Chapter Text
The young woman standing in her doorway looked like she wanted to fold herself up and hide within her luggage. She kept her head down, trying to make herself smaller. ‘Was she always like this? I remember her differently.’ Bellatrix was still beautiful, if not more beautiful than the last time Hermione had seen the witch, though the circumstances had been ugly.
The very last time Hermione and Bellatrix had been in such proximity the war was in its darkest hours, soldiers on both sides fighting dirty, willing to take their pound of flesh and then some. ‘Her father tortured me, that’s how she remembers me . . . fighting against abuse all over the blood in my veins.’ That made said blood boil, that the lingering image her wife had in her head was one of the alpha in pain, in duress, weakened by the actions of another. She wondered if there was resentment, or disappointment over being paired with Hermione. ‘It will take time, but I will give her new memories of me. She doesn’t have to love me but she will understand that I can be an Alpha that will provide for and protect her.’ That was the bare minimum requirement of an Alpha in a marriage, but that’s where they had to start.
“Hello.” Bellatrix gave a formal curtsy dipped her head even further the back of her neck was on display and it made Hermione’s canine’s itch to bite into that open canvas.
“Were your travels alright?” Hermione went to grab for Bellatrix’s luggage but the omega gave a small, almost undetectable whine, it almost sounded like a nervous sigh. “Come in.” Hermione backed up and to the side, clearing the doorway for Bellatrix to step through the threshold. It’s not what she wanted to do, she wanted to scent Bellatrix, calm her with contact, nuzzle and nibble on her throat, but Bellatrix was still too unsure of her. Hermione had to be patient.
“This is a lovely house. Is it yours?”
“Ours.” Hermione smiled, wishing to see one back, but Bellatrix kept averting her gaze as she entered the home, looking around from wall to wall, taking in the space. “The ministry wants this to work, is giving us a place where we won’t be disturbed by others so we can get to know each other again.”
“Again.” Bellatrix said that word in a mournful way and Hermione wished she knew what was going on in her head.
‘When we’re bonded that will change, I’ll have a better connection . . . I’ll be better for her, she won’t be alone anymore.’
“Where is my room?”
‘Do I put my foot down on this?’ Hermione had prepared a room with an omega in mind, plenty of pillows and soft bedding to fuss with and nest in, but not alone. “The master bedroom is the last on the left.” Bellatrix’s scent grew even more anxious which made Hermioe’s instinct to pin her somewhere till she settled down, understood she was safe ratcheted even higher but she decided to go against instinct, despite how uncomfortable it made her. “Go place in your things. I’ll see what I whip together for us to eat.”
Beallatrix was sure Hermione could hear her heartbeat, smell her anxiety, no matter how many people tried to convince her this was right, this was how things started to heal and get better she couldn’t help but feel this was wrong. ‘I’m sure I’m just a reminder.’ As Bellatrix unpacked and hung up her clothes her mind was flooded with the image of her father torturing Hermione’ her wrists strung up, her body limp, the angry and injured screams she let out, all while Bellatrix did nothing.
‘Maybe she’ll get payback. Is that how they convinced her to agree to this marriage?’ Bellatrix looked at the large bed, meant for a happy couple to copulate and cuddle in, but that wasn’t Bellatrix and Hermionie. There was a time Bellatrix dreamed of this being their life, Hermione had been her first and only crush, the only Alpha she ever wanted, but then sides were chosen, wars were raged, blood was spilt. Bellatrix came her just as was required of her, but she had no hopes of a happily ever after. The best case scenario in her mind was that Hermione would get out her just resentment on purebloods like the Black’s, take it out on her. Bellatrix would allow it, that would be fair and she wanted to be fair, to be good, to be useful in someway.
“Is everything going alright in here?” Hermione didn’t leave her alone for long. Bellatrix wondered if it would remain that way, if she’d keep her omega bride at her side at all times, making sure she wasn’t plotting something, or as a trophy, a reminder of place in this ever changing world. “Bella? Dear?” That term of endearment made Bellatrix gasp, she wasn’t expecting it, though maybe she should have.
“Yes.” Bellatrix knew Hermione was not a cruel person, not a vindictive petty witch, she was much to smart for that. The scenarios she was cooking up in her head, were just that figmints of a fractured mind.
“I’m fine, more than fine, this is lovely.” Bellatrix would rather be a trophy, or a prisoner, something kept on a tight leash, than what she truly believed to be their future. In her heart Bellatrix believed they would both go through this mandated wedding process, they would bond, but it would all just be for politics sake. Mudbloods were marrying purebloods, to break down walls and build bonds between groups of people who had remained separate for centuries. This wedding between Bellatrix and Hermione wasn’t the first of it’s kind but it was one of the most important.
The fact that Hermione hadn’t bit or scented her, hadn’t pinned her up against the wall and knotted her yet, confirmed what Bellatrix feared, there was no love or need stirred up in the Alpha, this was just part of her job. Andromeda and Narcissa had explained to her how Hermione was the best option, that she would be kinder, and more respectful than any of the other Alpha’s who were to take part in these arranged marriages, but Bellatrix heard more than just the encouragement from her sisters. She’d heard the whispers too. In the days leading up to their marriage, while getting herself prepared, she overheard people in the street or those filing the paperwork, they would all gawk at her and then whisper amongst themselves the stories were were very similar, someone over heard from someone else that Granger had thrown a fit when Bellatrix had been assigned to her, refused it with distrain until she was finally convinced that she had no other option than to comply.
At the ceremony in front of people and photographers she laid a claiming bite, had even smiled, kissed the spot to soothe away any pain, but she hadn’t bitten or kissed her again, she was probably still washing the taste out of her mouth. Hermionie would do what the wizarding world needed from her, would be stuck with Bellatrix and do so with decorum, but she would busy herself with things she cared about, would hardly be home, Bellatrix would be much closer to a roommate than a lover. Bellatrix was going to live in the home of the Alpha of her dreams, but she’d be politely ignored, treated much like a ghost, someone to acknowledge but pay no further mind than that.
What made this so very hard on Bellatrix was even if Hermione didn’t mean that claiming bite meant to seal their marriage, didn’t actually want her, it didn’t keep Bellatrix from feeling it’s effects. As anxious as she was, as sure as she was that Hermione just wished she’d disappear, when Hermione was in the room her heartfelt warmer, her skin grew more sensitive, she felt a craving for her Alpha’s touch that would not go away.
“I’d like for you to sit down to dinner with me atleast.” Hermione didn’t know the struggle Bellatrix was going through, so when she reached out her hand and placed it over the bite making Bellatrix shiver, it wasn’t to be cruel, maybe just so she didn’t have to look at it while they spoke, yet all the same Bellatrix couldn’t help herself.
“Please.” Bellatrix kept her eyes down, as she begged for just a bit more contact.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Hermione pulled her hand back, which made Bellatrix whimper, she tried to muffle it her hand but the soft growl Hermione made was a clear indication she did not do well enough. “Bellatrix I just want to make sure you’re cared for, I will do my best to do that but I need you to trust me, just a little, can you do that?”
“I trust you.” Bellatrix did finally lift her gaze and was surprised what she saw in Hermione’s face, it was concern. “You don’t have to . . . be gentle with me, I will take whatever you give me.” Bellatrix hated how pitiful she sounded, how desperate, but she didn’t know another way to invite this Alpha that had every right to despise her and the blood that ran through her veins to show her any attention at all.
“Is that so?” Again Bellatrix must’ve given the wrong answer. Her Alpha smelled upset, frustrated, maybe even angry. “And what does my wife think I want to give her?”
“I-” Bellatrix got down on her knees, she didn’t think about it, her body almost had a mind of it’s own. Looking up Hermione appeared even more beautiful than before, Bellatrix could get used to this view, kneeling for her Alpha, it made her feel better, there was safety and serenity in looking up at such a marvelous woman. “I don’t know.” Bellatrix’s face moved forward without thinking, without permission, just resting against the warmth of Hermione’s abdomen. “I just can’t live with you hating me.” Bellatrix’s arms went around Hermione’s back, hugging her. This was so unbecoming, so weak, down right pathetic, but everything in Bellatrix told her to try, to find and some way for Hermione to truly accept her as her mate.
“Oh.” Was Hermione’s only reply at first.
“Yes.” Bellatrix mewled pleased when Hermione’s hand found it’s way into her hair, started stroking through it gently.
“You young temptress, how could anyone hate you. How has someone not already claimed you, when you’re so . . .”
“Don’t stop.” Bellatrix knew why Hermione’s praise had abruptly ended, she was starting to get aroused, she could feel Hermione’s cock start to stiffen, and that gave Bellatrix hope. “Let me-” She tried to undo the buckle to the belt around Hermione’s trousers but the Alpha stepped back. “You don’t have to love me . . . just let me be . . . I can be relief for you, let you use me.”
“Use you?” Hermione stepped even further back, Bellatrix’s hands went to the floor, she could no longer look down and away, she stared up at her Alpha, saw the horror in her face.
“It’s alright Hermione . . . I will stay at home, your plaything, no one has to know that you . . . find pleasure in me.” Hermione was likely upset with herself that she had found Bellatrix, daughter of her tormentor sexually appealing, it was why she recoiled. Bellatrix was doing her best to reassure her, that she was willing to play the political trophy wife in public, but she was also willing to make this worth the Alpha’s while, she could have Bellatrix as a sexual partner, she would be content to be Hermione’s dirty little secret. “The bond . . . it’s strong, I cannot help myself, but you can . . . please help me?”
“The bond is making you act this way?” Hermione’s voice softened, she was no longer frustrated, now it was more curious, Hermione had always been an inquisitive sort of person, liked to understand how things worked. It was one of the things Bellatrix had liked about her from a young age, how she would study something, make it her entire world until she was a master on that subject. Bellatrix used to be curious like her, but curiosity got you hurt, it had been scared out of her over the years, it was nice to see Hermione had been strong enough to keep it.
“Yes.” Bellatrix nodded, part of her thought she should be having this conversation standing up, but she could not will her arms and legs to move her out of this submissive position. “I wouldn’t be so forward so needy . . . I’m sorry but it is the omega in me and you are my Alpha.” Bellatrix's stomach went sour as she found herself trying to guilt Hermione into affection. What a pitiful creature she was, down to her instincts. “I wouldn’t ask you to look at me . . . if I could help it. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry.” Even her apologies underwhelmed. Hermione did not accept, did not get closer, did not take Bellatrix up on any of her offers. “That won’t do.”
“What can I-”
“You said you were unsure of what I want to give you. May we start with dinner? Then you can come back to the room and rest, I promise, you must be tired.”
“Tired?” Bellatrix shook her head no, but Hermione seemed to be talking more to herself than to Bellatrix directly, going on with her plan.
“I have some very important business to take care of. I’ll be busy the rest of the night, but I’d be distracted knowing you’re settling in with an empty stomach.” Hermione held out her hand to help Bellatrix back to her feet. “Please, I can’t bear to hear that stomach of yours growl.”
“I should have cooked.” Wasn’t that a married omega’s job? To keep a home in order? To keep their nest somewhere full of life, fertility and abundance? “I wouldn’t have poisoned you.” Bellatrix frowned, believing she couldn’t even be trusted with housekeeping.
“I hope I can say the same, cooking is not really my forte.” Hermione chuckled, as Bellatrix was finally brought to eye level. “Perhaps you could make dinner for us tomorrow? Do you-”
“What?” Hermione seemed to had been starting a request, and all Bellatrix wanted to do was meet it, exceed her expectations, prove herself worthy in any way.
“Nothing, perhaps in time . . . or . . . not at all if you so choose.” Hermione backtracked hard and it hurt Bellatrix’s heart, she wanted to protest, to plead for some responsibility or chore, but that wasn’t her place, she was to do her best to be a minimal headache to Hermione. “Would you be willing to eat with me?” Hermione wasn’t letting go of that ask, and if that’s all she wanted from Bellatrix a shared meal, the omega had to pounce on it before that seemed like too much of a bother.
“Yes of course.” She followed Hermione into the dinning room.
“Is it not to your liking?” Hermione frowned when Bellatrix picked at her meal. It wasn’t that the food was bad, Hermione was not the best cook in the world, most of the items were prepared elsewhere, but it was a sentimental meal Bealltrix could tell.
“No I do, it’s . . . we didn’t have that our-”
“Wedding day? Is that what tastes sour?” In front of them was a traditional ‘wedding breakfast’ there were many pastries and sweets littered across the table, along with eggs and sausages.
“I’m not unhappy to be your wife.” Bellatrix blurted out, getting that weight off her chest. She should be, unhappy, irate that they were pushed together not out of love but out of diplomacy, but she didn’t want to be anyone else’s bride.
“You need to eat.” Hermione insisted. “To keep your health up, if you ever hope to-” It was starting to grate on Bellatrix’s already worn down nerves how Hermione kept starting and stopping sentences, she wanted to know what her Alpha was thinking. She wanted to be in agreement with her, deep down she wanted them to be in love, no secrets or awkwardness between them.
“Please . . . speak your mind with me Hermione, anything, say anything.”
“It is a foolish, selfish thought.” Hermione picked up one of the small cakes on the table, took a small nibble and then held it out in front of Bellatrix’s pursed lips. “Not poisoned.” She gave a soft laugh at their morbid inside joke, it made Bellatrix smile, she gladly took a bite, enjoying more the closeness of her Alpha’s fingers than the taste of the sweet itself. “I just imagined . . . children one day, ours.” She gave a nervous, almost apologetic look as she said those words. “And for that to happen, my bride would have to be in good health I wouldn’t wish to lose you.”
“You worry too much for me.” Bellatrix took a second and then third bit, the cake disappearing as some silence stretched between them. “I will give you children Hermione, your blood-” Bellatrix swallowed hard. “Must go on, you must continue your line, you are . . . your kind . . . no, you are one of a kind Hermione, I’m sorry that my father tried to extinguish your-” Bellatrix was surprised yet relieved when she felt Hermione’s thumb, still coated in some crumbs and icing slipped within her mouth. Bellatrix should have had more shame, but she moaned around the digit, it felt so good to be able to feel her Alpha inside her, even in such a casual way.
“No more words of your father Bellatrix do you hear me? Not a one.” Hermione’s thumb slid in and out of Bellatrix’s mouth, slowly, slow enough that Belltrix thought it might be a tease, dared to roll her tongue around it.
“Mhmm.” Bellatrix nodded softly, closing her eyes, enjoying this, somehow this moment was far more intimate than their whole wedding ceremony.
“Good girl, you listen so . . . dangerously well.” The moment was ruined, Bellatrix’s eyes opened full of disappointment. If she hadn’t been her parent’s daughter, if she hadn’t fallen under bad influence, if following the wrong orders hadn’t lead her down the wrong roads maybe Hermione could love her. Though she had listened, watched, allowed those awful things to happen. “Bellatrix?” Hermione pulled her thumb back slowly. “I apologize.” Quickly she got out from her seat at the table. “This was a mistake.” She was nearly out of the room entirely before Bellatrix could recognise what was going on. “You don’t have to . . . anything.” Going, going, Hermione was gone.