Shades of Grey

Valentine's Day

A week had gone by and Bellatrix had still not worked up the courage to speak to Minerva about her relationship with Hermione. Time was running out and she only had three days until Valentine's Day. She had put too much effort into the date to not at least try to get Minerva to allow them to go instead of sneaking Hermione out of the castle. Bellatrix had spent the better part of twenty minutes pacing back and forth outside the headmistress's office. It was time for her weekly supervision so Bella decided there was no better time to discuss the matter at hand.

"Transfiguration," Bellatrix muttered the password and entered the staircase up to the office.

"Bellatrix, you are late." Minerva said looking over her glasses.

"Sorry. I was caught in my own head." Bellatrix said offering a small smile to the older lady sitting down in the chair opposite the headmistress. "I'm here now though so let's get this started."

"Would you like some tea, Bellatrix?" Minerva asked after pouring a cup for herself.

"Yes. Thank you." Bellatrix said reach out and fixing herself a cup. Minerva took note of the way Bellatrix had been worrying her lip between her teeth.

"Is everything okay, dear?" Minerva asked snapping Bellatrix out of her inner thoughts.

Bellatrix let go of her lip and responded, "Yes, fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you were late and something seems to be bothering you. It might be easier just to start talking about it."

"How do you always know when there's something I want to talk about?"

"We've been doing this together for almost three years now, Bella. I like to think I have come to know you pretty well."

"I suppose that's true." Bellatrix said while taking a long sip from her tea.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with you and Ms. Granger's secret relationship and a certain holiday that's on Friday would it?" Minerva said with a coy smile, raising an eyebrow.

Bellatrix coughed on her tea and shot Minerva a disbelieving look. "How did you know?"

"There isn't anything that goes on in this castle that I'm not aware of dear."

"How long have you known?"

"I noticed you two becoming closer since Halloween but didn't start to think anything of it until I saw the way you responded to her at the Yule Ball."

"I don't know how to proceed in this conversation if I'm being honest. I was set to explain our relationship and ask for approval or acceptance but I'm gobsmacked honestly." Bellatrix said putting her tea down then running her hands through her mass of black curls.

"Bellatrix. Hermione is an adult as are you. I have no right to tell you or her what kind of relationship the two of your should have. Her being your student is a little problematic but since she is of age and a professor as well, I think it is something I can overlook. It is clear to me that the two of you are good for each other. Did I think that this would happen when I asked Hermione to come to the castle? No. Am I disappointed that it did? No. I've seen the way the light has gone back into Hermione's eyes and I'm sure it has almost everything to do with her friendship now relationship with you. All I ask if that you two practice discretion around the other students and professors. You know how rumors get started around here. If you can practice discretion and I don't get wind of any of the other students hearing about this then I don't see your relationship as problematic."

"Umm... well. I have it on good faith that at least three people are aware of at least our friendship. I don't know what else they know. But I can be very persuasive and I'm sure I can keep them discrete as well." Bellatrix said fixing Minerva with a solid stare.