Shades of Grey

Children are Sponges

Hermione stumbled as gracefully as she could've out of the fireplace at Malfoy Manor. Her girlfriend was standing there slightly laughing as she came through.

"Ugh. I'll never get used to floo travel." She noticed her girlfriend laughing. "What's so funny?"

Bellatrix approached her girlfriend looking her up and down. "Nothing love. You have some soot on your nose... and forehead..." Bella said brushing her nose and forehead while walking around the young witch. "And some on your lovely little behind." Bella said swatting her girlfriend on the butt.

"Hands Bella!" Hermione squeaked then glared as Bellatrix cackled. "Your sister has seen enough of me and our extracurricular activities to last a lifetime. The last thing I want her to come in here and see is you grabbing my bum."

"Sweetheart. I wasn't grabbing your ass. I was merely dusting you off. If I was meant to be grabbing you ass, it would feel like this," Bella said grabbing a handful of Hermione's ass in her palm making the younger witch squeak out again and jump away.

"Bella, leave Ms. Granger alone..." Narcissa said entering the room. "Hasn't she had enough embarrassment for one night?" Narcissa said winking at the brunette. Hermione was turning a bright shade of red and hid her face in Bella's neck.

"Merlin. It's official. I'm going to die. Cause of death... death by embarrassment at the hands of the Sisters Black." Hermione sighed.

Bella chuckled. "Oh wait until Andy gets in on this. You won't stand a chance." Narcissa cleared her throat. "Ahh yes. I suppose we should get on with why we are here. Where is she Cissy?"

"In the library, come." Narcissa turned and walked out the door. Bella held her hand out which Hermione immediately latched onto while lacing their fingers together. No words were spoken between the pair but Bella heard the unspoken words of encouragement from her girlfriend.

Narcissa lead them down the long white hallway and up the stairs to the second floor. Down another long white hallway, there was a big ornate dark wooden door. She opened the doors and went inside expecting the women to follow. Bella stopped bringing Hermione to a stop with her.
"I don't if I can do this," Bella whispered turning slightly towards Hermione. Sensing the worry pouring out of her lover, Hermione placed a calming hand on Bella's shoulder and squeezed. She leaned into her ear and whispered, "it's going to be fine. I'll be right here with you. I love you, Bella."

Bella exhaled a long, deep breath. "I love you too. Okay let's do this." Bellatrix squeezed Hermione's hand and pulled her along through the doorway. She heard a small gasp come from her girlfriend and looked over to see Hermione's eyes drinking in a vast library of the Malfoy's.

"It's gorgeous." Hermione said quietly to Bellatrix. The older witch just smiled and pulled her along to where her sister's were sitting facing a roaring fire.

Bella and Hermione took loveseat perpendicular to the couch the sister's were occupying. Silence fell over the group. Bellatrix was staring into the fire and Hermione was nervously playing with her hands that were sat on her lap. Bellatrix reached down and placed her hand atop Hermione's to settle the nervous behavior.

Twiggy popped into the room looking nervously at Narcissa before speaking to the ladies on the loveseat. "Would the misses care for some tea, fire whiskey or anything else? Twiggy is happy to get you whatever you wish."

"I'd love a glass of water please," Hermione responded in a soft tone. "What about you Bella?"

"Fire whiskey please, Twiggy." Bellatrix looked over towards her estranged sister. "Better make it a double." Twiggy left and was back within seconds with the two drinks. "Anything else just let Twiggy know."