Respect;
a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
The comfortable silence of the hallway was broken by the approaching footsteps of Rabastan. Lifting her head from Marcus' broad shoulder, she watched Rabastan falter as he got nearer. A look of surprise briefly crossed his face, before his features settled into a blank mask.
"My Queen, Flint. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Potter led me to believe there might be an altercation. It seems he was incorrect." Rabastan told them, bowing his head slightly in her direction. She could feel the jealousy emanating from him through the bond. She sighed internally. Apparently, each of her Sentries had a jealous streak. One she was going to have to work hard to rectify. She couldn't have them snapping at each other, or being unwilling to help the others if they were to be involved in a battle.
Standing slowly, she moved closer to Rabastan. "Marcus, go get cleaned up, please. I need to confer with Rabastan." She commanded quietly. Staring into Rabastan's green eyes, noting the way they hardened as he saw Marcus stand. She would have to nip this in the bud immediately.
Marcus left with a murmured "Of course, Queen." Leaving her standing in front of Rabastan in the hall. He sent her a glare, crossing his arms and looking away, clenching his jaw tightly. Reaching up, she cupped his jaw forcing him to meet her eyes. Beneath the hardness, lay a look of vulnerability. Sighing, she ran her fingers through his hair, pleased when he reacted by leaning into her touch.
"Why are you jealous Rabastan?" she questioned lightly. He snarled and pinned her to the wall behind her, and she felt slight annoyance in being pressed against it twice in one day. He gripped her shoulders tightly, leaning into her, his breath brushing across her face as his eyes went wild.
"I am jealous because I never expected to share a witch!" He brushed his nose against her cheek, "I am jealous because I want to be the one making you scream my name. I want to leave my mark on you. If it weren't for the bond that connects us all, I would gladly kill every last one of my comrades so I could have you to myself. I am a jealous man, Queen. And seeing you with them ignites that jealousy." He snarled in her ear.
She tried to push him away so she could meet his eyes, and he retaliated violently. His teeth latched on to her neck, biting down hard enough to draw blood. She let out a pained groan and brought forth her magic to throw him off her. He let go with a startled yelp and landed in a heap across from her. Storming forward she pressed the point of her high heel against his throat. Summoning a bright white fireball in her hand she growled at him.
"How dare you! I am your Queen. Not some Knockturn Alley slag that you can just tear into without an invitation. You will show me the proper respect I deserve, or so help me I will find some stockades and place you in them." She pressed her heel more firmly into his neck.
He glared up at her but relented for the moment. Nodding shakily with her heel against his neck, he gasped for breath when she removed it. Rolling to his side and panting, he gripped her ankle, stopping her from walking away from him.
"I am sorry, dove. I let my temper get the best of me. I meant no disrespect." He gasped out, looking up at her. Hermione stared down at him, feeling some of her anger fade away. She knew this was an adjustment for him. For all of them, and there would be slips at times. She couldn't fault him too badly for his reaction. Nodding at him, she felt an immense amount of relief flow through their bond.
It was interesting to her that she could tell the difference between each of her Sentries through the bond. She could feel each of their magical signatures buzzing in her mind at all times. However, she could only feel their emotions if it was particularly strong. And each emotion matched the wizard's temperament. For instance, Rabastan was bold and his emotions were loud across the bond. Thorfinn was heated and passionate, making his emotions seem burning. Marcus was cool and calm which made his emotions seem almost mellow. Antonin was unfortunately still a mystery to her, causing his emotions to feel clouded. And Adrian seemed to be the most grounded of them all, which gave her cause for surprise when his emotions swept over her like a summer breeze. They were all unique, and yet together they suited her perfectly.
"Go ask Elpis to find you suitable attire for the day, Rabastan. You and I are going to take a little trip." She declared, walking away from him.
"If I may ask my Queen, where are we going?" Rabastan questioned cautiously, rubbing his neck to soothe the soreness from her earlier treatment.
Hermione sent a devious smirk over her shoulder, "Malfoy Manor." With that, she glided up the stairs to prepare herself for what was sure to be an eventful meeting.
Rabastan swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat, the last time he's been inside that place had been at the bequest of Lord Voldemort. He was not keen on returning, but if his Queen requested him to accompany her then accompany her he shall.
~*~QoF~*~
Rabastan waited in the main entry way in the clothes Elpis had procured for him. Well fitted black trousers, paired with a white button-down shirt. Simple, but enough that Narcissa and Lucius wouldn't be able to sneer at him. He was rather nervous about seeing them again, being in Azkaban had made him unaware of the dealings of the outside world, and he wasn't quite sure what to expect. Before his thoughts could wander down that road, he was greeted by the sight of Hermione.
She had charmed her hair to fall in a sleek straight curtain that reached the top of her arse easily. She was wrapped in a blood-red dress that could only be described as sinful. Tight in all the right places, short without giving up her modesty. She looked the picture perfect representation of class and elegance, with just a hint at the vixen he knew she could be. Holding out his hand, he helped her down the final few steps enjoying the thrum of the bond that came with physical contact.
"You look lovely, my Queen." He complimented her, allowing his eyes to rove over her features. Her cinnamon colored eyes were sparkling with planned mischief, framed by refined eyebrows. High cheekbones supported a thin button nose that was smattered with freckles, and lush full lips held a secretive smile. Whatever his Queen was planning, the receiver was not going to enjoy it.
"Thank you, Rabastan. You look rather fetching yourself." Hermione replied, before leading him out the doors of the Manor and down the pea gravel driveway. He followed her willingly, and he wondered if this would be the rest of his life. If so, he couldn't much lament. Following a beautiful woman to the ends of the Earth and back, sure as hell beat following a madman into the pits of Hell.
"Hold tight." She told him, before with a twist and a sharp crack they were gone with a pull behind his navel. When the world was right again he found himself standing in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor. Blinking in surprise at his surroundings he watched as Draco, Narcissa and Lucius came rushing in the room wands drawn. Hermione simply smirked at them, "Now is that any way to greet a guest?"
The Malfoys looked at her flabbergasted. How could a mud-blood breach their wards so efficiently, and what was she doing with Rabastan LeStrange? A known fugitive of Azkaban.
"What are you doing here? And more importantly, how did you get in?" Lucius drawled, tucking his wand away, indicating that his family should do the same.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I am here to speak with Narcissa, pertaining to acquiring information about a mediwitch who is able to keep their gob shut. And you should know better than anyone how blood magic works, Lucius. When Bellatrix spilled my blood all over this floor, the home accepted some of my magic, meaning I can come and go anytime I wish." she mimicked his drawl.
Lucius glared at her, "What's to stop me from calling the Aurors?"
Hermione grinned and flicked her fingers at him, "Mimblewimble! That lovely tongue tying curse. Attempt to call the Aurors and tell them anything, and you'll choke on your own tongue."
Narcissa frowned and stepped closer to Hermione. "There's something different about you. You're shimmering."
Hermione smiled and flashed both of her wrists at them, showing off the Goddess given markings. The collective gasp from the Malfoys made her smile widen across her face. "Goddess selection will do that to a gal. It's been doing wonders for my skin too."
Narcissa dropped to her knees immediately, bowing low to the floor. Her body was trembling from fear, she knew her family had done Miss Granger very wrong over the years, and she would be well within her rights to strike them all dead. Lucius stared at his wife for a moment before following her lead and bowing before Hermione, Draco not far behind him. Hermione smirked at them, relishing in the power they were giving her.
"Rise." She commanded, letting her cool gaze linger over them all. "I have no true need for you. You will not be serving under me in any capacity. I saw just what type of traitors you could be with Voldemort, and I refuse to allow you anywhere near my plans. That being said, you do still possess some connections, that were I to approach them myself would run the other direction."
Narcissa looked at her fretfully, "Of course, we understand fully. How may I assist you, Miss Granger?" She questioned wringing her hands tightly together. Hermione smiled toothily at seeing the posh pureblood woman so nervous.
"She is a Queen, Narcissa. You should address her as such." Rabastan spoke up, coming up beside Hermione, resting his hand gently on the small of her back.
"Thank you, Rabastan. And as I said before Narcissa, I'm in need of a Mediwitch. One who can be discreet." Hermione spoke, making her way to one of the lavish arm chairs, she sat primly. Rabastan stood at her shoulder, arms crossed and feet shoulder width apart. He was feeling quite smug, for once he was above Lucius and the other Malfoy's in the pecking order. His Queen had no use for traitors, and he could only hope that when their temporary use ran out he would be the one to end them.
"Of course, Queen. I may know of a Mediwitch who can be of assistance. She's just recently moved to England, after working as a private healer in Turkey, where she was raised. She comes from a good family, accustomed to keeping secrets." Narcissa told her, standing before Hermione, head bowed slightly in deference to the other woman.
"Her name?" Hermione asked tapping her fingers idly on the arm of the chair, eyeing the woman carefully. The mediwitch would be scrutinized by her personally, before agreeing to an unbreakable vow. If she was what Hermione was looking for, she would reside at the Manor for the next nine months until Ginevra gave birth to the child she was currently carrying.
"Zorina. Zorina Vlasta." Narcissa replied, raising her head to meet Hermione's eyes.
Hermione smiled ruefully at her, "I presume you know what I want now?"
Narcissa nodded and hurried to the Floo, to presumably call Zorina to Malfoy Manor. Rabastan leaned close to Hermione's ear, "You have no clue just how sexy you look right now, my Queen." he murmured, allowing his breath to ghost over her ear. Hermione licked her lips before turning to face him. Cupping his jaw, she placed a light kiss on his lips before pulling away and meeting his bottle-green eyes.
"Flattery will get you everywhere, Rabastan." She chuckled at him. Before he could respond the fireplace roared to life, and a thin woman with straight chestnut hair cut at her shoulder stepped through. She wore deep purple robes and held herself with an air of grace. She didn't look around much before coming to stand before Hermione. Seeing the marks on both of Hermione's wrist she fell into a deep curtsy, glancing up at her.
"You requested my presence, Queen?" Zorina asked, holding her curtsy, giving Hermione the impression this woman would hold the position until her legs gave out if Hermione asked it.
"You may rise, Zorina. I am told you are a competent Mediwitch." Hermione drawled, cocking her head slightly.
Zorina nodded, "I am." she replied with a hint of pride. Good, a witch who was proud of her achievements was less likely to lie about them. Smiling Hermione gestured to a chair indicating it was okay for her to sit.
"Narcissa, this is not a conversation for you and your family to hear. I thank you for your hospitality, send an elf to serve tea, and then make yourselves scarce. And eavesdropping would be most unpleasant to anyone who attempted to do so." Hermione directed, never taking her eyes from Zorina. These people had made her feel like less than dirt for years, she would take great pleasure in returning the favor to them in their own home. Smirking to herself when the Malfoy family hurried to do her bidding she focused further on the woman before her.
She was pretty, with green eyes only a few shades lighter than Rabastan's. She had a slim straight nose and full lips, and her skin was flawless, not a blemish to be found. She was thin, but not overly so, and tall reminding Hermione of a willowy reed.
"So Zorina Vlasta, tell me about yourself," Hermione commanded with a dangerous air, giving Zorina the impression that if this woman, this Queen didn't like her answers she might wind up dead.
A/N: And chapter 14 is complete! Thank you all for your support of this story, I greatly appreciate it. Sorry for the long wait for the update, but I recently lost my Aunt, and it took me a while to get back into the flow of things, I'm still working on it so it might be slow going for a little bit. Also for those of you wondering about my other story Dirty Laundry, I intend to go back over it, revise it and make it flow more concisely and then proceed to update it. Huge thanks to my wonderful Beta Vino Amore for her continued support of this story, and for being genuinely awesome in general. You're the best Doll. Til next time, Lilbit903.