'Bring papers.' Hermione grumbled and turned towards the pile of published sheets. Giving them a coin had led to printed orders. Never used please or thank you even though they had seen her use the abbreviations. Gathering them all without trying to limit the number. If they wanted papers they could keep them. Why they wanted to read that trash she didn't know. It was more interesting to read about things if you hadn't been there, suffering. Checking that the two pieces of paper in her coat pocket were still there, she shoved the much larger pile into her bag and walked into her floo room to apparate to the cabin.
It must be located at least a bit further up towards the northern part of England, or Scotland. There was a thick layer of frost and snow which didn't seem far in the future. She let herself think over the gala and her less dramatic conversations with people. Most had been outwardly polite and as Hermione remembered them from before she let so many people down. Having deliberately been the face of the Ministry, she supposed it was jarring for the public. Most of the ones who hadn't been as cordial were on the lists in her pocket.
The doors opened and Yaxley grinned at her as she made it there.
"It's the belle of the ball. Looking a bit tired but I see no claw marks or betrothal jewelry so it seems she escaped lads." He was clearly in a good mood and she chuckled at him. Slapping the pile of requested news and gossip publications on the table, she looked around for coffee. The late start of ten this morning meant that they also arrived before she had come here.
"Malyshka." Dolohov handed her a mug and the cream liqueur she had discovered she liked in it. Preferring it to their firewhiskey laced cups. A smile in thanks and he scanned her again before picking up his book. Propping herself in the corner, on the bench she usually favoured, she watched the other two men begin to sift through the pile.
The papers were torn up as Yaxley ripped out the small pieces or pictures he thought might interest his friend and Rowle scanned the articles and moving photos. Her eyes were on her master and she had an idea.
"While dancing with one of the most boring young men in existence last night, I was thinking about the shaping for the spaced internal wards. The way we have the math they can't be round at all. Would you be okay if I brought a muggle book here? A science one. There is a study of nature's shapes as mathematical equations, many repeat. My dad was into it for a while. Anyway, I think that we could tweak one of those. Maybe." His eyes had stopped moving on the page when she mentioned her point. Then they snapped up to her and he nodded. She would go after she left here today, and if she couldn't buy one than a library copy would have to do.
"This list is yours. The first column is people who mentioned wanting you to do some work for them. The second is people who have apparently tried to owl you for some reason and the third is women who indicated that would like to speak with you privately." For a moment she let him see the level of discomfort that the last column caused her. His nod was a bit chagrined and she appreciated it.
"No one knows I see you Yaxley or I am sure your pretty eyes and smooth tongue would have a longer list than your compatriots. Rowle here is your list. Only two columns. Those that mentioned you in a way that I thought you might be interested in and the list of women, of all ages, I might add, who were concerned I was using my proximity to lure you into my clutches. It was quite offensive really." With that she stood and handed the younger wizard the list and didn't meet his eyes. She had decided that she couldn't help her feelings but there was no need to embarrass herself.
Yaxley handed her a hot cross bun and a small plate of jams. Her smile was grateful and she chose the raspberry apple. It was delicious and settled her a little bit.
"Could we have a fun day today master?" She light up when Yaxley spoke to his friend with such levity. "Your stooge has suffered publicity and even handed both of you a list of prospective bed mates. Surely a reward is due past the jam that we found especially for her." Obviously he was in a good mood this morning.
"Report First." This was Dolohov's response and she thought through her answer before sitting down and sending her plate to the sink. Magic made cleaning up much easier.
"It went well I think. The safe house program was quite popular and I sent a list to Susan about the elementary school concerns people mentioned to me. There seems to be more mingling between sides and status at every event. Narcissa indicated the orphanage and other charities it was in support of would be satisfied." That seemed all the salient points that probably wouldn't be in the papers. Most of that was which 'important' people had showed up, spoken to, and then left with. When she looked up from her hands all three were looking at her. She looked her question.
"You. What happened with you." Rowle answered her unspoken question.
"Nothing. I didn't wear heels so my feet weren't even sore." Then she remembered the younger Avery's words. A slight shudder passed through her body and they noticed.
"Want Avery's message in private?" She asked the blond wizard who was frowning now. She could see he wasn't sure what she might say. Dolohov looked between them and then shook his head at her. The look said she would speak now. Rowle grimaced and nodded slightly.
"First it was a litany of all the things he had heard you refer to me as. Some were quite creative. Then it was the list of witches I might have wanted to know that you were familiar with. When I indicated that this was of no interest to me and that I would rather speak to his father, he began with his message. 'Tell him that his little witch shouldn't be out without protection if she wasn't willing to be used as planned.' There was more but I find myself unable to speak the words or even write them down. Please respond yourself. Next time someone speaks to me like that I will pull my wand. If it's on your behalf you will take half of the punishment." With that she met his eyes and let him see the absolute embarrassment she had felt. The hurt and disgust. He only nodded and held her eyes. Bastard. No apology or anything else.
Dolohov broke the stare down and Yaxley was looking between the two with a slight furrow on his forehead.
"Malyshka." She could tell he was asking if she was alright and for a moment that helped. She nodded and met his eyes so he could see that she was angry but not hurt badly in any way. A slight nod.
"Draco?" Yaxley asked. She shrugged.
"I think it's over. Theo and I should be able to keep our relationship but he can't seem to swallow his comments or feelings. I'm done taking it. Really, most were fortunate that in such a public setting I was unwilling to make a scene." She closed her eyes and let the evenings tension flow from her. It was over and her usual daily schedule could take over again.
Rowle left and the sound of the door closing made her relax further. She hadn't even wanted to see his face after last night. The catty comments and Gemma Farleys gloating face were enough to make her want to scratch her eyes out. Or charm her teeth like Flint's had been. They weren't awful anymore as she noticed last night. He had been one of the more pleasant dance partners she had enjoyed.
"Laser tag?" Yaxley's suggestion caused her eyes to open and she looked over a bit skeptically. He hadn't wanted to go the last time Rowle and her had, but if he wanted to now then she could use the distraction. She nodded and he reached out a hand to help her up. Both put their coats on and she was surprised when Dolohov stood and grabbed his. The exchange of glances clearly settled something and she just walked between them to the apparition point and held out both hands, then remembering Yaxley had been there she dropped them and twisted away alone.
She apparated into the same dirty, abandoned house and waited a moment for them to appear. When they were all there she headed across the street and parking lot. Knowing they wouldn't want to take part in organizing the game, she paid and got the three harnesses and guns. Silently, the two older wizards followed her and let her strap muggle electronics to them. She was a bit surprised by their silence and willingness to be manhandled by her. Even taking instructions with attentive expressions. Again, she stood and let them fire at her so they could see the numbers change and then shot at Yaxley and took off into the dark.
When the lights came on she stood precariously on the block she had been hiding on for the last minute or so and grinned at them. It had turned into them hunting her and her trying to get a shot off at one of them without being noticed. It was different but fun nonetheless and both men seemed to have enjoyed it.
When she got home a couple of hours later with the book in her hand she was greeted by Harry's owl, and Sabrina's.
Harry wanted to do dinner tomorrow and Sabrina was wondering if she was free tonight. Her brother had cancelled. Hermione didn't let the snotty thought that he was probably between some witches legs get too far and only briefly checked her appearance and spun away after feeding Lev. He had been trying to get across all of the furniture without touching the ground in each room lately. Magical animals were as odd as their owners and he didn't want her company at the moment.
Sabrina poked her head out and waved at her, Hermione just smiled and waved back. The witch had a sunny smile on her face as she beckoned her into the flat. It looked a bit different, there was more on the walls and some family photos out too. That was good, it seemed a healing step to her.
She waved her hand and looked expectantly at Hermione. Realizing Sabrina wanted the spell against eavesdropping she performed it and then taught the other witch. This was an apartment building and privacy was valuable.
"I haven't heard a thing. That's what was supposed to happen right? Whatever you did, it's done?" In a moment she realised that the younger witch meant her boy problem.
"It's done. No worries." Letting a bit of the danger in her expression out for the witch to see, the witch's posture relaxed.
"I know you said it would be dealt with but I just..." Hermione waved her off. Understanding that she needed some confirmation.
"Now that you haven't had them to deal with, how did your paper go?" Genuinely interested in the other witches studies, that topic carried them through until Sabrina's stomach growled.
Walking down the chilly evening air in the Alley, the girls linked arms and chatted about the Gala.
"Your dress was lovely and so was Luna's. Both of you stood out among the drab ordinary other dresses and witches. Maybe I'll go next time."
Entering Cleinfeld's the two looked around and there weren't any tables. Before they could leave someone stood up and beckoned. It was Marcus Flint and Cassius Warrington. Hermione met the other witch's eye and received a shrug in return. Nothing said don't do it or that the witch was uncomfortable so Hermione walked over to the two men.
"Join us ladies?" Warrington offered and gestured to the two free seats. Another exchanged glance and the two witches sat in the chairs pulled out for them.
"Thorfinn." His name coming from the fireplace brought him into the main room. Yaxley's head was there and when their eyes met it vanished. Follow was obviously the order and with an eye roll he did just that. You couldn't actually floo in there so he grabbed his coat and headed out the door of one cabin. When he reached the door of the other one he paused for a moment. Not sure what this was about and then entered.
Both men were seated at the table and their faces were serious. Their eyes were cold and he felt a shiver of apprehension run up his back. Quickly, he ran down the list of what this could be about and didn't come up with a solid answer. Shifting in place for a minute he decided that sitting, even without invitation was preferable to this. Coat removed, and ass in the chair at the end of the table, he waited.
"Perhaps you had better not return here regularly." Yaxley spoke but it was clear that both agreed. He didn't let much of his surprise show. These two had made him welcome among them and he had been grateful, then and now, for it. Not many at all could say they were free to come and go from their midst.
Thorfinn didn't nod. This was not what he wanted and he didn't want to agree.
"My infractions?" There was no sarcasm, it would be dangerous right now. Perhaps the little witch could ignore their capabilities as if it didn't affect her but Thorfinn knew better.
"Malyshka." Antonin put in. As usual, the word was only the subject but the tone was the answer. He had done something against the little witch. Or they thought so. He let a bit of his surprise show and then sat back. Waiting for an explanation.
"Nenuzhnyye trudnosti." He was trying to puzzle that out when Yaxley performed his role as interpreter.
"You are adding unnecessary hardships to our charge." Responding reflexively was not wise and he swallowed the scoff. What had he done?
"There is enough scrutiny, insulting comments and behaviour due to her association with him. She doesn't need the crude additions of your involvement." This didn't seem to be the actual issue though. He shifted in his seat and Yaxley nodded, an invitation to speak. Antonin was still staring at him with what he thought was a bit of hostility. Not his murderous stare, or anything threatening his life, but it was not a comfortable feeling to have his eyes on you in this temper.
"I didn't tell Avery to speak to her. Haven't even seen him since I got out." That was true. A scoff. It was quiet but the dark wizard didn't often use that method of communication with him.
"That is irrelevant. Perhaps you, like others, have failed to consider that her being an apprentice also makes the witch his charge. His responsibility." Now Yaxley was letting a bit of the madness he usually hid out to be seen. Dolohov was absolutely still.
His mind began racing and he realized that he hadn't thought of it that way. Hadn't treated her as if she were a daughter of the wizards's house, under their protection. Nothing he had done or said had been insulting or disrespectful, but he wasn't behaving with her as her position warranted. They could see his understanding and both nodded once.
"If you do not speak with the younger Avery, I will." Antonin spoke gruffly and Thorfinn realised that he wasn't the only one who would be approached about their bearing and behaviour towards the little witch. The list could be long, depending on the length of the columns of names on the paper she had handed her master this morning.
"I will speak frankly and you will listen. Then leave and if you come back tomorrow morning as usual that will be your answer." Thorfinn nodded and turned his full attention to the wizard speaking. It was hard to turn his face from the danger broadcast on the darker wizard's face.
"Hermione is our responsibility. For the duration of her apprenticeship her safety in all ways ultimately falls to us." Yax was dead serious and fingering his wand. "Of course, her education is our primary focus and we have no desire to run her life for her. The witch is capable, of age, and needs no one to defend her magically. In the current climate, we have less than we once did, in the way of political and social protection to offer her. Aside from her services to each of us and her skills, she is a kind and caring witch. Without demanding anything she has given to each of us.
There are things you don't know and things I am sure that neither of us do, deeds she has performed to our debt. Without calling it in, or even thinking of it as an asset to be used. Antonin would never speak to you like this but I assure you that his loyalty is as it ever was. To his own. It wouldn't be wise for you to force choices." With this the man paused and surveyed him. All he could do was listen and indicate he was. Something told him this wasn't finished.
"Of course you also have some measure of our loyalty and if we didn't want you to survive you wouldn't have.
Rabastan was a good choice in partner, no? Antonin doesn't think you deserve any consideration in regards to our witch. I however disagree, not in my estimation of you but in my assessment of her. You will find none better. Her charms aside she is loyal and fierce. Dedicated and devious. I suggest you think on it or you will find yourself in young Malfoys place and it seems quite uncomfortable." With that he slid a piece of the Daily Prophet toward him.
Three photos of Malfoy and the little witch were shown in a row. Her smile at seeing him, one of his blatant appreciation of her beauty, and one with a dismissive look on her face. Scanning the blurb underneath, these were in chronological order and had taken place in about a minute's duration. The obsession with her meant that every detail that could be printed was.
There was hurt in her eyes in the last one. Something stony on her face. It was kind of a look of expected disappointment, the more he looked at the pictures the clearer it was. The order of events and right there, on the page, she was done. Seeing the seconds of movement it was all there. Further down the page were pictures of her dancing with others. The blank look on her face as Avery spun her made him uncomfortable too.
He looked up and glanced over their hard features. That was all they would say and he nodded. Leaving the paper on the table, he stood and walked to the door. One last glance showed them speaking silently to each other and he had the usual thought of Granger, Hermione, when they did that wasn't the fun one it usually was.