a little lesson." He looked to Bellatrix.

Her eyes brightened considerably as she stood and prowled around the table, a mad and delighted grin on her face as she rounded on them.

"Careful not to destroy too much of them, Bellatrix," Voldemort chided.

Her teeth gnashed as her wand flew out, the curse leaving her lips quietly.

Crabb screamed in agony as Bellatrix twisted her wand and cackled madly, delighting in the sound of torture. She dug deep, rooting through her pain and madness and pushing it bit by bit into Crabb. Then she stopped and clucked her tongue disapprovingly.

"Weaker than I even thought, Crabb, and that's impressive." She looked to Voldemort. "He almost broke."

Voldemort hummed, clearly intrigued by the small discovery of such weak prey in his midst.

Without even looking at Goyle, Bellatrix cursed him next. He lasted longer than Crabb, and she let go when he was almost at the brink.

Avery was next, and he sobbed and begged through most of it until finally silencing just before Bellatrix released her hold on him.

"So much weakness," she sneered with disgust. "Pathetic!" Her body language was feral with anger and frustration dancing in her eyes. "What of you, Nott? Are you as weak as them?"

She didn't wait for an answer as her wand thrust out. Her damaged curls bounced at the movement and she struck Nott with as much madness and pain as she could without sending him into insanity.

He grit his teeth in agony, refusing to make a noise.

"Ah, there it is some fight," Bellatrix said, delighted by the discovery. "My lord it appears that not all of them are so weak."

Voldemort smiled indulgently. "How wonderful."

"Tell me, Nott, will you soil yourself before succumbing?" she asked with a mad cackle as she released another volley of pain, anger, and madness into the curse.

He released a small cry and curled in on himself on the floor.

She could feel him beginning to break and she released him. She nodded, impressed, and then returned to her seat at the right hand of power.

"Should anyone else feel...so inclined to abandon me in this crucial time...I will send our dear Bellatrix here after them. I'm sure none of you would want that...would you?" He asked the room.

The memory ended and Bella found herself and Narcissa standing in the library once again.

She pursed her lips and hummed. "I see I was the torturing squad."

"How could you not be?" Narcissa asked. "You had such a penchant for the cruciatus curse, and Voldemort trained you in the dark arts. You were the perfect soldier, Bella," she finished sadly.

Bellatrix nodded, succumbing to her thoughts. "I should get back to Hogwarts. Thank you for doing the dress measurements, and send my thanks to Minny."

Narcissa nodded in return. "Bella...are you okay?"

Bellatrix's shoulders slumped. "I'm not sure what I am anymore, Cissy."

Bellatrix arrived back at the room, a heavy sigh falling from her lips as she pushed open the door. The sound of muffled crying immediately made her ears perk up as her eyes frantically swept over their common area.

"Hermione?" Bella asked as she moved into the room. She could see Hermione's door was ajar, and she approached carefully. "Hermione?" she repeated as she pushed the door open a little more to look at the brunette.

She was at her side in a minute. She sat down on the bed and pulled the brunette to her, wrapping her up and holding her without a care.

"What happened?" Bellatrix asked softly, her hand stroking the mused curls.

Hermione sniffled and buried her face into Bella's robes. "Ron."

Bellatrix stiffened. "What did he do?"

Hermione glanced up and then carefully pushed herself up so she could look Bella in the eyes. "He said some awful things to me."

"I'll turn him into a rat," Bellatrix said definitively.

Hermione chuckled and wiped her tears. "I don't want you to get into trouble."

"What did he say to you?" the raven-haired witch asked, dark orbs searching hazel.

Hermione swallowed. "He asked me to go to the Yule Ball with him and I told him no, and I'm going with you...and then he said that you and I were just going as friends and he wanted me to be his date...and I explained that we aren't going as friends..."

Hermione trailed off to see if Bellatrix would correct her at all. Instead, the dark-haired witch was waiting for Hermione to continue.

"And he got mad, especially when I said I didn't want anything more than friendship with him because I wanted to see where things with you would go..." she trailed off again, aware that she was confessing everything. "And he got all shitty because you're a girl and that you were only going with me to get in my pants and that nothing would come of us because when you go back...if things change we may never see each other again and if they don't change you'll still be dead." Hermione sniffled and cast her eyes down to her hands, too afraid to see the expression on Bella's face.

Bellatrix was furious. She wanted to find that redheaded weasle and crucio him into the next century. She forced herself to let the anger go...for the time being. Hermione was her priority right now.

Bella reached out and touched Hermione's cheek to get her attention. Once the brunette met her gaze she said, "Ron is an idiot. No I am not going with you to get in your pants...as for the change...I don't know what will happen to your timeline once I go back...but know that me wanting to see with you is not taken lightly. I'm the one that will have to go the rest of my life knowing you exist, whatever the outcome."

Hermione's eyes were searching and full of tentative hope. What Bellatrix had said was perfect, and she felt the same way as Hermione did. Warmth bloomed in her chest and her eyes fell down on plump lips. Her mouth suddenly went dry as her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

They sat side by side, neither moving just simply staring into each other's eyes. Time seemed to slow when their eyes would meet, and a feeling of nervous excitement would settle in her stomach. Hermione's eyes glanced down to her lips, and she subconsciously licked her own. Her heart was pounding against her rib cage, forcing a nervous breath from her lungs, and urging her to go in for the thing she wanted so desperately. Finally, Hermione leaned in, determined to finally kiss the lips she wanted to so desperately. She stopped short, leaving a breath between them so that Bella could pull away if she wanted.

Belaltrix could feel the soft puffs from Hermione's breath hit her face. Their noses were lightly touching as Bellatrix gazed at her from beneath hooded eyes. She noticed that the hazel orbs before her had darkened considerably, and it sent a shiver of want up her spine.

"Bella," Hermione breathed out. Her tone was filled with a plea that Bellatrix could no longer deny.

So she leaned in, finally connecting their lips. Her hand came up to cup the side of her face first before long fingers slid to grasp a hold of brown hair, holding the other witch in place.

A soft moan resounded in Hermione's throat. She wrapped her arms around Bellatrix and slid her hands up her back and into thick black curls, sighing in relief at feeling their softness against her fingers.

Bellatrix pressed herself closer, wanting to feel everything she could. A moan left her lips when she felt Hermione's tongue run against her bottom lip, seeking entrance, which Bellatrix granted instantly. She loved the way Hermione tasted of cinnamon and vanilla. She backed off, just so, smirking against Hermione's lips when they chased her—unwilling to allow any separation.

Bellatrix groaned and carefully raised her arm to place it on the other side of Hermione—pushing her back into the bed and hovering over her as she pressed herself against the other witch in an attempt to get as close as possible.

A moan rumbled in Hermione's chest and her fingers instinctively tensed in Bellatrix's hair, scratching her scalp and lightly tugging. The noise that she pulled from her made Hermione's head spin, and she was determined to bring out every noise that she could from the raven-haired beauty.

They finally slowed, needing to dampen the intensity of the heat that they had created. Bellatrix kissed Hermione soft and slow, relishing in the languid kisses that followed until they finally stopped and rested their foreheads against each other.

Bellatrix had her eyes shut, unwilling to open them out of fear. She had finally kissed her, and it was everything she hoped it would be. But her insecurity clawed up her neck like a forgotten and starved creature. She tensed above Hermione, unable to push the unwanted feeling away.

Hermione felt the tension seep into Bellatrix's muscles. She ran her hands up her clothed sides and then back down, attempting to ease the tightness.

"What are you scared about?" Hermione whispered. Her eyes were open and waiting for Bellatrix to meet her gaze.

A scowl graced her face and Hermione giggled. "I'm not...scared."

Hermione sighed and cupped her cheek. "I'm a little scared too."

Bellatrix chewed on her bottom lip. A sigh ghosted the air. "I'm terrified of wanting this. I feel as though I don't deserve it."

"Why?" Hermione asked. Her hand slid up to cup a pale cheek and she lightly stroked it with her thumb.

"I hurt you...my future-self, hurt you." Bellatrix's voice cracked slightly. "Your boggart is that version of me. It may not be who I am fully...but that person exists in me. She's everything I never wanted to become..." she trailed off, breathing shaky and uneven. "I became my father," she finished in a whisper.

Hermione pressed her forehead tighter to Bella's. "I don't believe you will ever become her, Bella. Not after all of this. I think we will need to watch my memory soon, so that we can move past it. But you don't scare me, Bella. I know you won't hurt me," Hermione admitted. She trailed her lips across soft eyelids, placing the lightest kisses there before moving down over a nose, and finally pressing them to Bella's soft lips.

Bellatrix opened her eyes to meet darkened hazel. "Hi."

"Hi."

Then a wry smile graced Bellatrix's lips. "We kissed."

"About time," Hermione fired back with a bright smile.

"About time? You could have kissed me you know," Bellatrix teased.

"Ginny has been hounding me to just kiss you already."

Bellatrix's eyebrows rose. "Ah, so that whole bit about her talking to you about her and Potter snogging was a lie then?"

Hermione shot her a sheepish grin. "Yes."

"So I really was jealous for no reason," Bellatrix mused.

"Also yes."

Hermione's face fell then. "Bella," she began hesitantly, "once this year is—"

Bellatrix's furrowed as she regarded the brunette. "Don't. Not yet." She cupped Hermione's cheek. "We will figure it out. But for now, let's just be."

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the update! Don't forget to drop a review! I love the reviews!