Work Text:
Bellatrix woke slowly as the sun trickled in from her bedroom window. Damn . She’d forgotten to close the curtains last night. Of course, her forgetfulness was for good reason, as she’d been somewhat distracted by the seductress in her bed.
Hermione Granger, Senior Undersecretary for the Minister for Magic, had joined her for dinner last night. They’d dined at an upscale Muggle restaurant before returning to her manor for the night. It had been over three months since they’d begun properly dating and thus far, their actual dates had all occurred in the muggle world. There were only so many ‘business dinners’ one could pass off as platonic before it became absurd, so they tended to keep to muggle establishments.
Upon returning to her home, Hermione had flashed her a playful wink and apparated away, leaving Bellatrix to find her. Bellatrix could have followed her lead, perhaps she should have apparated to minimize the time out of her presence, but she forced herself to walk up each step to her bedroom, building anticipation.
And my god , had it been worth it. By the time Bellatrix made it up to her bedroom, Hermione was sprawled out on her bed. The little black dress she’d worn to dinner had been removed and all that remained on the woman’s tan skin was a tight, lacy, tantalising black lingerie set. Needless to say, Bellatrix took her time removing the garment with her teeth before nearly devouring the woman whole.
Speaking of which, where was that witch? Bellatrix haphazardly felt behind her and was unsurprised to find an empty bed. She rolled her eyes, but felt no real annoyance at the woman who insisted on rising before the sun to begin each and every workday.
“Mornings are often the only time I have to myself, Bella,” Hermione had explained once their sleepovers became a somewhat regular fixture in the week.
More than ever before, Bellatrix was beginning to understand exactly why Hermione had achieved her meteoric rise within the ministry at such a young age. To say she was driven or a high achiever would be an understatement. The woman never stopped. Bellatrix found her work ethic both inspiring and intimidating, and a bit hot, if she was being honest with herself. Bellatrix had no time for layabouts. She herself was at the peak of her career and had no intentions of slowing down. She liked having a partner that was her equal, in every sense of the word.
Casting a tempus charm, Bellatrix realised she needed to start getting ready. Otherwise, she would risk missing Hermione entirely before she left for the office. She hastily rolled out of bed and made herself look professional, ultimately donning black slacks, a green blouse, and a black leather jacket on top.
She found Hermione hunched over her kitchen table, empty coffee cup next to her, engrossed in some reading material she was certain anyone else would find incredibly dull. Her footsteps hadn’t appeared to stir the younger witch, so Bellatrix carefully wrapped her arms around Hermione from behind and placed a kiss on her neck, nearly causing her to jump out of her seat.
Bellatrix chuckled and Hermione apologised, “sorry, didn’t hear you coming.”
“It’s all right. How could anyone be distracted from,” Bellatrix peered over Hermione’s shoulder to read the document in her hand, “Manticores of the Northeast?” She raised an eyebrow at the younger woman in question.
Hermione admitted, “the Magical Beings department asked for a consult. They’ve got a colony north of Aberdeen they’re trying to convince to migrate into a more controlled environment. There are too many muggle tourists near their current den.”
Bellatrix rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless, reminding her, “you do too much.”
“Five minutes,” Hermione promised.
Bellatrix gave her a kiss on the top of her head and left her to her reading as she made breakfast. She poured herself a cup of coffee and refilled Hermione’s, who accepted the warm beverage with a mumbled, “thanks.”
Not five, but fifteen minutes later, Hermione returned the papers to her magically expanded work folder, placed it in her bag, and focused her attention on Bellatrix. She joined the dark haired witch where she was sitting on a barstool at her kitchen island, wiggling herself between Bellatrix’s knees. Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix’s neck and kissed her.
“Sorry,” she repeated. “Good morning,” she greeted Bellatrix properly for the first time today.
Bellatrix snaked her arms around Hermione’s waist and deposited another kiss on her lips before replying, “good morning, baby,” with a small smile tugging at her lips. Baby. Who am I? Bellatrix fought the urge to vomit at her own softness, but couldn’t deny that Hermione Granger had thoroughly brought her to her knees. Since agreeing to try a proper relationship, Bellatrix had been puzzled as to why she’d ever thought she could be content with just sex. Though she hadn’t admitted it to anyone else, she could acknowledge at least in her own mind that she was utterly infatuated with the younger woman. It warmed and irked her in equal parts.
“I missed you,” Hermione declared.
“And yet, you let my bed go cold this morning,” she teased.
“I know, I’m sorry,” Hermione replied. “Maybe this weekend we can-”
Bellatrix cut off what was sure to be the frantic ramblings of an overworked witch with a firm kiss. “Hermione,” she said before repeating the action. “We’ve discussed this. Please don’t apologise for your workload. Merlin knows I’d be a hypocrite. I’m just happy I got to fall asleep with you in my bed.” She smirked, which in combination with the reminder of the truly sinful things Bellatrix had done to Hermione the night before left a dusting of pink at the top of Hermione’s cheeks. “You’re cute when you blush. It’s as if your body wants to believe you’re more innocent than you really are,” Bellatrix observed, brushing a thumb across her cheek. “But I know the truth,” she whispered in her ear before reconnecting their lips in a languid kiss.
Hermione sighed into it, body fully relaxing, momentarily letting go of the tension which had already tightened her shoulders, though the workday hadn’t even yet technically begun. That’s ultimately how this had all started, a cataclysmic release of tension built up over the years that was so delicious, it begged to be repeated. And repeat it they did. Six months they spent secretly shagging behind office doors, in either witch’s home, and even in a few ill-advised semi-public settings. They’d allowed it to be just that until Bellatrix’s temper had gotten the best of her, as it often does, and she’d picked a fight with Hermione until she’d confusingly found herself in a relationship with the witch.
Over three months later, now late January, their initial dynamic remained. They helped each other destress. They indulged in their unbelievable sexual chemistry. They teased each other and often bickered, and had more than one heated debate that resulted in an ending so satisfying, Bellatrix couldn’t remember what they’d been arguing about. But now? Now, they had more. Bellatrix took her witch to dinners and bought her flowers. They spent time together not-fucking. They spent evenings cuddling and kissing languidly just because and sometimes, yes, sometimes they even used pet names like ‘baby’. Bellatrix shuddered at the thought. Her reputation at the DMLE rested on her hardened personality. Merlin forbid someone discover the softer side to her that showed itself only for Hermione Granger.
Hermione nippled at her bottom lip and she just managed to contain the whimper that wanted to escape. She refocused her efforts, crossing her legs around Hermione’s waist, pulling the younger woman closer. Hermione let out an, “mm,” of delight at their renewed closeness. Bellatrix couldn’t help but smile into the kiss.
Suddenly, her wards pulled at her magic and she jerked back. Someone had come through the floo in her foyer. Her magic recognized that of her sister’s.
“Narcissa’s here,” she whispered with wide eyes. Hermione immediately stepped back. “You should go,” Bellatrix suggested.
“Yes, I suppose I should,” Hermione said flatly.
Hermione moved out of her space, but she tugged on her wrist before she could get too far. “Hermione?” She questioned the younger woman with a raised eyebrow.
Hermione rolled her eyes and confessed, “sometimes I think this would be easier if we just told some people.”
“And by some people, you mean my sisters?”
“Well,” Hermione shrugged.
“Once they know, it’ll be a thing ,” Bellatrix argued.
“They’re going to find out eventually. May as well rip the plaster off. Unless of course, you don’t think there’s anything worth telling them,” she added testilly.
“The what?” What the hell is a plaster?
“Nevermind,” Hermione shook her head and attempted to step back. She eyed her watch and declared, “I need to get to the office anyway.”
“Wait! Just-” Bellatrix made another attempt to pull her back. She closed her eyes and wrinkled her nose in frustration. In a hushed voice, she pleaded, “is it so wrong to want to keep you to myself a little longer? I…” She hesitated, but knew she shouldn’t let Hermione leave with the wrong impression. “I like us. I just want to enjoy it a little longer without worrying what everyone else will think and feel and say. I’m not… I’m not used to giving others the opportunity to observe and comment on my life.”
Hermione’s eyes softened and her hands unclenched.
“Look, let’s talk more about this later,” Bellatrix said, her eyes flashing to the kitchen door. She didn’t know how much time they would have before Narcissa deduced her whereabouts. “I don’t want her finding out like this either way.”
Hermione sighed and agreed, “you’re right.” She gave her a quick kiss and said, “I’ll see you at work?” Bellatrix nodded as Hermione summoned her work bag before apparating on the spot.
Bellatrix stared at the spot a moment before the door swung open, revealing her youngest sister.
“Oh good, Bella, I’ve caught you before work,” she greeted, strutting swiftly into the room as if she owned the place. Her high heels clicked on the kitchen floor as she made her way to the coffee pot to pour herself a spot of the black liquid.
“Yes, Cissy?” Sarcastically, she asked, “how can I be of service?”
“No need to be so melodramatic,” Narcissa countered. She turned back to Bellatrix, mug in hand with a raised eyebrow. “Is there someone here? I thought I heard voices.”
“No, of course not,” she hastily answered. “I was talking to myself.”
“Hm,” Narcissa acknowledged. Her youngest sister’s eyes briefly flashed to Hermione’s forgotten mug at the kitchen table. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but thankfully, she chose not to comment on it. Instead she said, “well don’t. People will think you’ve gone mad.”
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. “Is there a reason you’ve blessed me with your presence?”
Reminded of her task, Narcissa straightened her shoulders and smiled. “Yes, I’m throwing a dinner party this Saturday. You’re to attend.” She removed an invitation from her cloak and handed it over. It was cream and had black script on it with the details.
“You can’t be serious,” she complained. “What is this one for? Endangered unicorns? Orphaned nifflers?”
“Bella, don’t be ridiculous. You know as well as I do the unicorn population is thriving under the protection legislation enacted by the administration you work for. And nifflers are always orphaned. They don’t live in packs long beyond infancy.” She continued on, unperturbed, “this is a private function. With the holidays behind us, I thought it would be nice to get some acquaintances together. People do get lonely this time of year, you know,” she said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I thought you might like to join, seeing as you keep little company and are generally a Scrooge, Christmas season or not. That is, unless you aren’t lonely after all? Are you sure you don’t have something you want to share, Bella?” Her eyes once again gestured to the coffee mug on the table before looking innocently back at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix stared in disbelief at her sister. The cheek!
When Bellatrix didn’t reply, Narcissa continued bulldozing through the kitchen. “Don’t be late. Dress appropriately,” she warned before sipping the last of her coffee, placing it on the island, turning on her heel and leaving.
And just like that, her sister was gone. She’d been Narcissa-d and it wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning. “Damn it,” she whispered to no one.
~~
Bellatrix’s day only became more chaotic as she realised today was the quarterly meeting of all department heads and senior cabinet. Oh, joy. Three hours of meaningless red tape and bureaucratic bullshite, she thought sarcastically. At least she would get to see Hermione.
That realisation put a pep in her step that she would certainly deny if anyone commented on her attitude and she made her way to the conference room a few minutes early. There was only one occupant when she entered the room. Of course, Hermione would be early. She loved these bloody meetings.
“Granger,” she inclined her head in greeting. Hermione dramatically looked around the room, as if to point out its emptiness and raised a single eyebrow at her. Bellatrix huffed and corrected herself, “Hermione.”
“Good morning, Bellatrix,” Hermione returned with a small smile. “How are you?”
“Well, thank you. Although I must admit my morning was a tad rushed. I didn’t get to finish everything I’d hoped to.” She hoped Hermione would pick up on her double meaning. Though she felt she made her feelings about their relationship clear, she didn’t like the way they’d left things.
“I see,” Hermione said. “Perhaps you can catch up this weekend?” She looked meaningfully at Bellatrix. Her words were loud and clear. Hermione wanted to see her this weekend.
“Yes, I think-” but she cut herself off when the door opened and the heads of the Department for the Improper Use of Magic and the Department of Magical Artefacts entered. They each exchanged pleasantries, but they did not return to the same topic of their private conversation, coded language or not.
The meeting was terribly boring. Even Hermione looked like she was zoning out at one point, as the Wizengamot Administration Services head was droning on and on. Bellatrix was sitting next to the monotone man, but Hermione had the misfortune of sitting directly across, and was obviously diligently working to at least appear interested.
Bellatrix made eye contact with the younger woman and quickly stuck her tongue out, pulling a silly face. Hermione tilted her head down in an attempt to hide her smile. Kingsley, who sat next to Hermione, also caught Bellatrix’s face and looked between the two, seemingly wondering if he was hallucinating. He gave Bellatrix a questioning look, but she shrugged nonchalantly, as if to deny the strangeness of the interaction.
As the meeting came to a close and people began filing out of the stuffy room, Bellatrix said, “Granger, a word?”
Hermione nodded, but otherwise ignored her, continuing to pack up her belongings. Once everyone had left, Bellatrix crossed the room to be closer to the woman.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” she said quietly. Apologies were still something she wasn’t entirely comfortable with, but Hermione assured her they were a normal part of healthy relationships.
“It’s fine, Bella.” Bellatrix wasn’t convinced.
“Hey,” Bellatrix gently lifted Hermione’s chin with a finger so they could make eye contact. Bellatrix looked into her eyes. Hermione looked tired. Exhausted, actually. She had faint dark circles under her eyes. “Let me take care of you this weekend. Between work, everything else in your life, and now me, you’re spreading yourself too thin,” she insisted.
Hermione gave her a watery smile. “I’m fine, Bella. Promise.”
“Come on, let me take care of my-” She stopped herself. They were together , had been officially for months, but they’d never used the word ‘girlfriend’. “Let me take care of you,” she corrected. “This weekend. You. Me. No interruptions. Just sleep, orgasms, and takeaway. I’ll even give you a massage,” she threw in with a small smile.
It was then that she remembered the reason for her sister’s visit. “Fuck,” she groaned. “I just remembered, Cissy’s making me go to some god awful dinner party Saturday night. Okay, the plan still stands, but I’ll just pop out for a few hours. You can have your quiet alone time to read those cheesy mystery books you think I don’t know you own and I’ll be back before you know it,” she promised.
At that, Hermione cracked the first genuine smile since leaving the kitchen this morning. “Firstly, they’re not cheesy .”
“Granger, they so are,” Bellatrix mirrored her smile.
Hermione ignored her. “Secondly, as it so happens, Narcissa also invited me to the dinner party. And thirdly, I’ve got dinner plans Friday with Harry and Ginny. So let’s just make it Saturday. I’ll see you at the party and if you’re good, you can take me home,” she concluded with a playful smirk.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Bellatrix extended her hand to give Hermione an overly formal shake given the nature of their relationship.
Hermione accepted nonetheless and agreed, “see you Saturday, Ms. Black.”
As Bellatrix backed out of the room, a grin on her face, she confirmed, “Saturday.”
~~
The week dragged on, but finally Saturday evening arrived. Bellatrix was so excited to spend the evening with Hermione, even if it meant enduring a stuffy dinner party, she actually managed to be on time. Well, technically she was thirty minutes late, but she’d typically be at least an hour late to these miserable events, so she considered today a win.
Coming through the Floo and into Narcissa’s reception area, she was quickly spotted by her irritating looking younger sister and the group still congregated in a nearby sitting room.
Narcissa approached her and grabbed her arm, firmly guiding her into the corridor, hissing, “Bellatrix Druella Black,” as she did so.
“Cissy, I’ve been here 15 seconds. What could I have possibly done wrong?”
“That’s exactly the point. You’re late!”
Bellatrix scoffed, “hardly.”
“You’re to sit next to me at the dinner table. Do you understand?”
Bellatrix rolled her eyes and agreed, “yes, mother.”
She did as Narcissa demanded, finding she didn’t have it in her to put up much of a fight today. Sadly, Hermione was at the other end of the table so she was stuck with less than the ideal company.
“Bella,” Narcissa said in her fakest hosting voice, gesturing to the woman seated next to Bellatrix, “Edith runs a creature sanctuary outside Manchester. Isn’t that lovely? I know she was hoping to ask you a few things.”
Edith Abernathy. Great . The woman was nice enough, but Bellatrix wouldn’t describe her as someone with a great deal of booksmarts. She’d vaguely remembered her from school. A pureblood in Ravenclaw the year above her. Left school after sixth year to take over her grandfather’s farm and used their family fortune to transform it into a not-for-profit sanctuary and creature education center. Hermione would like that. I should take her on a day trip.
Edith began speaking as Bellatrix shoved a piece of chicken into her mouth, “yes, I was hoping to talk to you about poaching reform.”
With practiced ease, Narcissa bowed out of the conversation and tended to another set of guests.
“I wouldn’t know much about that. You’d probably have more luck with someone from the Creatures department,” she said plainly.
“Yes, and I have. They’ve directed me to you or Hermione Granger.”
Disbelievingly, Bellatrix questioned, “me?”
“You are the head of the DMLE,” she said with a kind smile.
She shrugged. “Not my area of expertise. Unless a piece of legislation is enacted, I usually don’t get involved. That’s more Granger’s thing.”
“Perhaps I’m sitting at the wrong end of the table then,” she said politely.
“Probably,” Bellatrix said, not entertaining the woman’s attempts at chit chat whatsoever. If she couldn’t sit with Hermione, she wanted to get through this with as little fuss as possible and take her witch home.
“Though,” she began with a coy smile, “it does appear as if Narcissa has paired us off rather intentionally tonight, doesn’t it?”
That caught Bellatrix’s attention. She looked up from her plate for more than two seconds for the first time since the meals were presented. Did Edith have a point? Bellatrix and Edith were sitting next to each other. So were Draco and Astoria, which made sense. They were married. Bill and Fluer Weasley, again, married. Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass, not technically married yet, but everyone with two braincells to rub together could tell they were fucking. Blaise Zabini and Aurora Fawley, no relation known to Bellatrix, but it wouldn’t surprise her if her meddlesome sister was attempting to play matchmaker for the two young purebloods. Not that Narcissa truly cared about blood status. No, if Bellatrix had to guess, Blaise’s mother had probably put her up to it. And down at the other end of the table was Hermione and Pansy Parkinson.
She did a double take. Pansy Parkinson? Narcissa paired Hermione with Pansy Parkinson ? Narcissa thought junior editor of Witch Weekly, daughter of a Death Eater, pureblood heiress, owner of such a wardrobe so large, it rivaled Narcissa’s, Pansy-bloody-Parkinson could hold a candle to Hermione? What was her sister thinking? Her eyes moved between the two young women. They seemed to be chatting amicably. She furrowed her brow at the sight.
Her head swiveled around the room until her eyes landed on her sister, who was already looking at her. Narcissa smiled sweetly, too sweetly, and raised her wine glass towards her.
Bellatrix replied as sickeningly sweetly as her sister's smile was, “Narcissa, could I have a moment?”
Narcissa’s left eye twitched so fractionally no one else would have noticed, but Bellatrix knew her sister would find it rude to leave her table of guests.
“Of course,” she complied.
Once in a secluded corridor, Bellatrix rounded on her sister, “what the hell is going on here?”
Narcissa batted her eyelashes innocently. “Whatever do you mean, sister?”
“Oh drop the act, Cissy. Naiveté doesn’t suit you. Why are we all in pairs? Is this a set up?”
“Bellatrix, if you would just be reasonable. Edith is very nice and she’s your age. She’s gay,” she said the last part with a teasing lilt.
“I fucking know she’s gay. We went to school together,” Bellatrix snapped. “Why is she here and sitting next to me?”
“I thought you would like some company, Bella. As I said, she’s very kind. And pretty too,” Narcissa added.
Bellatrix rubbed her temples. “Will you please stop trying to meddle in my personal life?”
“Never,” Narcissa said simply with a smile.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. “What about everyone else? Was this all a ploy to get me to share a meal with Edith?”
“Bellatrix, as I said, it’s nice to gather friends.”
“Draco and Astoria? Bill and Fluer? Theo and Daphne?”
“What’s you’re point?”
“They’re all couples,” Bellatrix pointed out.
“Yes, and?” Narcissa’s voice drawed out the words.
Bellatrix sighed and released some of the tension in her shoulders. “Pansy, Cissy? Really?”
A wolfish grin took over Narcissa’s face. “What’s wrong with Pansy?”
“Nothing is wrong with her,” Bellatrix argued in a hushed tone.
“I think she’s brilliant,” Narcissa stated confidently. “She’s young, beautiful, rich. She’s got a great career. Very sharp and ambitious too. She’s going places.”
“Sure, sure, but you want to set Pansy up with Granger ?”
“I think Hermione would really enjoy Pansy’s company,” Narcissa said proudly.
Bellatrix scoffed, “doubt it.”
“Really?” Sarcastically, Narcissa probed, “so you think Hermione wouldn’t like a beautiful woman with black hair, a sense of style, who had been in Slytherin, and is career-minded, with just a little bit of a dark side?” She put an emphasis on that last part and Bellatrix didn’t like the implication one bit.
She clenched her jaw and said, “no. Though I suppose I wouldn’t know what Granger likes. That’s her business.”
Narcissa gave her a look that said she was surprised by the denial, but didn’t buy her bluff.
Back at the table, Bellatrix’s fist clenched so hard around the stem of her wine glass, she feared it may break. For the first time since they started this whole thing, Bellatrix found herself thinking it may, in fact, be easier if her sisters knew. Hermione had been right. They may tease and butt in, but at least they wouldn’t try to set her girlf…her Hermione up with other women.
Salazar’s snake, she was right here! Why wouldn’t they consider setting her up with Hermione? She was intelligent and career-minded and successful and attractive and all of the things Narcissa had described about Pansy, wasn’t she?
A gentle tap on her shoulder startled her. “Hey, you okay?”
She gave Edith a sardonic grin, “just dandy.”
~~
After moving to the parlour for games and after-dinner cocktails, Bellatrix found herself seething with rage and unable to do anything about it.
Hermione looked like she was having a great time, talking and laughing among a group of herself, Pansy, Draco, and Theo. At one point Pansy placed a flirtatious hand on Hermione’s waist. Hermione quickly side-stepped out of it, offering to refill everyone’s drink. Of course the young brunette had maneuvered through the situation perfectly. She was a politician, for Merlin’s sake. But that wasn’t the point! The point was, someone else deigned to place a hand on her Hermione and that was completely unacceptable.
At one point later in the evening, Hermione looked over to her. Apparently picking up on Bellatrix’s less-than-chipper mood, she furrowed her brow, observing the dark haired witch for a moment before being pulled back into the conversation in front of her.
Eventually Bellatrix slipped out of the gathering all together. She’d introduced Edith to Fluer, who came from a clan of Veela, so Bellatrix assumed they’d have much to discuss. Luckily, her intuition was correct and Bellatrix made her escape to the library undetected.
Or at least, so she thought. Moments after closing the door behind her, with the full intention of brooding the night away, the door creaked open again.
Hermione.
The pair stared at one another for a loaded moment before Bellatrix said cruelly, “what? Was your date not sufficiently entertaining anymore?”
Hermione looked at her disbelievingly. Clearly offended by the accusation, she protested, “excuse me? Was your date not sufficiently entertaining?”
Oh fuck. Her voice was laced with annoyance. Hermione prowled towards her, backing her up towards a bookcase.
“Wha-“
“Oh, you didn’t think I missed how Edith was whispering in your ear, did you?” Hermione huffed. “A brunette? Famously involved with social justice? A soft spot for magical creatures? She seems just your type, doesn’t she?”
Surely, Hermione didn’t think she had any interest in the bint. And since when was this about her? No, this is about Hermione and Pansy.
“I’m surprised you noticed between all of the giggles you and Parkinson shared over cocktails,” she said cuttingly.
“Need I remind you, I received this invitation three days ago, as did you, from your sister. I had no idea the party would include being paired off like this, otherwise I would not have attended. Or at the very least, I would have attended with the woman I actually wanted to spend my time with tonight.”
Gods, Hermione was beautiful like this. Anger and passion seeping from every pore on her body. Magic crackled in the air and Bellatrix longed to allow it to consume her.
“It looked like you were having a good time from where I was sitting,” Bellatrix continued to prod, her chin raised.
“You can’t be serious!” Hermione was practically shouting now. “I don’t want Pansy fucking Parkinson, Bella! For Christ’s sake!”
“Oh? And who do you want?”
“Who do I want? You’re seriously asking me who I want?” Hermione pressed her body into Bellatrix’s so that she was pinned against the bookshelf. Bellatrix audibly gulped. Two chests heaved in time for several moments. Hermione’s eyes looked wild, scanning between hers until she said, almost menacingly, “you. Are. Mine. Bellatrix.”
That was the last thing Bellatrix heard before lips crashed down upon her own. Hot and firm, Hermione used her tongue to pry open her lips. For a moment, Bellatrix could only comply. Hermione wasted no time pushing a hand under her top to squeeze at her breasts, the other wound tightly in her hair. Feeling Hermione’s warm fingers brushing over her nipples on top of her bra was in direct opposition to the cool wood of the bookshelf behind her, harshly digging into her back. It was almost too much. She needed her witch and she needed her now.
In an attempt to speed the process along, Bellatrix unfastened her own trousers and slipped a hand into them. Hermione’s hand left her breast in favour of taking back control. The brunette grabbed the older witch’s wrist and yanked it from her trousers.
Pinning the wrist to the bookshelf behind Bellatrix, Hermione declared, “this is mine.” Hermione replaced Bellatrix’s hand with her own, gently stroking along the dark witch’s panties until shoving them aside. Bellatrix would be embarrassed by the wet sounds Hermione's fingers made as they spread her open, but she honestly couldn’t form a coherent thought. Those that were coherent certainly wouldn’t be wasted on embarrassment, not when the world’s most beautiful woman was pleasuring her so perfectly.
Hermione nudged Bella’s trousers down her legs as she sank to her knees. Now at eye level with Bella’s lace covered core, Hermione repeated, “this. Is. Mine.”
Bellatrix threw her head back when Hermione shoved the thin cloth to the side, and harshly sucked her clit into her mouth. Her head knocked into a book behind her, but the sting of its corner hardly registered in her mind, as the ecstasy Hermione provided her took over. She couldn’t help the groaned, “yours,” that escaped her lips.
“Mine,” Hermione repeated in between broad strokes of her tongue.
“Yours,” Bella echoed between each one, threading her fingers through the wavy brown locks she’d grown to adore.
And so the back and forth continued, until Bellatrix’s legs shook and Hermione relentlessly sucked and licked at her clit until the older witch saw stars.
Coming down from her high, Bellatrix’s chest heaved. Hermione placed several kisses along her thighs before standing up, carefully fixing her trousers as she rose.
Bellatrix claimed Hermione’s lips and flipped their position. She hiked one of Hermione’s tan thighs up and around her waist, so that her dress gathered at her hips. Snaking a hand between them, Bellatrix pushed Hermione’s knickers to the side. She swirled two fingers maddeningly slowly around Hermione’s entrance until she was keening. “Bella,” Hermione pleaded.
“Yes, Aphrodite?” Bellatrix replied teasingly, circling fingers never ceasing.
“Please. Take me,” Hermione whined.
“Oh, I’m going to take you, Hermione. Do you know why?” Hermione let out a pitiful moan, which Bellatrix accepted as her affirmative. “Because just as I am yours,” she circled her fingers once more before whispering in Hermione’s ear seductively, “ you are mine .” Bellatrix finally pushed into the younger witch exactly on the third word, though it was drowned out by Hermione’s utterly filthy cry.
She felt Hermione’s leg tighten around her waist, pulling her ever closer, as Bellatrix fucked her into the shelves. Several books dislodged from their place and shimmied towards the edge of the shelf until dropping to the ground. Bellatrix couldn’t care less, but she saw a flash of regret pass over Hermione as she looked at the fallen books.
“Hermione,” Bellatrix said firmly. Hermione’s eyes glanced at her before they went back to the ground, where yet another book had fallen. “Hermione,” she repeated. “Look at,” Bellatrix used her free hand to grip the brunette’s chin, turning her head back towards her, “me.”
Eyes locked, Hermione’s face twisted in pleasure as Bellatrix curled her fingers against the spongy texture deep inside. Her palm hit Hermione’s clit with every thrust. Bellatrix could feel the gentle fluttering of Hermione’s walls getting stronger and stronger until the witch came with a silent scream, finally closing her eyes in relief.
A moment of silence passed over them, the only sounds in the room their breaths evening out with time. Bellatrix gently fixed Hermione’s knickers, dropped her leg back to the ground, and smoothed her dress back down. They stared at one another and as Bellatrix observed chocolate eyes, she felt something new pass between them. Jealousy was replaced with possession. Fear overshadowed by calm. Doubt surpassed by belonging.
“Bella, I,” Hermione began breathlessly.
Bellatrix cut her off with a kiss, firm but tender.
“I’m sorry, Hermione.” Bellatrix spoke clearly and evenly. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t been so hesitant to talk to my sisters, we could have sat together tonight. Or better yet, avoided the dinner party all together and skipped to the good bit at home.” Hermione smirked and Bellatrix smiled, but continued, “And I’m sorry for my attitude earlier. I was… jealous,” she admitted. She tried to keep her voice strong, though she hated admitting having felt the emotion.
To her surprise, Hermione only smiled and asked, “ you were jealous? I was the jealous one, Bella.”
“What?”
“Edith Abernathy only runs the largest magical creatures sanctuary in all of Europe, Bella. You must know that. She’s one of my professional idols. I tried several times to get her to agree to consult on projects in my last role, but she always refused. Seeing her here, so clearly intended for you made me feel a bit,” she trailed off.
Bellatrix probed, “jealous?”
“Mhm,” Hermione nodded.
“Well seeing you with Parkinson wasn’t exactly good for my blood pressure. I mean she’s successful and beautiful, and Cissy may have unknowingly pointed out that she has qualities resembling a younger version of myself. I was fuming to think of you with her.”
“I’ve no interest in Pansy, Bella. I mean that. I only have eyes for you.”
Bella asked teasingly, “because I’m yours?”
“Because of so many things,” Hermione corrected. “And because I’m yours. Wholly and unequivocally.”
The certainty in Hermione’s voice almost broke her. She’d never shown such vulnerability with another, but with Hermione, she found herself jumping off of the proverbial cliff willingly over and over again.
“Well then we’d better get out there,” she said, tugging Hermione towards the door.
Hermione laughed as the pair moved to the exit. “why?”
“Because it seems it’s time for me to have a long overdue conversation with my baby sister. I think it’s about time I tell her all about my wonderful, intelligent, perfect, sexy, girlfriend.” She punctuated each word with a kiss to Hermione’s forehead, each cheek, and finally her lips.
Hermione wrapped her arms around Bella’s neck, holding her close even after their lips broke apart. “Well I certainly like the sound of that, but perhaps we should wait until she isn’t hosting a house full of dinner guests.”
“Whatever you say, dear.” Bellatrix smiled down at her witch.
“Now I definitely like the sound of that ,” Hermione said. Bellatrix scoffed and rolled her eyes before pulling her girlfriend back in for another kiss. Hermione yelped and giggled as Bellatrix lifted her off the ground with the force of her embrace.
Tomorrow , Bellatrix promised herself, they would make a plan to tell her sisters. But tonight? Tonight she would enjoy one more night of secrecy with her girlfriend.