Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Harry Potter, nor his wizarding world. That is JKRowlings job.
I stood in the shower for a long time, letting the water run down my body, loosening my muscles ever so slightly. I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready for Dominick to see me in this environment either. I couldn't do it. I took in another shaky breath. I was confused by him. Everything he did was entirely confusing. It was like he wanted to convince me of what an annoying git he was at all costs. Every time I almost believed him though, I turn around to find he's doing something kind. I'd caught him just a few days ago telling his mum that he loved her. My gut told me that there was something fundamentally good in him, despite the fact that he was working so hard to prove to me otherwise. It was obvious that he had distaste for me, but I didn't fully understand why.
We were both competitive, intellectual and relentlessly stubborn. At first I'd thought that his prejudices had caused him to despise me, but as time wore on it became clear that his prejudices hardly affected him anymore. As much as I'd protested to keeping a house elf, when he thought I wasn't paying any attention I saw him exchanging pleasantries with Daisy, almost as if they were friends. He was raised to hate me, I knew that. All the death eaters were raised that way, but there was something different about him. I sighed in defeat, killing my train of thought where it stood; I was much too tired to continue thinking about him. After all I had bigger things on my plate for today.
We were meeting Harry today, to discuss protection over the list of people we deemed to be in the most immediate danger. I didn't want Dominick around my one and only friend in the world, it just seemed too personal. In addition to that, Dominick was bound to argue with Harry, just like he did with me; after all he didn't seem to be too fond of the 'golden trio'. Unfortunately Harry wasn't really the part that I was worried about. We'd decided over much deliberation that Ron, Harry and I were the most sought after targets. We decided that Ron would need ample protection, considering that half of the Order of the phoenix was nearly always at the burrow with him. So Ron and Molly were both attending the meeting with Harry. As if that wasn't bad enough, Ginny had recently gone on bed rest, and Harry was refusing to leave her side, so the meeting would naturally be at the burrow. Essentially I was meeting Ron on his territory to talk about how I was going to need to protect him. It was the most sensitive subject between us that there was, I would almost rather discuss the failed wedding plans we had than go over how Ron would need to be protected. He would take it as a blow to his ego, and he would think that I was delivering that blow personally. It was bound to be a nightmare.
I got out of the shower and took my time dressing myself, brushing my hair, taking a deep breath in and another one out. My skin was becoming blotchy from the nerves. I was determined not to have a breakdown at the burrow. I would try to keep this professional. When I finally looked in the mirror, it became apparent that no matter how much time I spent getting ready, I would look like I'd just rolled out of bed. It might have been the late nights and early mornings taking a toll on the bags under my eyes, but I had a feeling it went a lot deeper than that. I took another deep breath and did whatever I did when things looked bleak.
"I am Hermione Jean Granger." I whispered into the mirror, willing myself to muster ever ounce of confidence I could. "I fought death eaters and hunted horcruxes. I helped take down Voldemort. I save people's lives." I whispered it three more times, until I believed myself just a little, when I jumped at one faint knock on my door.
"Granger, we're going to be late." Dominick snapped through the wall between us. I sighed, snatching up my wand.
"Let's be off then." I said with false bravado, throwing open the door and blowing by my colleague with ease. I suddenly frowned at a realization.
"We'll have to side along apparate." I managed, glancing back at him. Something about apparating with someone was almost intimate. It definitely required trust, and that was something that I was almost positive that Dominick didn't have for me.
"Why's that?" He asked, trying to hide a scowl.
"Their wards are rather, complex, flooing into their home is next to impossible unless you're blood related. Trust me, apparating will be faster." I assured him. I could do this, I had too. He nodded, and to my surprise he gripped my upper arm, carefully holding the rest of himself away from me.
"Splinch me Granger, and there will be unforeseen consequences." His tone was peculiar, and had to look at him to see that he was half-way teasing me. I let out a small almost forced laugh before apparating us to the edge of the burrow's territory.
"Impressed?" I grinned, glancing to Dominick who immediately released his grip on me upon our landing.
"Hardly, you have a reputation to live up to you know. They call do you the brightest witch of our age." He muttered, matching my strides as he walked alongside me. I ignored him.
"When we get there, let's not waste any time. I just want to pass along our information and assign our aurors, no time for tea or nonsense like that." I started, making my objectives clear. He let out a barking laugh that startled me.
"Aw Granger you're no fun. You'll have a hard time talking me out of crumpets with the chosen one, it just seems like an unabashedly good time." He mocked me, laughing. I let out a laugh myself, having tea and crumpets with an ex- death eater did ring as a bit humorous. He spoke up again, "You're the one who needs the little pep talk, aren't you? You're the one who's friends with Potter and Weasley, right? " The question was almost rhetorical, and thankfully enough we'd just reached the door when he finished asking it. I exhaled a little too loudly before knocking, earning a curious look from Dominick.
"Hermione, glad you're here." Harry beamed. I smiled, throwing my arms around him, glad he was the one who'd answered the door. I didn't want to let go, because as soon as I did I knew I'd have to face Ron.
"Me too." I smiled. Dominick let out an audible cough.
"Oh erm… this is my partner, Dominick Evans." I said, releasing my grip on Harry, embarrassed that I'd become emotional so quickly.
"Good to meet you." Harry said, extending his hand. Dominick shook his hand politely. "You've worked on a lot of the raids with us from what I've heard. Brilliant work mate, we'll solve his case in no time." Harry grinned. I watched Dominick carefully as he placed a forced and polite smile on his face.
"Thank you Mr. Potter." He offered, a little too formal for Harry's taste. I smiled to myself, realizing that maybe it wasn't just me who felt out of place at the burrow.
"Well um, right this way then, we'll get started." Harry said, clearing his throat and leading the way to the dining room table. I wondered if I would ever be prepared to see Ron. It was just as bad as the last time. He was sitting in his chair, next to Molly, looking bored, a small smile on his face. He glanced up at me, and I gave him the best attempt at a smile that I could possibly manage. It wasn't until I felt a careful light pressure of two fingertips on my shoulder that I realized I hadn't sat down. I turned to give Harry a reassuring smile for reminding me to sit, but I was surprised to see that it had been Dominick. I blinked profusely for a moment before gathering myself up and focusing at the task at hand.
"I'm Dominick Evans, I'm working on this case with Hermione." Dominick started, extending his hand to Molly. I was stunned to hear the smoothness in his voice, especially when saying my first name.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Molly." She said shaking his hand.
"Ron." Ronald offered curtly, shaking his hand as well. I took a shaky breath, realizing it was my turn to speak, when to my surprise Dominick did it for me.
"We've called this meeting to address some security concerns." He began. "In our studies we've learned that the 'golden trio' so to speak will be a sought after target for our perpetrator. We've also concluded that members of the Order of the Phoenix are in danger as well. Which is why we decided it would be best to address the three of you at the same time." I tried my best not to gape at his people skills. He was persuasive and alluring, nothing like the man who sat in the armchair of my study, arguing with me all day long.
"Potter, I understand that you've taken a leave off work while your wife continues her pregnancy, which is just as well for us. You're both targets and should be amply protected. Although you've proven that you can handle yourself, having an extra auror in your area would be nothing but beneficial for your wife and growing family." Dominick said firmly. He knew just what buttons to push with Harry. He knew that Harry wouldn't argue when it came to protecting his wife and child. I was more than impressed.
"Mrs. Weasley, we've called you here because not only is Ron a target, but so is your home. Any member of your family would be a prize to a death eater, considering how infamous you all are for your contributions to the Order of the Phoenix and the wizarding war." He began, "We thought it would be best for you to have multiple aurors in your vicinity until we have this threat detained." He finished eloquently. I couldn't believe his audacity, and this time I was impressed by it. I had no idea how persuasive he could be. His perception of people was incredible as well, it almost made me self conscious, surely he had me figured out by now. I could have cared less in that moment though, I was just thankful he'd spoken for us, and done such a great job with it.
"My family is fully capable without the help of aurors." Ronald began. I knew he would take this personally. "If you haven't noticed we're infamous in the wizarding world for a reason." He added hastily. I suddenly became nervous.
"I disagree Ronald." Molly chimed in. "Although most of us are fully equipped, George and Bill have little ones who are constantly in and out of the burrow, and you can't argue that they would know how to handle themselves if we were ambushed." She argued.
"I agree Mrs. Weasley." Harry said, taking authority as head auror, "I'll get my best men on the job." He nodded sternly, speaking to Dominick.
"Well now what about Hermione?" Ron asked, my heart beat became erratic as he looked over to Harry. "You can't be telling me that she doesn't need this ample protection shit." He was getting agitated.
"Granger and I are both trained in auror defense mechanisms." Dominick provided. Ron looked like he'd been hit upside the head.
"So am I!" He exclaimed. "You don't see me getting all bloody proud!" He bellowed.
"Actually that is precisely what you're doing." Dominick seethed. "I'm only doing my job Weasley." He retorted coldly. A wave of déjà-vu washed over me when Dominick spat Ron's last name.
"Enough." Molly interjected before Ron could speak. "I will not do this again." She whispered menacingly. My face flushed with embarrassment, this was my fault.
"My apologies Mrs. Weasley, perhaps we should continue this conversation alone, while Potter and Granger work out some details." Dominick offered. I was shocked, more than that I was grateful. Ron seemed just as taken aback as I was when he stumbled out of his chair and stomped to the door, Dominick throwing me a reassuring nod before retreating after him. Dominick certainly wasn't the cold-hearted man that he painted himself to be. He was kind. He may not like me, but he certainly wasn't evil, not one bit.
"Good bloke, Evans is." Harry said absently, before delving into the details of our work.
This trip to the Burrow was indefinitely more difficult than I'd thought it would be. If someone had told me I'd be heading over to the burrow with Hermione Granger, I'd have laughed in their face. Unfortunately there I was, and Granger was a bloody mess. She walked out of her room looking like she'd sold her soul only moments before. If that wasn't enough to set the mood for the day, when she got there, she practically jumped Potter's bones in an attempt to not see the Weasel.
I thought things couldn't get worse for me when she completely froze upon seeing the redheaded git that was her ex-fiancé. If I hadn't known Weasley well enough to know he couldn't be capable of wandless magic, I'd of thought he stunned her. I had to physically remind her to take a seat, and then lead the entire conversation myself. She was ridiculous. She'd faced countless death eaters, destroyed horcruxes and battled against the dark lord himself, but she was mortified of the Weasel in a way that I just could not understand. She might be incredibly annoying and obnoxious but it didn't settle in my stomach, just letting her hang there that way. So I was on my best behavior, taking as much of the pressure off her as I could. Unfortunately my good intentions landed me in the position of playing babysitter for an overemotional Ronald Weasley.
"I don't even see where you get the authority." He muttered, pacing his tiny living room yet again. I wondered to myself how in the world they got their entire clan in here.
"I'm head of the case." I replied leisurely, trying not to let him agitate me. Unfortunately his very presence was enough to make me gag myself.
"Who the hell did you say you were?" He snapped, pointing a finger at me. I grimaced, tempted to hex that look right off his face.
"Dominick Evans." I said through gritted teeth. I didn't like to be put on the stand.
"I haven't bloody heard of you, and you're telling me, that I need to be protected? That's laughable. I spent my entire life chasing after death eaters. I know how to defend myself and my family." He fumed. I was growing more and more impatient with every insult he threw out. I was so temped to hex him that my hand was twitching.
"You'd be surprised." I replied darkly. He scoffed in an arrogant manner.
"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked dumbly. I was nearly seeing red. My lips were pursed in a tight line as I focused on not throwing a curse at the idiot. My hand twitched again, and this time his eyes shot right to it and widened. I didn't have time to explain myself. In a split second he grabbed his wand,
"Stupefy!" He bellowed, I narrowly dodged his curse, grabbing my own wand.
"Expelliarmus!" I shot back, his wand effectively hitting the floor with a clatter. I thought it would be a cold day in hell when I used expelliarmus over a good old fashioned hex, but it would be hard enough to explain to the ministry on Monday why I'd used that spell. I cursed under my breath. I really should hex this fucking idiot, where did he get off making my life more difficult.
"What's going on?" Potter shouted, his wand drawn as he took in the sight of the both of us, not sure who he should be defending. Granger raced in after him, her wand out as well.
"I'll tell you what's going on, this bloody idiot's got the dark mark!" He nearly screamed. He was completely hysterical.
"He's been defected for six years, that's why they put him on the case Ronald." Granger rolled her eyes, lowering her wand. I raised an eyebrow at her display of trust in me. Potter was more hesitant. "That's quite enough, lower your wands." She added effortlessly. I slowly took down my wand.
"Are you mad?" Weasley barked. "I mean really, are you bloody stupid?" It looked as though his eyes might bulge out of his head. "Doesn't this bloke live with you? He's a death eater!" He spat at Granger. Her lip was trembling and I suddenly had the urge to punch Weasley in the gut for demeaning her intelligence. She might be annoying, but she was the brightest witch he'd ever know.
"Now's probably not the best time to be questioning Hermione mate, I'm sure she knows exactly what she's doing." Potter offered. "Kingsley appointed Evans himself." He assured him.
"You're really on his side? Harry, he's a bloody death eater, she's lucky he hasn't killed her already!" He yelled.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hermione hissed. My eyes shot toward her, I'd seen her angry before, but never like this. I momentarily wondered if she'd save me the trouble of cursing him.
"It means that you're letting a death eater live with you and you're trying to protect me." He shot, taking a step towards her. I resisted the urge to step between them, Potter however did not.
"Guys stop this." Harry pleaded.
"Evans is clean, Ronald. Kingsley chose him. He's been assisting the raids for years. He's not a death eater anymore, he barely was one!" She shouted. There was an odd warmth in my chest, upon hearing her defend me. Harry interjected once more.
"Hermione, I'll set up the additional aurors for both Ron and I, and I'll send one out your way just for good measure, alright?" He begged. This time she met his eyes.
"You know what, fine, I'm not too proud to admit that I could use a hand." She said. I wasn't sure why, but those words seemed to hit Weasley like a ton of bricks.
"I was not too proud Hermione! How dare you even think that! If you hadn't run away to healing school to try and fix everything all by yourself the way you always do then maybe we would have been okay!" He shouted. Before Weasley had opportunity to further insult her Harry was dragging him from the room, throwing Granger an apologetic look.
"At least I cared enough to try." She whispered, almost to herself. My instinct told me to run from the scene so I wouldn't have to confront what had just apparently unraveled, but I was rooted to the spot, averting my eyes as I saw Granger struggle with tears. Without much warning she began a brisk pace out the door and through the property, toward the apparation point. I followed her, but not too closely, her personal space was not something I wanted to be in ever, but especially not now.
I was having a hard time digesting what just happened in front of me. I felt an odd mixture of guilt, anger and disgust as she came to a stop, her entire body quivering. She brought her hands up to her face slowly, but almost immediately corrected herself, throwing her arm out.
"Come on, what are you waiting for, grab on so we can get out of here." She attempted to keep her voice even, but she was choking over sobs. I slowly walked up to her and reached out, gingerly placing her hand back at her side. She was in no condition to apparate anywhere. I shuddered at the skin to skin contact. I felt a wrenching in my gut, and heaviness in my heart, something close to empathy for the girl I'd once made miserable.
"Don't be ridiculous Granger, you will splinch us if you attempt apparition in this condition." I tried to keep my voice light and playful, but it came out with too much of an edge. Her sobbing grew louder. I shifted uncomfortably, my mind racing for a solution to stop this incessant display of her emotions.
"Grab my arm; we'll go get something to eat." I tried, sounding as calm and soft as I could. "We'll go somewhere muggle and calm down." I tried, giving my best go at soothing her.
My stomach churned uneasily, I certainly didn't like seeing her upset. I stopped and thought about that. It wasn't true; I did like to see her upset. She got this whole determined look about her whenever I argued with her. It made her think faster and more outside the box. Generally speaking an upset Granger was an entertaining and hard-working Granger. This was more than upset though; this was disheveled, and broken. I'd rarely seen another person so hurt.
Truthfully I'd never been around too many crying women. I was taught from a young age that to show emotion was to show vulnerability. Looking at Granger, standing here, quite obviously broken was different though. She wasn't just vulnerable, she was relatable and human, she was just a person. When she reached out for me, I was shocked and I didn't conceal it well. She wrapped her arms around my waist, and buried her face in my chest, her body still quivering uncontrollably. My breath hitched, I couldn't remember the last time I'd allowed a person to be so close to me. I fought my instinct to rip her away from me, realizing that would only cause her further pain. Apprehensively, I gently gripped both her shoulders and apparated us from the scene, trying not to think about the odd sensation of her warm cheek against my chest.
This chapter was really hard to write, but it picks up speed just a little yay! And four chapters in four days, you have to admit that is nice pace right there. Hopefully you like it. Sorry about the minor cliffy. Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews, I always appreciate more, they make me write even faster! Thanks for reading! :)
-Onalee