"BLOODY! FUCKING! HELL!" she screeched. To say she was pissed off was an understatement. She was livid; almost murderous. Her usually rational mind had slipped away on her, and she was breaking every single thing in Ginny's flat in an attempt to find it.
Sirius had kissed her. No, not true, she thought, Sirius snogged the hell out of me and I LET HIM.
After he left her, all hot and bothered, she was stunned. She was turned on. She was shaking, and she was freaking out. She searched the kitchen frantically for liquid courage, and finding none, she settled for perking some coffee. It would have to do. Bloody Ginny. What self-proclaimed party girl doesn't have a happy-juice stash in her flat anyways?!
Setting up the percolator, she went on a search for coffee grinds. In the back of the cupboard above her, her shaky hands found a small silver tin that housed coffee beans. Beans. Bloody beans! Tears welled up in her eyes, and with an exasperated huff she wiped them away impatiently and went in search of a coffee grinder. Finding only a manual grinder with an attached crank, she cursed viciously under her breath and poured the 'bloody' beans into the top bowl.
"Git! Loathsome! Fucking idiot!" she cursed as she brutally swirled the crank. In her blinding rage, she ripped the crank straight off of the grinder. Breathe, Hermione. Breathe. Taking a deep breath she dropped the crank on the wooden countertop and dumped the contents of the grinder out beside it. Hermione puffed out her cheeks in frustration and ran her shaky hands through her untamed hair as she paced the kitchen quickly, trying to figure out her next step.
Stopping just short of the stove, she found her weapon of choice; the meat tenderizer. An evil glint flashed across her forest green eyes as the corners of her mouth twitched up into a wicked grin. Grasping the large tenderizer, she stalked up to the pile of dark beans on the counter, twirling the heavy utensil between her slender fingers. With a small grunt, she swirled it around, and smashed it directly on top of the beans. A satisfying 'crunch' met her ears, and the smell of fresh Cuban coffee wafted up to her as bit and particles of the beans flew out from under the mallet.
"God damned fool! Foul pureblood wanker!" she spat as she tossed the mallet across the counter and pulled the magically altered percolator towards her. Amidst her cathartic obscenities, she heard the distinct 'whoosh' of the floo for the second time in the last 10 minutes.
"Pureblood wanker? You surely don't mean me?" came the distinctive drawl that never failed to set her blood ablaze.
Hermione grabbed the glass coffee pot beside her and spun around to face her intruder. Draco Malfoy stood no more than 20 feet from her, head tipped down as he inspected the cuff of his long green robes. His long blond hair had been pulled back into a ribbon; much like his father chose to wear his hair so often. His formerly pale skin had donned a soft golden glow over the years, which made the light dance off of his chiseled features and perfected angles, giving the impression that his bloodline could be traced back to Spartan royalty.
She felt the air around her crackle with magic. Her hair seemed to snap and move in tune with her increasing temperature and her green eyes flashed dangerously.
"GET THE FUCK OUT, FERRET!" she screeched.
Draco was stunned. He took in his surroundings; smashed pictures and trinkets littered the floor, chairs were upturned, and his head throbbed from the unstable magic in the room that was attacking his own magical energy. He lifted his eyes, seeking to attach the strangely familiar voice to a face.
"Granger?!" he exclaimed, realizing the source of the verbal venom was the crazed little witch he went to school with who was staring daggers at him now. "What the hell?"
Dozens of questions flooded his mind, but he never got the chance to ask them. Hermione drew back her arm and hurdled the coffee pot directly at the stunned Slytherin. Draco managed to duck just in time - the pot just barely missing him and smashing loudly on the stone fireplace - but he stumbled and landed flat on his backside, his wand rolling away from his grasp.
Hermione drew in a deep breath and let out an ear-piercing screech. Her hands balled up in fists, and the entire room pulsated and groaned from her uncontrolled energy. Draco frantically began to scramble backwards, desperate for escape. He didn't survive the Dark Lord only to be murdered in his friend's apartment by a little witch with a particularly bad case of PMS.
Making it back to the place where his wand had fallen, he grasped it and apparated away quickly, Hermione's wild screeches of profanity fading away as his essence searched for somewhere less dangerous to collect itself for the time being.
Hermione's wide eyes took in her surroundings. I really did a number in here didn't I? The living room appeared to have been inhabited by a muggle frat party, and the kitchen was no better with the broken dishes and busted muggle appliances. Turning her gaze back to the spot where Malfoy had just exited, she realized how comical the situation actually was. She hadn't seen that look on his face since third year when she punched him in the nose. There was no doubt that she scared the little ferret; she scared herself a little to be honest. She stepped slowly through the doors separating the dining room from the den, hearing the crunching of bits of glass and ceramic rubble under her sneakers.
With a sigh, she began to pick up the mess she had made of her temporary home.
'Cause
the old black rum's got a hold on me
Like
a dog wrapped round my leg
And the
old black rum's got a hold on me
Will
I live for another day?
Hey, Will I
live for another day?
Ginny laughed and clapped along as the boys sang loudly to the drinking music pumping through the bars magical speakers. Harry was so happy; his beer stein brandished high with foam spilling overtop, his eyes closed as he yelled along to the music, fist banging on the wooden table top. Sirius was standing upright in front of his chair with his mug held high in his left hand, his right placed over his heart, singing along with Harry. A swarm of witches and wizards alike were gathered around their table singing along with the happy duo and clapping in tune with Ginny. George was showing Ron his newest Weasley Ware; a dissolving 'Weasley Glamour' pill that could be dropped in a lovely ladies drink, causing her to appear to have comical deformities. Their latest victim was the unfortunate recipient of a glamour George fondly referred to 'Dementors Bride' which made their skin appear a ghastly grey color, their eyes sunken, and gave the impression that the recipient hadn't eaten a good meal in about four decades.
Ginny grimaced at the poor girl. She almost considered telling her that perhaps she should look in a mirror, but the thought was quickly dispelled when she heard the girl scoff at the bartender when she was told that they didn't make muggle cocktails at this pub.
The pub erupted in a loud cheer as the song ended. Sirius clapped Harry on the back as he called over his shoulder for another round of beer and a bottle of Firewhiskey. All smiles, the boys sat down to enjoy a rest and a chat.
Harry was already way passed drunk. About an hour ago he had Ginny help him prepare his muggle contact lenses as he was sure he would lose his glasses by the end of the night. His cheeks were flushed from the mead, and she was sure his face would hurt from the idiotic smile that refused to desert his face all night. Sirius was in no better state. He was the star tonight. He let out a rather loud belch, causing the bar crowd to erupt in cheers. Sirius chuckled and threw the pretty bartender a wink and a large tip as she dropped the fresh drinks down in front of them. Ron and George made their way back to the table, sniggering about something called 'Skittles Skin'.
Sirius pushed a strand of silky black hair out of his face so he could take a drink of his beer. Ginny pulled a strand of ribbon out of her purse and motioned for Sirius to turn so she could tie back his hair for him.
"Thanks, love! I suppose I should get myself a trim soon. Never had much of a reason to get all dolled up when I was back in Headquarters." He began, relishing in the feel of female attention. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back into her touch, allowing her to complete her task with relative ease.
Ginny ran her fingers through his hair and gathered it all up into her left hand. "No worries, Sirius. I can trim that hair up for you if you want. I'd do it magically, but I'm afraid I'm not very good. Much better with a proper pair of scissors." She finished, tying up a large bow in his silk tresses.
Sirius hiccupped. "Yes that would be lovely, my dear. Perhaps tomorrow, at Harry's? Rather not step foot into your flat for another day or two, especially not with a pair of scissors around. 'Fraid Sprite might try to off me." He sniggered, taking a rather large gulp of his beer.
Ginny stiffened. Her eyes darted over to Harry, who was looking rather confused. Sirius sighed, "Bugger me!" and slapped a hand over his face.
Harry stared at his godfather. "Sprite? Isn't that what you used to call Hermione?" Not getting an answer from the older wizard who seemed to be overly interested in the bubbles floating up his beer, he turned to Ginny.
"Gin? Why would Hermione try to off him? Wait, why would Hermione be at your flat?"
Ginny opened her mouth to answer, but couldn't. She let out an exasperated sigh and slapped Sirius hard on the arm.
"Ow! Careful, firecracker!" he exclaimed, rubbing his arm where Ginny had assaulted him.
Harry stood up from his seat and leaned his hands on the table. His emerald green eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "Why wouldn't you tell me that Hermione is at your flat?! She's my best friend Ginerva!!" he spat.
Ginny threw back her chair and stared into Harry's eyes. "Don't you dare take that tone with me Harrison!" she growled in response.
While the young couple seemed to be momentarily lost in their little spat, Sirius threw a sobering charm over himself and apparated away.
Just as Hermione was placing one of the last trinkets back safely on the mantle, she was startled by the 'POP' of somebody apparating in beside her.
She jumped back and let the trinket smash to the ground with a loud "Oh FUCK!" as she came face to face with, once again, Sirius Black.
Sirius' eyes were filled with urgency. She shook her head in a silent protest as he quickly closed the gap between them.
"No. No, Sirius. No. I can't. I can't…" she sobbed as he closed in on her, hands waving weakly in front of her in objection.
Sirius cupped her face in his hands and lightly touched his forehead to hers, letting his eyes flutter shut. Hermione grasped the arms of his shirt, not entirely sure if she was pulling him closer, or pushing him away. He let out a sigh and spoke. "I'm so, so sorry 'Mione..."
Before Sirius could continue, they were accosted by the sounds of more apparations as Harry and Ginny popped angrily into the living room, mere feet from the scene.
Harry's face displayed a myriad of emotions; excitement, love, confusion, anger, and most importantly? Rage. Yes, that was definitely rage.
Harry pointed an accusing finger at Sirius. "What the BLOODY hell do you think you are doing?! Get your hands off of my 'Mione!" he yelled.
Ginny spun to face Harry. Her soft brown eyes darkened to a frightening shade as she closed in on the messy-haired wizard. "YOUR 'MIONE? Listen here, Potter!" she spat, her finger waving violently in front of his face, "Who the hell do you think you are storming into MY flat and yelling about some other man making advances on someone who ISN'T your GIRLFRIEND?"
Sirius let his hands fall from Hermione's face and stepped back – stunned. He turned to face Ginny, "Advances? Hold on a second there, I did nothing of the sort!" Sirius replied angrily, waving a hand in the air.
Hermione's eyes flashed with anger. "Is that so, Black?" she spat out, tilting her chin up to lock gazes with the cornered looking wizard. "Then what the hell do you call flooing into Ginny's flat and snogging me senseless earlier? Huh? Well, Black?" she quizzed, hands on hips and sporting a look that could stun a Giant.
Sirius turned to Hermione, "Well, I.." he started, running a shaking hand through his now free-tumbling black tresses.
Harry growled at Ginny. "Not SOME wizard, Ginny! Sirius! You know, notorious ladies-man? THE Sirius Black? My GODFATHER Sirius Black?" he spat back before turning to the man in question. "And YOU! You KISSED her? What the fuck were you thinking?! This is Hermione we are talking about!" he growled, giving his godfather a forceful shove.
"HEY! I told you that you shouldn't believe everything you hear!" Sirius defended, obviously becoming frustrated being cornered and having his words and actions twisted in such an unflattering manner.
Hermione turned to Harry. "EXCUSE me?" she sputtered. "What do you mean 'This is Hermione we are talking about'? So I'm, what? Some sort of inexperienced, ugly, virginal, bookworm?" she threw back.
Sirius snorted at Hermione's comment of being virginal, which resulted in a sharp slap across his face.
"FUCK WOMAN!" he roared, bringing a hand up to his stinging cheek. "You mental?!" he growled out, stretching his jaw out to try and relieve the pressure mounting on his face.
"Oh! That's RICH!" she threw back, advancing slowly on the older wizard.
The voices in the room grew louder and louder as the fight continued, competing for dominance and the confusion mounted.
"He kissed her!"
"WHAT does it matter to you?"
"How DARE you scoff at me like that. I'm not some cheap floozy!"
"DAMNIT WOMAN!" Sirius growled, slamming his fist into the wall just to the side of Hermione's face. "I know you aren't a cheap floozy, but it's PRETTY CLEAR you are no virgin!!"
All the voices in the room stopped with that last comment. Sirius could instantly feel Hermione's rage, and he knew this would not end well. Her uncontrolled anger turned into an unstable magical energy. Hermione felt as if she would melt and explode all at once if she did not rid her body of this unfocused torment, so she did the only thing she could think of.
She hauled back and punched Sirius Black in the face.
He groaned and stumbled backwards, tripping over his own feet and crashing through the coffee table. Ginny's jaw dropped as she saw the scene in front of her unfold with a startled "whoa…" escaping her lips. Harry seemed to sober as he grasped blindly for Ginny's hand, grateful that his spitfire girlfriend had never come close to that kind of anger.
The room was deadly silent spare for the soft groans coming from Sirius as he writhed in anguish on the broken rubble. His face was contorted in agony and he blindly grasped for something, anything to grab hold of to keep the room from spinning out from under him. Hermione slowly stepped towards the disaster before her, and spoke very softly.
"You have no right to make any presumptions about me, Sirius Black. I may be no virgin, but I am not a whore." She discretely cast a wand less muffliato at Harry and Ginny without taking her eyes off of the terrified Wizard on the floor. "I'm not your whore." She finished, taking down the charm and quickly exiting the apartment, slamming the door so hard the hinges pulled slightly from the wall.
A moment later, the flat was flooded with deafening sounds of more apparations as the entire Weasley clan popped into the living room with wands drawn. Molly stood shaking with one hand clutching her wizards clock, and the other her wand as she surveyed the scene around her.
Sirius Black was now propped up against the wall. He was in obvious pain, his hair mussed up and a large bruise forming on his left cheek and around his eye. His arms were cut slightly from the splintering wood of the coffee table. Fighting desperately to keep from shedding the tears that were quickly pooling in his eyes, he instead tried to focus on filling his lungs with air.
Ginny and Harry stood side by side, hands clasped tightly together and wands drawn, looking confused and terrified.
Molly, no longer able to keep silent screeched "What is going on in here? Ron came home freaking out about a huge fight!" She shook the clock in her hands in front of her for emphasis as it showed 'mortal peril' for Sirius and Harry. "I thought you were all dead!?"
Sirius looked at Harry and shook his head with what little strength he had to try and convey that telling Molly was a very bad idea, but Harry didn't even notice.
"Hermione is back."
