Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter or Twilight characters. I do own Tuyet Tran and any other characters that are not in Harry Potter or Twilight world unless otherwise noted.
Chapter One:
Tuyet clicked her tone disapprovingly.
Hermione snapped. "Just say it already!" she screamed in the phone, tired of the silence that followed.
"What do you want me to say, Hermione?" Tuyet finally sighed.
Hermione just knew the girl was speaking with pursed lips.
"You already up and left London. You're at the airport." She paused, "And you expect me to drop everything I'm doing now to accommodate you."
"Drop the righteous act," Hermione scoffed, "We both know that that's not what you're upset about."
"Fine, Miss Know-it-All," Tuyet replied evenly, "If you're so adamant that that's not what I'm upset about, tell me: what the fuck am I upset about?"
Hermione took a deep breath and shouted, loudly, "You're upset that I left Harry to the Weasleys. You're upset that I'm too much of a coward to find my parents. You're upset that I'm leaving all the people I care about because I'm too much of a selfish bitch to do anything to make myself happy."
After a minute of heavy breathing on Hermione's side, Tuyet chuckled over the phone. "Contradiction in there hon. You got it wrong, you're a victimizing bitch, not selfish."
Hermione cracked a smile and laughed.
"Charm your luggage, keep only a backpack. I'll be there in ten."
"Thank you, Tuyet."
Hermione smiled sweetly as she sat down on the cement bench outside the airport. Tuyet had always been there for her the moment they met in Ireland.
"The first time I saw you," Tuyet had smiled widely as she grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her behind a pillar to dodge a wave of curses, "I knew that we'd be friends."
Hermione had looked at her wide mouth before incredulously saying, "Are you mad? We're under attack!"
Tuyet had shrugged, and said, "Then you'd better start paying attention." She looked at her challengingly before jumping out of the pillar and casting a well aimed severing charm on a high chandelier.
Hermione had gone to Ireland with Remus to negotiate with the minority Magical populace. Tuyet, under specific instructions of a friend of Dumbledores' was to assist them in whatever way she could. Hermione didn't understand why they sent her. She knew every bit helps, but Tuyet wasn't from Ireland, and she was a witch – just like herself. Personally, Hermione didn't feel she could help much either, but very much wanted to learn more of the minority populace.
To say she was surprised that Tuyet had been the main reason the vampires, pixies, werewolves, centaurs, elves, nymphs – everyone, joined the cause and either came with them to Britain to join the frontlines or at least agreed to not side with Voldemort was to say Snape's hair is only mildly oily (which it absolutely wasn't).
Tuyet was personable, reasonable, and very pragmatic. The perfect strategist if Hermione must say. She played to everyone's strengths, Remus' thoughtfulness and her researching nature; she integrated herself into each group's culture and beliefs before convincing everyone. She was absolutely Slytherin in her dealings, and Hermione couldn't help but admire her for that.
From blackmail to favors, the girl more than filled her role in Ireland.
Hermione had developed a tight girlfriend in those weeks in there.
Tuyet and Hermione fought several times when she found out about the backhanded dealings, but Tuyet had shown her that just because they didn't match perfectly in ethics, their core values were the same.
If it weren't for Tuyet, Hermione would never had become…associates with Blaise, Draco, and even Luna.
Tuyet had been her rock, and the only one to actively voice her disapproval in her act towards her parents, and her action now.
Harry said she was still his Hermione no matter what happens.
Ron had been gruff in his support, but she still had his support. He had also promised that he'd look out for Harry and for her to keep in contact no matter what.
Remus looked at her sadly and was the one who actually popped to her flat that morning with Tonks and Albus in hand. Upon finding when she was leaving from old acquaintances, he refused to allow her to go by herself to the airport. Surrogate family and all, Tonks had laughed half-jokingly and unsure. Hermione had smiled and hugged them both before saying, "Don't be ridiculous. You're absolutely family."
Upon arrival at the airport, she found Draco, Blaise, and Luna. Draco and Blaise with terse take cares and hugs before saying, "Expect us to visit." There was no invitation, but there was no doubt that they'd visit either. Luna, with folded arms, refused to say good bye, and only said, upon seeing her walk away, "We'll see you, Hermione Granger. Those lily bugs won't bother you for a while, but not forever." She had sung.
Hermione still doesn't get Luna, but she as odd as she was, she envied Luna's levelheadedness and she had proven herself again and again to be a valuable friend.
The last people she thought would care, cared; the people she thought would still care, was gone.
That was when a loud motorbike roared loudly. Looking up, Hermione saw a red motorbike pulling up in front of her. The black helmet hid the person's head completely, but from the small, tight dark brown leather jacket, and the dark denim jeans that fit snugly into suede brown boots, it was obviously a girl (or a cross dressing, small guy).
The figure reached an arm out, "Come and take a ride with me, sexy lady." The high, melodic voice tilted her head to a side with invitation.
Hermione laughed. "You're mad if you think I'm going to hop on a bike with you."
The girls' shoulder dropped before pulling the helmet off her face. "And why not?" she asked indignantly as she shook out her ponytail and retied her collarbone length, dark brown hair into a loose bun. "This is a beautiful Harley Davidson v-rod, Hermione. Look at it!" she gestured at the bike, eyes wide with innocence.
"You know what I mean," Hermione rolled her eyes as she walked up to her. "I'm not suicidal."
Tuyet laughed, "It's not as if you can die in car accidents anymore," she teased.
"That may be true, but you still can, and so can other people!" Hermione half shouted and laughed.
Tuyet rolled her eyes. "I got here safe, so just get your ass on the bike so we can get a move on. You may have the rest of time to argue, but I don't, now come on!" she pushed another helmet into Hermione's arms before putting hers back on.
Hermione frowned before giving in. She didn't had much of a choice, and Tuyet had a point. She giggled behind Tuyet as she sped carefully down the road. At least I don't have to be scared with Tuyet's driving as a vampire, she thought with a wry smile as she breathed in Tuyet's odd spicy citrus lotion and natural pomegranate scent.
