"Cup of tea Minnie?" Bella asks walking straight into the kitchen of Minerva Mcgonagall's rather large cottage.
"A glass of fire-whisky will do me." Minerva said entering the kitchen.
"Agreed." Bella reaches for the glasses as Minerva gets the bottle of whiskey. The room was suddenly filled with silence apart from the clanking of glass then the sound of running liquid. Minerva sat in a chair at the kitchen table, watching Bella as she poured the drinks. Bella was aware of the blue eyes watching her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head.

"Do you mind if I stay here tonight?" Bella asks avoiding to look at the older witch. The young witch didn't fancy going back to her big empty mansion, for she gets incredibly lonely and Bella never did like being alone for to long.
"Of course I don't." Minerva continued to watch the girl as she hands Minerva her glass then placed the bottle on the table. She sits opposite Minerva taking a sip of her glass. Minerva doesn't take her eyes off of her and couldn't stop the hurt she felt not only for herself but for the girl.

Bella was one of the strongest people she knew and hated to show others that she was hurt, she felt people would think of her as weak.
And she hated to be thought of as weak.
Bella also had another side to her. She had a lot of insecurities and she was sensitive, gentle kind. And Minerva was lucky enough to see that side of her.

"We're alone Bella. You don't have to hide it." Minerva's voice was soft. Her face no longer hid what she felt. Minerva placed her glass on the table stood up and made her way to Bella. Taking Bella's glass and placing it on the table too, she made Bella look at her. Minerva could see the girl was fighting back her tears. Minerva herself already had tears in her eyes, some even managed to escape, running down her cheek.

Minerva sighs taking Bella's hands in hers leaning down she kisses the top of Bella's head.
"It's alright kitten. Everything will be alright " Minerva whispers.
"Lily...James...they're dead, they're really gone" was all that came out of the young witches mouth. Not a single tear fell from her eyes, not even at the death of her friends. Bellatrix never was one to cry. That didn't mean she didn't feel it though, because it hurt, it hurt a lot.

***
A few years later

Four women and one Severus Snape sat in a little muggle coffee shop in the little village not far from Hogwarts.
"Ladies, I'm afraid I must take my leave, I have errands to run." The man said as he stood up.
"Are you going into Hogsmeade?" Bella asks.
"Possibly."
"Oh I'll come with you, I have a few things I need to get myself." Bella also stands up.
"Minnie, Ro, need anything?"
"No thank you sweetheart."
"Nope, I'm good."
"Right see you soon Ro, and I'll see you later love." Bella smiles planting a quick kiss on Minerva's cheek before nudging the man in his side. "Come on, get a move on." She said earning an eye roll from Severus.

The pair leave, leaving the two woman alone.
"I'll see you later love." Rolanda mimics, grinning at her friend.
"Shut up." Minerva narrows her brows.
"So she's still living with you ."
"Don't you start with me." Minerva warns.
"Who's idea was it anyway, you never did tell me, Yours or hers?"
"She asked to spend the night, and I simply suggested she could stay there because I know how lonely it can get, especially in that big house of hers." Minerva sips her tea.

There was a moment of silence before Rolanda spoke.
"So, you two at it yet." Minerva chocked on her tea.
"Rolanda Hooch!"
"What?"
"We're friends! Nothing more." Minerva scowls at the woman.
The short haired witch laughed.
"Aye but you wish you were something more."
"Ro this subject is not up for discussion."
"Oh come on Min, it's just us." Rolanda nudges her friend.
"You're incredibly irritating." Minerva sighs.
"And yet you love me. Now have you told her yet?"
"Told her what, there's nothing to tell."
"Oh come on Minerva, you can't keep denying your feelings for the girl, just tell her already."
Minerva sighs closing her eyes, she rubs her temple with her fingers.
"She's going through a rough time at the moment."
"Minerva it was 3 years ago, I know what happened was devastating and it shouldn't of happened but it did, you need to move on, the both of you, and live your life." Rolanda said, half expecting Minerva to rip into her but instead she reached for her tea cup and took a sip of the contents.

"Very well and how do you suppose I tell her? Hm?" Minerva arches her brow at the short haired woman.
"Hey don't ask me I'm no good at that stuff." Rolanda held her hands.
"You were the one who just said-" Minerva stops and inhales placing her head in her hand, sometimes she'd really like to strangle the woman beside her.

***

Minerva awaited at the house, the girl still hadn't returned yet.
"What on earth is she doing?!" Minerva made herself some tea in attempt to keep herself busy.
Just then the door opens
"Minerva love, I'm home." The girl chuckles.
Minerva instantly left the kitchen and barged into the living room.
There stood Bella a smirk plastered on her face and a bottle in hand.
"Where have you been?"
"With Severus, you know that love."
"How come you took so long?"
"Because Severus is a nightmare to go shopping with, he's worse than you."
Minerva studies her.
"You've been drinking."
"I only had a few." The girl grins holding up the full bottle of fire whiskey.
"I brought a bottle back for us, it's your favourite, look." Bella hands Minerva the bottle.

"But since I'm already ahead of you, you need to have six shots to catch up."
"What happened to I only had a few?" Minerva arches her brow and the girl chuckles.
"maybe I had a bit more."
Minerva rolls her eyes.
"Sit down, I'll be back."
"I'll be waiting here gorgeous." Bellatrix grins as she moved towards the settee and sat down.

***

"You know Minerva it's actually painful seeing you like this." Ro said pulling up a chair and sitting by Minerva's desk.
"Well you know where the door is."
"Say here's a thought how about you just tell her how you feel instead of pussyfooting around." Rolanda said then chuckled at the woman's face.
"No pun intended." She grins.
"I hate you." She lowers her head back to her papers.
"Minerva that's a bit harsh." Bella frowns as she enters, Minerva's head shot up.
"No let me Explain-"
"And too think I was only trying to help you." Rolanda buried her face into her hands.
"Take no notice of her, she's been really grumpy lately." Bella places her hand on the other woman's back.
"What! No listen-" Minerva started but Bella wasn't having none of it.
"No Minerva, apologise clearly you've upset Rolanda with your unkind tongue."
"I'm not apologising." Minerva frowns.
"Very well, come along Ro-Ro"
"Where are you going?" Minerva looks at the girl.
"None of your business, and don't expect me to come back until Rolanda gets an apology."

Minerva growls, and she could see the smug look on her old friends face.
"I'm sorry." She said to Rolando who grins.
"Cheers, now I'll be off." The woman winks at Minerva then leaves.

"See! It didn't upset her at all, she was just saying that-"
"Oh I know, I just thought it would be funny to mess with you." Bella smirks. Minerva stares at her blankly for a moment.
"You're insufferable." She said then goes back to marking her papers.

**5 years later.**

Bella and Minerva are walking side by side through a park filled with flowers, trees, dogs and many screaming and giggling children who were playing on the swings and climbing frames.
"Is there a specific reason we are at a muggle park Minerva, or did you just fancy coming here to play on a swing." Bella folded her arms as the pair walked through the park.
"I thought a change of scenery would be nice." Minerva simply replied. Bella rolls her eyes at her friend.

The sun was shining making it a rather hot day, Bella and Minerva had dialled their choice of clothing down, trying to blend in with the muggles.

Bella looked around the park to see many children running around and playing.
She smiles at this, she has always been fond of children. Although she hasn't any of her own, not that she doesn't want any of her own , as a matter of fact there's nothing Bella would like more than to have her own children, but it would have to be with the right person. Someone she could see herself spending the rest of her life with...someone she loved. She would hate for her children to grow up with parents who don't love each other, parents who constantly argue, parents who only wedded for the greed of money and power.

She knows what it feels like to have parents like that and it's just awful, there was never any love shown in their family, only hatred. Apart from her two sisters, and grandfather.
Her grandfather came across as cold and heartless like a true Black but truthfully he was nothing like what a Black should be, he was warm kind, funny and caring, although he wouldn't show that side of him to anyone, only Bella has seen that side of him. Now his wife however was exactly what a Black should be. She was cold, mean and cruel and her son Cygnus was exactly the same.  Her mother was cold but not as cruel as her father and they both had very different minds which led to the many many violent arguments.

Bella definitely did not want her life to be like that, to raise children in an environment like that. Narcissa her younger sister acts like a Black but like her grandfather she is a softy. Andy couldn't wait to leave, to run away with her muggle boyfriend ( which really annoyed her parents to the point they banished her from the family. Bella still talks to her however.)
And Bella well, being the eldest so much was expected of her and she followed most of it upto the point they wanted her to Marry one of the Lestrange brothers, that's when she drew the line. Oh the abuse she got for that, the abuse she received from her father was simply mortifying and it got even worse when he found out she still remained friends with the muggle born Lily. (Who in their eyes was A filthy mudblood, an impurity to the wizarding world.)

She felt Minerva brush against her as they walk along the path, she shifts her gaze to the woman beside her and smiles. Remembering how she took her in when she ran away, how Minerva stood by her through everything that followed after that, even during her school years Minerva was the only one Bella trusted, she felt a special connection between the two.

Minerva noticed Bella smiling at her, though she seemed to be on a completely different planet. Minerva moved her hand reaching for Bella's arm she pulled the girl to a stop, also stopping herself.
"Bella, what are you smiling at?" Minerva quirks her brow awaiting the answer.
"Hmm?" Bella blinked coming back to reality.
"Oh, just you" Bella smiles
"Me?" Minerva furrows her brows, though her cheeks had a slight tint of pink to them.
"Yes, You. Why, is it a crime to smile at you now ? Will I get sent to Azkaban?" Bella smirks earning an eye roll from the older witch.

"I was simply wondering why you were smiling at me, with a far off look on your face." Minerva let go of Bella's arm after realising she still held it tightly.
Bella shifted her eyes to where Minerva's hand had rested, finding it suddenly felt cold. She looked back at the older woman.
"You don't have to know everything Minerva." Bella smiles just as a child runs into her legs.
"Oh, why hello there" Bella looks down at the child.
"You pretty" the little girl smiles.

"And so are you" Bella smiles bending down to see the child better.
The little girl giggles.
"Do you have a name?" The raven haired woman asks, the little girl nods.
"Sandy"
"Well Sandy my names Bellatrix."
"Who's that?" Sandy pointes towards Minerva.
"You know it's considered rude to point" Minerva looked at the little girl.
"This is my friend Minerva" Bella smiles.

"Oh Sandy there you are! don't run off like that again!" A tall muscular man panted.
"Look daddy, I've made friends" the girl smiles tugging on Bella's knee length dress.
"I see, how'd you do, I'm Matt" the man smiles offering his hand.
" Bellatrix Black " the ravenette smiles giving her his hand, expecting a handshake from the muggle but instead he brought her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon it. Bella tenses slightly at this, suddenly feeling like slapping the man.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bella."
"Bellatrix if you will." Bella corrected not liking how her name sounded coming from him.
The man nods politely.

Having seen the way this feller looked at Bella, Minerva was getting quite annoyed and how dare he kiss her hand, merlin knows what he's been doing or where he's been with that mouth. And the damn cheek, calling her Bella as if he knows her.
Minerva cleared her throat taking a step closer to Bella.
"And This gorgeous lady must be your mother" the man turned to Minerva.
"I most certainly am not." Minerva was not at all pleased.
"Oh no, she's not my mother" Bella chuckles "forgive me I failed to introduce you to the gorgeous Minerva Mcgonagall a very, very good friend of mine." Bella smiles, glancing at a not so amused Minerva. Her annoyed little face looks adorable. Bellatrix couldn't get over the cuteness the woman possessed. And Bellatrix did love to tease her.

The child giggles moving to hug Minerva's leg.
Bella chuckled at this earning another annoyed glance from the woman.
Minerva looked down at the giggling child, a small smile formed on her face.
"What on earth are you doing?" Her voice was much softer and she still smiled at the child who started to run around her in a circle stopping every now and then to tug on her long dress.

"Sandy come on now, stop that." Matt spoke to his daughter who hid behind Minerva.
"I apologise for her behaviour although I'm rather glad she ran into you." The man turned his attention back to Bella.
"Oh, and why's that?" Bella quirked her brow.
The little girl continued to run around Minerva who had a close eye on what was going on between Bella and Matt, and did not like where this was heading.

"I'd like to get to know you more...maybe, if you'd like to. That is if you haven't got a boyfriend or anything." The man scratched his head.
"Haven't you a wife? Or a partner, the mother of your child maybe?" Minerva spoke up.
"No, we're divorced." Matt shook his head.
"Well I haven't a boyfriend nor husband however I do have a jealous person who does hate sharing me with others." Bella shifted her gaze to Minerva.
"I most certainly am not jealous."
Too cute, a jealous Minerva was simply the cutest.
"Who mentioned you?" Bella smirked once more, enjoying winding her friend up.

"You shifted your gaze to me as you spoke, clearly insinuating I'm the jealous person"
"Oh did I " Bella smiles all to innocently
"You know full well you did."
"Anyway as I was saying, I am single, however I am only here for a very very short period of time. We're from Scotland and we've simply come here for a change of scenery" Bella turned to Minerva as she said the last part.

"Yes and speaking of which time is getting ahead of us, we really must be going." Minerva didn't like this man at all , all he wants is to get in Bella's knickers, and she'd be damed if that happened.
"Goodbye little one. Bella come on." Minerva grabbed the younger witches hand.
"Bye sweetie" Bella waved to the little girl who waved back. She smiled giving a polite nod to Matt " it was nice meeting you."
"Maybe we'll see each other again in the future?" Matt grinned waving goodbye to the ravenette who was practically dragged away by Minerva.
"Not if I can help it." Minerva mumbles to herself unaware Bella heard.

"Someone got very jealous back there." Bella smirks connecting her arm with Minerva.
"I was not jealous. I was simply watching out for you."
"Oh really? Well I hate to break it to you love, but I'm a grown woman I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Bella whispers,
leaning in a little too close to Minerva's ear.

Minerva definitely noticed that Bella is a grown woman. She's watched the girl grow mature over time, although she can be very childish at times. She's become an intelligent and very attractive young lady. Many many people notice this, especially men. Oh how Minerva hates the way men stare at her, how they undress her with their eyes. Minerva's blood boils just thinking about it. Men who know absolutely nothing about her yet they would be more than happy to use her to please themselves.

Bella could sense the older witch becoming rather angry, at what however , she wasn't really sure. It couldn't be her could it? She was only teasing the older woman.

"I was only teasing love, I didn't mean to upset you." Bella whispers moving her free hand to stroke the arm that was tightly wrapped around her other arm.

Feeling Bella's soft caresses on her hand brought her back to the present. Minerva suddenly takes hold of Bella's hand with her free one.
"I'm not angry with you" Minerva smiles. I could never be angry with you. Was what she thought of saying but instead " you have done nothing wrong."
"Okay." Bella looks at the floor as they walk.

Again Minerva stops them in their tracks turning to completely face Bella.
"I mean it." Minerva stood back from the girl for a moment, a small smile on her face.
"Bella, look at me."
Bella turns slightly, looking at Minerva.
"I'm not angry with you, I promise." Minerva places her hands each side of the girls head, standing on her tiptoes, bringing Bella's head down slightly and places a kiss upon her forehead.
"I'm glad. I'd hate for you to be angry with me, especially when it was a harmless bit of teasing." Bellatrix smiles " frankly I couldn't resist, a jealous Minerva is far too cute." Bellatrix smirks causing the older woman to blush.
"Ah, are those pink cheeks I see?" Bellatrix arches her brow.
"No." Minerva snaps, earning a chuckle from Bellatrix.
Minerva looks elsewhere.
" besides, I wouldn't of gone anywhere with him you know that, I don't go anywhere with anyone I don't trust."
"Lets just drop the conversation. Now let's go home." Minerva started walking again.

Bella quickened her pace to catch up with the witch.
"Minerva stop walking so fast, we came for a stroll, not a 'who can walk the fastest competition'." Bellatrix took hold of the woman's arm.
Minerva looked over her shoulder chuckling at the adorable pouting young woman.
"It's not funny." Bella didn't understand why Minerva was laughing, she didn't say anything funny.
"I'm sorry, I'll slow down." Minerva smiles.
"Damn right you will." Bellatrix growls.