Dark Waters Require Warmth

Chapter 16 - Antarctica

As they became more used to their new place, Bellatrix's health started getting worse. She was still working on her computer to help research groups as much as she could but when she and Hermione would leave the house, she would get winded very quickly. They stopped taking their own car to places and opted for taking an Uber because Bellatrix wasn't in a state for driving; if anything happened, Hermione wanted to be able to tend to her as much as she could without having to be the one driving. Bellatrix was still taking medication every week, prescribed by the doctor they met after her health scare during the research trip. It wasn't helping with the pain in her lungs as much as it did in the beginning, so she knew something wasn't right and that something had to be done.

—

Halloween snuck up on them. It was nearing the end of the year and Hermione still had to figure out how she could pull off planning a trip by December 31st for her and Bellatrix to head down south for a small adventure by the new year. If the dark-haired woman was up to it, that is.

"Hermione fucking Granger you better get your ass over here right now." Bellatrix yelled from their kitchen as she sat on the counter staring down at the floor.

"Yes, my love?" Hermione was holding back her laughter because she knew exactly what Bellatrix was so angrily screaming about.

"Get this fucking fake cockroach off the ground right now and throw it outside where it belongs!"

"Baby," she covered her mouth to hold in a chuckle, "it's a Halloween decoration, they are supposed to be inside. We only have so much space outside to decorate, so Mr. Roach and his friends will be scattered throughout the house." She knelt down and held out her hand acting like she was waiting for the cockroach to crawl into her hand.

"Don't do that or you'll convince me it's real and I'll have endless nightmares."

"Aw alright," Hermione huffed dramatically, picking up the harmless bug and storing it in her pocket to find it a new home. She held out a hand for her girlfriend to help her down from the counter.

"Are you excited for tonight?" The brunette asked. "I have no clue what you are talking about, pet." Hermione sighed sadly and pulled her girlfriend in by her hips to stare into her deep dark irises. "We are going to Cissy's for her annual Halloween party, and possibly handing out candy afterwards." She kissed her girlfriend on her forehead and brought her over to their bedroom to let her lay down a bit. Since she was having a harder time recently remembering plans, and was losing consciousness much more often, Hermione knew the signs and never wanted to risk it. "Will you be okay going to Cissy's tonight?" Bellatrix rested her head on the pillow and wrapped herself in a fuzzy blanket. "I think so, if anything happens we can always stay the night there. Cissy has some real comfortable beds at the manor." Bellatrix chuckled and lifted the blanket, inviting Hermione to come lay next to her.

After a couple minutes of laying in silence, Hermione asked, "Any luck with finding a therapist?" Bellatrix grumbled, acting as if she were sleeping. "Nuh uh, Bella, you're wide awake, come on. Have you found one that sounds promising?"

"I don't know, I'm just afraid they'll tell me they can't do anything for me and that I'm a lost cause." She turned over to face Hermione. The brunette spoke softly, "They are there to try and help you, my love. They are not meant to judge you for your past or present experiences." Hermione waited for a response she knew she wasn't going to get. "How about..." She trailed her fingers up the older woman's cheek. "I help you in finding a therapist and you help me in a little project I'm thinking about." Bellatrix perked up because she knew the only 'projects' Hermione ever talked about had to do with her work field.

"Deal. But can we please enjoy tonight and start back up tomorrow?" Hermione nodded, "Sure. But you better behave tonight, I heard Sage is coming and that something may or may not be happening with them and your mischievous niece..."