Chapter 10: The First Task
"She asked you to let her go." Jade's voice was dangerous and threatening in Hermione's ears. Ron turned staring daggers into the girl who was staring them right back. It seemed like minutes to Hermione as they glared at each other with rage burning in their eyes. "I suggest you let her go." Hermione winced again as Ron's grip got tighter around her arm and a whimper escaped from her mouth.
"Why don't you leave us alone." Ron hissed seeming to ignore Hermione's pain. "She's coming with me."
"No," Jade growled as she dug her nails into the skin of Ron's forearm. "She's not." Ron tensed as the sharpness dug into his flesh which only made him angrier.
"You know I don't hit girls." Ron said as he released Hermione finally. She stepped away, gently nursing her quickly bruising arm. Jade still had grip on his arm and didn't seem to be planning on letting go anything soon. "But there's just something about you that makes me want to knock you out." Ginny and Harry finally arrived to see that a group of students had gathered around Ron and Jade, including Jenson and the Kiely twins.
"Go ahead." Jade answered which surprised everyone and elicited a few gasps from the on lookers. "Take your best shot."
Ron didn't need telling twice as his left fist flew and connected solidly with Jade's right cheek. Hermione heard some gasps and roars from the crowd as the solidity of the punch shocked them. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't open her mouth as Jade was knocked back a couple feet and hit the ground.
Hermione's eyes were wide with shock as Harry moved and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She took a step forward to try and get to her fallen girlfriend, but Harry's hold on her was strong to keep her in place. She saw Jenson in the crowd try and charge Ron, but his girlfriend and her sister had restrained him.
Jade was on her hands and knees trying to recover from the blow. Her hair was in front of her face as she raised her palm to her friends to keep them in their place. The tall boy reluctantly obeyed and lowered his fists trying to calm himself. Jade stood slowly on shaky legs as she spit blood to the ground and wiped her mouth on the back of her sleeve. She stood straight up with her eyes closed; she slowly removed her cloak and tie, dropping them in a pile on the ground.
"I give you credit." Ron said smugly, rubbing his knuckles. "I'm surprised you're still standing. I thought I'd over done it for a second when you hit the ground." Jade opened her eyes, her right one closed slightly from the swelling in her cheek. They looked like they were glowing, like the blue in a hot flame.
"Ronald Weasley you stop this right now!" Hermione shouted, trying to keep Jade from getting hurt anymore. If she knew anything about Jade, it was that she was prideful, too prideful sometimes. She knew damn well the older girl could best Ron in a duel of magic, but physically, she wasn't sure since Ron had a height advantage. "Please, leave her alone!" Ron ignored her pleas and advanced on the girl in front of him.
"When she stays down." He said menacingly. "When she learns her lesson."
"My lesson?" A smirk spread on Jade's lips as she chuckled. "I expected more from you Ron." Jade said calmly as she turned to face him. "I thought you'd at least break something, but I guess I anticipated too much from you."
Jade's eyes looked dangerous, as if you were to look in them you'd catch on fire, but Ron didn't break the gaze. Instead, he charged at her with his fist raised. His rage had taken over his better judgment as he swung at her again and she side stepped. She caught his wrist in her hand next to her head. Ron looked stunned as he stared at her.
"You have to have a clear mind to win a fight." She dug her nails in his skin and twisted his wrist in. He winced as she twisted harder and he fell to his knees.
As he was on the ground Jade lifted her other hand high and backhanded him across the face. The smack reverberated through the air as the crowd silenced. Ron became enraged and tried to stand, but Jade just kicked his knees out from under him and wrapped a hand around his neck while still holding his wrist.
"You bitch." He spat through gritted teeth. Jade simply smirked despite her swollen face.
"If you could concentrate on something other than what's in front of you," Jade growled inching closer to his face. "Maybe you would've seen that I was taunting you like a matador with a bull. You charge blindly without thinking about what your next move is going to be. All I had to do was let you get a punch in. Let you think you had the upper hand to get you to lose focus." Hermione watched as Jade tightened her grip on Ron's neck causing him to wince. "If I ever see you touch Hermione in a forceful manner again, I will show you how this fight would've ended if I were to be offensive." With that she released his arm and threw him to the ground by his neck. Ron coughed as Dean ran over to help him up.
"Gerroff me!" Ron yelled as he got up, shoving Dean aside. "That bitch will see what offensive means."
He ran at her again with her back turned, but as he reached out to grab her, Jade spun quickly and grabbed his outstretched arm. She punched him hard in the ribs and swept his feet out from under him with a swift kick. While he was in midair she grabbed his arm again and flipped him forward and threw him onto his back. Ron gasped loudly trying to catch the oxygen that had been forced from his lungs.
Jade stood straight again and dusted herself off before picking up her cloak and tie. She walked over to Hermione who was silent from what she had just witnessed. The neon had faded from Jade's eyes and they were back to their normal crystalline blue.
"Are you hurt Hermione?" Jade asked softly as she gently held Hermione's arm in her hands. "Your arm is really bruised." Hermione snapped out of her shock and gently touched Jade's face. It was very swollen and dark purple. A trail of smeared blood was lingering in the corner of Jade's mouth.
"How can you worry about me?" Hermione asked as she pulled out her wand and started to mend Jade's bruised jaw. "You could've gotten really hurt, you know that?"
Jade smirked and the warmth in her eyes had surprised the brunette. She noticed Jade's hands softly on her bruised arm and felt the warmth emitting from them. Jade had been healing Hermione this whole time since she touched her. Once Jade's face was back to normal Hermione hugged her without the fear of putting her in pain.
"I told you I would always protect you, Hermione." Jade breathed into the young girl's hair. "And I wasn't about to let him force you to do anything." She pulled away slightly and rested her hands on Hermione's hips. "I was going to tell you earlier Hermione, but then I had some doubts the more I thought about it. After seeing him grab you like that though, I'm quite sure now." Hermione looked at her girlfriend curiously as their eyes locked.
"What are you sure about?" Hermione asked getting nervous again as her heart started to pound against her rib cage. Jade leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Hermione's waiting lips. The kiss lingered innocently for a moment before Jade barely pulled away.
"That I love you." Jade's words made Hermione's heart race. She started blushing furiously as electric currents sparked through her body. Jade had said she loved her…her of all the people, she had said it to her, a bookworm and introvert. Hermione closed her eyes for a second and took in the sensations running through her. She never knew words could make her feel so good.
"I love you too, Jade." She whispered finally opening her eyes to get lost in cerulean pools. Jade's eyes lit up and she leaned down as Hermione leaned up to close the gap between their lips.
Despite the crowd of people still lingering around them, Hermione wrapped her arms around Jade's neck to deepen the kiss. She felt Jade's arms slide around her waist and pick her up slightly. Nothing else mattered than being as close to Jade as possible.
The hoots and cat calls didn't even reach their ears as Jade reluctantly ended the kiss and just held Hermione close, looking into her eyes. The crowd of people slowly cleared out until it was just Hermione and Jade together. Besides Dean and Ron still yards away on the ground of course.
"Well, that went well." Ginny said coming up to them with Harry in tow. "It's about time someone put him in his place." She watched as Dean helped Ron back to his feet and dragged him back to the dorm. "I guess our talk made you think huh?" Ginny shot a sideways glance towards Jade who just rolled her eyes.
Hermione giggled as she pecked Jade on the cheek playfully. Harry watched as Ron shot a murderous glance back at his friends as he wobbled away. The brunette saw Jade's eyes narrow, as if they were speaking telepathically to each other. She gently cupped Jade's cheek and turned her face to look at her. Blue eyes snapped back to normal and she smiled warmly at the shorter witch. The four teenagers walked together to their building quietly, conversing about anything BUT the fight that had just occurred.
"So Jade, do you think you're prepared for the first task?" Harry asked as they wandered through campus. "I know sometimes it can be kind of stressful since you're not supposed to know what the task is supposed to be.
"It's kind of frustrating actually." Jade answered softly as they reached the dining hall for lunch. "I've just been practicing spells and enchantments that Hermione suggested I learn and that's really all I can do. How is Neville handling things?"
"Oh, well, he's doing all right." Ginny chimed in as they sat down at an empty booth. "The year before really brought him out of his shell and boosted his confidence so I'm sure he'll do brilliantly." Hermione hadn't really said much on the subject as her three friends continued to discuss the tournament. She was worried, worried for Jade's safety, for Neville's and she was scared as to what the first task could even be.
"Hermione, you're being rather quiet." Ginny said as she took a sip of her soup. "Are you all right?" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts and smiled trying to hide her worry.
"I'm fine just," Hermione poked at her salad lazily. "Just thinking about the tournament." It wasn't a complete like; she just wasn't telling that what exactly her brain was thinking about. She felt Jade's hand on her knee and gently squeeze it. Hermione tried to relax at her touch, but the worry in her eyes couldn't be hidden from her girlfriend.
x—x
Before Hermione knew it the first task was upon them. It was a cloudy day as Hermione and her friends walked to the lake where a giant arena was constructed that took up half of the watery mass. Jade had been called away early this morning with the other champions right after breakfast.
A hand fell on Hermione's shoulder and she looked over to see Ginny smiling warmly at her. The worry was dripping from Hermione's face and the red head did her best to try and comfort her friend without words. Harry joined them soon after with a surprisingly cheerful expression on his face.
"Are you guys excited?" Harry asked as they sat down in the stands around the other Hogwarts students. Ron was sitting with Dean and Seamus on the far side of the stands glaring at them still. He hadn't really gotten over the fight that occurred weeks ago, he sure did know how to hold onto a grudge. "I think I'm more excited since I know I'm not going to have to compete in these crazy- oof!"
Ginny elbowed Harry in the gut as she saw Hermione's face drop. Harry realized his mistake and tried to change the subject, but it was too late. Hermione stared blankly in the arena as the boom of Headmaster Reaver's voice filled the air.
"Good afternoon everyone!" He threw his hands in the air standing on a podium in a viewing area. "And welcome to the Triwizard Tournament! Today the Champions will be battling a creature specific to their skills that is guarding an Oracle Stone for each of the competitors. They will be judged on difficulty of their spells and time of course. At the sound of the cannon the competition will begin. Good luck Champions!"
With that Reaver sat down and a few moments later a cannon sounded into the air. Hermione jumped at the sound and looked down anxiously to see who was going to be first. She saw Neville emerge from a tunnel below, a large metal gate closed heavily behind him as he sulked around cautiously with his wand at the ready.
A giant emerged from behind a boulder and charged at the boy, its club high over its head. Hermione was rather impressed with Neville's performance, twenty minutes later the boy had successfully stunned the giant and collected his crystal. He raised it triumphantly and the entire Hogwarts section erupted in cheers. Sven was next after a few moments of silence.
Of course. Hermione thought to herself as she sat back down after seeing that Jade wasn't emerging from the tunnel. Save her for last, keep me worried for the whole thing.
She sighed heavily and watched as Sven battled a leviathan that he seemed to dispatch easily before he dove into the water to retrieve his stone. His battle had lasted a little longer than Neville's since his beast took a little more tact to abolish. After a few minutes of Sven leaving the arena, the cannon blew and finally Jade emerged from the tunnel wearing dark gray cargo pants and royal blue and black jacket with her name on the back in silver. Ginny gently grasped Hermione's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"I'm sure she's going to do brilliant, Hermione." Ginny said quietly as they watched the gate fall and Jade walk around cautiously. Hermione held her breath as she waited for whatever challenge Jade was going to face to show itself. Then she saw four figures emerge from somewhere and advance on her. She couldn't just be battling wizards could she? Then Hermione saw one of them start to writhe and shake as it began to shift.
This was their idea of a task? Jade watched as the figures advanced on her slowly, menacingly smiling at her. She watched closely as one began to change shape and suddenly realized what she was dealing with. As fast as she could, she turned and tried to get into an open space as she heard the crowd gasp and yell at what they were seeing.
A lycan, she was going to battle a pack of lycans. As she reached the edge of the lake she could hear the panting and low growls of the monster advancing on her. She turned and faced the beast as it stopped just a few feet away from her.
As she looked past him, she saw her stone back in the other direction across the expanse of land. She cursed herself silently for not trying to find her stone before running, but now she didn't have a choice. The beast paced back and forth, biding its time before finally deciding to strike. It let out a bone chilling howl and lunged at her.
"Gladius!" Jade yelled and a sword conjured of magic appeared in her hands as she ducked and sliced at the wolf who jumped over her. It howled in pain and landed in the lake. Two other figures shifted and rounded on her.
Jade made the decision to sprint forward to try and get closer to her target. She jumped over one of the snarling beasts and kept running. The earth shook with the massive wolves behind her. Looking over her shoulder momentarily to see how much space was between them, she extended her hand back.
"Alligaveritis!" Chains flew out of her hand binding one of the large creatures crashing him to the ground. The other flexed its muscles and increased its speed to catch up to its prey.
She was only a few feet away from her stone now. Her lungs were burning for oxygen and her muscles were screaming at her to stop and give them a rest. Suddenly, a clawed hand latched around her leg and slammed her to the ground. She turned on her back as the beast leapt over her.
"Duratus." She said and the monster froze in mid jump. Jade quickly scrambled to her feet, only a couple more feet. She climbed the boulder where her stone sat patiently and as she was about to touch it a solid black mass crashed into her.
Jade's body flew and hit the ground hard knocking the wind out of her. Stunned, she laid there for a moment to try and get the air back in her lungs. The wolf slowly hovered over her and pinned her down with one of its over-sized clawed hands on her chest.
It clenched its fingers and claws dug into Jade's skin ripping her shirt. She winced slightly and struggled against his grip. The beast lowered its face down to hers and roared furiously at her. Jade's ears started to ring, but she lifted her hand and pressed it against the wolf's chest and glared.
"Bombarda maxima!" A loud explosion, and both Jade, and her attacker was engulfed in fire. A figure shot into the sky and fell like a stone back to earth with a concrete thud. Jade lay there with blood running down her arm from the burns she had sustained. She got up slowly and walked over to the boulder again.
This time she grabbed it with a bloodied hand and the cannon sounded signaling the end of the task. The stands exploded with cheers and applause as Jade clutched the crystal to her chest. She closed her eyes to take a deep breath and relax slightly until she heard a shrill scream.
"JADE LOOK OUT!" Who had yelled? Hermione? Elise? Jade turned to see the black beast charging at her again, but this time her strength had waned and it was all she could do to jump out of the way. The task was over, why was this wolf being so persistent? Jade stood and turned to her attacker…or attackers, since all the beasts had joined again and were circling her.
To her surprise they started to shift back, covering themselves with simple clothes as they reached their human bodies again. Hermione was mortified at what was happening. Why wasn't anyone stopping them? Why were they letting this continue? The four, now humans, had Jade surrounded, three men and a young girl it looked like. Hermione made her way to the edge of the stands closest to the arena to try and see better as Harry and Ginny followed. What was going on?
"Rayna…" Jade whispered, eyes wide in shock…or horror? She wasn't quite sure at the time.
Rayna had left school last year for personal reasons, and here she was standing in front of her wearing very little clothing. Hermione froze when she heard that name that Jade had mentioned months before. The ex-girlfriend was standing in front of her girlfriend half naked and glaring at her. Hermione felt jealousy rise in her body, but what could she do but listen to what was going on.
"You've grown quite a bit, Jade." A figure with black hair, a very large man to be honest, spoke to her and the voice sent chills down her spine at the sudden realization of who this man was. "Why don't you greet your father?" Jade almost fell as he spoke the words. Her father, who she hadn't seen since her mother's murder, was standing in front of her, expecting niceties. Rayna started circling Jade slowly. "Come now; give your father a hug." Jade spat at the last word and glared daggers into her father's gold eyes.
"Thrash." Jade hissed angrily as she watched her ex circle around her like a piece of meat. "What have you done to her?" Thrash laughed as Rayna went and stood next to him.
"I've made her better." He caressed her cheek with one finger as the blonde's eyes stayed on Jade's. "She's stronger now; smarter…she's a perfect being. I made her for you." Jade gasped quietly as Rayna smiled and walked towards her. Hermione was stunned, what was he talking about? She gritted her teeth as the blonde girl walked towards Jade.
"What do you mean for me?" Rayna was extremely close to Jade now and wrapped an arm around her neck.
"You deserve someone as strong as you, Jade." Her father said smiling as Rayna pressed her body against Jade's. "Someone suited to your blood." Rayna leaned forward and pressed her mouth against Jade's neck. Jade grabbed the lycan girl by the shoulder and pushed her back to Hermione's relief.
"What's wrong, Jade?" Rayna asked coyly trying to get closer to her again. "Don't you like feeling my heat against you?" Her eyes were seductive and dangerous at the same time. "I remember that you use to like feeling me against you like this." She gently pressed her hips against the taller girl's and Jade tensed at her touch.
"That was long time ago." Jade scoffed pushing the girl off her again. "We didn't work then, why would you think you becoming a lycan would make me want you now?" Jade turned her gaze back to her father. "You ruined her." A slight pain flashed across Rayna's green eyes when Jade spoke those words.
"I made her for you." Thrash began walking towards her slowly. "You need a lycan as your mate, Jade, not just any old riff raff off the street. You have to keep the bloodline strong. Have you even shifted yet?"
"I'm only part lycan." Jade spat angrily. Hermione could see the ice starting to form in her eyes as she tried to keep Rayna from coming any closer than arm's length. "I won't shift in my life, ever." Her father sneered at her and chuckled as his eyes began to glow red.
"Just because you have human blood in you doesn't mean you won't change." He said stepping up to her. The dark man towered over Jade and looked as if he could just pick her up without any effort. "Your blood just hasn't been awakened yet. Sure it's weaker than a pure blooded wolf, but all you need to do is give in." Jade watched as the man began to shift and change to his black wolf. When he spoke it was a growl and menacing voice. "Now, change."
He howled deeply and his accomplices obeyed and began to change to their beast forms. The howl shook the arena and a few people tried to flee, but there were wolves at all the exits. A shockwave flooded Jade's body and she felt a fire begin to grow inside her.
"Don't hurt anyone." Jade managed to say as she tried to control the inferno. "I swear, I'll…"
"You'll what?" Her father snarled at her dominantly. "You'll kill me? Try Jade, try and fight your alpha."
"You are not my alpha!" Jade yelled at him. As the burning in her body became worse, she fell to the ground clutching at her chest. Hermione was horrified. Jade's father was trying to get her to phase into her wolf and from what she could see, Jade was fighting a losing battle. Lycans and werewolves can't disobey the alpha of their packs; it was law that alphas were the boss. "You are NOTHING to me!" Jade cried out in pain as the spasm in her body got stronger. She felt her muscles flex and burn as she felt a change she was so desperately trying to fight.
Hermione watched as Jade's body began to change, her muscles got slightly bigger and she got taller. White fur began to break through tanned skin and her face elongated into a wolf's snout. When she was finally still, the air in the arena seemed to freeze. Slowly Jade began to rise and turned towards the crowd. Hermione wanted to scream when she saw Jade's eyes glowing yellow instead of the blue she was so accustomed to.
"Wonderful," He said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Can you feel her energy? She's powerful, almost as strong as I am. Jade," Jade turned her head to her leader obediently. "Attack." The order was calm and smooth. Jade turned towards the crowd and leapt into the air landing a few meters away from Hermione.
"Hermione we have to get out of here!" Ginny grabbed her arm and tried to tug her away from the advancing lycan. She saw Rayna's light brown figure appear next to Jade. "Hermione come on!" Hermione was paralyzed. Her love, her best friend had changed and became a monster.
Jade locked eyes with Hermione and bounded towards her. Ginny and Harry were knocked back by the fleeing crowd leaving Hermione to fend for herself. Jade pinned Hermione down on the benches and even though her face hadn't changed, everything else about her was gone. Her blue eyes were glowing gold and the canines of her teeth elongated slightly and gotten sharp.
A low growl came from Jade's throat and Rayna prowled behind her slowly. Tears were streaming down Hermione's face silently; she was too perturbed to make a noise. The girl she had fallen in love with was gone and it killed her, but she was desperate to try and bring her back.
"Jade, please." She said softly as the lycan's face inched closer to hers baring her teeth. "Come back to me. Please…" Hermione's cries were falling on deaf ears as Jade snarled menacingly. Jade's grip on her shoulders had tightened causing Hermione to whimper slightly. The tears were falling freely now as she looked up into gold eyes. "You promised." Hermione whispered. "You promised to protect me!" Hermione's last cry was desperate to pull Jade back to her and it seemed to work. Jade's grip gave slightly and Hermione saw blue start to swirl back into golden eyes. Jade shut her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth, another growl emitted from her throat as she started to shake.
"Herm…Hermione." Her voice was raspy and low. She opened her eyes again to look at Hermione. The brunette below her was relieved to see her eyes glowing blue again. "Hermione…I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Hermione heard a snarl behind Jade and remembered that Rayna was still behind her.
"Jade, kill her!" The snarl ripped through Hermione's ears as she looked back into Jade's eyes. Jade stood slowly and turned towards Rayna staying between her and Hermione protectively. The sandy wolf growled and lunged at Jade who roared back and raised her clawed hand. Hermione watched as the two lycans wrestled and snarled threateningly for dominance. The fight looked one sided since Jade was still getting used to her new body.
"Ah!" Jade howled as Rayna's claws ripped through her shoulder. She recovered quickly and slashed Rayna's face. The blonde beast bared her teeth menacingly and lunged at Jade again fiercely. "Fulger!"
Blue lightening shot from Jade's hands and hit Rayna full on in the chest, sending the monster flying back. Jade stood and turned to look at her father who was glaring angrily at the control Jade had to disobey his order. She jumped swiftly down from the arena wall and started charging her father on all fours.
"Jade, no!" Hermione screamed after her. But before Jade could even reach the man he disappeared with all of the other creatures he had brought with him. Jade slid to a stop as she reached the spot where he had stood.
Jade cried out in frustration as a growl reverberated in the air, shaking Hermione's bones. As the people started to file out of the arena, Hermione ran down into it to be with Jade. As she was entering through the gate, the dean appeared at Jade's side as she slowly began to change back to her human form.
"I'm sorry, Jade." He said putting a hand on her shoulder. Jade angrily shoved him off and glared fiercely at her uncle.
"Where were you?!" She snarled at him. Her eyes glowed again with the rage that was building in her. "You let this happen! He could've killed people! I could've killed someone!" She dropped to her knees with a jolt and grabbed her sides while a deep growl erupted from her throat. Reaver knelt beside her and put another reassuring hand on her back. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" Jade growled again loudly as her body began to tremble.
"Jade, if you don't calm down you'll change again." Reaver said quietly, trying to ebb the rage inside his niece. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, I had received an owl saying the head of the school board wanted to meet in Napa…but it was a farce and by the time I had been informed of what was happening…well, it was too late." Hermione approached slowly towards Jade not wanting to make any sudden movements, but her feed gave her away as she kicked a rock on accident and Jade whipped her head to look at her with her teeth gleaming.
Gold was swirling in blue eyes trying to over-take the human in her. Once Jade realized it was Hermione, she tried even harder to control herself. She grunted quietly as she put one hand on the ground to support herself and her claws dug into the ground.
Hermione crouched down next to her and gently placed a hand on her back. Jade sighed heavily as her body experienced a violent tremor under Hermione's hand, but the brunette was relieved to see her eyes were blue again when she turned towards her. Slowly Jade's body returned to normal and her eyes faded to a dark blue.
"I'm sorry, Hermione." She whispered as her other hand fell to keep her from the ground. "I didn't mean to scare you." Jade sat back on her knees and Hermione wrapped her arms around the other girl's neck.
They sat there for a while like that. Hermione holding the lycan girl trying to comfort her and tell her it was going to be ok without speaking, but the look in Jade's eyes made Hermione think that maybe it wouldn't be ok. The pools of blue were dark and brooding as Jade's face became confused with the events that had taken place. Reaver waited quietly as the young girl tried to calm his fuming niece and looked out over the lake wondering to himself what Jade's long lost father wanted with Jade.