Chapter 14: Happy Hunting
The students finally met up with the Weasley parents who were waiting patiently in the lot for them. After enduring rib crushing hugs from Molly and Arthur Weasley, Jade was being the perfect guest, letting Molly hug her half to death. Hermione just smiled as Jade graciously accepted her telling the dark haired girl she needed to eat more and that she should've dressed warmer. As they exited the station, Arthur led them all to a large van that he had enchanted just like the car from Hermione's second year. It was also large enough to accommodate seven teenagers and their trunks.
"It's good to have you all back!" Molly mused again as they began driving down the streets of London to get somewhere secluded so they could fly back to the Burrow. "A shame we have to be missing the tournament, but thankful none of my children were chosen again." She shot a glance at Harry who smiled brightly at his second mother.
"I sure wasn't going to enter." Harry spoke as they drove out of the city. "Being forced in was bad, I'm not daft enough to enter again."
"Thanks mate!" Ron said as he lightly smacked the back of his best friend's head. "Sayin' I'm daft are you?" Everyone in the van laughed heartily as Mr. Weasley pushed a button and the van lifted off the ground with ease. Another button was activated as the cloaking device took over.
"We'll be at the house in no time dears!" Molly turned the radio on as Arthur navigated through the night. The ride to the Weasley's house was smooth and quick with them flying. Within an hour they were slowly descending to the ground. Soon the van hit the ground and slowed to a stop.
"Home, sweet home." Ginny sighed as she jumped out of the van and took a deep breath. "I never thought I'd miss the old house so much." Everyone followed Ginny out of the van as Mr. Weasley, Harry, Ron and Draco worked on unpacking the trunks. Jade stepped out into the night air and marveled at the tall wooden home of the Weasleys.
"Nice place, isn't it?" Hermione said as she slipped her hand around the older girl's waist. "It was rebuilt just last summer; it's much sturdier and larger now."
Jade's arm worked its way around Hermione's shoulders as they walked towards the gently lit house. It was only eight o'clock in the evening, but it was easily seen that the travel and time change were taking its toll on the teenagers.
"The girl's rooms are on the second floor." Mrs. Weasley said as they all started to trudge up the stairs. "Boys, you are all on the third floor. You all should get to bed early and I'll cook a big breakfast to make up for your lack of dinner tonight. Now off with you all." Molly Weasley was happy to have people in her house again; it was much too small for just her and Arthur. The girls all went to their rooms to unpack, except of course, for Jade who followed Hermione to her room.
"Should I sleep here tonight?" The blue eyes of Hermione's girlfriend were starting to droop as she asked the question that was plaguing the Gryffindor's mind as well. She wasn't sure if Mrs. Weasley would mind if they stayed in the other's room, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt.
"Yes, I think you should." Hermione settled her trunk in the corner of the room next to her writing desk. "Just leave your trunk in your room in case she checks sometime during the day ok?" Jade nodded obediently as she walked out of the room momentarily and put her luggage in the room next to Hermione's.
The brunette took the alone time to slip into her pajamas and slip across the hall to brush her teeth. As she passed Jade's room, she saw her girlfriend's silhouette through a crack in the door. Hermione couldn't help but peek as she watched the lithe figure slip her shirt off with her back to the door.
Heat started to rise in the younger witch's cheeks as she watched silently. Jade's arm moved around her back to unclasp her bra and free her breasts from their bonds. The brunette was tempted to charge into the girl's room and shut the door for the night before her girlfriend could cover her fit body again.
"Are you enjoying the view?" Jade's voice caught Hermione off guard as blue eyes looked over a smooth shoulder at the peeping young girl.
Jade gave her a playful smirk before slipping off her jeans slowly for her one person audience. Hermione's throat tightened and she swallowed hard as she felt her legs walk into the room and quietly shut the door behind her. Her heart had started to race as Jade turned and sauntered slowly towards her.
Hermione pressed her back against the door as blue eyes darkened slightly, watching seductively at the girl in front of her. Brown eyes were trying hard not to rake the alluring figure in front of her as she subconsciously licked her lips.
"I think you're wearing far too many clothes, as I'm here practically naked, 'Mione." Jade's tone was low as she ran a finger down the brunette's neck to the buttons of her pajama top. Brown eyes closed as a sigh floated from Hermione's lips at Jade's touch gradually heating her body. Soft lips brushed along the other side of the brunette's neck and Hermione moaned quietly as her girlfriend's naked torso pressed firmly against her.
"Muffliato." Hermione whispered making sure the spell silenced any noise that was going to escape her lips.
Jade had undone half of the buttons that were suffocating Hermione's chest and warm finger tips slid delicately down the valley of the brunette's breasts. The Gryffindor's hands ran up Jade's back and wrapped securely around her neck as the last button was undone tantalizingly slow. Warm hands rested on Hermione's hips as Jade's mouth found a sensitive spot on the shorter girl's neck.
"Why do you…like teasing so much?" Hermione's broken words only drove Jade to suck harder, enticing a lovely moan from the brunette's throat.
"Why wouldn't I when that's my reward?" The dark haired girl's voice was full of lust as she picked Hermione up, wrapping the Gryffindor's legs around her waist and carrying her over to the bed.
Not once did Jade cease her teasing of Hermione's heated skin. She gently began to nip at the flesh at the rise of her breasts and the brunette bit her bottom lip to stifle a groan. Their position didn't change as Hermione was laid down on the bed with Jade still in between her legs.
The brunette's thoughts were quickly fleeing as the warm wave of pleasure began to surround her body. She started to slowly grind her hips into Jade's as the talented lips moved south to her hardened peaks of her breasts. An illustrious whimper sang from the brunette's lips which caused Jade to moan against her flesh.
Hermione maneuvered her way out of her night shirt as Jade's hands slid down slowly to remove her boxer shorts and panties in one swift movement. As the lycan girl's hands moved past Hermione's knees, her lips moved down, trailing hot kisses along the toned stomach of her lover. Anticipation was growing in between Hermione's legs as she felt warm lips on her inner thigh.
"Jade, please…" A symphonic half moan, half whisper danced from the brunette's lips as the tip of a practiced tongue brushed against her folds.
Hermione's arousal was very evident as Jade slid her body back up against the one beneath to capture parted lips in a passionate kiss. Hands instantly tangled in black tresses as tongues danced over the other. Jade gently bit her girlfriend's bottom lip as her hands began travelling south once more.
In Hermione's loss of control she waved her hand and Jade's bottoms were banished. The taller girl smirked against their kiss as she ground her hips against Hermione's enthusiastically. Watching the lovely form under her arch her back and thrust her hips against her harder.
Jade moaned as the brunette's hands moved down to her hips, bravely grasping them and slipping her thigh in between long legs. A sigh escaped into the air as the Gryffindor's courage enticed her to press her thigh into Jade's center and Hermione smiled smugly as she began working her girlfriend's hips to her liking.
"Very bold, Miss Granger." Jade's whisper was daring as Hermione slid her hand down soft skin to the opening she was searching for. Blue eyes rolled back as Jade bit her lip and fought a moan.
Slowly the brunette's lust moved her forward and she slipped two fingers into her lover's folds. Jade moaned loudly as her girlfriend's fingers began thrusting faster. As the younger girl moved down lower to better angle herself she took one of Jade's hard nipples into her mouth and teased it slowly.
"Now who's a tease?" Hermione wasn't pleased to hear that Jade was still able to speak, no matter how strained it was, she wanted to make any thinking process eliminated as she picked up her pace.
She gently nipped at the nub in her mouth as her other hand raked nails along Jade's back. Hermione could hear the climax building in her lover's voice as she moved down more to run her tongue over the overly sensitive nerve above her fingers. That shoved the blue eyed girl over the edge as she released a carnal cry from her chest and nearly broke the headboard she was holding to support herself.
As Hermione looked up she saw blue eyes glowing wildly with lust and pleasure, it made her want more. As the last shudder left Jade's body, she looked down at the brown eyed girl and smiled lovingly at her. Suddenly, Hermione was back at eye level with those glowing blue eyes staring at her as Jade's fingers moved with ease into Hermione's waiting entrance.
The brunette moaned loudly, having forgot the extreme pleasure of feeling her girlfriend inside of her. She immediately started synchronizing her hips with every thrust as their continued eye contact succeeded in making the experience more pleasurable for the young girl. Seeing her girlfriend so aroused made it that much better as every moan and thrust increased Jade's breathing. Soon the pressure building in the brunette's sex was unbearable, and to make it worse, Jade slowed her pace which caused a frustrated whimper to erupt from Hermione's throat.
"I…hate you sometimes…" As Hermione was going to continue her displeasure, Jade smirked and hastily increased her thrusts which made the brunette's eyes roll back and her hips to move faster. "Harder." The older girl obeyed her girlfriend's request and angled her fingers to rub against her sweet spot. The brunette's hips bucked wildly as her back arched and she screamed out Jade's name.
Nails dug into Jade's back and ran down slowly, making Jade cry out in a mix of pain and pleasure. Fingers slowed, but continued their ministrations to prolong her lover's pleasure until the waves stopped. Hermione was very thankful she had charmed the room to silence after her loud proclamation of her orgasm.
The two girls were glistening with a light covering of sweat as Jade laid down next to Hermione who was trying hard to fight the urge to fall asleep. Her body was in an idyllic state of exhaustion as she felt Jade's lips over hers. The brunette kissed back the best that she could with her spent energy before whispering her approval of their exploits and giving into sleep. Jade smiled, satisfied with her performance as she cuddled up to Hermione's naked figure and joined her in slumber.
x—x
The morning came too quick for the young couple as a loud procession of knocks rapped on Jade's door.
"Time to get up every body!" Ginny's voice rang, though muffled, the knocks continued on every door on the third floor. "Mum has got breakfast going and if you don't beat Ron down stairs, there won't be enough for everyone."
Jade chuckled as she rolled slightly to get her eyes out of the sun's reach that was filtering through the window. Her arm wrapped possessively around Hermione's waist and pulled the girl's body flush to her own. As the brunette's back pressed against Jade's breasts, Hermione whimpered softly as her eyes fluttered open.
"What time is it?" She pushed her back end to fit with the bend of Jade's waist as she snuggled her pillow, not wanting to wake.
"Nearly nine o'clock love." Jade supported herself on her elbow and began to spread kisses on Hermione's exposed skin from her neck to her shoulder. A smile broke onto the younger girl's lips as she relished the feeling of her skin being worshipped. "Perhaps we should get dressed before someone decides to barge in." Hermione groaned in disapproval, but reached down and slid her night shirt on doing up half of the buttons. She felt her girlfriend's strong arm wrap around her shoulders and collarbone from behind and kiss her neck. "I always hate seeing you put clothes on."
"Well," Hermione turned to look over her shoulder and was met with eyes shadowed with lust. "Maybe you could do me the favor of keeping your clothes off for a while." Jade chuckled softly against the pulse point of her girlfriend's neck and slowly swept her fingertips down to cup Hermione's breast. A sharp gasp rang in Jade's ears as the nipple grew hard to her touch. "Do you ever tire of me?"
"How could I ever tire of you, Hermione?" The older girl's whispers tickled the Gryffindor's ear as a shot of heat travelled south. Biting her lip trying to hold back a moan, Hermione stood suddenly and faced the perfect figure lying before her.
"Let's not start right now." Jade feigned disappointment as her lover pulled her panties on followed by her boxer shorts. "I don't know if I'll be able to handle another go until later."
A smug look crossed Jade's face as she summoned her clothes to her and began to dress. When they were finished, the brunette stuck her head out the door to make sure no one was roaming the halls before she snuck back to her room to dress appropriately. Just as she was about to open her door she head the floor boards squeak behind her.
"Good morning, Hermione." A smug Draco mused behind her. "Have a pleasant night last night?" Hermione faced the blonde boy with red spreading across her cheeks slowly. She tried her damnedest to hold her head up and not make eye contact, but the raised eyebrow and folded arms made her realize she was caught.
"If you must know," Hermione began as she opened her door and stepped inside. "It was very pleasant indeed." With that she slammed the door in the smirking boys face.
She heard he laugh quietly as she proceeded down stairs to the kitchen. Hermione sighed deeply and regained her composure before changing her under garments. She dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and a white slim fit t-shirt. Her hair was thrown back in a messy pony tail and she walked back out into the hallway. Soon after, Jade emerged dressed in a dark blue hoody and dark gray gym shorts.
"Good morning, Miss Granger." Jade's hair had gotten longer and her bangs hung languidly covering some of her right eye. It was pulled back elegantly into a loose bun which Hermione couldn't help but to stare at her beauty. Even her bed head was gorgeous. "I hope you slept well." Hermione smiled at the relaxed greeting she received from her girlfriend who knew all too well she had slept like a stone. She walked up and softly pecked Jade on the lips as Luna exited her room.
"Good morning Hermione, Jade." Luna was dressed in cloud pattern pajama pants and a yellow tank top which suited her just fine. "Are you heading down to breakfast as well?" The two girls nodded and smiled warmly at their friend.
"We have to get down there before Ron does." Hermione added as the three girls started down the stairs. "I'd like to at least get one plate of food." Luna giggled at the comment.
"I don't even know if he's up yet." Luna added as they reached the landing headed into the kitchen. "I've only heard one pair of feet walking around since Ginny made her rounds to wake everyone. And I'm assuming that's Draco since he's sitting over by the hearth." At the sound of his name, Draco turned from the fire and smiled. He stood up and gave his attention to Luna graciously.
"Come on into the kitchen dearies!" Mrs. Weasley sang to the four teens. They went in and sat at the large table with an assortment of breakfast foods in front of them. Honey baked ham, bacon, sausage, a platter of pancakes and waffles, as well as three bowls of scrambled eggs, and four plates towering with buttered toast.
"Goodness Mrs. Weasley, you've out done yourself." Luna said as she stared at the banquet in front of her. "Thanks so much for making it for us."
"Yes, thanks so much ma'am." Jade agreed as she made herself a plate. Soon the last two members of their group joined them with sleep still in their eyes.
"Good morning boys!" Arthur Weasley greeted as he came in through the door leading outside. "Surprised you weren't the first one down here this morning Ron. Your sister was up early helping your mother and made sure to get her share before she woke you." Ron grumbled as he sat down and began gathering food on his plate.
"So what time do you want to leave today?" Ginny asked as she took a seat next to Harry. "I figure we wouldn't want to be there all day since we still have to adjust to the time change. I swear all this back and forth will be the death of my sleep cycle."
"Let's leave around noon," Hermione suggested as she took a sip of her orange juice. "that way we can have lunch and meet up with George perhaps so he could join us. I feel like I haven't seen him in ages."
"Oh he's been quite busy." Mrs. Weasley chimed in as she set another plate of bacon on the table. "With the holidays coming, his shop has been bustling. He even took on an apprentice for this year, Angelina Johnson. I honestly think it's because he fancies her, but he'll never admit to it."
"Then it's settled." Ginny said taking a piece of toast. "We will leave at noon; we will floo to George's shop and then go to lunch. Agreed?" Everyone nodded compliantly to the fiery red head and continued on with their breakfast.
After they had all had their fill of food, Harry and Ron went out to conjure up their quidditch pitch they always had over the holidays. Draco, Luna, and Ginny went out to watch and Hermione had gone to shower. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen cleaning up and Jade had offered her help since no one else was.
"Oh dear you're a guest." Molly argued as she preserved the rest of the food and put it in the refrigerator. "There's no need for you to help me here."
"I'd feel rude if I didn't Mrs. Weasley." Jade answered politely as she began to scrub some plates that were sitting in the sink. "Please, I will help with your permission or not. It's the least I can do for letting me stay in your home." Mrs. Weasley smiled brightly at the American girl as she started to clear off the rest of the plates on the table. A few moments passed and Jade was still washing dishes before Molly offered she wash, and Jade dry.
"So Jade," Mrs. Weasley handed her a large platter and Jade started to towel dry it. "How long have you and Hermione been together?" Jade tensed slightly, unaware that the Weasley mother had known about her and Hermione's relationship. She finished drying the platter and waved her hand which sent it floating gracefully to its rightful place.
"Well, a week or so after we met actually." Jade smiled to herself as she remembered how she had met the British girl before school had started. "You see, it was the first day they had arrived and I saw Hermione as I was on my way to meet my uncle, the Dean. She looked faint, and I believe she hadn't eaten much so I offered my help. And ever since that day we started spending a lot of time together."
"Sounds romantic." Mrs. Weasley mused as she handed Jade a large skillet. "It sounds like you came to her rescue. I've never seen Hermione so happy and I've seen her in a book store."
Jade couldn't help the giggle that escaped her along with Molly's robust laugh. The dark haired girl had seen how Hermione had reacted in the library when she took her there for the first time and it was as if the Gryffindor had gone to heaven. Hermione had been standing at the foot of the stairs listening to the two women talk about her and smiled warmly to see that they were getting along.
"Now she has explained your condition to us, and I just want you to know it doesn't matter to Arthur or I, our own son Bill, is in the same predicament. He was attacked almost two years ago and is coping well. So I hope you can be yourself here."
"Thank you very much Mrs. Weasley." Jade said as she dried the last plate that the red headed woman handed her and sent it on its way to the cupboard. "That means a great deal to me to know that you know and aren't bothered by it." Mrs. Weasley could be course sometimes, but she had always been a warm hearted woman. Hermione wasn't surprised that she was trying to make Jade feel at home while she was there and she was pleased to hear that Jade was making an effort to converse with her second mother. "Please, if there is anything else you need help with let me know." Mrs. Weasley nodded and finally shooed her out of the kitchen. As Jade was walking by Hermione jumped her with a tight embrace.
"I love you Jade McHale." She said as she pressed her face against her shoulder. Jade was surprised by the attack, but wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist and hugged back.
"I love you too 'Mione." Her lips pressed against Hermione's forehead lovingly as they ventured outside to join their other friends. "What are they doing?" Jade asked as they reached Ginny and Luna. Harry and Ron had succeeded in conjuring quidditch hoops in the large yard and were testing them out with Draco.
"This is a quidditch pitch." Ginny explained as Jade watched the boys zip through the air on their brooms. "We play on the team at Hogwarts and like to play on holiday. Do you know how Jade?"
"I know the basic rules," Jade answered as she shook her head slowly. "but I have never played it myself."
"Well you are going to later!" Ginny squeaked excitedly. "When we get back from shopping we want to play and I am sure you will be a natural with your flying abilities and skill at Sky Ball." Jade glanced at Hermione who shrugged her shoulders innocently.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to play." Jade said finally as she turned her gaze back on the three boys. "Maybe I'll learn some new maneuvers for Sky Ball." Ginny smiled brightly as she got on her own broom and joined the boys.
"You don't play, do you Hermione?" Jade's eyes were inquisitive and innocent as she looked down at her girlfriend who shook her head.
"No…I'm…I'm kind of scared of flying on a broom." Hermione looked down at the ground and kicked at the light blanket of snow. "I was never that great at flying anyways."
"I could teach you y'know." Jade said as she slipped her hand into Hermione's and interlocked their fingers. "I promise you'd be safe with me."
"I will think about it." Hermione answered as she stood closer to Jade to steal her warmth. "But that doesn't mean I'll play quidditch. I feel safer on a pegasus than on a broom stick." Jade laughed as she pulled Hermione under her cloak.
"There is more to hang onto on a pegasus." Luna added. "I'm going to head back inside; do you want to join me by the fire? It's a little too cold out here." The girls nodded and turned to head back into the warm house. The Weasley household was extremely inviting with the fire blazing to keep it warm in the den.
Molly had made hot cocoa with marshmallows and the three girls each took a mug. As Jade sat on the over-stuffed couch while Luna and Hermione conversed about Christmas and the coming semester. The heat from the hearth was starting to lull her in a relaxed state of ignorance as the fire danced in her eyes. Hermione was on the floor and leaned in between Jade's legs against the couch. Feather light finger tips began slowly running through the russet tresses which made Hermione close her eyes and sigh.
"I could get used to this every day." The brunette said enjoying the head massage she was receiving. Luna smiled as she sipped on her cocoa and the other four missing teens trudged in from the cold.
"Bloody wind is getting strong." Ron said as he stripped off his snow clad cloak and hung it by the fire. "Hopefully it will die down later so we can have a little three-on-three match." He poured himself a mug of cocoa and sat down in the recliner as Malfoy sat in front of the fire.
"You can't blame the weather for you horrible keeping, Weasel." Draco sneered as he rubbed his hands together to restart his circulation. He had never dropped the insult to Ron, but the red head didn't really seem to mind much anymore.
"Oh come off it Malfoy." Harry said as he and Ginny sat down in a large recliner together. "He wasn't that bad and we have been out of practice for a few months being overseas."
"Excuses." Draco scuffed taking a sip from his mug. "Next you'll be blaming your broom or that the sun was in your eyes." Ginny giggled a little since Ron did blame a lot of his missed saves on the sun, even if it wasn't there. Ron shot her a dangerous stare, which his sister in return shrugged off and continued to cuddle against Harry for warmth.
"What time is it?" Hermione asked as she looked around the room for a clock of some sort.
"Almost eleven." Harry answered pulling out the pocket watch Ginny had given him the past summer for his birthday. "We should probably start getting ready to leave eh?" Everyone let out a collective sigh, having gotten rather comfortable in front of the fire. Jade sat forward and wrapped her arms around Hermione's shoulders before pressing her cheek against hers.
"I think I'm going to go change." She whispered as Hermione started to rise. Everyone except Luna, Ron, and Draco, got up to go prepare for their departure. Jade walked hand in hand with her girlfriend and finally parted when Hermione reached her room.
A soft, chaste kiss was placed on her lips before Jade retired to her own room. The brunette decided on skinny blue jeans and pull over hoodie with a red v neck t-shirt under. She left her hair in the pony tail and pulled on her black boots. The Gryffindor gave herself one last look in the mirror before approving of her appearance, spritzing some of the perfume Jade liked so much, and walked out the door. As Hermione was walking down the stairs she saw Luna and Draco reading the daily prophet with stern looks on their faces.
"Something happen in the news?" The brunette asked as she plopped down on the couch. Draco looked up at her with concern and a hint of anger in his eyes.
"There was an attack yesterday Hermione." Luna said in a calm voice. "A werewolf attack, in Northern Scotland. A man who had gathered a hunting party was attacked and injured badly. The townspeople said they had never had problems with werewolf attacks before."
Hermione's heart fell as Draco handed her the newspaper so she could read the article for herself. There was an image of the townspeople with torches and a man holding up a drawing of what they had seen. The drawing showed a large, muscular gray werewolf with eyes of steel blue. Hermione shuddered as she studied the drawing and watched the man shake it furiously, yelling his disapproval and anger.
"That's not a werewolf, is it Hermione?" Draco asked quietly as she set the paper down. The brunette shook her head slowly and put her head in her hands.
"She can't know." The young witch said finally to her friends. "I don't want her to know she will just worry herself or go out and find whoever it is. She's too proud to sit and wait for it to find us, but I won't let her go after it alone and I know that she will." Draco nodded silently as he crumpled the paper and threw it in the fire.
A werewolf attack was nothing new for anyone in the British Isles, they were prevalent and many newborns attacked on their first full moon, but this was different, not many people could tell the difference between werewolves and lycans. Having learned the major differences and being tested on how to tell them apart in DADA previously that semester had honed Hermione's and her friends skills on the subject.
The brunette watched as the paper burn and then she heard Jade's footsteps coming down the stairs. She was wearing her hair down and it fell gracefully along her back and over her shoulders as she floated down. Her blue flannel shirt was only buttoned half way which revealed the slightly see through white low cut shirt. Hermione was always caught staring as if she'd never seen the figure before which made Jade smirk at her and make playful comments. In Hermione's brown eyes, her girlfriend was perfect and always seemed to move in slow motion.
"You guys look like you've seen a ghost." Jade surmised as she sat down next to Hermione. "What's going on?"
"Oh, nothing!" Draco said switching his expression from solemn to content. "We were just deciding whether to apparate or use the floo network to get to the alley. That's all; the girls don't want to mess up their hair you see." Jade chuckled seeming to except the excuse from the boy.
"Those damn girls." The dark haired girl mused as she slipped an arm around her girlfriend's waist. "Always worried about their appearances." Draco laughed as Ron appeared from the kitchen with a muffin in his hand. Harry and Ginny arrived at the same time chatting between themselves.
"Are you all ready to go?" Ginny quipped cheerfully as she reached the group.
"I'm assuming you'll want to apparate as well to save all your hard work?" Draco mused as he stood up. Ginny scoffed as she flipped her scarlet hair over her shoulder.
"Of course, this took a long time y'know? I'm not going to ruin it by using the floo." Hermione giggled forgetting that Draco had used it as an excuse to get Jade's mind off of their worried looks, but was thankful it was playing out well as to not attract suspicion from her girlfriend. "Well let's be off then!" They all filed outside after bidding farewell to the Weasley parents. The teens started to apparate in pairs, except for Ron who side apparated with Ginny and Harry.
"Ready love?" Hermione asked as she looked up into Jade's blue eyes. Jade nodded as their fingers intertwined and the older witch let Hermione lead the way to Diagon Alley.
Side along apparating with Jade had become barely noticeable to Hermione as they appeared next to George's shop in the alley. She deduced that it was because holding whatever part of Jade she was at the time gave her comfort and security so she hardly noticed the pull in her stomach anymore. The others arrived within seconds as Ron ran inside to see if George could come to lunch with them.
"This is a very interesting place." Jade was looking around at the old buildings and the people bustling about doing their holiday shopping. Snow was falling scarcely through the sky as Ron exited the animated building with a taller, skinnier red head.
"Hullo everyone." George greeted tipping his top hat slightly. "Nice to see you all, except you, I dunno you." He eyed Jade curiously as the group started walking to a nearby restaurant.
"I'm Jade McHale." Blue eyes met gray ones and Jade extended her hand to George cordially.
"American!" George smiled brightly, shaking Jade's hand and winking at her. "Nice accent you got there miss." He winked playfully at her which caused Hermione to twitch slightly. She knew George was a flirt and a joker, but joking or not, he was not going to flirt with her girlfriend. "What brings you here good-lookin?"
"She's visiting with me." Hermione said clearing her throat. "And I'd appreciate if you wouldn't try to charm my girlfriend." George looked at his brother's longtime friend with shock, but smiled and slapped Hermione on the back.
"Good on ya, 'Mione!" He mused as he gave her a brotherly one armed hug. "You and Bill I tell ya, impeccable taste! And lucky enough to have what it takes to ensnare such a looker." Hermione blushed slightly as Jade shot her a winning smile that would've melted the coldest heart. "Maybe she and Fleur shouldn't meet; they'll have a contest on who could woo the most people."
The brunette couldn't help but laugh at the comment. She imagined it, Fleur and Jade walking down the street turning on their charms as men and women fell at their feet. Soon enough they reached their destination and walked into the small diner and found a table that could accommodate all of them.
"So George, mum tells me Angelina is your new business partner?" Ron asked once they had finished ordering their meals. "I never knew Angie had a knack for practical jokes and pranks. Or is she just eye candy for you?" George laughed at his younger brother before taking a swig of his coffee.
"Well believe it or not that's what I originally hired her for." Hermione was slightly appalled at the idea of George giving the job to the former Gryffindor because she was easy on the eyes. "But it turns out she's got a good mind for business and has tripled our income in the past year alone. So all in all, it works out fantastic in my benefit."
"Will you be coming home for Christmas George?" Harry asked as the waitress came back with their food a few moments later after the older Weasley told them a humorous story of his latest invention and how it backfired causing him to speak in a woman's voice for a week. "I know Charlie is too enthralled by the dragons and Percy…well he's married to the job isn't he?"
"Of course I'll be there, it wouldn't be Christmas without me now would it?" George was always so upbeat and cheery even after the loss of his twin brother. He had mentioned last year that he had to still be mischievous and comical for the both of them so that Fred's spirit would never die. "I assume Bill and Fleur will be there as well? I remember dad mentioning something about there being a full house, but I see now that it's mainly extended family." He smiled warmly at Luna and Draco before he took a bite of his sandwich. "The more the merrier!"
They continued to converse about how George was doing and whether Angelina and he were dating, which of course he denied. They all laughed and talked about the Triwizard Tournament and how Jade had been chosen as the champion for her school. Hermione couldn't help feeling sentimental with all her friends around in such good spirits. It reminded her of when they were all back in Hogwarts in the common room enjoying each other's company without a care in the world besides school. After they finished eating, George paid the bill for everyone; he said as an early gift and then headed back to his office.
"Where to do you want to go to first?" Hermione asked as they stepped back out into the cold.
"We should probably split up." Draco said wrapping his emerald green scarf around his neck. "Obviously Hermione and Jade can't go shopping together since I'm sure they need to buy for each other. As well as Harry and Ginny…so how about we all split up? Jade and I will go off, Harry and Ron and then the girls, then later we can switch."
Everyone agreed with Draco's suggestion as they grouped off. Jade softly kissed Hermione's cold lips before they parted. As Jade and Draco went off in one direction towards a store called Twilfitt and Tatting's, a clothing shop where Draco wanted to buy Luna a new cloak since hers was getting tattered and worn.
"So Hermione tells me your birthday is tomorrow." Draco said as they searched through various colored travelling cloaks. "How old are you going to be?"
"I'm going to be twenty." Jade answered as she picked out a scarlet colored cloak to examine as she answered the blonde boy's question. "I've never made much of a fuss over my birthday though, since I have a lack of family to celebrate with, but I assume Hermione is planning something." Draco chuckled softly as he held up a midnight blue garment with sliver stars lining the edges.
"Do you think Luna would like this?" He held it up higher so Jade could get a better look. "I know she's into astronomy and the like, and blue really brings out her eyes." Jade smiled as the boy tried to recall as many features about the Ravenclaw as possible.
"I'm sure she'd like it Draco," Jade answered as she found a darker red cloak with hood and lined with gold trim. "Anything from someone you care about will be appreciated, but that does look like Luna." The young Malfoy seemed satisfied with her answer as he carried it up to the lady at the counter and Jade followed with the burgundy garment.
After making their purchases Jade asked if there were any shops that sold jewelry or trinkets. So Draco led her down the street a couple blocks to a vendor next to Flourish and Blotts, where Draco explained sold books of a various sort. After perusing the jewelry at the vendor, Jade settled on a charm bracelet made of white gold with a charm of a crescent moon made of pearl. The man at the kiosk placed it in a small golden box and wrapped it for her. After handing him a few galleons, Draco and the dark haired girl walked into the bookstore where Draco bought a book on Divination and Jade chose a book on Old Magic Around the World.
"Is there anything else you were looking for, Jade?" The boy looked at Jade as they exited the store and noticed she was focusing on the something in the distance.
"Draco, go find the others." She whispered as she handed him her packages. He promptly shrank them and shoved them in his cloak pocket to keep them concealed. "I'll try not to wander too far." Her eyes were stern and the Slytherin was going to argue until he saw the enormous hooded figure standing several feet in front of them. "Go now."
This was a command the girl expected to be obeyed, and it was. Draco shot her another troubled look before apparating away. People were walking around Jade and the figure in front of her seemingly unaware of the scene that was about to play out.
Jade started to walk towards the dark somebody in her path. The scent that was wafting into her nose resembled her father's, but it wasn't him, just his mark on the man in front of her. This person was another member of his pack he had sent after her. As she neared, she saw the scars that riddled his face and dark gray eyes bored into her.
"I see your senses are improving." A low raspy voice spoke to her as he lowered his hood. The man was towering over her as a smirk appeared on his lips. His dark hair had flecks of gray in it suggesting his age was far above her own. "You were too easy to find leaving your scent everywhere. My name is Flint, Alex Flint. I assume you know why I'm here."
"To collect me, I figure." Jade answered coldly staring at the man before her. "Or at least try." The threat was amusing to the man as he smirked evilly at her.
"You seem very confident in your abilities, young one." He leaned closer to where Jade had to look up to meet his gaze. "Perhaps I should test those skills you seem so proud of."
"I don't doubt that you're much stronger than I am." The dark haired girl's words were steady and unnerving for being so outweighed by the man before her, in both experience and physicality. "But I'm not some young whelp that needs her daddy." The man's eyes hardened as he listened to her last words. To insult his alpha was against the law and deserved punishment in his mind.
"Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere." He looked around at the people that were moving to avoid the two lycans. "So we can avoid any unnecessary casualties. Thrash said to bring you back alive, so I can beat you into a pulp if I please, as long as you're breathing." The broad man cracked his knuckles menacingly as Jade noticed her friends running towards her out of the corner of her eyes.
"I suppose you're right." The man turned and started heading out of the town to a more remote location and Jade turned to follow. "Lead the way." Jade shot a glare over her shoulder that told Hermione not to follow her, but she knew they would. She just prayed that they would keep their distance until they were more secluded area.
"We have to follow them!" Hermione hissed as she began to walk after the pair. Harry gently grabbed his friend's shoulder. "Let go, Harry."
"Hermione we have to keep our distance." The raven haired boy answered to his distraught friend. "If we give ourselves away there's no telling what he'll do to Jade."
"Harry is right, Hermione." Ron added as he stood next to her. "Let's tail them, but we need to keep our distance. I'm sure that man's a lycan and he could probably pick up on our scents when we leave town. They seem rather diplomatic, wanting to speak to try and coerce her without violence. We have time."
Hermione reluctantly nodded as the group began to follow the pair of lycans at a very far distance, almost to the point where they were hard to see as the snow fall got thicker. After a few minutes Jade and Flint crossed a bridge leading away from the busy region into the country side with barren trees and a small stream. About half a mile away from the town, Flint stopped in front of the young lycan and turned to face her.
"I'm impressed that you were able to do such a number on Rayna," He said calmly as he began to remove his cloak. "She's a great fighter, and you with so little experience, defeated her so easily."
"It wasn't easy." Jade admitted as she untied her own garment and dropped it on the ground. "She almost killed me if you must know, but I won't let that happen again." She glared her icy blue eyes at the man in front of her. "I'm assuming you're going to be much more of a challenge." The window blew strong and Jade caught a very faint whiff of vanilla. Hermione was near, but thankfully keeping her distance or perhaps cast an invisibility charm on herself.
"Believe me when I tell you that I am the third strongest in the pack." Flint let out a low chuckle and started stretching his arms and legs. "It's serious when the boss wants me to go after something or someone. He must really see you as a threat." Jade just smirked and let out a soft sigh as she shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't see the seriousness in it." Her attitude was becoming smug and taunting. "All I want is to live my life as myself. I won't obey a man who murdered my mother and demands I treat him like a father. I'd rather die than join him."
"That just might happen young one." The figure began to shift and grow into a massive gray lycan. "Perhaps we should move this along. I'd really like to get home." Jade growled deeply as she shifted and glowered her glowing eyes at his gray blue ones. Hermione and her friends were ducked behind the wall of the stone bridge and watched anxiously.
"What should we do?" Ginny asked nervously. "That guy is huge! It would take all of us to take him down and then some." Hermione was trying to come up with a plan. This wolf was much larger than Jade and made her look like a dwarf next to him.
"We have to try and stun him." Hermione answered finally. "Or petrify him or something. I don't want to have to kill him, but if it comes down to that…" She stopped. The brunette really didn't want to kill the threatening lycan about to take on her girlfriend, but if came between his and Jade's life she knew whose she would save.
As the group devised a plan, a bone wracking howl emanated in the cold air. Hermione watched in horror as Jade's body was thrown several feet away and landed solidly on the ground. The lycan girl quickly righted herself to her feet and charged the mass in front of her. She managed to be quick enough to land a few well-placed cuts on the larger lycan's neck and face, but he was resilient and laughed at her feeble attempts to weaken him.
"You'll have to do more than that child." He growled at her. A large fist slammed down into the ground as he lunged himself towards the girl and connected with her body, pinning her to the ground. "You may be faster than me, but once you're caught, it's over."
Jade struggled under his large hands and was becoming frustrated with her lack of power. She snarled menacingly as she took in a deep breath. She exhaled with a loud roar and with it a large breath of fire, scorching the gray lycan's face. He backed away howling in pain as she over took him and brought her hands to his throat. In her weakness, Jade began to shift back into her human form, to Hermione's horror.
A blue energy was emanating from her which, seemed to give her slightly more power, but not enough as the man's hands grabbed her arms and threw her to the side. Black hair swirled as she slid on her hands and feet to slow herself, but the male lycan was on her in an instant, slamming his shoulder into her chest with a sickening crunch as Jade spun and was thrown again across the ground. As a human, Jade had no chance against the beast.
This fight was one sided. The gray lycan was much larger and stronger than Jade's human figure and Hermione didn't know how much longer the girl was going to last with the beating she was taking. To every attack Jade landed, Flint's one would wrack her with just as much pain, if not more.
"We have to hurry!" Hermione cried as the teens readied their wands. They appeared from their hiding spot and quietly began to advance on the lycan as he neared Jade's fallen figure. "Reducto!"
The spell hit the wolf and made him stagger forward. He sent a menacing glare over his shoulder as the group sent an onslaught of spells towards him, each hitting, but not causing any real damage. As Jade began to recover, she saw the beast hovering over her, but not looking in her direction. He was turning slowly towards her friends between the spells that were cast at him and she willed every ounce of strength she had to get herself up. Finally the gray wolf turned and started bounding after his attackers.
"HERMIONE!" Jade yelled as she jumped to her feet. A rush of adrenaline surged through her seeing the massive wolf getting closer to her mate. She lunged after the lycan, giving into her own wolf and shifting mid sprint.
"Now Harry!" Hermione's voice rang in Jade's ears as she saw a flash of blue light hit the gray wolf and freeze him in mid stride.
Jade didn't falter as she leapt into the air above the partially frozen figure and brought her fist down in a swift motion shattering the frozen monster to pieces. She stood there for a minute, her breathing was heavy and her heart pounding against her chest as she watched the ice covered remains of the lycan at her feet.
There was no blood, no cry of anguish, but still, she had just taken a life. No matter how necessary it was, she felt guilt in her stomach as she straightened herself and continued to look at the dismembered lycan. Jade had never killed anyone before, nor had she ever come close, but if she hadn't, he would've killed Hermione.
As much as the lycan tried, she couldn't shake her guilt. Her eyes were troubled as she felt her body change back to normal. She was cold suddenly and her body screamed with pain from her injuries, but that didn't matter to her at the moment. Jade had to make sure there was no way the lycan could be found.
"Incendo." The spell was whispered as a fire shot from her hand and engulfed the lycan's remnants.
Hermione approached slowly seeing the pain in her girlfriend's face. She could tell she was conflicted and wasn't sure what to say to remedy the situation. Jade's clothes were dirty and torn and Hermione knew she was in pain.
"Are you all right?" Hermione's voice was barely audible to the racing thoughts in Jade's mind. Blue eyes were hazed as they found Hermione's. "You're injured Jade, we need to get you back to the Burrow."
"No." Her voice was soft and stern at the same time. "Heal me here…I…don't want Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to worry."
Jade began to remove her clothes and as her flannel fell to the ground; the brunette saw the extent of her injuries. Multiple bruises and cuts were on the dark haired girl's arms and torso. Her collarbone was swollen from where Flint's shoulder had connected and several claw marks peppered her upper back and shoulders.
"Ginny, Luna…I need your help." The two girls were very talented in the healing arts and Hermione needed all the help she could get.
She cast a warming spell on Jade when she noticed her girlfriend shaking from lack of clothing. As the three witches worked on healing Jade's wounds, the boys had gone off to find her a new over shirt to wear back home. After a good five minutes of healing, Jade's body was back to its flawless appearance minus the scars Rayna had left on her right rib cage.
"Are you feeling better?" Jade nodded somberly as she tied her cloak back around her shoulders. Hermione leaned up and placed a soft kiss on her girlfriend's cheek. "You did what you had to Jade. If he would've survived your father would've sent more after you, someone stronger and…" Hermione felt a cold finger on her lips.
"I know…" Jade's voice was weak, something Hermione had never heard before coming from her. "I've just…I never killed anyone before and it was a worse feeling than I expected. I thought I'd be relieved or…happy because you all were safe, but I feel…guilty. I feel sad for it."
"That just proves you have a heart Jade." Luna added setting a gently hand on the girls arm. "Your compassion is what keeps you human and separates you from these other lycans. You protected all of us and that's something to be proud of. Don't dwell on it; he would've killed Hermione…all of us if you hadn't done what you did." Jade sighed deeply and nodded. She knew this was true, but the feeling in her gut wouldn't subside and she tried harder to push it down to get her mind off of it.
"We can talk about it later, love." Hermione whispered as she slipped her hand into Jade's and gave it a squeeze. "We need to get you home now, ok?" Jade nodded and tried her best to give Hermione an encouraging smile. She didn't know how many more attacks she could with stand from her father.
It seemed like Rayna had just confronted her yesterday and now another lycan had attempted to persuade her to join them. She couldn't keep putting Hermione and her friends in danger. The boys soon returned with another flannel for Jade to wear back to the Burrow so no suspicions would be raised. She gladly put it on to shield her from the cold as Hermione once again apparated them back to the Weasley home.