Meeting Draco's Aunt

Tea and biscuits

Hermione carefully helped the woman in to her bed. Trying to focus at the task at hand and not let her mind wander on to other things. Bellatrix hissed slightly as she tried to adjust her position. She'd really done a number on her leg apparently. Hermione couldn't help the pang of guilt crawling it's way up.
"You should elevate that leg. Let me help you get comfortable and then I'll put some pillows down for you to rest your foot on." Hermione left little room for argument, she could already see the woman's wheels turning, about to shut Hermione's advice down so she adjusted the pillows behind Bellatrix before gesturing for her to shuffle back slightly which after a moment she did, with the help of Hermione. Bellatrix didn't object to Hermione when she carefully moved her legs up and on the bed. She flinched ever so slightly when Hermione gently adjusted her bad leg and elevated it on the pillows she had piled at the bottom. Hermione glanced at the woman to make sure she hadn't caused too much pain. She didn't move her hand from the woman's exposed ankle nor did Bellatrix say anything. She just met the girl's gaze waiting for her next move. Her ankle was quite warm beneath Hermione's touch, she'd definitely caused some trauma to it.
"You're ankle is quite warm, and you can see it starting to swell." Hermione pointed out, shifting her eyes to the ankle momentarily before turning her attention back to the woman.
"I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse I'll get Narcissa."
"No. Don't do that. She's a skilful healer but she fusses far too much, sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating." Hermione couldn't help but smile at that, Bellatrix seeming completely oblivious to the fact she does the same. Over the few weeks Hermione's been here she's noticed how Bellatrix not only enjoys attention she also loves fussing over people. Despite popular believe Hermione's also noticed that though she seems distant, cold and intimidating at first, and especially from the outside world. She is quite the opposite, she's easily concerned about the ones she's cares for, and her love language was definitely physical contact. The way she'd link arms, or sit as closely as possible. The way she'd sometimes reach out for contact, the way she loved running her fingers through Apollo's fur or Narcissa's and Hermione's hair. The way she needed reassurance at night by snuggling close. The way when she was afraid she sought out physical contact.

Apollo chittering brought Hermione back to reality. She cleared her throat before averting her eyes to the black eyed bandit who now sat beside his companion. Hermione reluctantly removed her hand and stood up. She could see the slight panic in the woman's eyes.
"Where are you going?"
"To get a glass of milk, for the both of us." Hermione personally could do with something perhaps a bit stronger. This woman was driving her insane. It wasn't her fault of course, she hadn't actually done anything...except turn Hermione's world upside down. She did that without even trying.
"Perhaps a tea whilst you're down there. I find tea always helps in situations like this." Bellatrix adds. Hermione smiled and shook her head.
"Try not to cause anymore damage, I won't be long." Hermione left, closing the door behind herself as quietly as possible. She made her way down the hallway, trying her best to be as silent and as agile as a cat sneaking up on its pray. She held in a hiss as soon as her bare feet hit the hard cold stone floor of the kitchen, suddenly regretting not putting slippers on.

By the time Hermione returned, tray in hand her room was suspiciously quite. When she entered and saw the woman's eyes closed, she understood why it was silent, save for Apollos soft snoring beside her. Had Hermione really been that long? With a sigh she silently closed her door before making her way over to her bedside table where she set the tray down.
"Did you bring biscuits?" Hermione nearly had a heart attack at the soft voice beside her.
"Jesus Bella, I thought you were asleep."
"Just resting my eyes Love." The woman smiles, watching Hermione pour her tea just as she liked it.
Bellatrix carefully shimmied back further until her back was resting against the head board. Hermione without so much as a second thought gently adjusted the pillows beneath the woman's ankle before handing her the tea.
She smirked as she shoved the biscuits in front of the woman before she even had time to ask.
Bellatrix blinked, then smiled as she reached for one.
"Trained you well. Though your bedside manner needs some work." She commented before taking a bite of her biscuit.
"My bed my rules." Hermione took her own tea and made short work of walking to the other side of the bed. She sat down and made herself comfortable all the while trying to not wake up the sleeping racoon between herself and Bellatrix. She took a mouthful of her tea. Many thoughts running through her mind. Funny how her life turned out. Never in a million years would she have thought any of this would happen to her, that'd she'd ever have to leave her parents behind for their own safety, move in with the Malfoy's of all people, not that she could complain, they'd been good to her. Then to find herself attracted to a woman and not just any woman, her best friend's aunt. She never would have thought she'd drink this much tea either, yet here she is. Parentless living in another family's home and falling for someone she had no right falling for.
"Are you alright love?" The soft voice brought the Gryffindor back to reality. Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat before turning and offering her a soft smile. She looked concerned.
"I'm fine. Just thinking." Hermione shrugged, her eyes drifting to the stirring creature. He sat up and stretched his little arms before shuffling to the foot of the bed where he began circling around then collapsed with a sigh.
"He has a hard life." Bellatrix chuckled, shaking her head at her little companion.
"Oh yeah, I've seen how hard he has it. Don't know how he manages." Hermione joined it.
Bellatrix watched her, unconvinced she was fine.
"Hermione." The ravenette called softly, brunette looked at her.
"Come here." She tapped the spot beside her. Hermione arched her brow questioningly but soon found herself complying. Bellatrix sipped the rest of her tea before setting it aside. Hermione did the same, not entirely sure what was going on.
"You're not alone Hermione. We're all here for you, I want you to know and understand that." Bellatrix turned to face the girl, reaching she brushed a strand of stray hair behind her ear.
"I'm here for you. If you want to talk I'm all ears if you want to sit in silence and contemplate life, I'll be your companion." Bellatrix was nothing but sincere and Hermione could feel it, in every word the woman spoke. Bellatrix cupped the girls cheek.
"That look doesn't belong in those pretty eyes of yours." She added. Hermione blinked, trying to contain her tears.
"Don't go down that rabbit hole Hermione. Talk to me." Bellatrix held in a hiss when the girls body collided with her own. Her pained ankle was not important right now. Hermione clung tightly to Bellatrix her head buried in the crook of her neck. Bellatrix soon held the girl tightly, smoothing circles around her back.
"That's it, let it all out. There's a good girl."