My Professor

Chapter 17

Bellatrix sat at her desk, she'd been in a relatively good mood all morning, and it just might have something to do with a certain Gryffindor. Bellatrix couldn't quite explain it but she was happy, for the first time in years she was happy. Her plan had backfired terribly and yet, Bellatrix didn't seem to mind.
A knock to the door caught her attention.
"Come in." Bellatrix calls, the door opens and in enters the devil herself.
"I'm here with the homework." Hermione smiles, Bellatrix frowns.
"I didn't, I didn't give you any homework."
"Whoops, silly me. Though is there anything I can do? I did just walk all the way here." The girl smiles walking towards the woman.
Bellatrix arches her brow.
"If I'm not mistaken, I do believe you have a free period."
"You're not mistaken." Hermione smiles .
Bellatrix frowns, why was the girl here?
"And you're here why?" No one had ever spent their time with the witch unless they absolutely had to.
Hermione shrugs " Ron and Harry are messing around, trying to get the attention of these two girls, and frankly I considered it a waste of my time, so I wondered if you needed help with anything."

Bellatrix frowns, studying the peculiar girl, what happened to the terrified little girl who'd never have the guts to just show up? Bellatrix leans back in her chair, apparently breaking her was a lot easier than Bellatrix anticipated.
"Well mean as you're here, might as well make yourself useful. I'll have a tea, the kettles in the back. Help yourself to what ever you want."
"Do you want Biscuits?" Hermione smiles knowing full well the woman liked her biscuits.
"What a stupid question, of course I do."
Hermione grins as she ads into the back room.

Bellatrix couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips, not being able to stop herself from glancing at the girl as she walks away.
Bellatrix turns back to her work, strumming her fingers against her desk, there was no point, she couldn't concentrate. Her mind kept going back to the girl. What was she playing at? And just what was she doing to make Bellatrix feel this way?
"Crafty little witch." Bellatrix mutters as she arose from her seat. She quietly entered the room, her eyes staring at the taller girl, who's back was turned.
"I'm going for a run later, care to join me?" Hermione smiles turning around, two mugs in hand.
"Now why would I want to do that?" Bellatrix arches her brow accepting the tea.
"Some fresh air? It's good for you, so's keeping fit."
"Are you calling me fat Granger?"
Hermione froze, shit, that's not what she meant at all.
"No, of course not! You're far from fat, I mean look at you, you have an incredible figure and..." Hermione hated herself at this point, her cheeks turned a bright red as she realises what she'd just blurted out, and deciding it would be a good idea to stop talking now.

Bellatrix arches her brow as she takes a sip of the tea.
"Oh please, by all means don't stop." Bellatrix smirks moving to take a seat. Hermione swallows, this was not how she'd planned this to go.
"Where are the biscuits?"
"Try the jar with biscuits on it."
Hermione swallows of course they'd be there. Her cheeks turn even redder as she turns around, collecting the jar. She walks towards the woman, taking a seat at the furthest edge of the settee.
"Something the matter Granger? Do I smell now too?"
This really wasn't how Hermione planned this to go at all. So far all she managed to do was offended the woman.
"No, I-I just thought-"
The woman was smirking, she was winding the girl up.
"That was rather a cruel trick to play." Hermione narrows her eyes, she didn't offend the woman at all.
"Oh?" The witch grins smugly bringing the mug to her lips.

"So tell me, what other fitness do you do?"
"Well I mostly do running, sometimes I'll throw in some squats or pushups, sometimes I'll do some kettle bells..." the woman interrupted her.
"Kettle bells?"
"Yeah, it's a large cast-iron ball shaped weight with a single handle."
"Right..." Bellatrix still looked very much confused.
"They're generally used for increasing grip strength, or for performing specific movements that are designed to build strength and endurance in the lower back, legs, and shoulders." Hermione smiles.
Bellatrix remained silent reaching for a biscuit.

"I could show you." Hermione smirks, Bellatrix looks at the girl for a moment contemplating the offer.
"I think I'll pass, I'm not one for all that malarkey. Besides imagine the rumours that'll start if you were seen giving an old cow like me lessons on swinging a bell around." Bellatrix scoffs. Hermione didn't like the way the witch referred to herself and before she could think about she was about say, it was to late.
"You're not an old cow!" Hermione snapped, causing the woman to flinch slightly at the sudden snap in her voice. Bellatrix arches her brow. Hermione swallows
"Sorry, I- I didn't mean to snap like that. I just, I didn't like how you were talking about yourself. You're not an old cow, and you shouldn't think like that." Hermione looks at the woman who silently sips her tea. She sighs scooting closer, earning an arched brow from the witch.
"Anyway, I never took you for someone who cares about rumours and what others think." Hermione places her hand on top of the woman's.

Bellatrix looks at the hand on top of hers.
"You have a thing for touching my hand don't you? What's with that?"
Hermione swallows instantly taking her hand away, Bellatrix looks at her.
"I didn't say to move it, I merely asked why you do it."
"Shall I put it back?" Hermione smirks.
Bellatrix shrugs, "whatever, I don't care."
Hermione smirks as the woman avoids to look at the girl. The girl takes hold of Bellatrix's hand, entwining their fingers together.
"My mother used to do it when I was younger, a form of comfort, to remind me she was always there for me." Hermione smiles, Bellatrix turns to look at her.
"I know it's not exactly appropriate or anything, but I'm here for you, if you ever need someone to talk to, or to carry you to your room." Hermione smirked at the last part.
"I will hex you Granger." Bellatrix said, though a slight smile could be seen on her lips.
"And for the record Granger, if you ever need anything...you know where I am." Bellatrix looks at the girl before turning her attention to her tea. A smile formed on the girl's lips as she continued to watch the woman.