A large brown bottle rocketed through the air and crashed into the wall above Hermione's bed. She jerked upwards, hair frizzier than a blow-dried cow, duvet tangled around her ankles. Through bleary eyes, she caught the blurry figure of Valkyrie leaning against the doorframe. She didn't even need clear eyes to see that infuriating smirk that always played upon her lips. Then again, the smirk was kind of cute. Cute and infuriating, those were the two perfect words to describe her...partner? Girlfriend? Lover?
Hermione actually wasn't sure what the status of their relationship was. For a month, they'd partaken in a tentative relationship. It mostly consisted of calling each other pet names, limited physical contact, and learning about each other's lives. There was something special about it, though. A spark, of sorts. A spark that Hermione had never felt before. It was growing in the dark, a seed sprouting and then exploding outwards, bathing everything in an unbelievable golden light.
"What was that for?" groaned Hermione, rubbing her eyes. She swung her legs over the side of her bed, gingerly touching the freezing floor. She was yet to work out heating charms, so the apartment they shared was currently frigid, even with her new resistance to the cold. "There are other ways to wake me up, you know."
"Yeah, but I felt like it."
Hermione pulled back her lips in disgust as she felt her hair, which was now strangely sticky. "Oh, come on, there's whiskey in my hair. Valks, you can do better than that."
"Doesn't mean I have to." She pulled another bottle out of nowhere and raised it above her head. Hermione cringed.
"Alright, I'm getting up. What's so urgent about today, anyway?" She grabbed the glass of water on the bedside table she insisted on having, despite Valkyrie's confusion.
"We're going to see the Grandmaster. Gonna get you something to do, instead of sitting round here all day." Hermione almost choked on the water in her mouth, before spitting it out. Through her violent coughing, she finally managed to find her voice.
"We're going today?"
"Yeah, in half an hour. You better get yourself up, or we're going to be late."
"And you didn't think to tell me of this, perhaps?" Hermione opened her very organised draws and took out the armour she was now getting used to wearing. Apparently, according to Valkyrie, she needed to get used to wearing it. That, of course, was the day that she started showing Hermione how to utilise her new strength and magic. Hermione was very grateful for the armour. She was bruised black and blue, so she couldn't even imagine what it would have been like without it. Now, she was beginning to find a nice balance between magic and physical fighting, which pleased Valkyrie immensely, along with the fact that she found an affinity for a long, thin pair of daggers.
"Your surprise is amusing."
"To you, at least." Grumbling, Hermione glared imploringly at Valkyrie to turn around while she was changing. "Can you turn around, please."
Valkyrie shifted slightly, leaning harder against the doorframe, arms now crossed. "No." Her eyes were still fixed on Hermione, who instantly felt her cheeks flush.
"Oh." Sheepishly, she turned her back to Valkyrie and quickly changed her clothes, very conscious of Valkyrie's eyes on her. "Is there a reason you need to look at me?" It was making her feel rather uncomfortable, though there was something warm about it.
"You're hot," was the blunt answer she received.
"I guess I can't argue with that." Fully dressed, she whirled around, suddenly feeling very invigorated. She grinned at Valkyrie. In a split second decision, Hermione plucked the bottle out of Valkyrie's hand and took what she hoped would be a large swig. Unfortunately, the burning taste of alcohol was so strong that she promptly spat it out, all over the floor. Wiping her mouth in shame she gave it back to Valkyrie, who was chuckling.
"I love it when you try to be tough. It's hilarious." She swung her arm over Hermione's shoulder, leaning on her slightly. "Just stick to being your normal, Memory Magic obsessed self, and we'll get along just fine."
"You should warn me when it's so strong," countered Hermione, though her heart wasn't in it. "So, are we going?"
"No, we've still got twenty minutes. I dunno what we're going to do to fill that time, but I'll think of something."
"Maybe I could show you a new memory I've been able to show?" Hermione was hopeful. Her control over her memories was improving in leaps and bounds. She was now able to create a vague haze out of most of them, though there was no sound. Luckily, once she mastered a memory, it just slipped right out at the snap of a finger, fully formed.
"I have a better idea." Hermione frowned, slightly disappointed. "Hey, buck up. You can show me when we get back. It's no biggie." Valkyrie whipped out what seemed to be a slim black cylinder, though when she took a closer look, it was definitely a pen of sorts.
"And what are you going to do with that?"
"Come on, sit down over here." Valkyrie led Hermione over to chair, walking freely through what used to be squalor. Now, there was a nice, pristine floor, in a nice, pristine apartment, courtesy of Hermione. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, it was mess.
"I'm really not sure what you're doing," said Hermione. Valkyrie reached down to Hermione neck and very quickly yanked the little electrical device out of her neck. It stung a little bit, but it wasn't too bad. To be honest, Hermione was just happy to have it gone. "That is not going to fill in twenty minutes, you know."
Valkyrie made an excited shushing gesture, so Hermione reluctantly shut her mouth. Valkyrie moved the pen closer to Hermione's face, before gently placing the cold nib on her right temple. It began dancing across her skin in a strangely relaxing manner. Hermione closed her eyes, leaning back in the chair. She knew that Valkyrie was drawing some of the patterns that she was so fond of on her own face. Honestly, she wasn't sure how it would look, but for today, she would go along with it.
"Alright, I'm done. Open your eyes." Valkyrie stepped back, smiling slightly. "You look great. You should let me do this more often." Hermione raised her hand in front of her and circled her finger slightly. A swirling silver mirror appeared in the air in front of her, edges tinged with dark, shimmering blue.
"I like it." She leaned forward, lighting brushing her hands over the swirling lines that framed the right side of her face. Starting at her right temple, the delicate lines extended up onto her forehead, reaching her hairline, before swooping down, landing just above her eyebrow. They also climbed down her cheek, running down her cheekbone and finishing at her jawline. The lines reminded her strongly of ivy, just without the leaves. There was something about the intricate design that suited her face.
"Good."
"No, I really, really like it."
"Again, good. It's good."
Hermione noticed a slight pink dusting Valkyrie's cheeks. "Are you blushing? You never do that!"
"Let's just go, alright?"
Grabbing Hermione's arm, Valkyrie dragged her out of the room. Hermione gave an undignified squeak, before forcing her hand into Valkyrie's. Said person gave Hermione a surprised glance, before continuing out of the apartment and into the brightly coloured hallway.
"What am I going to say to him?" worried Hermione, chewing on her nails. She was walking at a very brisk pace, following Valkyrie through the winding, twisting, ever changing hallways. "What if I mess up? Is he a strict guy? Oh, Valkyrie, what am I going to do?"
"What you're going to do is calm down. The Grandmaster is a pretty chill guy, and because you're with me, he won't do anything with you. He's not going to risk losing his best Scrapper. Besides, you're amazing. Nobody can resist your charm."
"I beg to differ," muttered Hermione. Due to her superhuman Asgardian hearing, Valkyrie heard her. A snarky, "Are you sure about that?" was sent her way, leading to Hermione swatting Valkyrie on the shoulder. That was another thing she liked about Valkyrie. She didn't mind a bit of teasing. You could mock her, and she would mock you right back, until it became a battle of mocks. She wasn't sensitive, which was nice for a change. If there was one thing that bothered her about the Wizarding World, it was that everyone was so sensitive all of the time. She couldn't tell many jokes, as they were classed as offensive.
Thinking about her home back on Earth made her heart grow that little bit heavier. The three months she'd spent on Sakaar so far had only been brightened by Valkyrie. She was still obsessively working out a way to make a portal back home. But with the change in her magic and physicality, plus the lack of resources, it was proving immensely difficult.
"And, we're here." Instantly, Hermione was knocked out of her thoughts. She straightened her back, standing totally rigid, with her shoulders back. Valkyrie kept her usual swagger. "Come on, relax a bit. He's a pretty calm guy."
"I will make my own judgements, thank you." Hermione squeaked the words out, biting her lip with barely concealed anxiety. The last time she'd been this nervous was when she was giving Elise her slip of resignation for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. No, scratch that. She was five times more nervous. No, ten. What if she messed up and he thought she should fight the defending Champion in the Contest of Champions? She would die, there was no question about it. And if she died, she would never get to find a way back to Earth (she had all the time she needed for that, thanks to her accidental consumption of one of Idunn's apples) or spend more time with Valkyrie.
But most importantly, what she needed right now was to calm down, as she was currently standing in front of a very confused Grandmaster. He was waving his olive toned hand in front of her face, eyes wide.
"Does she have some sort of defect?" he asked curiously. "I think she sees me, but I can't be sure."
Valkyrie squeezed Hermione's shoulder, smiling fondly. "She just gets very nervous. I'll be the first to admit that it's funny, but right now she needs to snap out of it.
"Ah!" gasped Hermione, flapping her hands around aimlessly. "I am snapped out of it!" She began dancing a little jive, clicking her fingers and humming a jaunty tune under her breath. A stupid grin was pasted onto her face, eyes wide open. "See, look how snapped out of it I am." She continued dancing, not really sure what to do now that the everyone in the room was watching her silly performance with very confused eyes. Inside her head, she was freaking out. The Grandmaster's first impression was going to be of her awkwardly clicking her fingers and humming! It not not the ideal way to introduce herself, and now she unsure how to stop without invoking an inevitable cacophony of laughter.
The Grandmaster leaned over to Valkyrie and whispered behind his hand, "Are you sure that she doesn't have a defect? As fun as this is, I'm not really sure what to do in this situation." He glanced uncertainly back at Hermione, who was now attempting to tap dance, syncing her clicks with her unruly feet.
Valkyrie chuckled. "Just watch. She'll 'snap' herself out of it in a minute. She's going to be mortified."
"Yes, but there is a fight soon and I would really like to get to it. Usually, I would get her to keep dancing, as it's incredibly fun."
"Just wait," Valkyrie sighed, leaning forward on a table. Seconds later, Hermione's erratic jig slowed down, until she was aimlessly clicking. Loudly clearing her throat, she stopped, cheeks burning bright as a sunripe tomato. "And, there it is." She fist bumped the Grandmaster
"I am so sorry for that." Hermione profusely apologised to the Grandmaster. "I have a slight...defect, you could call it. I get very nervous about meeting powerful people."
"Oh, I like you already, Hermione Granger," said the Grandmaster, absolutely thrilled at the flattery. He offered his hand to her, and she shook it eagerly, being sure not to shake for too long. Overdoing handshakes was enough to put people off you, she knew that much. "Now, what were you hoping to ask me today? I'm in a generous mood, so fire away."
"Well, I was thinking that―" Valkyrie started to talk, but was cut off by the Grandmaster's hand flying up and shushing her.
"I would like Hermione to talk for herself. She's a grown woman." Hermione felt herself begin to freeze up again, nerves rattling underneath her electrified skin. "Go on, you can do it," encouraged the Grandmaster, in a rather patronising tone.
"I am not a child," snapped Hermione, pointing her finger at him. "And you will not treat me like one. Understood?" Mortified at her sudden outburst, Hermione clapper her hands over her mouth. She just had to go and do that, didn't she? Now she would certainly be fighting in the contest, which was the last thing that she wanted. Maybe she could just teleport out of here and hide away in her bedroom forever. That could work.
"And there we go, we've found your fire." Hermione glanced up, slowly taking her hands down from her mouth.
"You aren't mad at me?"
"Mad? Why would I be mad? Quite the contrary! I'm delighted. Nobody has spoken to me like that in years, and, if I can be honest, it's quite refreshing." Dumbly nodding her head, Hermione collected her scattered thoughts up off the floor, composing herself.
The man in front of her was...strange, to say in the least. His personality was quite erratic. Maybe that was just Hermione's brain tying itself in a knot and seeing everything sideways. He wore robes that were bright yellow, with garish streaks of golden woven in. A metallic stripe of blue was painted onto his chin, though that wasn't so strange when there were black vines climbing over her face. And only now was she realising that the desk he was standing behind was actually a turntable, of all things. It wasn't going currently, but if it was, she could see him making electronic music with very weird, experimental sounds.
Listing the facts helped distract her from the fact that the man in front of her was millions of years old, and that next to him, she was a mere speck of dust.
"Alright. I'll tell you what I want to do." She swallowed her fear, glancing at Valkyrie, who was currently looking very worried. Not that anyone other than Hermione would have been able to see it. She maintained piercing eye contact with the Grandmaster and began speaking. "I would like to accompany Valkyrie when she works."
"As a Scrapper?"
"No, as a companion."
"Scrappers don't have companions."
"Well, starting today, they do."
"Scrappers have partners."
"Well, make me a scrapper then, and make me Valkyrie's partner."
"Now we're talking!"
"We've been talking for the last two minutes." Hermione leaned on her left hip and crossed her arms. It had been a while since she'd negotiated like this, and she was enjoying it.
"Okay, so you want to be a Scrapper. That's normal. But to be Scrapper 142's partner, that's another story. She's my best employee. What can you offer me?" He raised a pointed eyebrow at her, like he was challenging her to come up with something to convince him. In reality, that's what he was doing.
"I have magic."
The Grandmaster's eyes bugged. He leapt over the table separating them in eagerness. "Why didn't you say so? Ooh, show me something!"
"What would you like to see? I can do several things."
"Hmmm," he hummed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, he perked up. "Topaz, bring me Karsann, over here, now! Chop chop!" A strongly built woman with her hair in a severe bun wheeled a chair over. Sitting in it was a stick thin man, his wrists magnetically cuffed to the arms of the chair. His hair was lank, and a rough beard hung down from his chin.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Oh, right, I need to explain it." He playfully slapped himself in the forehead. "Karsann here has a secret that I want to know. He won't tell it to me, no matter what I do. I want you to find that secret."
"How?" asked Hermione, suddenly very nervous.
"You figure that out. If you get it out of him, I'll cut a deal with you about being a Scrapper. If not, well…" He trailed off, leaving Hermione anxiously wondering what would happen is she didn't do it. She glanced over to Valkyrie, who gestured frantically at Hermione to do something about it.
Gulping, Hermione stood in front of Karsann, very aware of the Grandmaster's eyes on her. She didn't know what she was going to do. The last thing that she wanted to do was hurt him, so that was off the tables. There was another possibility, though.
When she was around five, Hermione didn't feel like cleaning her teeth. She told her parents that she had, but through their dentist sense, they knew that she hadn't done it. To get her to talk, they tickled her until it was unbearable. Through hilariously childish giggles, Hermione had confessed to them that she hadn't cleaned her teeth. Maybe, if she was lucky, tickling the guy until he confessed would be enough for the Grandmaster and she could work with Valkyrie as a Scrapper.
After all, you should never underestimate the power of tickling.
"I'm not going to tell you anything," spat Karsann. "You people have already tried everything on me. It won't work."
"We'll see about that," muttered Hermione. She really didn't want to see what would happen if she failed. Carefully, as she'd never tried to tickle someone with her new, different magic, Hermione raised her hand, directing it at Karsann's chest. Eerie blue light began to buzz around her fingertips, before shooting out towards him. It collided with his chest, before sinking into his skin. It only took a second before his face twisted into a grimace, clearly from the discomfort he was currently feeling.
"That isn't going to work," he said through gritted teeth. "You're going to have to do more than that."
"Oh you want more, do you?" Hermione increased the power of there spell, concentrating on the most sensitive areas of his body. He bit his lip, eyes beginning to water at the intensity of the tickling. Suddenly, she felt something switch in the spell, though it wasn't bad. It was more of a modification.
Karsann arched his back, hissing in what seemed to be pain. It wasn't, though. If she was harming him, Hermione would know, and stop immediately. If there was something she hated, it was hurting people unless it was necessary.
"It's inside me," howled Karsann, fists clenching and unclenching. "How are you doing this?"
"Easily," said Hermione. "Now, you're going to admit that secret, or so help me, I will increase the power of this spell. That is something neither of us want."
"I'll never tell you."
Calmly, Hermione ramped up the intensity of the spell again, watching through glazed eyes as the man thrashed around. She couldn't imagine what it would be like being tickled from the inside.
"FINE!" Karsann shouted, panting rapidly. "I'll tell you if you stop!"
"Tell me and then I'll stop." Hermione's arm stayed outstretched hand glowing at intense blue.
"IT WAS BAYLE!"
Hermione stopped the spell, letting her arm drop back down to her side. That went a lot better than she expected. And because she knew that she wasn't hurting him, just causing him major discomfort, she didn't feel super bad about it. Sure, it was a little morally reprehensible, but since landing on Sakaar her morals were little bit skewed anyway.
"That. Was. Amazing!" crowed the Grandmaster, clapping enthusiastically. "I never would have thought of tickling him into submission. You have yourself a deal."
"And what are the terms of this deal?" asked Hermione, knowing better than to just walk off without knowing all the terms.
"They're simple. You become a Scrapper for a year and see how you go. If I think you've done well, you can continue to stay in my employ. If not, you fight my Champion." The Grandmaster looked at her expectantly. They were pretty fair terms. She had a year. There was a lot she could do in a year.
"You're on," said Hermione, sticking out her hand. They shook on it, and Hermione turned to leave with a beaming Valkyrie.
"Wait," called the Grandmaster. "I haven't given you a number."
"A number?"
"Yes, all my Scrappers have a number." He paused for a second." 697. You shall be Scrapper 697. Bye now." Hermione didn't move, completely shocked. "Go on! Shoo!"
Woken up, Hermione scurried out of the room with Valkyrie in tow. A massive wave of triumph was washing through her body, a high that she could never come down from. Unable to wait to get back to their apartment, Hermione grasped Valkyrie's wrist and teleported them both to their apartment.
In the lounge, Hermione turned to Valkyrie, who was looking slightly disoriented. "So, how do you reckon that went?"
Her answer was a deep, intense kiss.
A lone figure with long black hair and strange leather clothes gazed over the opulent atrium, smiling to himself. He was finally back.
He would finally be seeing Hermione.
And his heart quickened at the thought.
Hai. I enjoyed this one. I was having a bit of trouble with where to end, but I did find it, eventually. I hope you liked it. There is just one more chapter on Sakaar that focuses on Hermione and Valkyrie, before we move onto the big reunion. There's just so much that I want to do with their relationship that I can't fit into this story without making it disjointed. I'm thinking of writing a spin-off. Do you like that idea?
Also, I'm changing my update schedule. Updates for this are now Monday and Friday (in the Southern Hemisphere), as I want to start this thing called 'One-Shot Wednesday.' A corny name, I know, but I wanted to do it.
Sincerely,
Mariadoria