Willing change: revised edition

15

Hermione looked around at the tall trees. She should have taken her advice and just appeared. She would have never met Rod… and it was obvious that she didn't know where she was. She didn't even think she was in Scotland right now. She sighed and sat down on a large stone, rubbing her head as she rested it in her hands. As she tried to soothe herself she felt as if the wind picked up, gently pushing her. She opened her eyes to see there was black smoke running past her on both sides.

When the smoke cleared she groaned. She could feel someone looking at her. She knew it was Bellatrix. Any other Deatheater would have snatched her up. She just didn't want to talk to her.

“Marry me.”

Hermione looked up at her with an unamused look. Only to find Her on one knee, offering her signet ring to her. Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Yeah okay. Have you asked your husband?”
“I'm not his… my brand is gone…”
“Your prophecy says… but you're still legally his.”
“Please, pet. This won't just be good for us. It will help Chandra too…”

Hermione shook her head and went to apparate but at the last second Bella grabbed her arm. When the twirling and screaming stopped Hermione's knees hit the ground hard in the forbidden forest. She felt like her abdomen had been ripped open… way worse than the pull of apparition. She heard a deep hiss come from behind her. She looked back to see Bellatrix, blood dripping from around her corset. Hermione's eyes went wide and she went over to her.

“You got splinched?”

Bellatrix nodded as she sat down, trying to quickly get out of her corset. She tore the leather layer off and there were gashes in it and her dress. Hermione winced as she grabbed her own stomach.  The dark witch fumbled with her side pouch and produced a vile. She handed it to Hermione.

“You do it. It's essence of dittany.”

She leaned back on her arms and Hermione took the dropper out of the vile. She knelt down by Bella and almost gagged when she saw the burnt, bleeding indentions in her flesh. Hermione began letting drops of the dittany hit the gashes and she wanted to vomit when she felt the searing pain of the healer herself. A few moments later they were no longer bleeding and continued to slowly heal.

Hermione went to get up and Bellatrix grabbed her arm. Hermione groaned and looked at the relentless Slytherin.
She looked back at her with dead eyes.

“Look. Not many people know that there are ways to break an unbreakable vow. It is kept that way by the ministry for control. And because the two ways to do it can be considered entrapment themselves.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, making Bellatrix scowl. Hermione couldn't care less right now.

“What is it Bellatrix?”

Bellatrix looked down, not wanting to look her in the eyes.

“Marry me… or have my child… it will make sure that Chandra is free. From at least me. Believe me she may be your cousin but she treats you like I treat Narcissa… she won't stop trying to protect you. You're the closest thing she has to a sister.”

Hermione thought for a moment. She had proven herself to be unchanged. But she was offering up what she saw to be her freedom to right a wrong. But anything had to be better than being married to Rodaulphus. But she was still legally married to him and Hermione was under aged. The Gryffindor sighed.

“I'll do both.”
“Both?”

Bellatix looked at her, confusion embedded in her face. Hermione shrugged.

“Like I said. You're still his. And I have never heard of a divorce in the wizarding world. And you're too afraid of him to kill him. I will take it just Incase you ever grow a pair and do something about him… or someone else does. But in the meantime… I guess I'll be the typical muggle pregnant high schooler. To get Chandra out of all of this.”

Bellatrix's gaze fell. She had fucked up with her and her being mentally fucked up has trapped her in more than one way. She nearly jumped when Hermione poked her shoulder. She looked over to see Hermione's left hand being held out to her. Bellatrix quickly ripped the ring off of her hand and slid it on her ring finger. Hermione winced and Bellatrix smiled.

Even though it was being done for Chandra at the moment Bellatrix was still happy. After the burning stopped Hermione gave her the ring back. She looked at the still tender brand on her finger and gave a light smile, making Bellatrix feel a bit better. Until the taller woman looked at her with a completely straight expression.

“Lucky for us Chandra has plenty of research into magical reproduction. She wants children but likes women… she always said if she is a witch why should she adopt.”

Bellatrix stayed quiet. She knew there were rituals and spells but not many people did them. Hermione gave her an impatient look.

“Let's go, Bellatrix. I want this done as fast as possible.”