𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 | b. black

✧.*┊xxii. illicit affairs

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
illicit affairs

.·:*¨༺ ☾ ༻¨*:·.

"𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀, 𝐖𝐄— 𝐖𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐍'𝐓 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒— 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓— 𝐍𝐎𝐖—" Juniper gasped out between heated kisses. She arched into Bellatrix's touch, her hand tangling in dark, voluminous curls. She moaned softly when Bellatrix's teeth grazed her pulse point, making the older witch smirk against her skin.

"I needed to see you before you returned to that small man Dumbledore," Bellatrix said as she kissed along Juniper's jaw before connecting their lips again.

Juniper pushed on Bellatrix's shoulder, breaking away from the kiss. "I'm not returning to Dumbledore. I'm stationed in Hogsmeade for security."

Bellatrix smirked. "Hogsmeade, eh?" She brushed her lips across Juniper's ear. "How tempting," she whispered before kissing the spot behind it, nipping softly.

"Don't even think about it, Bellatrix. You're a wanted woman. If you're caught there, you'll be back in Azkaban."

"I can't be a wanted woman, I wasn't even a wanted child." Bellatrix bit down harder on Juniper's neck. The younger woman whimpered and tucked her head into the crook of her neck, her hands sliding underneath her hooded cloak to feel the skin of her stomach. "My little one . . . " Bellatrix said softly, soothing the bite with her tongue. "All mine."

Juniper leaned up to kiss Bellatrix's lips. Bellatrix's hand came to rest on her cheek, the pad of her thumb gently caressing the soft skin.

"You did miss me, didn't you, Pip?" Bellatrix asked quietly, resting her forehead against Juniper's when they pulled away.

"More than anything, Trixie," Juniper admitted, twirling a raven curl between her fingers. "But we can't keep doing this. If we got caught— If you got caught . . . If the Dark Lord found out, he—"

"That bald, ugly git can bugger off for all I care."

Juniper blinked in surprise. She opened her mouth, but she was so stunned at the words that just left Bellatrix's mouth that she couldn't get any words to form.

"He wasn't worth losing you for," Bellatrix whispered, pressing her lips softly to Juniper's forehead.

"Then why do you continue to serve him?" Juniper asked, pulling away from Bellatrix's embrace. Her blue eyes shined with unshed tears that she refused to let fall. "You don't have anything to prove anymore. I-I could help clear your name—"

"It's not that easy, Juniper." Bellatrix pulled up her sleeve to show her the Dark Mark. "My future was set in stone the second I took the Mark."

"And how can you be so sure that it wasn't set in stone the moment you met me?" Juniper retorted. "You have a choice here, Bellatrix. Just like you had a choice back then."

"I don't have a choice. Don't you see that? No one just stops being a Death Eater. Not unless you die or are killed by him. It's a lose-lose situation." Bellatrix suddenly clapped a hand over her Mark, wincing slightly in pain. "He's calling me. I've got to go."

Juniper slumped back against the brick wall of the dark alleyway they were in, watching with a soft frown as Bellatrix disapparated. She glanced down at her watch. The Hogwarts Express would be arriving in Hogsmeade any minute now.

Juniper took a deep breath. She smoothed down her clothes and brushed her fingers through her hair to look more put together. She disapparated and arrived in Hogsmeade a moment later. She walked through the dim streets, making her way to the train platform.

Tonks was already waiting there. Her usual purple locks were now a mousy-brown. Just like Dorothea, she hadn't been herself since Sirius's death at the Ministry. But unlike Dorothea, another factor in her glum mood lately had to do with boy troubles.

"Where have you been?" Tonks asked as Juniper walked up beside her. "You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago."

"Lost track of time," Juniper mumbled. She looked up and down the train tracks. "Any sign of the train?"

Tonks pointed when she saw headlights approaching. "Right there."

The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station. Juniper made her way to Hagrid when she spotted his large figure approaching, calling out for the first years. She'd been instructed to help lead them across the lake while Tonks made sure everyone got on the platform safely.

"Firs' years, this way!" Hagrid called. "Firs' years!" He beamed at the Auror when she reached him. "All right, Juniper?"

"All right." Juniper gave a small shrug. She scanned the sea of students in search of Dorothea and her best friends, Neville and Luna. She spotted Neville, but neither of the girls were with him. Tonks must have noticed this, too, because she was already making her way to the train as the last of the kids came out.

"All righ' firs' years, follow me!" Hagrid motioned for them to follow him. Juniper walked behind the group of eleven-year-olds, making sure that they all stayed together and made it safely to the lake, where the enchanted boats would take them across to Hogwarts.

It seemed like only yesterday that was her. She had met Andromeda on the boat ride to the castle their first year, but it wasn't until the next day when they were seated next to each other in Transfiguration that they became friends.

As Juniper looked at the group of new students, she couldn't help but hope that they wouldn't be against making friends outside their own assigned house. Now more than ever, the wizarding world needed unity.

"After you, miss," Hagrid said, holding his hand out to the boat he and Juniper would be sailing across in.

"Thank you, kind sir." Juniper bowed her head, smiling. She stepped into the boat and took a seat, Hagrid following suit.

Once the first years were inside the secure walls of the castle, Juniper made her way to the front gates. Severus was on his way back to the school with Dorothea, Luna, and Harry. He was taking points from their houses for their lateness and Muggle attire. He tensed slightly when he spotted Juniper, who sent him a stern look.

"On second thought . . . " Severus looked begrudgingly at Dorothea. "10 points to Hufflepuff for being dressed properly in your robes." He then glared at Harry and Luna. "Unlike others."

Juniper shook her head with a soft sigh. She stuffed her hands into her pockets, her hand wrapping around her wand as she made her way back to Hogsmeade.