Willing change: revised edition

10

The first week of winter break went by rather smoothly. Hermione filled the days by playing chess with Draco, listening to Narcissa's stories of her childhood, and reading when she wasn't with Bellatrix.

She rather enjoyed her time with the dark witch. She could tell she was fighting something in her mind but Bella made her best effort to push those thoughts aside when they were together. Hermione knew she would need to speak with her about them but now wasn't the time.

Hermione walked down the hall and down the stairs. She passed through the empty study, her shoes clicking on the floor as she made her way to the kitchen. There she found the two sisters, examining her cousin's owl, who was perched proudly on Narcissa's shoulder. Hermione smiled.

"He looks much better."

The owl shook his feathers and fluffed out his chest proudly making Narcissa laugh.

" Yes, I'd say he is."
"I suppose i should write Chandra back, she will be grateful for the care you gave her owl."

Bellatrix spoke up, clearing her throat a bit.

"Pet, I want you to tell her that I will be joining you on your summer trip."

Hermione looked at her, shocked. She thought of her cousin's obsession with the deatheaters, more specifically, her. The thought made Hermione's chest tighten. She had just gotten to a good place with Bella and she didn't want to lose her to her older cousin. Hermione started trying to come up with excuses.

"You realize she chooses to live like a muggle?"
"Yes."
"She does everything without magic, unless she's being lazy or she's in battle."
"I'm aware of that."
"She will expect you to do the same, all summer…"
"Hermione, I'm going."

Hermione sighed in defeat. She could already hear Cousins' voice, the awkward flirting and crude, and nasty jokes. She nodded slowly.

"Alright i'll let her know. I know she will be very excited."

Hermione took the owl up to Bella's room and wrote a quick message to her cousin.

'Chandra,

I'm sorry it took so long, your owl took a nasty hit to the head when he arrived. Narcissa, took care of him, he should be fine delivering this.

Bellatrix has invited herself to join us this summer, I'm sure you'd love that. Anyways I am happy you approve of what is going on and I look forward to seeing you.

Hermione'

She held the letter out to the bird and it happily waddled over and plucked it from her fingers. She rubbed the bird's head and opened the window. The bird tilted his head, his big eyes looked to the door as if he wanted to go back to Narcissa. Hermione shook her head and the bird hopped onto the windowsill and took off.

Hermione sighed and closed the window. As she sat back in the chair the door closed and she looked back to see Bellatrix. The dark witch stood with her arms crossed staring at Hermione. Her eyes narrowed as the brunette  just turned the chair to face her.

"Why so many excuses, pet?"
"I don't know…"
"I thought you liked my company?"
"I do."
"It sounded as if you were trying to keep me away."

Hermione groaned and threw her head back. Bellatrix took offense at this action and walked over to her with heavy footsteps.

"Well muddy, what is it then?"
"Its not you. Its Chandra."

Bellatrix, taken a bit by surprise ,stepped back. Hermione straightened up in her chair with annoyance in her eyes and sporting a shade of pink on her cheeks. Bellatrix cackled and almost doubled over.

"I think I get it now."
"Do you!?"
"Yes. Nothing will happen."

Hermione looked at her with a raised brow.

"Bellatrix, you act like a child."

Bellatrix began to laugh again as she placed a hand on the girls face, which Hermione responded to by pressing further into the touch. Bella leant in for a kiss but before their lips touched she smiled.

"Well, you're the jealous one."

Hermione huffed, red faced. She pushed past Bellatrix and stormed out of the room, leaving Bellatrix to laugh to herself.

The next day they sat in the study. Hermione had her nose in a book and Bellatrix sat across from her, looking at her with a small smile.

"You're not still upset are you?"

Hermione glared at her and quickly went back to her book, Bella laughed and took a drink from her drink before a burning sensation took over her body. She lifted her slave and hissed.

"Shit...I'll be back."

With that she disapperated, leaving Hermione alone. Hermione closed her book and went to the garden. She sat on a bench, as she went through her thoughts, the cold nipping at her nose.

She thought of the week and how surprised she was that Bellatrix wasn't at all what she believed she was. Did she really have to keep this from Harry? Surly she would understand. No. There must be a reason Bellatrix was so adamant about him not knowing where she was, after all she did torture the Longbottoms. Hermione sighed as she saw Draco walk up to her.

"I guess they were called, huh Granger?"
"Looks that way. Do you have any idea what for?"
"Not in the slightest. I'm not trusted like that."

Hermione quietly laughed as Draco sat down.

"The meetings aren't usually long. They should be back soon. How is it going with dear aunt Bella?"
"Im uh…comfortable with her."

Draco nodded and yawned. He scratched the back of head before continuing.

"I didn't really think it would work out. But…she seems happy with you."

Hermione turned to Draco and watched him for any sign of sarcasm. She found none.

"Is she really?"
"I mean yeah. Haven't seen her this way, ever. All I can ever remember aunt Bella being is bitter and angry….and a bit bonkers."

Hermione giggled at the last part and smiled. Draco smiled and looked out into the garden.

"Thank you Draco."

This threw him off and he looked back at the brunette.

"For what?"
"I guess I just needed to hear that."

He smiled as Hermione gave him a short hug. The two of them soon returned to the study for a game of chess. The game went on and Draco was winning. Hermione was studying the board planning her next move when the familiar pop of someone apperating made her jump. She looked back to see Bellatrix  smiling at them.

"Fuck. I lost my concentration."

Draco laughed and got up.

"I think that's enough for now. No one should focus that hard on a game of chess."

With a flick of the boys wand the chess set was gone. He waved and left the room and Hermione turned to Bellatrix who had made herself comfortable on the sofa.

"How'd it go?"
"Fine as usual."
"I'm guessing you still can't tell me what's being planned?"
"Correct."

Hermione huffed and sat next to her.

"Then how will I know what to do?"
"You will do what you want to do, pet. Like I said just try to be smart enough to stay out of the fight. If it seems odd, step away."

Hermione smiled and placed a kiss on Bella's cheek making the dark witch smile lightly.

"OK, Bella."

Bellatrix wrapped her arm around the girl's waist. Hermione grabbed her book and opened it. She shifted, leaning against Bella as she read. Bella smiled and closed her eyes as she played with Hermione's hair.