You

Before

‘This was it.

Bella was finally going to confront the little bitch.

She had spent a week watching her husband dote on the girl like a fucking schoolboy.

Inviting the little swot for drinks while Bella was at work, showing up to pick her up from class, giving her ‘advice’.

It was legal, the girl was 20 but she still thought Rodolphus was robbing the cradle.

So she leafed a page from her husband’s book.

Rodolphus was at work and Bella closed the bakery early to talk to her. She gave the bitch her money and told her to stay till Rodolphus came home.

She agreed.

It was easy to get the girl drunk. She refused at first but after a little pestering she gave and it was clear she was a lightweight.

Hermione’s cheeks were flushed and she was giggling at nothing. So Bella excused herself to the kitchen.

The girl was rambling about something or other. What she learnt in class or her thesis or how Harry Potter and the Weasel boy were doing. Bella could care less.

Her reflection in the knife looked different. Tired. Bella remembered when she was younger, how she’d talk with her sisters, how she’d rather die than be one of those stuck up, pathetic suburban mothers with dead beat husbands.

It was funny how time worked.

How life worked.

If her teenage self could see her now, she wouldn’t recognize herself.

They only shared one thing after all. The need to protect her family.

Back then, she did it by taking the brunt of her father’s abuse to protect her sisters. Now, she’d be ridding her husband of distractions.

If she stalled, Bella knew she wouldn’t go through with it.

So she approached the sofa. Hermione was facing away from her. Basking in the comfortable silence.

A clean stab to the jugular should do it. Should be enough to stop the bitch’s heart and get her husband back.

A little voice laughed at her in the back of her head. Killing the girl wouldn’t do a thing. Rodolphus didn’t love her anymore. Nothing would change that.

Bellatrix grit her teeth, raised the knife high above her head and-

“I admire you.” Hermione giggled. “A lot, actually.”

Bella lowered the knife, shocked.

“You’re just- you’re so beautiful and smart and you’ve got this perfect family.”

The girl giggled again, turning slightly to look at her. Bella hid the knife behind her back.

“I probably sound like a stalker.” The girl laughed again, “But I really do think you’re quite amazing. Andy told me stories about you and her when you were younger. How she never expected you to settle down.”

She remembered. Andy had told her that on her wedding day.

“-And I just think it’s amazing how, you-you’ve sort of grown into someone who kept their own ideals and identity and morals while having a family that you cherish. Plus still pursuing your dream of having a bakery.”

Hermione turned, facing the brick fireplace again, leaving her back to Bellatrix. She trusted her? Why did the girl trust her?

“I don’t know. I guess I always thought it was have a family or a job. So I never really wanted kids because I’d have to give up so much but you’ve given me, hope I guess.”

Bellatrix gave her . . . Hope?

“I look up to you, and I don’t know, I get in my own head sometimes and I thought you didn’t like me. So I got excited when you asked me to stay with you.”

Slowly, hesitantly, Bellatrix retreated back to the kitchen. Putting the knife back in the block.

“I’m going on and on, you’re probably bored.” Bella shook her head, even though the girl couldn’t see her. “I-I do enjoy talking with Rodolphus, truly, he just comes off a little strong sometimes. I’d been hoping to speak with you really.”

“What of?” Bellatrix’s voice had a tremor, she sorely hoped the girl didn’t pick up on.

It had been a very long time since she had sounded, felt this weak.

“Just, anything.” Hermione shook her head at herself. She sounded like a creep! “Whatever you want to talk about or tell me. I’m a good listener.”

The older woman felt shaky as she moved to sit with the girl. The girl that wanted to speak with her. Not Rodolphus, Andy or Cissa. Her.

“Andy told me about the time you,” Hermione chuckled, “You hid your younger sister’s doll in a tree.”

“Betsy.” Bellatrix smiled at the memory, then grinned when the girl smiled back.

“Betsy.” Hermione repeated gently.

“I remember her.” Bellatrix’s eyes were crescents as she recalled one of the few good memories of her childhood.

“She was hardly a doll. A little stuffed cow Cissy was obsessed with. Used to shower with it.”

“No. Really?” Hermione laughed.

“Oh yes.” Bella took Hermione’s glass of win and drank.

“Didn’t it get ruined?”

“Of course it did! It looked more rat than cow really.”

Hermione laughed. “She hardly seems the type.”

“If Cissa ever found out I told anyone, she’d murder me.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Bellatrix felt a strange emotion fill her as the girl mimed a zip over her lips. A giddy feeling. Like her heart was beating a mile a minute.

And for the first time in a while, she laughed so hard till she cried and stayed up till dawn. Even after Rodolphus had left the two to go to bed.

She felt . . . Truly happy.’

-

“We have some questions for you.” Rodolphus began. Seated in his chair while Bella leaned on the desk with folded arms, observing they’re captive.

“You need to answer these honestly. If you don’t there will be consequences.”

“I thought you said we were playing a game.” Hermione scoffed. She was sat cross legged playing solitaire with the playing cards Rod gifted her. “That doesn’t sound very fun.”

“I’m not in the mood for your attitude, Hermione.” Rodolphus grit. He opened the laptop and read the notes.

“Question one, Harry Potter believes Ronald Weasley is missing?”

“How would I know?” She flipped a card. “You locked me down here.”

“Hermione,” Bella warned, glancing at her husband’s tight jaw.

“If you hand me a phone I’ll ask him for you.” She placed a card down, “That depends on you though.”

Rodolphus inhaled deeply, placing the laptop on the desk and standing. Bella watched attentively.

He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a phone. Hermione watched in shocked hope as he approached the cage.

“I won’t give you my phone, but I will try help you remember.”

He tapped a few buttons, the sound of rushing air filled the room and Hermione shuddered.

“With this, I can turn the temp in there so hot, those cards will light fire. Or so cold, you’ll get frostbite.”

The girl tried to remain nonchalant. Placing another card down but her fingers trembled.

“Now from what you recall before your stay here, does Harry Potter believe Ron Weasley is missing or dead?”

“Missing.” Hermione grit out. She clenched her teeth to stop them from chattering.

“And Remus?”

“You convinced everyone he killed himself, remember? The note was shoddy but effective.”

“What do you mean?” Bella frowned.

“Remus would put a quote in his suicide note, one hundred percent.” Hermione placed a two on the corresponding Ace of diamonds.

“He just wouldn’t quote Shakespeare.”

“You’re not giving me full answers and I don’t appreciate it, Hermione.” Rodolphus tapped a few more times. “What. Do. You. Mean?”

“H-he h-hated Sh-Sh-Shakespeare.” Hermione’s hands shook harder, ceasing their playing to hug herself.

“I-I was the o-only one to n-notice. Th-that’s why I we-went to your h-house that day. You love Shakes-Pear.”

“So you suspected us? Does anyone else?”

“N-not that I kn-know of.”

“Good.” Rodolphus relented, bringing the heat back up a few notches.

Hermione sighed in relief, bringing her knees up to her chest and rubbing up and down her tights.

“I’ve been looking through your phone and came across a name a few names I don’t recognize.”

Hermione glanced upwards nervously before reaching down to flip another card.

“Fleur Delacour.”

“Bill’s wife.” She stated, not looking up.

“What does she do?”

Hermione moved a 3, a 4 and a 5 to the stack of diamonds.

“Hermione.” Rodolphus banged a hand on the glass, Bella flinched. “What does she do for work?”

“Private investigator.” She mumbled.

“Fuck!” He yelled. Pacing in front of the cage, running his hands through his hair.

“You called her recently, why?”

“Molly hired her to look into Ron, she wanted to speak with me.”

“Dammit dammit dammit,” Rod mumbled, his eyes snapped to Bella’s.

“Did you know?”

“Of course not.” She scoffed, “Don’t be an idiot Rodolphus.”

“Well she’d have had to talk to Andy, and from what you heard last night they don’t think she’s in fucking Paris Bella!”

“Calm down, Rod.” She placed a hand on his arm, glancing at Hermione who pretended not to listen.

“I can’t fucking stay calm! I-“ He turned sharply towards Hermione.

Deep breaths Rodolphus, deep breaths. He placated himself. Don’t divulge things you don’t need to.

“Luna Lovegood?”

“Friend. From University.”

“Penelope Clearwater?”

“No one.” Hermione said quickly, “Old friend.”

Rodolphus seemed suspicious but was cut off by an alarm on his phone.

“Shit, Bella. Andy’s barbecue.”

He rapidly looked between the door and Hermione before stomping rapidly up the stairs.

Bellatrix paused , Hermione looked at her.

Then she hurried after Rodolphus and Hermione rolled her eyes.

Amazing my ass.