Jean's voice echoed in the hall 'you'll regret this you little slut'
Thanks for the patience everybody because of the said illness last chapter I ended up in hospital however I am back and ready to write. This chapter is a massive thank you to everyone who leaves comments and reads my story.
Allons-y
Jeans words still rang fresh in Hermione's ears. He doesn't seem like the kind of man who wouldn't make good on his word. She'd barely slept last night part of her staying awake in case he decided that he would try something again and partly because she was genuinely chilled to the bone. Jean was not something she had counted on when she came back here. Though being perfectly honest with herself she didn't know what to expect really. Laying in her bed she didn't hear the portrait hole open. The smell of fresh bread filled the air, Hermione left her bed and peered over her railing and only in their sleeping attire and dressing gowns were Rowena and Helga. Each of them held a tray of food.
Hermione went back to her bed and waited for them. They'd obviously planned this for her and she didn't want to spoil it for them. When Hermione felts some pressure on the end of her bed she sat up and wiped the pretend sleep from her eyes.
'Good morning heroine did you sleep well?' Rowe asked her in a tone that if she thought about it was one of concern oh god did she know. Hermione smiled at the two thoughtful women.
'I slept restlessly but I did sleep' Hermione tried to ease some concern and it seemed to have worked because Helga piped up and was impressed by herself but not in a Malfoy kind of way but a selfless kind of way. Hermione noticed the sheer amount of food before her and realized that this was all for her. There was 2 pitchers of drinks one was wine and the other Helga explained was a honey and water mix, fresh bread, eggs, butter, honey and an array of meats from fish to pork and chicken.
Hermione felt more appreciative to these amazing women for accepting her whole heartedly. As they sat on the bed Hermione answered questions about the future and she asked about the past. She found out that the woman were young each was about to celebrate their twenty sixth name day. She also brought up about the enchanted ceiling, how she thought it would add something to the room. Rowe thought that the idea would be perfect for the space and what a challenge to enchant such a space. Hermione felt at home with these women and she could stay like this for an infinite amount of time always listening talking contributing and laughing, so much laughing as the cousins recalled stories of their childhood. It was easy to be around them. Just like her boys. Then a wave of sadness came to Hermione. Helga was the first to notice her hand was attentively placed on top of Hermione's, but it was Helga who asked the question.
'Why did you really travel here Hermione, away from everything and everyone you ever knew'? That's when Hermione knew she had to tell the truth about the war and her boys. She didn't tell them about the killing Salazar piece but everything else was laid out before the two house leaders. Hermione tried to remain as composed as possible however a few tears did fall from her eyes as she spoke Harry and Ron's name. The women did not interrupt her. And when she reached the end the ache in Hermione's chest threatened to completely consume her. But she had learnt in her weakest hours how to go numb from pain and when it threatened to devour her. Each of them remained silent for a time when Hermione asked if they could help her get ready for the day ahead. She told them of her lunch with Salazar. Hermione couldn't help but notice the excitement in their eyes like she was their Barbie doll. Her dress was much simpler then the one of the previous night. The light blue dress was a tight fit and had double lacing down the front and trumpet style sleeves. Hermione's hair was done in a simple braid with a few strands around her face. The woman pulled from the pockets of their dressing robes two tiny dresses that looked like it was made for a doll rather than two fully grown women. The dresses once enlarged and on the owner were beautiful. Rowena's was a purple fabric that was similar to Hermione's hone without the lacing in the front but paired with a silver belt that looked like it was made of little silver plates, Helga's just as gorgeous the red dress had an empire waist and had pleats that hide silver embroidery so as he moves around you would catch flashes of silver. As they turned to go down the stairs Hermione went to her bed side and retrieved her wand from under her pillow. She wasn't going anywhere without that today.
They said their goodbyes at the portrait heading whichever direction held their destination. Hermione was unsure which court yard Salazar had wanted her to meet him in. when trying to figured it out hormone noticed something on the frame of her portrait hole. It was a brilliant green rose with a note attached telling her to follow the roses. Doing as she was told the flowers lead her from her room on the first floor in the northern tower across to the west courtyard closest to the owlery. Hermione didn't know what to expect in her meeting with the snake but it was certainly not this. The courtyard usually completely made of stone was lush with green roses and soft grass. The fountain in the middle looked brand new. A small table with a silver table cloth on it was set just in front of the flowing fountain only there was no food on the table only a small bag. It was Hermione's bag. The one that had been missing since she' arrived. When she reached the table she saw something beside the bag. Her boys were smiling back at her. The smoky voice came from directly behind her.
'Thought it was tie I returned this to you' before she could stop herself she turned and slapped him. The look on his face was a mixed one. There was anger of course but also one that surprised her. There was a vulnerability. But Hermione couldn't focus on that right now.
'Did you go through it' she demanded. He looked confused so she asked again. 'Did you go through it' this time he answer
'Yes I did' she was close to losing it but had to ask one question first. 'Why'd you take it'? There was still venom in her words but she couldn't help feeling some relief with its return to her. But the relief was quickly replaced by anger with his answer.
'I took it from your bedside because I wanted to know what kind of threat you were, and I learnt more from your bag then what you had disclosed Granger. Those boys are dead aren't they? So which one was your lover glasses or freckles or was it both'? That was the last straw. Hermione put the photo into her purse and slung it over her shoulder so it draped across her chest. She pulled her wand from the inside of her sleeve and fired a silent curse. It took him by surprise but it didn't stop him from firing back.
'You're good granger but I am better' he taunted her and as she retaliated with a jelly legging curse Hermione replied 'I am not good Slytherin…I am great'
Pieces of stone were shattering like glass from each missed spell. Flashes of blue, gold red and green filled the courtyard ruining the beautiful rose vines. Emerald green petals and rubble littered the surrounding areas. She lost sight of him for a moment, she hated how snake like he could be silently disappearing from her lines of sight. She looks for him turning slowly she sees him and throws a curse only for him to deflect it. He is so close to her. He's too close. The Slytherin drops his wand and wraps his arms around her, Hermione can feel his heart beating quickly. With as much conviction as she can muster Hermione demands that he let her go but he refuses. He says leans in and whispers in her ear something that she was not expecting.
'I am sorry I know what it's like to lose somebody' his voice seemed sincere but she needed to get out of his grips. He was still too close but something changed in his eyes those ice blue eyes he was hesitating as he leaned in again this time not for a whisper but wanting to claim her lips, but before he could Rowena's voice echoed through the air. Salazar's tight grip finally releases and Hermione wastes no time running from the courtyard with tears welling in her eyes.
Salazar
This was not going to end well for him he knew that. He looked guilty of something heinous. Which if he was to speak the truth he had done something unethical. And most definitely Rowena was going to make him pay for it. Her voice came out a full note higher than her usual tone.
'Salazar what have you done now she was fine this morning' then he explained. Rowena listened to the story without interruption and only when he finished did she speak to him. And she spoke like a mother scolding a naughty child.
'Fix this Salazar'
So I hope you like it. Please as always read and review. Tell me what you think will happen next? Have a great day everybody
