A/N: Hey guys here we are a quick run down for all of you. I am going to try for the national writing chalange of writing 50,000 words in a month. It's gonna be tough but don't worry this last week I've written the next three chapters for you guys so you don't miss out. So wish me luck and I will see you on the next update.
Warning: This chapter contains scenes of violence. Not suitable for youngsters.
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognisable characters and no money has been made from this.
Enjoy... Happy Halloween
Chapter Nine
She wakes disorientated, stumbling from her bed hot and sweaty. Her feet freeze against the cold floor as she staggers to the bathroom, her hands shaking; she finally manages to pry the doorknob and open the door. Her knees give way and she grasps the side of the toilet before hurling her contents of her stomach up.
She groans, pulling away and collapsing against the shower. The world spinning around her. She hears feet on the stairs, Ron mooching up to bed. Hears a door close, the flicker of lights. Leaning forward she stares at the clock trying to decipher the time through the dark mist they call night. 03:08. Ron's home late, she thinks, before another wave nausea makes her puke.
She spends the night on the floor of the bathroom, tiredness making her stay. She wakes groggy, her limbs limp and her back stiff. Wincing as she stands, she turns the shower on. Stepping into boiling hot water she relaxes, the burn making her feel. It cascades down her body, soothing her aching spine.
She spends a good thirty minutes under the spray before exiting; wrapping a towel around her hair, she strolls naked through her room. Searching for her outfit to wear for work, she dries herself off before throwing the towel into the wash basket that is currently over flowing. Stretching she pauses in front of her mirror, her eyes drawn to her body.
The scar lining her side.
Bang! The night breaks apart. A light flashes to her right and she's moving as quick as possible, wand ready. Acknowledging pain in her side, it does little to stop her. Her hood had slipped away in the rush, something wet tinges her hand but she ignores it. Focusing, her eyes narrow on the cold metal nuzzle pointing towards her. Eyes connecting with the angry ones of a muggle. Aware of the yelling in the distance, the noise thunderous, hears the shout from Bellatrix.
She traces the outline of the scar left by the pellets of the shotgun, remembers the moment Bellatrix healed the wound. The first time she used the power of the Time Turner to save them from plummeting to their death. Her eyes monitor the other little scars left, the most obvious, the scar directly above her heart. The scar left by Bellatrix's own version of Crucio it never healed. Mudblood still decorates her left wrist. Another scar on her shoulder a mistimed dodge when learning to use knives. Her body testament to the last few years of her life, she could draw a mind map trace them all backwards. She dresses she has work to do.
She passes a bleary-eyed Ron on the stairs, who squints at her.
"Where you going it's five in the morning 'Mione?" He calls after her.
"We've got a meeting!" Hermione replies, slipping from the house.
~~~~~ A Drop in the Ocean ~~~~~
It is nearly eleven in the morning, sitting to the back of the room; one leg crossed over the other Hermione rotates her shoulder. Her small attempt at keeping her body from falling asleep. A notebook in hand, she looks the perfect employer, jotting down notes except she is doodling. Not too sure, what she has created but it passes the time. She wonders about buying one of those colouring books for adults meant to help soothe the body and mind. She can imagine becoming tired of it, and leaving it to sit lying around the house.
Cutter takes the seat next to her; he rests his feet on to the back of the chair in front of him. Spreading his two arms out he leaves them to rest on the back of the chairs either side of him. Hermione sends him a look and he retrieves his arm from her chair.
"I feel like one of the cool kids." Andrew whispers, eyes alight with mischief. "Sitting in the back of a classroom."
Hermione chuckles to herself, eyeing the others in the room, as Auror's mill in and out. A table set up at the front of the room ready for a meeting. A couple Auror's sit to the left talking amongst themselves. One crack outs with laughter. Another enters and they almost yell to one another, insults mixed with friendship. It sets her nerves alight.
"They see us as the nerds." Hermione smirks, returning to her doodling.
"Ah but it's cool to be a geek now."
"Is that what you tell your daughter?" Croaker asks coming to rest near them.
"No it's what she tells me." Is the smart reply. "Apparently I'm not hip anymore."
"You're not." Hermione and Croaker say at the same time.
"You know, if I didn't think better I would say you think I'm a loser."
"NO!" Croaker exaggerates.
"Of course not." Hermione snickers.
"Glad to hear, had me worried then!" Andrew shares a small smile with Hermione as she glances at him.
"How's Potter?" Croaker asks eyeing Thongs as he skulks into the room.
"Fine, slightly bored, already in trouble with hospital staff for sneaking out of his room."
"I thought he had broken ribs?" Croaker continues, accepting a folder from Thongs who scurries from the room as quickly as he came.
"He does." Hermione answers watching Thongs exit.
"Why do you keep him around?" Andrew wonders.
"Who Thongs?" Clarifies Croaker, Andrew nods. "He's useful and weird; people don't talk to him because he's weird. Means they don't ask questions."
"Creeps me out." Andrew huffs.
"Dolls creep you out." Hermione points out.
"Oh they brought another doll for Henry… It is so weird, but he loves it. Just stares at you like this." Hermione ignores the stare for as long as possible.
"Stop it, it's weird." Hermione orders, still he stares, she smacks him over the head with her notebook.
"See it's weird!" Andrew laughs rubbing his head.
Hermione shakes her head, as Croaker wanders back to the front of the room. She watches an Auror watch Croaker, sees his lips move as he talks to his colleague. Completely unaware of just whom they are talking about. Unaware of just how skilled Croaker is with a wand. It makes her smile.
"What you grinning at?" Asks Andrew fiddling with his blazer.
"Wolf in sheep's clothing." Hermione answers Andrew smirks just as the Auror turns to look at them.
Confused the Auror turns back to his friends and Hermione shares another look with Andrew. It's hip to be square. They sit in relative silence, as Aurors noisily go about their business, Croaker talks quietly at the front with the newly appointed Head Auror Sally Bracher. They discuss the upcoming meeting.
"This reminds me of a cinema." Andrew jokes. "Wanna be naughty make out on the back row?"
"You're married." Hermione quips not sparing him a second look.
"Holly will be happy to get away from me; she knows you'll send me back."
"Not my type." Hermione replies, they have had this banter a hundred times.
"I have a sister." She laughs.
They pause their talk as an Auror takes a seat next to Andrew, who refuses to remove his arm. Turning his attention to the new prey, Andrew casually leans the other way.
"Hi," He whispers. "Wanna make out?"
The male Auror spares one look at Andrew before moving away again. Hermione bursts out laughing hiding behind her notebook.
"Brilliant." She whispers.
"I don't discriminate." Andrew announces happily.
No one chose to sit with them as the room slowly fills up. They have the back row to themselves; Hermione shakes her head at her colleague's tactic. Croaker sends them both an amused look, even as Bracher looks at them with bewilderment. Essential Andrew scared all Auror's off with one sentence, it makes Hermione laugh beneath her breath.
The door opens, catching Hermione's eye and she watches Tonks wander in, greeted by all her colleagues. She takes a seat at the front, talking animatedly with the Aurors around her. Andrew leans in close to Hermione, so not to be overhead by the Aurors sitting in front.
"Did you know?" Andrew asks quietly.
Hermione nods, taking the time to analyse her friend's daughter. "I did."
"She's been asking questions." Andrew informs her.
"Precisely why she's here." Hermione answers finally putting her notebook away. "We're going to be sent on the same mission, she'll find out I'm just a boring researcher."
"And the only reason you survived against Bellatrix was due to luck?"
"Bingo." Hermione whispers as Tonks turns to look at her. Hermione nods a friendly hello as Andrew pulls away and turns her attention to the meeting.
"Play nicely." Andrew warns her.
"It's completely routine." Hermione replies easily.
"Welcome!" Bracher greets them all. "As you know we have a few things to talk about, a few missions to organise. The Unspeakables are looking for an escort to help them locate an item of interest."
"We know where it is." Croaker continues, those in the room may not know his wand skill but there is no denying the power of the man's voice. "However I need a few volunteers to aid my researcher in retrieving said item."
A hand raises, and Croaker nods to them. "What is the item?"
"A ring." Is the confidential reply.
"What sort of ring?" Another Auror asks.
"An Unspeakable is with you to retrieve the ring." Croaker presses forward ignoring the question. "It was stolen a few days ago and we have reason to believe it has been sold to a collector. Miss Granger is trusted in retrieving the ring as a matter of secrecy, the knowledge of the ring is a matter of the Ministry. The less you know the better for everyone. You are there to apprehend the one's responsible for buying the item and Miss Granger will escort the ring safely back to the Ministry."
"I need three volunteers to aid this mission." Bracher informs.
Hands raise, not all but most lift in the air, all of them curious to see what is so special about this ring. There is only one hand in particular Hermione is interested in. The hand that is last to lift.
"Peterson, McCabe and Tonks you're to escort Miss Granger to the location, see me afterwards for the specifics. Now on to another matter, we have word to believe that there is illegal selling of Unicorn blood on the black market…"
Hermione leans back into her chair, sharing a look with Croaker well that was that then. "You getting anywhere with the unicorn blood?"
"If I were do you really think I'd be getting the Aurors involved intentionally?" Andrew whispers haughtily.
"Good point." The crowd burst out laughing at something Bracher says. "Let me know how it goes."
"You got it, be careful, I have a bad feeling."
"Always am." Hermione answers, rising from her chair.
She exits the room aware of the eyes watching her, she has her team to meet before she can go out and get the ring. She looks up just in time to see a familiar blonde being escorted down the hall. Grey eyes meet hers; he spares a small smile. She nods in return.
"Good luck Malfoy." Hermione whispers watching Lucian as he prepares for court.
~~~~~ A Drop in the Ocean ~~~~~
The ring of luck, the official title of the item, she has seen a black and white picture of it. Knows what the engravings are to identify it. They have an expert back at Ministry precisely for identifying all items. A goblin that works in conjunction with Gringotts. He is not too keen on Hermione; she reasons this is due to her involvement in breaking into Gringotts secure bank.
Shuffling she pulls her long coat tighter, not too fussed about wearing a robe tonight. She apparated to the back of wizarding pub, before journeying through the streets of London, her boots clomping on the pavement. She walks closer to the meet with the Aurors not wanting to floo here with them.
She spots Peterson first leaning against a building puffing on a cigarette he glances at her approach. Hermione smiles at the small look he send her, the disapproval at wearing muggle clothes. Oh, she does enjoy being an Unspeakable it makes life entertaining. McCabe is standing with Tonks talking amongst themselves, they pause at her approach, and she smiles at them. They hesitantly return it; Tonks seems almost disappointed with her appearance. Obviously expecting something different. Harry speaks regularly about Hermione, this she knows, she has gathered herself something of a reputation for being the brains of the Trio and an Unspeakable. She has travelled through time helped bring down one of the darkest wizards of all time and survived against one of the most feared witches to walk the planet. She must seem very ordinary right now. So very mundane in her work clothes and muggle coat.
How disappointing for someone like Tonks. To have everything she wants to see and have no answers to her questions. She sees the realisation slowly dawn on Tonks as she looks away, that maybe, just maybe Hermione survived against Bellatrix due to luck alone.
They share a few words before they journey further along until they reach one street that only has two houses. Edwardian houses, Hermione admires the buildings, the large windows. The cobbled streets that lead to the houses, they are aiming for the big white one. Where one candle flickers in a bedroom. Someone's home. It is wizarding community, around here. She wonders just what sort of a person has brought the item. Just what will they look like, short a tubby? Tall and skinny? Maybe a mixture, woman or man.
A figure in the corner of her eye catches her attention and she turns to look. A hundred yards away, someone sits outside on a bench. An old woman their face rings a bell but she cannot place it. The moon has cast an ungodly glow to the area, a mist moving in from the east. A wind clips her side causing a shiver. The figure does not stir merely sits, watching in rapt fascination, a black robe protecting them. The mist circles around them almost causing her to disappear from view. A hood sits half-heartedly on their head, but their eyes glow almost like a cat in the dark. Predator. Wolf.
"'Mione you coming?" Tonks calls. "Or you chickening out?"
Tearing her gaze from the stranger, she observes the three Aurors waiting for her a few feet away. Her skin is tingling, her hair rising in alarm. Something is not right. She steps forward, her boots kicking up a loose rock it spins. Tripping and flipping down the small mound, rolling to a stop at the base of the cul-de-sac.
"Don't go freaking out on us." Tonks chuckles.
"Something's wrong." Hermione warns the houses that once seemed so disarming are quiet too quiet.
"Its fine, we've done this hundreds of times." Peterson grumbles. "Now let's get a move on before I freeze out here."
Tonks hand catches her arm. "Chill alright everything's fine."
"Tonks…" Hermione whispers, her back arches. She freezes causing Tonks to stop as well.
They have just tripped a charm. "It's a trap." She announces both men shake their head in annoyance.
"The area is charmed." Hermione says pulling her wand out.
Tonks is on edge but neither McCabe nor Peterson are listening to her. She flexes her hand, feeling the charms around them. Anti-apparation. No one can enter or escape. This is all a set up. She sees movement in the house, but no Auror takes note.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
She inhales time slows.
One hand counts to three – the other four.
She exhales; one of them is in immediate danger.
There's no time to stop.
She prepares herself ready to grab Tonks.
Where will it clock?
Tick Tock.
BANG! Peterson is hit, thrown four feet backwards through the air. Fire explodes to the right. Spells fly. A spell narrowly missing her ripping through her coat. She throws it off. Engaging in a duel with a hooded figure, she takes the time to analyse the situation before quickly moving. Dodging she misses a shot from someone in the window.
"Expulso." A jet strikes her dueller sending him backwards.
She pivots, wand aimed to the man in the house. Confringo. The top floor of the house explodes, littering everyone in debris. A body flies from the house, crashing to the ground lifeless. She rejoins the battle Tonks holding her own against a man with no hood. He's a good dueller, using speechless magic, she sees Tonks struggling unable to anticipate the fight.
Hermione throws up a charm and Stuperfy bounces off, striking at a startling speed into the distance. She turns her attention to the newcomer, a tall man, who pulls his hood away, revealing only one eye. She swallows they duel. Their two spells engaging, creating a brilliant blue light. He's a strong opponent.
He grins through the duel. "Can I say Miss Granger I'm a big fan."
She smirks. "Glad to hear it, I'll sign your arrest form for you."
He laughs at her, before stepping forward increasing the power of his spell. She doesn't let it affect her, until her eyes land on the ring on his right hand. The ring of luck. Well damn, she has to play this smart. Time to perform. She drops the duel turns and reengages once more. He falters his spell. Unused to this form of duel. She steps moving the duel. He follows.
With a flick, she sends an errant lash, striking near his left eye, making him flinch. She pushes the power of spell, causing him to buckle backwards.
"Is that your brother?" She asks, nodding to the man duelling Tonks.
He licks his lips.
"I take that as a yes?" Hermione questions. "Who are you meant to be?"
Fire flashes, one house catching flames. "We are the Fallen." He announces proudly.
"Adeptly named." Replies Hermione.
She shifts again, causing the vein in his neck to pulse in anger. She redirects her aim throwing a random spell to the right, clipping the brother Fallen fighting Tonks. The tall brother growls in anger moving closer, preparing another spell. One more step. She thinks to herself. She strikes his leg with a stinging hex, he yells in annoyance.
"Fucking mudblood!" He screams fury to the night. "Aveda Kedavra."
Perfect, he poses; she acts the surprised suspect throwing up a shield, before dropping to the ground. His eyes follow her but he is already committed to the action, he cannot move just yet. With a quick flick of the wand, a red jet of light shoots out, a magical blade. He moves to protect but it is too late. It cuts through flesh without resistance. The hand holding the ring and wand fall useless from his wrist. He screams in agony, collapsing to his knees.
Blood squirts from the stud left from his arm, he cradles it to the chest. Stuperfy. The spell strikes his head, rendering him unconscious, be mighty shame should he die from blood loss. A cry of pain from the last remaining brother makes her run. She darts across the open, dodging the spell between McCabe and two unknown fighters.
The Fallen brothers yell is unhuman, he strikes Tonks down, and she stumbles backwards. Grasping her side in pain Tonks stares down the wand pointed at her, Hermione legs pound the ground. Hand sweaty, Hermione crashes into Tonks knocking the witch to the ground, a spell clips her side. She ignores the pain, concentrating on the dueller still standing. Turns and blasts a spell right back, the last Fallen is hurtled backwards into a wall. The crunch of bone forever imprinted on her mind.
McCabe falls just as Hermione throws a Stuperfy to one of his attackers taking him off guard. She deflects a spell before finishing the last opponent of with a simple Expellarmus, and a hex. Heaving she controls her pacing heart, Tonks groaning on the ground in pain next to her.
"Hermione?" Tonks asks turning Hermione stares down at her best friend's daughter. Something drips down her face; she wipes it away her sleeve stained in blood.
"Don't let my sacrifices go in vain." Hermione tells Tonks straight.
She's sacrificed too much for this witch to die in the backstreets. She stares at the destruction all around her. Last man standing. A flash of robe makes her turn; she catches sight of the old woman strolling away. She gives chase.
Gravel flies up striking her face, she ignores it. Her boots slipping on the cobbles, she takes a corner too fast, her shoulder absorbing the impact. She pushes away following the sound of the feet that echo in the misty alleyway. Except she is faster than the fleeing woman is, she gains ground even as her lungs burn with effort. Her breathing rapid, she narrowly avoids a bin her suspect in sight.
A glance over their shoulder makes the woman discard her idea of walking and she begins to run. Hermione recognises that run/ skip anywhere. With a last burst of speed, her calf's hot, her hand wraps in the black cloak. She tugs.
They stumble too much momentum causing both witch's to trip. Her instinct keeps her from falling over and both women crash into the side of a building. Her hand shakes from adrenaline, blood rushing through her body and she presses the tip of her wand to the woman's neck. Eyes bore into hers and despite the glamour charm; Hermione recognises those eyes. With a flick of her wand, she causes the charm to vanish. Wrinkled skin morphing into smooth, long black flowing hair, ruby red lips curve into a smirk and the air superiority returning. Bella. Her mind whispers.
Her chest heaves, trying to capture her breath, Bellatrix isn't fairing much better. She's caught her. Her left hand gripping the dark witch's side to stop her from escaping. An eyebrow raises. Hermione's heart stutters. She should read the witch her rights. Take her wand, check for weapons, and subdue her. Arrest her.
The smirk depends sending all kind of signals through Hermione's body her grip tightens. Bella. Hermione does the unthinkable. She smiles, despite the destruction around them. Bellatrix raises a hand, it skirts across Hermione's bleeding cheek, ghosting over the cut. A breath escapes and Hermione places her forehead over the beating heart of Bellatrix Black. The texture of Bellatrix's corset scratching her skin but she ignores it.
A cold hand fleetingly caresses Hermione's neck before tangling in her short hair. Thud. Thud. Bellatrix heart beats, she can feel the vibration, and she inhales the witch's perfume. It is intoxicating. Makes her knees weak.
With a fierce tug, Bellatrix pulls on Hermione's hair, causing the witch to jerk back. Hermione groans at the treatment as red lips captures hers. The kiss is fierce; Hermione shoves the witch back into the wall, causing a moan to break unbidden from ruby lips. She nips at the plump bottom lip. A tongue darts out, tracing the bite, and Bellatrix retaliates. Nails dig into her scalp. They duel as they always have. They fight for dominance, Hermione's hand tangles into black hair. The kiss deepens, tearing a moan from Hermione.
She loses herself in the dark witch, as though they were never apart. As though the world isn't tearing them away from each other. It's as it always was them against the world. There's a disturbance in the distance, but Hermione is fully concentrated on this moment. Her right hand tightens on her wand. Her heart beats uncontrollably, heat coursing through her body. Her loins alight. The final kiss is soul searing as she presses the wand once more against Bellatrix's neck making the dark witch still.
Dark eyes open as they pull back. "Why?" Hermione breathes. "Why now?"
"I needed to see." Bella rasps, Hermione shivers at the voice. "You didn't disappoint."
"You're under arrest." Hermione whispers.
Bellatrix smiles. "Rule one. Wands are useful."
Hermione frowns at the saying; she said that to witch years ago during their first fight, which is when she registers the wand at her stomach. She hisses in pain a stinging jinx strikes her down. She collapses on the ground grasping her stomach. The sound of people running towards them. Bella sends her kiss before turning tail and running away. Grumbling, Hermione lies there on the ground staring up to the dark sky. She sits up as two Aurors come bombing around the corner, nearly tripping over her. One swoops down playing the hero, wanting to help her while the other keeps their eyes open for any nasty surprises.
"Miss Granger are you okay?" The young Auror asks, offering his hand.
"I'm fine, just caught off guard." She accepts the hand.
"Did you see where they went?"
Hermione stares down the dark alleyway, knows Bellatrix is a long gone. She shakes her head, feigning disappointment. "I'm afraid I didn't see, turned the corner and they hit me. Didn't even see their face."
A/N: Damn I've been waiting for that for ages don't know about you guys. so you've got chapters to come so don't worry about me being away with my muse on another adventure. So guys I recommend you take a deep breath the next chapter will calm your nerves but after that your on your own. It's all going south from here mwhaha.
Mia - Harry will live he's had worse than that. The Longbottoms will be explained later on in the story by Bella herself.
Justine - I am so glad you enjoyed the last chapter. It was indeed brutal and I can only apologise for that but I just thought everyone was just getting too comfortable time to turn it up a little bit. Such a long review if only you had an account I would Pm you with adeqaunt response. I could just see it something Bella would do telling someone to pass the message on something so simple but able to cause a storm. Molly is an enigma, she has grown up in two wars lost her brothers in the first war and her sons be hurt or killed in the second. She has her reason to not trust Bellatrix but yet she also fails to see the reason behind Hermione being in love with Bellatrix as kids. There is much I would love to discuss but so many things I cannot say. Again such a brillaint review made me smile and I've read it over five times it elps me write to make sure I haven't missed anything. I look forward to your next response hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Karanis: Thank you.
Blueforu - Well I hope you noticed a certain couple of lyrics that sneaked into this chapter, your planned worked. These songs are in my head and now my chapters :P Longbottoms will be expained I promised. Thank you for the lovely review.
Kigo Stories - Haha welcome back glad your enjoying it.
RusholmeRuffian - Aww thank you, I work hard trying to gage Hermione's reaction, she's been through an awful lot.
Boomerang- Oh it's not a train wreck... well maybe a little. So glad your enjoying it, hope the reunion didn't disappoint.
PersonJe - Ah yes well the Fallen have ugh fallen as it were. Indeed this is the beginning hold on tight its all in a tail spin from here. Thank you for the review :)
Kris6 - Wow that's all i'm going to say. Dear lord I will reply, bear with me. This is perhaps the beiggest review you've done so far. Thank you so inspiring to read your reviews, make this all worth it.
To all the guests who reviewed thank you very much I hope you enjoyed the chapter.