mickume/harry_potter_tiny · Datasets at Hugging Face

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Bellatrix nodded, her eyes glancing over the books before she looked to Hermione. "Can I borrow your books. The...textbooks you have?"
"Of course!" Hermione said. "Read any that you like. We can try to go to Diagon Alley once the Hogwarts letters arrive and get this year's textbooks, too."
Bellatrix gave another nod, and then sat quietly on the edge of the box seat, petting Crookshanks. A few moments passed before Bellatrix looked at her. "Do I need to ask for food or drinks, or am I able to get it myself?"
"Oh, ah, I’ll show you the kitchen," Hermione said.
"That didn’t answer my question."
"It’s complicated," Hermione said, leading her down to the kitchen. There, she showed Bellatrix where everything was, showing her where the "snack’ food was, that was acceptable to eat (fruits, muesli bars and the like) and what her parents used for lunch or dinner that would be deemed rude. Bellatrix understood, and began making herself a cup of coffee as she ate an apple.
It was bizarre, to stand here and look at Bellatrix eating an apple as they drank their coffee. But it only felt as bizarre as the fact that she’d never really had any of her friends over, before. Maybe a few times back before she attended Hogwarts, but neither Harry nor Ron nor even Ginny had visited her home.
That was hardly Harry’s fault, she doubted the Dursley’s would allow him, but Ron and Ginny didn’t have that problem.
"What do you do in your spare time?" Bellatrix asked.
"Depends. I usually read, sometimes I watch the telly with Mum and Dad in the evening. Was there anything you wanted to do?"
"I would like to see the telly."
Hermione showed her to the lounge room and stood before the box, explaining what it was and how it worked, but Bellatrix’s eyes glazed over in the explanation. Clearing her throat, Hermione took the remote controller and flicked on the television, clicking through channels.
"What’s that?" Bellatrix asked.
"Bewitched," Hermione said. "It’s about a witch who marries a muggle, oh, well, I think they refer to them as "mortal’, but ah, it’s an old show. Did you want to watch that?"
Bellatrix didn’t respond. Instead she sat down on the couch and watched, transfixed by the program. When the show ended and another one began, she didn’t move, only stopping to ask what the bits between the show were.
"Advertisement," Hermione explained. "Though I don’t understand half the stuff they show."
They sat their quietly until the second episode ended and Bellatrix sighed, leaning back on the lounge.
"What have you be doing at Dumbledore’s cottage."
"Reading, practicing magic and wandering around the village. I was out in Scotland by myself."
"You didn’t stay with Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"He visited but I get the feeling the whole thing was a test," she said, looking at her. "I don’t know if this means I passed or failed."
"I would say you passed," Hermione assured––only because a fail, to her, would mean that Bellatrix was jailed once again. She doubted Dumbledore would place in her danger otherwise. "Did you...prefer being by yourself?"
Bellatrix gave a shrug. "Do I have to stay here, or can I go out?"
"We can go out," Hermione said and watched as Bellatrix stiffened. "I know you probably want to be by yourself, but even the muggle world isn’t safe and Dumbledore put you in my care. I can be quiet if you prefer, or––"
"It’s fine," Bellatrix said, looking at her. "As long as you won’t follow me into the bathroom."
"Of course not," Hermione said. "But, um, why don’t we go down to the shops? Is there anything you want?"
"I want to be outside."
"Well...okay, we can go to the park, up the road? It’s really nice."
Bellatrix gave a half nod and Hermione took that to mean she was happy with the decision. She packed a bag for them both before heading upstairs, where she grabbed her shoes and placed sunscreen on before handing the bottle to Bellatrix. "You’ll burn, otherwise."
"There’s spells for that," Bellatrix said, and then taking out her wand, pointing it at her self and murmured, "Praemunio." There was a glow, like sunlight and then Bellatrix stood, brow raised at her.
"Oh, I..." had forgotten she was seventeen this summer and could do magic. Taking out her own wand she did the same thing, murmuring praemunio and felt a warmth spill over her skin, before it disappeared. "I guess there’s a spell for everything."
Bellatrix gave her a strange look before heading downstairs, her boots clicking on the hardwood floor.
Hermione took a breath, grabbing herself a bottle of water and two books before heading downstairs. Outside, the sun was warm as they headed out. Checking she had her keys, she locked the door behind her and lead Bellatrix up the road, to the park she used to play in.
There were children there, already enjoying the summer in the playground. Sitting on the grass underneath a tree, Hermione pulled out her books and handed one to Bellatrix. "We can get food if you like. But I brought some water."
"This is fine," Bellatrix said. The comment bristled Hermione, but she let it slide, watching as the woman sat down next to her, until their knees nearly touched. Looking over the book, Bellatrix frowned at it curiously before opening it up.
Hermione had grabbed Treasure Island for Bellatrix, hoping she pegged the woman right. As Hermione opened up her own book, stretching her feet out into the sun, she peaked over at Bellatrix and watched as the woman’s expression softened, reading through the pages with enough interest that had Hermione satisfied.
Returning to her own novel, Hermione disappeared into the book's pages. It was only when Bellatrix began to shuffle, did she look up. The woman had set her book aside and was staring over at the parents watching over their children, curious to them.
Hermione quietly returned to her book until she heard a heavy sigh and looked up. "Are you bored?"
"Can we practice magic?" Bellatrix asked.
"What type of magic?"
"Anything," she said.
"Why don’t we get lunch first, and then we can go through the book I borrowed from the library." It was Advanced Transfiguration, and McGonagall had written a special letter to the library to allow her to borrow it and a Charms book.
Returning home, Hermione made them sandwiches and then took Bellatrix upstairs to where her books were. Pulling out the charms and transfiguration book, she opened up to where she was at. "It’s an advanced transfiguration," Hermione showed. "Not so advanced as something like animagus, but it’s still..." she trailed off, looking at Bellatrix. "It’s disguise."
Bellatrix turned to face the mirror and pointed at her face, speaking the incantation. At once, her face had transformed—eyes turning narrow, her nose and mouth widening as her cheeks softened. Looking at the mirror, she smiled before turning to Hermione.
"Try an undo," Bella said.
"I...okay," Hermione said. And then, pointing her wand she studied Bella's face carefully and, with a flick, the face transformed back. Hermione was worried the "undo" spell may have undone Dumbledore's work to Bellatrix's face, but it hadn't. With an exhale, she noticed that all of the features remained as they had been moments before, inclusive of the freckles.
Bellatrix glanced in the mirror before giving a small nod, looking at Hermione. "We could practice duelling. From what I saw of that night, you’re pretty good."
"Oh...ah, n-not here," Hermione said. "It’s messy, and my parents will be frightened. But, um, maybe I could look into finding us a space where we could?" She offered.
Bellatrix smiled for the first time, and Hermione felt her heart quicken at it. It was a genuine smile, with dimples and brightened the woman’s face in a way Hermione hadn’t expected.
"I would like that," Bellatrix said.
"But...if I find us a place to duel, that means you’ll need to do some stuff with me," she said. "There’s things I wanted to do these Summer holidays before..." she trailed off, realising that if Bellatrix was staying with her, she likely wouldn’t be returning to the burrow with her. "Before we return to school."
"What things?" Bellatrix asked.
"I want to go to the British Museum. There’s an exhibition this summer that I want to see."
"Fine," Bellatrix shrugged. "I’ll do some muggle things, we’ll do some witch things, and everyone will be happy."
Hermione swallowed, nodding and felt a strange self-satisfied feeling grow. If she could show Bellatrix all the wonders of being muggle, she might turn out good. Maybe she wouldn’t become so hateful towards it all.
"Sounds good," Hermione agreed, smiling. "We can practice some more transfiguration. I could do something tricky and you could try to transform it into something else?"
"Like whatever. It’s hard to transform something that’s already been transformed into a new thing. Basic laws of magic show that the object wants to revert back to what it was. But if you successfully transform it, it makes it harder to revert it back to its original form."
Bellatrix’s eyes lit up at the challenge. "We’ll make a game of it. The winner gets to choose the next thing we study."
"Deal," Hermione agreed, already flicking through the book.
Hermione helped her mother peel carrots as Bellatrix read upstairs. From the lounge room, she could hear her father watching the news as a politician spoke about the bridge that had collapsed through an unknown means––Hermione knew what that meant.
"How’s your friend settling in?" Her mother asked.
"Well, enough," Hermione said. It’d been a few days, and they had a routine growing between them. Bellatrix would have breakfast, get dressed and then read until noon. After lunch, she and Hermione would go out and get a cup of coffee before returning home to practice magic.
Hermione had looked through the area and had finally found a quiet place they could practice defence magic. They had both been practising keep-away and look-away charms at the park and had been successful. Hermione was reasonably confident that it would work.
"She’s quiet," her mother said, looking at her. "Did something happen?"
"I don’t know, Mum. She doesn’t talk about her family."
"Well, if she needs anything, you let us know. Mrs Winter down the road has a good psychology practice."
At that, Hermione held back a sigh. It was hard to open up when you didn’t know what was wrong with you in the first place. "I’ll let her know," she said as she finished peeling the last carrot. "Can I help with anything else?"
"Maybe you and Bella could make the salad in half an hour?"
Hermione nodded. "Sure, of course," she said. She would ask Bellatrix at least, though she wouldn’t push her. She couldn’t imagine the woman doing anything of the like. Nonetheless, Hermione washed her hands and went upstairs to the guest bedroom, knocking on the door.
"Come in, Hermione," Bellatrix said.
Easing the door open, Hermione stepped inside. "How did you know it was me?"
"Your father has heavier footsteps, and your mother always speaks her question at the door," Bellatrix explained, looking up from where she was sitting. Crookshanks was lying at her side, sprawled out in the late evening sunlight. Over the last few days, he’d taken a liking to Bellatrix. Hermione suspected that the head scratches helped.
"Mum asked if we could make the salad in half an hour, if that’s alright with you?"
Bellatrix froze before giving a non-committal noise. Hermione wasn’t confident what that meant, but she stepped into the room, sitting at the end of the guest bed as she looked around. Bellatrix had stacked a pile of books on the bedside table, most of which were Hogwarts-issued textbooks, but Treasure Island also sat there amongst a few other muggle books.
"Are you liking it?" Hermione asked, pointing to the novel.
Bellatrix nodded. "I finished it. I’ll place it back on the shelf, but I started reading another one," she said, gesturing to the book in her hand. Hermione peered at it and smiled.
"The Jungle Book is good. If you like Treasure Island, though, you might like Robin Hood," Hermione said, going over to the bookshelf. Looking through the stacks, she pulled it from high on the top shelf and brought it back, setting it on the bedside table. "I mean, it depends on what you liked about it."
"Adventure," Bellatrix shrugged. "It’s funny to see them sort their problems without magic. There’s still
, but it’s all...muggle."
Hermione shivered at the comment. "I suppose so," she said. "But they’re more than that."
"That’s what I like about them," Bellatrix said, her voice raising in defensiveness. Hermione nodded, swallowing. She didn’t want to anger her.
"So you like adventure?"
Bellatrix shrugged. "Adventure,
, whatever. I tried reading a book about women, but it was all about love and sisterhood." There was distaste in her voice that annoyed Hermione.
And yet, she could understand what Bellatrix meant. Even when Hermione had been young, she’d been fascinated by magic. Any and all books to do with it, she loved it. She could remember her mother reading the Hobbit to her for bedtime. Now, she lived in a world of magic, and Summer felt...quiet. Almost too quiet.
"I found a place for us to practice duelling tomorrow," Hermione said. Bellatrix’s head shot up, excitement burning in her eyes. "It’s a train ride, but, um, I thought we could go to the museum first and then...head out and duel before coming home for dinner. I’ll pack lunches for us."
"Good," Bellatrix nodded. "That’s fair."
Hermione bristled again before taking a breath. "Can you say "thank you’?" She asked. "I went through a lot of work to find us a place, and lately, you haven’t said a single "please’ or "thank you’ for anything. I’d really––"
"Thank you, Hermione," Bellatrix said, looking at her.
To that, Hermione softened. "You’re welcome," she said. "Come on, let’s go make the salad." Bellatrix set her book away and followed her downstairs, where Hermione asked her to cut the tomatoes as she got out the salad bowl and the vegetables. Still, as she turned back to face Bellatrix, she watched as Bellatrix cut at the tomatoes in strange shapes.
"Oh, ah, thank you," Hermione said, "But um, if you could please cut them like this," she said, before taking the knife out of her hand, her fingers brushing against Bellatrix’s, as she showed her how to cut the tomatoes into wedges.
Handing the knife back, Bellatrix’s cool fingers slid over the handle and began cutting the tomatoes into wedges—thicker than Hermione would have liked but otherwise fine. They finished making the salad together, placing the bowl on the table before they placed the settings down.
"Thank you for helping," Hermione said.
Bellatrix looked at her, blinking and gave a slight nod, "You’re welcome," she returned. For a moment, Bellatrix looked as though she was going to say something further before stopping and looking away.
It was nice, Hermione thought, having someone to spend her time with. Bellatrix wasn’t like Harry and the Weasleys. Maybe she was a bit moody and quiet like Harry could be, but there was a wit to her that Harry didn’t have. Not to think poorly of her friend, but Harry’s intelligence lay more inline with thinking ahead in strategy and tactics, like Ron. Neither of them nor Ginny cared about intellectual challenges like Bellatrix.
"Thank you, girls," Jean said as she entered the kitchen. "Go and wash up while I’ll fix the last of dinner."
Hermione nodded, exiting the kitchen to wash her hands. Bellatrix seemed to slowly follow behind her.
"Was my mother like this?" Bellatrix asked as she leant against the bathroom doorway. "Do you know?"
"I...don’t," Hermione said. "I would only be speculating if I said anything."
"But you know something."

Bellatrix nodded, her eyes glancing over the books before she looked to Hermione. "Can I borrow your books. The...textbooks you have?"

"Of course!" Hermione said. "Read any that you like. We can try to go to Diagon Alley once the Hogwarts letters arrive and get this year's textbooks, too."

Bellatrix gave another nod, and then sat quietly on the edge of the box seat, petting Crookshanks. A few moments passed before Bellatrix looked at her. "Do I need to ask for food or drinks, or am I able to get it myself?"

"Oh, ah, I’ll show you the kitchen," Hermione said.

"That didn’t answer my question."

"It’s complicated," Hermione said, leading her down to the kitchen. There, she showed Bellatrix where everything was, showing her where the "snack’ food was, that was acceptable to eat (fruits, muesli bars and the like) and what her parents used for lunch or dinner that would be deemed rude. Bellatrix understood, and began making herself a cup of coffee as she ate an apple.

It was bizarre, to stand here and look at Bellatrix eating an apple as they drank their coffee. But it only felt as bizarre as the fact that she’d never really had any of her friends over, before. Maybe a few times back before she attended Hogwarts, but neither Harry nor Ron nor even Ginny had visited her home.

That was hardly Harry’s fault, she doubted the Dursley’s would allow him, but Ron and Ginny didn’t have that problem.

"What do you do in your spare time?" Bellatrix asked.

"Depends. I usually read, sometimes I watch the telly with Mum and Dad in the evening. Was there anything you wanted to do?"

"I would like to see the telly."

Hermione showed her to the lounge room and stood before the box, explaining what it was and how it worked, but Bellatrix’s eyes glazed over in the explanation. Clearing her throat, Hermione took the remote controller and flicked on the television, clicking through channels.

"What’s that?" Bellatrix asked.

"Bewitched," Hermione said. "It’s about a witch who marries a muggle, oh, well, I think they refer to them as "mortal’, but ah, it’s an old show. Did you want to watch that?"

Bellatrix didn’t respond. Instead she sat down on the couch and watched, transfixed by the program. When the show ended and another one began, she didn’t move, only stopping to ask what the bits between the show were.

"Advertisement," Hermione explained. "Though I don’t understand half the stuff they show."

They sat their quietly until the second episode ended and Bellatrix sighed, leaning back on the lounge.

"What have you be doing at Dumbledore’s cottage."

"Reading, practicing magic and wandering around the village. I was out in Scotland by myself."

"You didn’t stay with Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.

"He visited but I get the feeling the whole thing was a test," she said, looking at her. "I don’t know if this means I passed or failed."

"I would say you passed," Hermione assured––only because a fail, to her, would mean that Bellatrix was jailed once again. She doubted Dumbledore would place in her danger otherwise. "Did you...prefer being by yourself?"

Bellatrix gave a shrug. "Do I have to stay here, or can I go out?"

"We can go out," Hermione said and watched as Bellatrix stiffened. "I know you probably want to be by yourself, but even the muggle world isn’t safe and Dumbledore put you in my care. I can be quiet if you prefer, or––"

"It’s fine," Bellatrix said, looking at her. "As long as you won’t follow me into the bathroom."

"Of course not," Hermione said. "But, um, why don’t we go down to the shops? Is there anything you want?"

"I want to be outside."

"Well...okay, we can go to the park, up the road? It’s really nice."

Bellatrix gave a half nod and Hermione took that to mean she was happy with the decision. She packed a bag for them both before heading upstairs, where she grabbed her shoes and placed sunscreen on before handing the bottle to Bellatrix. "You’ll burn, otherwise."

"There’s spells for that," Bellatrix said, and then taking out her wand, pointing it at her self and murmured, "Praemunio." There was a glow, like sunlight and then Bellatrix stood, brow raised at her.

"Oh, I..." had forgotten she was seventeen this summer and could do magic. Taking out her own wand she did the same thing, murmuring praemunio and felt a warmth spill over her skin, before it disappeared. "I guess there’s a spell for everything."

Bellatrix gave her a strange look before heading downstairs, her boots clicking on the hardwood floor.

Hermione took a breath, grabbing herself a bottle of water and two books before heading downstairs. Outside, the sun was warm as they headed out. Checking she had her keys, she locked the door behind her and lead Bellatrix up the road, to the park she used to play in.

There were children there, already enjoying the summer in the playground. Sitting on the grass underneath a tree, Hermione pulled out her books and handed one to Bellatrix. "We can get food if you like. But I brought some water."

"This is fine," Bellatrix said. The comment bristled Hermione, but she let it slide, watching as the woman sat down next to her, until their knees nearly touched. Looking over the book, Bellatrix frowned at it curiously before opening it up.

Hermione had grabbed Treasure Island for Bellatrix, hoping she pegged the woman right. As Hermione opened up her own book, stretching her feet out into the sun, she peaked over at Bellatrix and watched as the woman’s expression softened, reading through the pages with enough interest that had Hermione satisfied.

Returning to her own novel, Hermione disappeared into the book's pages. It was only when Bellatrix began to shuffle, did she look up. The woman had set her book aside and was staring over at the parents watching over their children, curious to them.

Hermione quietly returned to her book until she heard a heavy sigh and looked up. "Are you bored?"

"Can we practice magic?" Bellatrix asked.

"What type of magic?"

"Anything," she said.

"Why don’t we get lunch first, and then we can go through the book I borrowed from the library." It was Advanced Transfiguration, and McGonagall had written a special letter to the library to allow her to borrow it and a Charms book.

Returning home, Hermione made them sandwiches and then took Bellatrix upstairs to where her books were. Pulling out the charms and transfiguration book, she opened up to where she was at. "It’s an advanced transfiguration," Hermione showed. "Not so advanced as something like animagus, but it’s still..." she trailed off, looking at Bellatrix. "It’s disguise."

Bellatrix turned to face the mirror and pointed at her face, speaking the incantation. At once, her face had transformed—eyes turning narrow, her nose and mouth widening as her cheeks softened. Looking at the mirror, she smiled before turning to Hermione.

"Try an undo," Bella said.

"I...okay," Hermione said. And then, pointing her wand she studied Bella's face carefully and, with a flick, the face transformed back. Hermione was worried the "undo" spell may have undone Dumbledore's work to Bellatrix's face, but it hadn't. With an exhale, she noticed that all of the features remained as they had been moments before, inclusive of the freckles.

Bellatrix glanced in the mirror before giving a small nod, looking at Hermione. "We could practice duelling. From what I saw of that night, you’re pretty good."

"Oh...ah, n-not here," Hermione said. "It’s messy, and my parents will be frightened. But, um, maybe I could look into finding us a space where we could?" She offered.

Bellatrix smiled for the first time, and Hermione felt her heart quicken at it. It was a genuine smile, with dimples and brightened the woman’s face in a way Hermione hadn’t expected.

"I would like that," Bellatrix said.

"But...if I find us a place to duel, that means you’ll need to do some stuff with me," she said. "There’s things I wanted to do these Summer holidays before..." she trailed off, realising that if Bellatrix was staying with her, she likely wouldn’t be returning to the burrow with her. "Before we return to school."

"What things?" Bellatrix asked.

"I want to go to the British Museum. There’s an exhibition this summer that I want to see."

"Fine," Bellatrix shrugged. "I’ll do some muggle things, we’ll do some witch things, and everyone will be happy."

Hermione swallowed, nodding and felt a strange self-satisfied feeling grow. If she could show Bellatrix all the wonders of being muggle, she might turn out good. Maybe she wouldn’t become so hateful towards it all.

"Sounds good," Hermione agreed, smiling. "We can practice some more transfiguration. I could do something tricky and you could try to transform it into something else?"

"Like whatever. It’s hard to transform something that’s already been transformed into a new thing. Basic laws of magic show that the object wants to revert back to what it was. But if you successfully transform it, it makes it harder to revert it back to its original form."

Bellatrix’s eyes lit up at the challenge. "We’ll make a game of it. The winner gets to choose the next thing we study."

"Deal," Hermione agreed, already flicking through the book.

Hermione helped her mother peel carrots as Bellatrix read upstairs. From the lounge room, she could hear her father watching the news as a politician spoke about the bridge that had collapsed through an unknown means––Hermione knew what that meant.

"How’s your friend settling in?" Her mother asked.

"Well, enough," Hermione said. It’d been a few days, and they had a routine growing between them. Bellatrix would have breakfast, get dressed and then read until noon. After lunch, she and Hermione would go out and get a cup of coffee before returning home to practice magic.

Hermione had looked through the area and had finally found a quiet place they could practice defence magic. They had both been practising keep-away and look-away charms at the park and had been successful. Hermione was reasonably confident that it would work.

"She’s quiet," her mother said, looking at her. "Did something happen?"

"I don’t know, Mum. She doesn’t talk about her family."

"Well, if she needs anything, you let us know. Mrs Winter down the road has a good psychology practice."

At that, Hermione held back a sigh. It was hard to open up when you didn’t know what was wrong with you in the first place. "I’ll let her know," she said as she finished peeling the last carrot. "Can I help with anything else?"

"Maybe you and Bella could make the salad in half an hour?"

Hermione nodded. "Sure, of course," she said. She would ask Bellatrix at least, though she wouldn’t push her. She couldn’t imagine the woman doing anything of the like. Nonetheless, Hermione washed her hands and went upstairs to the guest bedroom, knocking on the door.

"Come in, Hermione," Bellatrix said.

Easing the door open, Hermione stepped inside. "How did you know it was me?"

"Your father has heavier footsteps, and your mother always speaks her question at the door," Bellatrix explained, looking up from where she was sitting. Crookshanks was lying at her side, sprawled out in the late evening sunlight. Over the last few days, he’d taken a liking to Bellatrix. Hermione suspected that the head scratches helped.

"Mum asked if we could make the salad in half an hour, if that’s alright with you?"

Bellatrix froze before giving a non-committal noise. Hermione wasn’t confident what that meant, but she stepped into the room, sitting at the end of the guest bed as she looked around. Bellatrix had stacked a pile of books on the bedside table, most of which were Hogwarts-issued textbooks, but Treasure Island also sat there amongst a few other muggle books.

"Are you liking it?" Hermione asked, pointing to the novel.

Bellatrix nodded. "I finished it. I’ll place it back on the shelf, but I started reading another one," she said, gesturing to the book in her hand. Hermione peered at it and smiled.

"The Jungle Book is good. If you like Treasure Island, though, you might like Robin Hood," Hermione said, going over to the bookshelf. Looking through the stacks, she pulled it from high on the top shelf and brought it back, setting it on the bedside table. "I mean, it depends on what you liked about it."

"Adventure," Bellatrix shrugged. "It’s funny to see them sort their problems without magic. There’s still

, but it’s all...muggle."

Hermione shivered at the comment. "I suppose so," she said. "But they’re more than that."

"That’s what I like about them," Bellatrix said, her voice raising in defensiveness. Hermione nodded, swallowing. She didn’t want to anger her.

"So you like adventure?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "Adventure,

, whatever. I tried reading a book about women, but it was all about love and sisterhood." There was distaste in her voice that annoyed Hermione.

And yet, she could understand what Bellatrix meant. Even when Hermione had been young, she’d been fascinated by magic. Any and all books to do with it, she loved it. She could remember her mother reading the Hobbit to her for bedtime. Now, she lived in a world of magic, and Summer felt...quiet. Almost too quiet.

"I found a place for us to practice duelling tomorrow," Hermione said. Bellatrix’s head shot up, excitement burning in her eyes. "It’s a train ride, but, um, I thought we could go to the museum first and then...head out and duel before coming home for dinner. I’ll pack lunches for us."

"Good," Bellatrix nodded. "That’s fair."

Hermione bristled again before taking a breath. "Can you say "thank you’?" She asked. "I went through a lot of work to find us a place, and lately, you haven’t said a single "please’ or "thank you’ for anything. I’d really––"

"Thank you, Hermione," Bellatrix said, looking at her.

To that, Hermione softened. "You’re welcome," she said. "Come on, let’s go make the salad." Bellatrix set her book away and followed her downstairs, where Hermione asked her to cut the tomatoes as she got out the salad bowl and the vegetables. Still, as she turned back to face Bellatrix, she watched as Bellatrix cut at the tomatoes in strange shapes.

"Oh, ah, thank you," Hermione said, "But um, if you could please cut them like this," she said, before taking the knife out of her hand, her fingers brushing against Bellatrix’s, as she showed her how to cut the tomatoes into wedges.

Handing the knife back, Bellatrix’s cool fingers slid over the handle and began cutting the tomatoes into wedges—thicker than Hermione would have liked but otherwise fine. They finished making the salad together, placing the bowl on the table before they placed the settings down.

"Thank you for helping," Hermione said.

Bellatrix looked at her, blinking and gave a slight nod, "You’re welcome," she returned. For a moment, Bellatrix looked as though she was going to say something further before stopping and looking away.

It was nice, Hermione thought, having someone to spend her time with. Bellatrix wasn’t like Harry and the Weasleys. Maybe she was a bit moody and quiet like Harry could be, but there was a wit to her that Harry didn’t have. Not to think poorly of her friend, but Harry’s intelligence lay more inline with thinking ahead in strategy and tactics, like Ron. Neither of them nor Ginny cared about intellectual challenges like Bellatrix.

"Thank you, girls," Jean said as she entered the kitchen. "Go and wash up while I’ll fix the last of dinner."

Hermione nodded, exiting the kitchen to wash her hands. Bellatrix seemed to slowly follow behind her.

"Was my mother like this?" Bellatrix asked as she leant against the bathroom doorway. "Do you know?"

"I...don’t," Hermione said. "I would only be speculating if I said anything."

"But you know something."