Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Sequel to It doesn't get easier to tell the truth.
Author: Crinaeae Rai (sweetinsanity90)
Beta'ed By: Rivi (little_miss_tin)
Pairings: Luna/Stella, Hermione/Luna, Hermione/Severus, Hermione/Draco (friendship), Ron/Draco
Rating: Hard R/NC-17
Warnings: Swearing, Weapon Use, Minor Alcohol/Drug Use/Abuse, Sexual Tension, Sex, Angst, Mentions of War Crimes/Rape/etc, Mental Illness (including eating disorders)
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: Hermione deals with the fall out from the trial that brought Draco and Ron together. Only, why do dead people keep showing up in her group therapy sessions?
Timeline: Picks up right where It doesn't get easier to tell the truth leaves off, about two weeks after Hermione's testimony. Eight years after The War.
A/N1: I'm not sure how Hermione slipped her way into Ron and Draco's story, but once she was there, I couldn't not tell her story from how she changed from bookworm!Hermione to gun slinging!Hermione.
A/N2: I tried to make the flash backs as clear as possible, but if it's not, then anytime you see a lot of italicized text – it's probably a flash back.
A/N3: OMG, it's a multichapter fic! I have no idea how that happened, but it did. Right now, it'll be about 38-40 chapters.
Word Count: 580/?
Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
- Emily Dickinson
It Ends Like This
"Did you ever think it would end up like this?" Hermione asked, sitting on the counter of Stella's shop, legs swinging slightly as she sipped her first cup of coffee in a month. It tasted dark and bitter, just as she remembered, but somehow not as delicious. She couldn't remember why she craved it so much, just that she had. The dark liquid rippled in a bright coloured mug, nearly splashing over when she kicked too hard. One disproving glance from the other woman, and she stilled her feet.
It took more effort than a month ago.
"I didn't," she answered, wiping down all the shining horizontal surfaces with a rag and water liberally spiked with lemon and rosemary oil, "I always thought the magic the coven had would be enough for me."
"Does it feel weird? To have a wand again?" the words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Hermione hadn't remastered the art of biting down on words she longed to say.
"It feels right," Stella straightened and swished her wand, (twelve inches, elm, pleasantly bendy, mermaid hair core) smiling as the cloth and spritz bottle danced around the shop cleaning tables, "does it feel weird to you? Being back in the real world?"
Hermione scowled, "It's only been a month, I don't think I've gone native just yet!"
"You did bring this upon yourself by asking me first," Stella tossed her hair, coiled in a thick braid today, over her shoulder as she shot a glance at the clock, "Luna should be coming over soon."
"Do you want me to leave?" the words are desperate, and she wishes she could take them back. Putting her mug next to the register, Hermione stood on her own two shaky feet, only to be pushed gently back on her perch. She hadn't even noticed Stella move from across the shop.
She would've noticed a month ago.
She would've had a gun in her hand a month ago, aimed between Stella's breasts.
She could have shot Stella, leaving her crumpled body bleeding on the ground without another thought.
For the first time, gratitude floods Hermione's body, taking her breath away.
"-it doesn't bother you, you know we both love you," Stella was saying when her thoughts returned to the present.
What was she talking about? Oh, right - Luna popping over to the shop.
"No, it doesn't bother me, Stella," Hermione told her, and the words didn't feel like a lie anymore. Impulsively, she wrapped her arms loosely around the other woman. Leaving her room to break free if she wanted. Stella didn't, only pulling her into to a tighter hug. Hermione thought she might forgive her after all. If there was anything left to forgive.
Luna entered the small shop a minute later, her arms joining them in a huge hug. When Hermione pulled away, she watched as Luna kissed Stella.
It didn't feel like a knife was plunging into her heart anymore.
Like it would have a month ago.