A/N: We, and I mean me and my two co-writers, would like to thank everyone who read our story. We are glad that you gave this a few minutes of your time and read this. Special thanks too to those who leaved a review.
To those who are asking about the one that's plaguing Hermione's dreams, in due time. :)
Now, on with the story.
Chapter II: Another Side of the Coin
Of all Hermione's visitors, she hated those from the Ministry the most. Worse if it's either Lucius Malfoy, the current Minister of the Ministry, or his son, Draco Lucius Malfoy. The two Slytherins are both an epitome of arrogance and pride. Though the younger one, Draco, still has hope; he can still change and stop his egoistical attitude.
To her relief, the one who visited her for the day is Draco himself, together with his goons, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. She could at least stand the young Malfoy than his father.
Draco sat on one of Hermione's living room sofa, having a calm smile on his face as he watched the so-called 'Brightest Tribute' or how he sees it, the 'Golden Girl', with interest. He have asked his bodyguards to stand outside Hermione's house to make sure that no one would disturb them, especially Harry Potter and the redhead rat, Ron Weasley, to ensure that he can have a one-on-one chat with Hermione. With the two of them alone in the brunette's house, he nursed a cup of hot coffee while the said winning Tribute was glaring at him fiercely. He knew why. "C'mon Granger, it's not like I'm here to execute you." He joked.
Hermione's glare got fiercer than before upon seeing the blonde tease her. She hated how the blonde Slytherin born and raised, makes stupid jokes. "If you are here once again to ask me back to your slimy district, then the answer is still no." She told the blonde who just chuckled at her response. "I'm serious here Malfoy."
"Oh I know. I have seen the mails you have in the trashcan outside your house." The blonde laughed and took a sip of his coffee. He can feel the anger being radiated by Hermione and he knew that if he prolongs his childish quips, he would either be killed by the tea cup she's holding or one of the fire irons near the fireplace. He rather likes being alive and breathing. "But my business here is a bit different."
"Different?" Hermione snorted. "What would be different this time then?"
"Just a few offerings. The Capital does need your intellectual views on how we can reform Midgard. And your keen talent with a bow." He took a sip from his cup again and smiled at the brunette. "You can even live here and send us messages through the network. We'll provide all electronic gadgets you will need."
Hermione gripped her teacup tighter. 'No matter how much they coat it, it all means one thing.' She forced herself to calm down. 'No use getting agitated over it again and again.' She noted, trying very hard to calm herself down and not lash at the blonde before her. "Look Malfoy-" she started, eyes still closed. She just can't bear looking at the blonde right now. "I said it before and I will, your father be damned, say it again. No Means no." she said firmly. Sure she insulted the current minister, but she's far too pissed off with the Ministry to even care. She opened her eyes only to see that Draco did not looked offended at all.
Draco took no offense in what the girl said. He was not stupid not to know how the people view his father and the Ministry itself. Though some may support them, he is well aware that people dislike their views. Who wouldn't if every year there will be one boy and girl that would be picked as sacrificial sheep just to prove a point that Slytherin, the Ministry, owns their lives. That they control their lives. "I knew you would say that. And no, I'm not offended with what you have said about my father." He grinned. "I will tell my father that you declined, again, to our offer."
The Gryffindor Tribute raised a brow at how calm Draco is. Usually, he will stand up and say 'I'll tell my father about this', and then storms right off. She looked left and right and then to the Slytherin. "Draco… Why are you really here?" she asks, eyeing him skeptically.
The blonde placed the coffee cup down to the table in front of him and took an envelope from his pocket and slid it towards Hermione's direction. The envelope created a scrapping sound on the table as it slid towards Hermione. "Something for bothering you, for I dunno, a bunch of times." He said with a smirk. He picked up his coat hanging behind him and stood up. "Well it was nice talking to you. Do let us know if you will change your mind." He tilted his head, silently bidding his leave, and leaving the brunette alone with the envelope.
Left alone, Hermione eyed the item on the table with her hand stopped midway to reach it. It was like a bomb to her eyes. One touch, opening the item, she has a gut feeling that she would regret it. Regret not opening it. Regret opening it.
From the Games, she learned to rely on her gut feeling, made sure it kept her safe. Her hand, shaking, was retracted from its goal to get the item and sighed heavily. "I need a heavier drink…" She mumbled, pushing off her seat and went to her kitchen.
The next day came and Hermione was once again visited by Draco. This time, the boy with a dashing smile now has a blemish on his cheek and looking livid. She asked what had happen and the blonde Slytherin scowled.
"He did not like your response." Was all he said before he went straight to the sofa he sat on yesterday. His brow shot up when he saw the envelope he gave the brunette, untouched and gathering dust. "You did not open it." He pointed out and got a nod from Hermione. "Why?"
Hermione scrunched her nose. After drinking a whole bottle of brandy, she had forgotten all about it after passing out. "I don't want it."
Draco couldn't believe what he heard. The envelope contained something of value to the brunette. Something valuable to… He shook his head. To hear that Hermione doesn't want it- "I don't understand. It's-"
"Yes Malfoy, you don't understand. None of you will ever understand." Hermione' anger slowly risen at the thought of people trying to understand her situation. The Tributes' situations. There are those who have overcame their experience and lived a normal life; some even sought for revenge to the capital; but her? She was different. Thus nobody, capital or rebels, understood her.
Draco glowered at the brunette. The pain on his cheek and Hermione's stubbornness was not sitting well in him. "Bullshit! You are bloody running away! You are worse than Potter." He sneered. "At least glasses boy was brave enough to make a move and disappear." He said as if knowing where Harry Potter is. "But you? Time stopped in your head. While you think that time has stopped, the world keeps moving. Wake up Granger, time can never stop for anyone. Even for you." He said and looked at Hermione who now looked furious.
An angry Hermione is not to be messed with. Draco learned it the hard way before and once again he was getting a refresher.
"You sniveling ferret!" Hermione roared and grabbed the nearest thing beside her, a pen, and darted it towards Draco's direction. It was sheer luck of the blonde boy or Hermione's intention of missing, that the pen missed the blonde's head by a few inches and pierced the wall clock above the fireplace. The pen wedged between the seconds hand and the minute hand, stopping the movement of the clock hands. "Time stopped? Who do you think is to blame? Why do you even think I cannot stand being in that pathetic capital?" she took another item beside her, a book, and threw it to Draco, missing him once again and landing on the fireplace. A waste of good book.
"Now Gran-Whoa!" a pitcher flew past his head, hitting the wall and making a crashing sound. "Calm down you twit! You shouldn't make so much noise! Not to mention make it sound like you're killing someone!" he bellowed. But he was not heeded by the angered blonde.
"Killing someone? Oh I will kill someone!" Hermione now picked up an empty flower vase and raised it above her head to throw it to Draco, not intending to miss this time, when the item was taken from her and she was suddenly speared to the ground by a heavy mass. She tried to squirm, fight back, but the one pinning her down was stronger and bigger than her. One of Draco's bodyguards. "Malfoy! I'm warning you!" she growled, eyeing the scowling blonde.
"Crabbe! Goyle! What's the meaning of this?" Draco demanded. "We did not come here to make Granger think she will be raped."
The one not pinning Hermione, Gregory, shrugged. "SHE'S here." He grunted, pointing the rounding I.S outside the Tribute's home. Hearing how Gregory put stress on the term 'she', Hermione stopped her fidgeting and Draco stiffened, scowl still in place.
"Why the hell are they here?" Hermione hissed. She twisted her body to face the big brute on top of her and glared at him intensely. "Move away from me or you'll have your weight lessened within the minute and find your guts on the ground." It was threat that Vincent knew she would do it. That and the glint of metal from underneath Hermione's hand, a blade, convinced him that she is dangerous. In an instant, the burly guard moved away from her and she stood up, dusting away the dirt from her clothes and placing the blade on top of the table beside her.
"I'm here for that reason and not to persuade you again, not today at least. It seems that the capital received word that a rebel group was being formed around these parts and would like to 'kill the weed' before it spreads out." Draco explained. "So I'm here to make sure YOU don't do anything stupid."
This made Hermione stiffen. 'The boys!'
Her mind was racing.
If the I.S were to know about her friends' involvement in the uprising rebellion, they will be whipped. Worse if the head of the I.S is present then it will be lashes to death. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, fear now filling her chest.
"Good thing that Umbridge isn't here. But even if she is, I need to make sure that you are not to be touched. Father does want you to be alive. There are some of the I.S that does not favor your winning and not afraid to plan out an accident for you." Draco went back to his seat and then eyed the envelope again. "Just relax for a bit until they clear out. I, being here, will make those idiotic brutes think I'm once again persuading you and leave you alone."
Hermione eyed Draco cautiously. "Why are you helping me?" she inquired, making her way to the empty sofa adjacent from Draco.
The blonde smirked, wincing a bit due to the pain in his cheek. "Let's just say, I'm glad that the Jabber jays mated with the Mocking birds." He answered.
The brunette always wondered why Draco always insisted to be the one dealing with her than her father lately. Why he did not put up another 'I'll tell my father about this!' tantrum and just conversed with her like he was a friend. As if he would ever be her friend. She eyed him carefully, watching any unusual movement from him.
At the side, Hermione's also worried about her friends. Harry and the Weasley family. Her parents are safe since no one would touch the most renowned dentists in Gryffindor so her worries lies more on the boys, Ginny and Molly.
The 'what if's' bombarded her mind and she hoped that no one would be caught by the I.S.
Then the speakers outside her house, all surrounding the district, made a loud feedback. Her heart suddenly pounded hard and fast. It was the same feeling like in the games.
"Hem, hem…"
"I stand corrected." Draco mumbled upon hearing the very famous lines of the head of the I.S.
Hermione paled. Hearing those two words- those two familiar disrupting words we're enough to strike fear in the hearts of the weak willed people. Her included. That is, until she won the games. "That toad is here…" She whispered, getting a weak smile from Draco and grunts from his subordinates.
"To all Gryffindor residences, you are requested to be present at the district square for a public execution."
Draco rolled his eyes at how the High Inquisitor sounded excited at prosecuting someone. Hermione on the other hand went rigid and paled. Someone will be executed. Someone suspected to be a member of the order. Without thinking, she bolted right up and ran to the square, Draco and his goons following behind her and yelling her name. She hoped that it was not someone she's closed to.
Oh how she was wrong.
In the middle of the district square, girl with a red hair and tattered clothing was tried on a post and forced to kneel on the ground. The said girl, head lowered and hair covering her face like a curtain, was someone Hermione recognized. There were only two people with red hair that resides in Gryffindor and the on tied to a post is the younger of the two.
Ginny Weasley; the only daughter and youngest of the Weasley siblings. Hermione's only female friend.
Her exposed back was facing everyone and her growls was loud enough for everyone to hear. By the corners of the now crowding area, the Weasleys were being restrained by different people to stop them from rushing to aid Ginny; all Hermione could recognize as an Order member. Gryffindor is a quiet district but majority of the people are secretly members of the Order of the Phoenix.
This boiled Hermione's blood. Seeing the exposed and freckled back of her friend and tied to a post while an I.S is positioned next to her holding a whip, made her see red. It didn't help either that the pink toad, pink devil or the demoness incarnate dressed in pink I.S uniform was smiling at everyone like she was waiting to be crowned 'miss congeniality'.
The said woman is the head of the Inquisitorial Squad, Dolores Umbridge.
"I have been informed that this lady-" Umbridge pointed at Ginny who was growling by the pole. "Is a part of an organization set to usurp our dear Ministry." She continued with a displeased tone.
There was a snarl from the youngest Weasley again and protests from the people around them. Hermione being one of those who protested.
Approaching the white-suited I.S, Umbridge lifted her hand and asked for the whip from the white-suited I.S. This caused some scuffle with a few groups - mainly from the Weasleys and a disguised Harry.
As if knowing the whole ordeal, Umbridge smiled wider and faced the back of Ginny Weasley. "To ensure that everyone is clear on how we see such rebellious acts, a hundred lashes are in order." She said, sounding happy at what she was about to do. Lifting the whip up and readying to strike the back of the redhead. "Tell me little girl, where are the other members of your rebellious group?" She asked with a smile that the spectators thought as sickly sweet.
"I do not know what you are talking about!" Ginny replied, eyes shut forcefully.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Young girls like you should not tell lies." Umbridge flicked her wrist sharply causing a loud scream from Ginny as the whip came in contact with the bare flesh. "Now, why don't you say 'I must not tell lies' and point me to the leader of this-" She looked around for any sign of retaliation from the group of spectators. "Rebellion that I have heard of." She continued, readying the whip once again.
But Ginny stayed firm and refused to say what Umbridge wanted her to say and denied any alliance with a rebel group. Her response gained her another strike on her back, making her body to jerk and her lips to let out another pained growl. Everyone around them are well-aware that Ginny was holding her tears by the looks of her eyes being forced to close and the gritting of her teeth. Her pained moans were enough for people around them to start whispering and slowly expressing their anger towards the pink-suited I.S who continued to look at the wounded back of Ginny with glee.
Hermione's eyes went wide upon hearing the hurt in Ginny's howls. Her heart pounded as her eyes trailed on the black whip leaving gashes on the skin of her friend and how Ginny forced herself not to cry at each strike. It was bad enough to see grown men and women undergo such punishment but the likes of Ginny- Her body tensed and planned on stopping the pink toad, but she was suddenly pulled back by a strong grip to her right wrist that stopped her attempt. She did not heed any attention to the one who stopped her and angrily watched how the pink suited woman raised the whip again and whipped Ginny after refusing to comply with her demand and to admit she is a part of a rebellion.
Hermione knows that Umbridge's accusations are true. That Ginny is a part of the rebel group. But none of them, the rebels, will admit that they are. She knows because Ron and Harry told her that that all members have sworn to secrecy.
The echoing crack of the whip and the pain mixed with anger howl from the redhead was enough for Hermione's blood to boil and her courage that once risen during the Games, filling her chest. She struggled harshly to be released, tugging her arm from the strong grip on her wrist. When another whipping was about to be inflicted to Ginny, she could not take it any longer. She pulled her arm roughly, earning her freedom from her captor and ran towards Ginny, beating another person who was about to do the same as she was thinking. She did not care if she dragged whoever that held her wrist or ran faster than the other person who wanted to help the redhead since her mind was filled with saving her friend.
"Stop!" She yelled, standing between Ginny and the confused looking Umbridge. She was glad that Ginny held strong, not giving the pink toad the joy of seeing or hearing her cry. No one should give any of the I.S the satisfaction of seeing their weakness.
Umbridge eyed Hermione, not knowing who she is. Her face recovered from shock and a pout. "My dear, please move and let me punish this Ministry traitor." She said firmly, holding the whip high up.
But Hermione stood firmly before the Head Inquisitor. "No. You do not have proof of what you are claiming with this girl and for using such way to force a girl to admit a baseless claim is not the first punishment procedure of the Inquisitorial Squad." She said, faking of not knowing who Ginny is and thankful that she read the law book of the Ministry. Her sight flickered from the whip to the disappointed look on Umbridge's face. She knows that the head of the I.S is aware of such punishments since they are the ones who created them. "You come here, to our district, and accused this girl to be part of an imaginary group. A rebellion to usurp the Ministry? One must be daft to think of that." She said, trying to make her statement convincing enough to make Umbridge think her assumption was wrong. "Gryffindor is a neutral district. If you and your team keep on randomly pulling-"
"This girl is a part of a rebellion." Umbridge cut Hermione off.
"A fictitious group. Unless you present us proof, then there will be indeed a rebellion and the target is not the Ministry but you." Chocolate-brown eyes glared at Umbridge, daring her to make a move.
Everyone around them all raised their hands with the three middle fingers up with the thumb and pinky folded down. A three finger salute. An old gesture that has different meanings. A sign of thanks, a means of admiration, and means of goodbye to someone you love.
Right now, it means thanks to Hermione's intervention.
The head of the Inquisitorial Squad saw the angered faces of the townspeople and their three finger salute. She knows what it means and did not like it one bit. Turning her attention to the cause of the residence's silent defiance, she gripped her whip and swats it towards Hermione's direction, hitting the brunette's cheek and making her head jerk sideward due to force. "You dare question me?" she asked, teeth gritting to keep her anger in check.
The sudden strike caused the people around them to gasp.
Hermione felt the hotness of the pain on her cheek but she gave no sound of pain or showed anything that resembles it from her face. She can feel something wet running down her cheek and she prayed it was not tears.
"Do not show them pain, my dear. Show them you are in control. That way, they won't have the joy of seeing your weakness and you shall gain trusts of people who will recognize your bravery."
The sudden recollection of her past made Hermione grit her teeth and looked up to Umbridge, cheek reddening and the flow of wet trail reaching her neck, with eyes burning in anger and challenge. She will not show any Ministry lapdog any weakness. "I am not questioning you. I'm merely pointing out your unjust behavior." She stated.
Umbridge snapped at Hermione's witty remark and decided to whip Hermione once again. The 74th Tribute awaited the strike to fall on her, eyes never leaving Umbridge's, but it never came. She looked at the whip and saw how the end of it was being held back.
"I don't think that would be a good idea miss Umbridge."
Hermione looked at the one who spoke and saw Draco standing behind Umbridge with his goons holding the tip of the whip. She looked at him in confusion, wondering why a man from the Ministry would stop such public execution.
Umbridge faced Draco with a smile to acknowledge his presence. "Mister Draco. I am surprised you are here. Will you kindly have your guards release my whip so that I can teach this child some discipline?" She said with a calm voice.
Draco, dashingly smirking shook his head in disagreement. "I'm afraid I cannot allow you to hurt Miss Granger."
"But she is disrupting-"
"Why not let it slide? We do not want my father to know that you have caused the current winner of the 74th games such-" Draco eyed the bleeding gash on Hermione's face. It would leave a bad bruise and a scar if not taken care of. "Mark on her pretty face. My father is fond of Miss Granger here and hurting her because of a false accusation or a hearsay of a non-existent group? I wonder how he will take it." He informed Umbridge with a smug grin.
Being informed of such facts, Umbridge slowly lowered her whip. Her pout was evident as she looked at Hermione and the girl on the post. Her informer indeed gave her a name of a possible rebellious group and a member, but no evidence was given. Merely a name. She scowled and pulled her whip from the grip of Draco's lackey and stuck her head up high to face the residence of the district. "May this be a warning to all of you. The Ministry does not tolerate rebellious acts. Those who do, will be severely punished." She said and left the town square with her team following her.
With Umbridge leaving the scene, all Gryffindor residence went to Ginny's aid. The crowd huddled together to release the youngest Weasley from her restrains and to treat the wound inflicted on her back. Hermione was also to be treated but due to the commotion, she was able to slip away and ran to her small sanctuary.
The Forbidden forest.
