ALLERGIES

"Do you want to pair up for a duel? No that's stupid. Hey, how 'bout I let you kick my butt at DADA while everyone watches? Yes, that makes perfect sense."

As she sat on a bench in the corridor, she didn't even realize she started to talk out loud.

"What're you doin', Hermione?"

The girl started. "Ginny, you scared me. I'm just trying to figure out how to casually pair up with someone from Slytherin for the next lesson with Black."

Ginny sat next to her. "Really? Why on earth would you do that?"

"A free pass to the restricted section." Hermione smiled.

"Let me guess. Black made you a deal."

"Yes. The other day she took me to… " The girl started choking and coughing. Ginny put her hand on Hermione's back.

"Are you ok? What's happening?" The spell subsided after a few moments. Hermione tried to catch her breath while looking at Ginny's face. "Did Black do this to you?"

"I'm not sure. But it looks like I can't tell you anything else. I'm sorry, Gin."

"I can't believe what she's doing to you. That bitch!"

"That bitch will see you at seven for detention." The girls froze as said teacher arose from behind a corner. "Heard poor Mrs. Norris caught flees somewhere." she said as she was walking straight to them.

She stopped dangerously close and leaned forward placing both hands on the backrest of the bench trapping Ginny in the place, who just shrunk back as much as she could. "Ever bathed a cat in serum?" The redhead couldn't speak or look her in the eyes. She just shook her head no. "Perfect. Then it's settled. And if I were you, I'd refrain from the name-calling behind people's back. Better say it to their face. That is if you have the guts."

Ginny looked up. Seeing the professor's expression her courage left and all she could say was "I'm sorry professor."

"Oh, you will be." She whispered. Then she winked at Hermione and left them alone in the corridor.

"Are you OK?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"I think so. Merlin, how can you stand her? She makes Snape look like a pet bat." The girls burst out laughing. After they calmed down Ginny asked, "Do you know who are you going to duel with?"

"Not really. I was thinking maybe Parkinson. I think I could take her down. But it's a dead end. Either I get roasted during a lesson. Or if I win, the Slytherins will probably go back to sneak-attacking me on the corridors."

"So, either way you're screwed."

"Pretty much."

"Is it worth it?"

"Definitely. I'm becoming allergic to Victor Krum and his fan club." Hermione scrunched her face in distaste.

"But he's dreamy, isn't he?"

"Merlin, you sound like Lavender."

"Wow. That was mean! And anyways, I like Harry."

"Yes, I know."

"So, you don't think so?"

"What?"

"That Krum is absolutely dreamy?"

"You just have a thing for quidditch players."

"And you're deflecting. Come on. If not him then who do you fancy, hmm?"

"No one. I fancy no one."

"There must be somebody, don't hold back."

Hermione stopped answering.

"Come on! I know you fancy your studies best but it's ok to live a little."


LIVING

It happened after the first Triwizard task. She and the others were cheering for Cedric, the Hogwarts champion, but she found her eyes wandering time and time again to professor Black, who was standing at the edge of the arena as one of the 'dragon squad' who were supposed to step in if everything went to hell.

The witch had her hair up in a messy bun and wore a bright red cloak over her usual robes. From the stands she looked both tiny and dangerous. Her focus was solely on the dragons.

Fleur handled herself quite well. Until her skirt caught on fire. She managed to put it out and get the golden egg while showing quite a lot of skin, the skirt was in tatters. The loudness of the cheers was overwhelming. While clapping enthusiastically for the half veela she got a feeling like someone is staring at her. Was it Black? But when she glanced at her, the professor was just staring at the dragon.

Krum went in last. Ron was the ultimate fanboy. Even though he wanted Hogwarts to win, he simply couldn't contain his excitement when the champion walked in and faced his dragon. As Hermione sat there, she started to feel her period coming. A bit early this month but whatever. The first task ended, and she hurried to the bathrooms. She sat down, ready to use the usual superabsorbent and auto-cleaning charms on her panties. But this wasn't period. Staring at the white substance that made a patch on her underwear she used one finger to probe the source of the mess. Her lips down there were full of it. She felt swollen and it was getting hard to breathe. While on her shy exploration her finger brushed her clit. A current ran through the length of her legs.

Oh my, what am I doing?! She knew what this was, of course, she has done a research on this topic, although a small one. Bless the internet and the muggle way of sharing information. She hastily charmed her underwear clean and then used toilet paper to clean herself up.

That evening she opted for a cold shower. Not that it helped her. As she went to bed she was dreaming of red cloak, heaving chest, full lips. In her dream professor Black took her on a detention to the library. She had her rearranging the books on high shelves so that they stood upside down. Black was sitting on a sofa, watching her work. Then she fell from a ladder and kept falling through an endless pit while Black was watching from above. She thought she might die, but instead she fell into the softest red blanket that existed. And Black was there with her. "I'm a student. This isn't allowed." Black looked at her lips. "You'd be safe with me. I can show you."

She woke up in the dead of night, all the other girls were asleep. Her blanket was tangled between her legs. She knew she was wet again. The pressure felt so good, it gave her relief. She hugged her blanket tight with her limbs and rubbed her body against it. Her nipples were brushing the cloth of her t-shirt. She couldn't think. She didn't want to think.

Hermione rolled herself on her stomach, bend her knees and spread her legs as much as she could. She rubbed her thin panties against the blanket that got bunched up beneath her. It felt so wonderful. Mind still so hazy from sleeping she thought of Black running and cackling. She thought of the wild black curls and how it felt to press her face to them. Her young breasts were straining against the t-shirt. She rubbed her body in long movements and as if her body had a mind of its own, she picked up the pace.

Something was happening. Holding her breath, she kept moving until all her muscles screamed for oxygen. When she couldn't stand it anymore, she took a breath and with that her body spasmed. Her hand shot down and she pressed the blanket as tightly against her crotch as she could. Burying her face in the pillow she kept pressing and spasming and some sounds escaped her lips. In her mind she started repeating Bella, Bella, Bella.

Afterwards, as the excitement started to leave her body she felt so badly, terrified and ashamed of her thoughts. Not the act itself but thinking about professor Black was wrong. But she was now hazy and exhausted. She can't think about this now. She will just go to sleep.


THE LIBRARY

Lately Bella found herself browsing the restricted section of the library more often than before. She kept telling herself that she's bored and in need of a good read. One chilly Saturday during lunch she kept casually glancing to the Gryffindor table.

"Going to the library today, are we?" Snape said as she ran her eyes over the mass of students missing one particular bushy head.

"Yes, I think I will." Bella was so absorbed in her mind she missed the sarcasm.

"Have fun." He wished her as she left.

I just need to find something to read. Something interesting. Bella reasoned with herself as she entered the library. She could hear the flock whispering loudly.

"What does he want with her?"

"I wish he would speak to me."

"Maybe he's just telling her, that she's disturbing him from studying or something. I would be disturbed, too. Look at that face."

"At least with her you get what you see. Muddy inside, ugly outside." They all giggled and gawked around the corner.

Black heard enough. She came right behind the girls, leaned forward and said, "Get lost."

They were gone before she could blink. She carefully looked at the scene that the girls were spying on. Hermione Granger was standing near the entrance to the restricted section, apparently heading for lunch, and she was having a conversation with no other than Victor Krum.

"You actually want to go with me?" she just asked him in disbelief.

"Yes, I do. You are not like other girls and I want to know you better. What you say?"

"I wasn't even planning on going to the ball."

"But will you go with me?"

"Is this why have you been coming here all this time? To ask me to the Yule ball?"

"Yes. But then you started going to that forbidden section and I know I soon run out of time. It was now or never."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. Then she noticed her. Bella didn't even pretend anything, she looked straight at her, curious to hear the answer. Lately the girl has been antsy around her. It was almost entertaining. Probably because now she was properly challenged during the lessons. Hermione looked into her eyes for just a few moments before hastily answering "Well, alright then. I'll go with you."

"Great! That is great!" As he said goodbye, he made a mess of her name and disappeared.

Hermione gave a loud sigh and rubbed her temples. Then she raised her eyes to see the mildly amused professor.

"What?" Hermione said rudely.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." The smirk still there.

The girl almost left, but then she swiftly walked back to the now surprised professor. She got all in her face and started ranting.

"I can go to the ball with a handsome young man. Victor is dreamy. Yes, very dreamy and I'm a girl and he's a boy and we're going to the ball together!"

Bella focused with all her might not to laugh. She tried for a serious expression, but her eyes shone with mirth. "Great."

"Yes, it is great! It's freaking fantastic. I am going!"

"Who's stopping you?"

Still breathing heavily, Hermione answered. "No one." And then she just turned on her heel and left.

Oh, my daft little pet, Bella thought.


PANSY

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

This lesson was tough. Everybody was now used to the fact that Hermione was just duelling Slytherins although nobody knew why. The rumours varied. After a few lessons when she had to come up to someone and practically challenge them to a duel, they instead started taking turns with her, probably seeing it as a form of entertainment. Today she was facing Malfoy which wasn't good. She hated to admit it, but the git was really good at DADA. After all he had a lot of practice with his bullying activities.

She was giving it her all as Black taught them how to cast stupefy and how to protect yourself effectively from said curse. The right combination of Protego and simple dodging was the key.

The floor was covered with pillows and every time someone got hit, Black just lazily pointed her wand at the lying figure casting Rennervate. Hermione was focused but it was impossible to overlook the hate glares sent her way from Parkinson. As they duelled, she said "Could you please tell your girlfriend to calm down? We're just duelling!"

"What girlfriend?" Draco asked defensively. Hermione subtly motioned Pansy's way. "What the hell, Granger? She's not my girlfriend. Stupefy!"

"Protego!" He dodged and they kept talking. "Clearly you should tell her that, she doesn't seem like she got the news. Stupefy!"

Draco dodged and the curse hit Crabbe to the back. He crumbled to the ground. Black just lazily swished her wand, bringing him back with bored expression.

"This is not news. And it's none of your business."

They exchanged another round of curses.

"Who are you going to the ball with then?"

"Geez, Granger! You sound like my aunt. Stupefy!"

She opened her eyes to see the ceiling of the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Raising her head, she found Malfoy smirking victoriously. "Had enough yet?"

"Now you sound like your freaking aunt."

"What?"

"Nothing." With difficulty, Hermione stood up and raised her wand again. "Well whoever you're going with I feel sorry for, because Pansy is going to kill her."

"I haven't asked anyone yet, there's still plenty of time."

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!" He looked at Hermione with interest, forgetting to glare for a second. "Do you think she'd want to go with me?"

"Stupefy!"

The blonde boy crumbled to the ground in front of her eyes for the first time.

"Nice, Hermione!" Harry gave her a pat on the shoulder and continued to practice with Ron. Professor Black raised Draco right back to consciousness.

"Yes. Just do us all a favour and ask her before she spontaneously combusts." They both glanced the girl's way. She shot Hermione another hateful look, then smiled at Draco, waving her fingers in what she probably thought was a flirty gesture and turned back to her opponent. "This is getting painful to watch." Hermione remarked.

"Stupefy!"

She opened her eyes to see the ceiling once more.


EXCHANGING PLEASANTRIES

Bella was checking her reflection in the mirror. Maybe this was too much? But no, she's a Black. There's no such thing as too much. She secured her trusty flask on the thigh that was hidden by her dress and went to the entrance hall. Severus was waiting for her by one of the torches, deciding they'll suffer through the night together rather than apart.

On her way she made a few people stop dead in their tracks. But no, definitely not too much.

"You look like an expensive prostitute," was all he had to say.

"Thank you. And you look like you couldn't be bothered to use a shampoo in this decade."

"Thank you. Shall we?"

"We shall."

They ran into McGonagall in the doorway to the Great hall. "Truly, Bellatrix?"

"Good evening, Minerva. The hall looks amazing."

McGonagall shook her head disapprovingly and went to the entrance hall to wait for the champions.

"Told you."

"Shut up."


FOREIGN ACQUAINTANCES

Hermione spent literally the whole day in the dormitory getting ready. She acquired a ton of magical products in advance and decided to go all in. Why not? How many times will she have a chance to go dancing at school? And after a few lessons she realized she really enjoys dancing.

When she arrived in the entrance hall Victor was waiting for her, his eyes shining in wonder. He looked truly handsome, his robes fitting him perfectly.

He bowed to her and acted like a true gentleman. She was a bit disappointed when she wanted to say hi to Harry and Ron, but they just looked right through her. Never mind, she'll find them later. She was determined to enjoy this night no matter what.

When Fleur showed up, she had to gulp. A half veela indeed. Hermione briefly considered going over there and introducing herself, but immediately dismissed it. If she wants to make an international friend, she has a potential one right next to her.

And so, Victor and she chatted for a while. When she managed to ignore the horrendous accent, Hermione found he was quite nice. And surprisingly smart for a Quidditch player. No wonder he wasn't interested in any of those dumb bimbos but rather in someone like her. The realization hit her. He's actually interested in me. Her stomach did a somersault. And now it was time for the first dance. She swallowed her nerves, put on a smile and confidently entered the hall side by side with Victor Krum.


WHERE IS SHE?

Bella and Sev were standing in the back and discreetly having a swig from the flask. The ball was about to start. She moved a bit to have a good view of the dance floor.

Finally, the door opened, and the champions and their dates entered.

What the hell? Wasn't Granger supposed to be with Krum? She probably changed her mind and just didn't go altogether. Bella found herself feeling sad. She realized she was looking forward to seeing how her pet cleans up.

Turns out that Krum is just another shallow brainless quidditch player, bringing a gorgeous sexy brunette she didn't recall. But everyone has Defence Against the Dark Arts, she should know her. Is she from Beauxbatons?

The music started and they took their places ready to dance. He whispered something to her ear making her laugh. Merlin, she's familiar! Who is she? "Sev, who's that pretty brunette in blue dress? The one dancing with Krum?"

"How should I know? Probably a student number two hundred and forty-four. Who am I to remember them all?"

She just couldn't look away curious what kind of gorgeous little wench took her Hermione's place. Shaking her head, she tried to clear her mind of the possessive thoughts. She decided that later she'll casually approach the girl to get a closer look.


THE YULE BALL AND THE MAGIC

The evening was magical, and it was just the beginning. Victor turned out to be an excellent dancer, leading her with grace and confidence. She felt like everyone is staring at her. She tried not to look at the crowds and just enjoy the song. Soon, Dumbledore and McGonagall joined them on the dance floor. And then others. Songs mingled together and after a while they decided to take a break and find something to drink.

Victor excused himself for a minute to say hi to his friends. Hermione happily sipped her beverage, her eyes gliding over the magnificent Great hall when she noticed someone approaching her. She raised her eyes to meet two dark orbs, staring at her in shock.

MERLIN'S BEARD!

Taking in professor Black's attire the girl dropped her butterbeer. Neither of them even looked down on the smashed glass and the spilled liquid. Bellatrix was wearing the brightest Gryffindor red Hermione has ever seen. And golden jewellery. The dress wasn't corseted like her usual, it was more of a Greek style with very low-cut cleavage. And the beautiful long skirt rich in folds had a slit going as high as the top of her thigh, showing one beautiful, perfect milky leg. Her hair was styled differently than usual as well, Greek to match her dress.

Nothing could prepare her for what happened next.

"Hermione?" She couldn't speak. She wanted to answer, but she didn't even know what to say. Black called her by her name! "It's you."

"Pro-professor Black, good evening," she finally managed to say. Oh my god, she didn't recognize me!

"You look… I mean… How are you? Having fun?" Black was completely out of her element. But so was Hermione.

"Great. I'm… I'm having a great time," she said to the professor's cleavage, forgetting to raise her eyes.

Black tried to get herself back in control. She looked around them. "Your date is coming back. Enjoy the night, pet." And before Hermione could answer she turned her back on her and hastily walked away. Whatever Hermione wanted to say or do, she forgot, because she could see almost all of her bare back.

Come on, Hermione, focus. Enjoy the night.


LOW MOMENT

"Looks like your muddy pet is getting laid tonight," Severus said as he watched Bellatrix watching Hermione and Krum going to the garden.

"Good for her." She knocked back another cup of the punch. Earlier she caught the Weasley twins trying to spike it with about a litre of some Russian muggle vodka. In the end she helped them with the task, saying to herself 'What the hell'.

"Come on, let's take a walk. I can't stand to watch this pity party." He grabbed her by the elbow and directed her through the door and to the corridors.

"I said I'm fine! What are you doing?" Bella complained all the way. Sev decided to stop in a random corridor.

"This level of possessiveness over a student…" He was cut off.

"Don't patronize me. You of all people are in no position to judge."

"Nice. Really charming, tonight, are you?"

She closed her eyes and massaged her temples. "Sorry. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I know you're just trying to look out for me."

"Look, you can have favourite students. Everybody does it, it's not a secret."

"But I can't!" She shouted. "My favourite student can't be a mudblood. It's impossible. My family would never understand."

Snape knew how much he's risking with his question. "All of your family?"

Bella took in a sharp breath. "Don't start about her. I can't take it tonight."

Snape thinks and then places a hand on her shoulder. "Look, I think I had enough of this ball. Watching students act like animals is not my idea of entertainment, so I'm going to bed. But let me give you something to think about. Is it possible, that this big problem of yours is all in your head?" And with that he left.

Bella stayed behind, mulling over his words. It's ok to have a favourite student. And whatever Granger decides to do tonight it's none of her business. She can try and be supportive of her favourite student.


THE TALK

She ran like crazy. After the first corner she threw down her heels and continued barefoot. She didn't get far, however, because she hit someone.

"Professor Snape?"

"Your eyes are clearly working. Can you then give me an explanation as to why you decided to physically run into me?"

Chest heaving, she answered, frantically looking around her. "I'm sorry professor." She needs to think. She needs to talk to someone. There's one person. Only one person. "Do you know where I can find professor Black?"

Snape raised his eyebrows, looking at her for an uncomfortably long time.

"Second floor, the door on the right side of the Grand staircase." With that he headed away, robes swishing.

Hermione tried to calm herself down, but she couldn't slow her frantically beating hard. It was probably the worst idea she ever got, but all she could think was 'I need Black'. She truly found the professor at said place, toying with a suit of arms.

"Professor Black, I need to talk to you about something." Hermione said in a resigned voice. Black looked back over her shoulder.

"Now, pet? In the middle of Yule ball? Tell me, have you tried the punch?"

"No, not really. This is about that thing you said I can come and talk to you about if I need to."

"What thing?" she asked disinterestedly. Hermione forced herself to keep speaking.

"You know, that thing. Right after I had that dream last year."

Now Black twirled around, facing Hermione. "Oh, great. Nothing better for a ball night than a sex-talk! For a minute there I was worried you wanted to discuss your last essay."

Hermione swallowed heavily. A sex-talk. Right, she can do this. Too late to back out now.

She had a hard time with how to begin.

Black got an idea. "Accio a cup of punch!" She exclaimed with a dramatic swish of her wand. Was she drunk? Hermione wondered.

After a minute there truly appeared a sloshing cup of punch. Black shoved it to her hands.

"Drink this. All of it."

After a few sips Hermione said: "It tastes funny."

"Drink."

The girl complied and finished her cup.

"Good. Now let's sit here and you can talk." They sat down on a window ledge.

"The dream that I had back then… Part of the reason that I was so freaked out was… "

She didn't want to say it. This was such a bad idea.

"Just say it. Don't think about it, just say it out loud."

"First I need to ask you something. I need to know how precisely does the spell in the toffee work."

"Why are you asking me this tonight? Why didn't you ask about this last year?"

"Back then I tried not to overthink it. It was just a dream and like you said, in my case it made sense that it turned weird. But tonight, something happened. With Victor."

And the night just keeps getting better and better.

"What did you do? Tell me all about it."

Yeah, she's drunk. And I might be as well. What was in that sodding punch?

"Nothing. And that's just the problem. We were walking in the garden, having a nice conversation and before I knew it, he was kissing me."

"Nice, scoring a quidditch star. Twenty points for Gryffindor!" Black exclaimed dramatically.

This was the first time Hermione was aware Black awarded points to anybody but a Slytherin.

"Nobody scored anybody. It felt so odd and wrong. After a while I couldn't stand it, so I just ended it and ran off."

"You actually turned down a horny hunk like Victor Krum?" She laughed out loud. "I'd pay to see the look on his face. Being rejected by you of all people, with your pitiful blood status."

"I can't believe you're bringing this up again. How many times do I have to tell you, it's NOT ABOUT BLOOD!" She yelled.

"Calm down, pet. I can't help it if I find something funny. Stop taking everything so personally, would you?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. Why did she think this was a good idea in the first place?

"Come on, you were going to tell me something about your dream."

"There was a woman!" Hermione blurted out. "The dream. It was about a woman… doing stuff… to me."

Black's face twitched in a smile. This is good!

"So, you've finally come out. That's a big step. Congrats!" She shot a small firework out of the tip of her wand. Hermione couldn't believe it.

"Come out? WHAT?!"

"Now you are officially a member of two minorities! Imagine all the new ways I get to torture you now. This is a joyous moment. We should celebrate!"

Hermione just spluttered for words, not knowing what to say first.

"I can't believe you… You can't just assume. I'm not… At least I don't think so… And anyway, this is insane!"

"I can't assume what? That you're a lesbian?"

Upon hearing that word Hermione put her head in her hands. Well, that's why she ran straight to Black, isn't it? She wanted a straight, no nonsense answer and she got one. Sort of.

It makes sense. It makes too much of a sense for it not to be true. And being a person of logic, Hermione knew she couldn't hide from this. But Black seemed like she wasn't surprised at all… Oh, Merlin! She looked up to the professor's amused face.

"Don't tell me you knew."

"Don't tell me you didn't."

Oh, MERLIN!

"I suppose that I thought about it for a while now. There had been a few signs. But the full realization hit me just tonight. It's like all the clues came together. How did you know? And for how long?"

Bellatrix gave her a look.

"Pet, if I punched you every time, I found you staring down my corset, you'd have no teeth."

Hermione turned beet red. "I… I didn't…" She tried to come up with an excuse.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm used to it."

They sat in silence for a while.

"You just figured it out tonight? Truly?"

"Yes."

"Unbelievable. And they call you the smart one. That's fifteen points from Gryffindor."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously! Did you think that all the straight girls drool over my boobs? Or anybody else's for that matter?"

"I mean… maybe?" Hermione waved her hand over the lovely full chest. "This is kind of hard to look away from. These are really big, and your usual corset is holding them quite nicely. It's like they're everywhere I look."

"Merlin, stop talking or I'll keep taking points."

"Ok." They sat in silence. "So… what happens now?"

"Hmm, let's see. Dancing. Check. Spike the punch. Check. Having a terrible kiss. Check. Tease Sev about his hair. Triple check. What else can we do on a ball night?" Was she just terribly confused or did Black really want to spend time with her?

"I wouldn't know, you tell me. This is my first ball ever."

"And how is it so far?" Bellatrix asked, eyes sparkling.

"Beautiful."