Happy Mid-week children!
So... I have no idea what I am doing. Its going to a crazy ass next two or three chapters. Please just hang tight and ill get back on track. I have tried to get to the heart off this little story, but honestly, shit has been nuts in my life, and think I am just writing it all out. So take a deep breath with me, this chapter and the next are going be a little bitter. Hope you will stick with me on the ride.
Anemone ~ Forsaken
Afternoons of Confessions and Inquiries:
"Stop," came the small command from behind her. Hermione was outside, walking in the snow, bundled from head to toe in the warmest clothes she could scrounge from her trunk with a warming charm on top of that. She needed out and away from the drama, and tension of the tournament especially today. She turned to the voice and she let out a sigh thankful she trusted her instincts for a change. The brunette walked to her all lanky, uncomfortable, and boy. Hermione paused in her musings as she looked around at her surroundings.
Narcissa would have a field day with this type of setting. Hermione shook her head and waited. She plastered a smile on her lips, but Harry took Hermione's hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow just like Fleur had taught him. Hermione smiled softly.
"Fleur's etiquette lessons are not being wasted," Hermione joked. Harry however stood taller in that moment.
"Yeah, well she is a good teacher. You also shouldn't be out her by yourself. What would your date think?" Harry teased Hermione chuckled and then Hermione looked to him musing.
"How often do you spend with Fleur?" she asked.
"Ever since you sent me on that errand about the egg we have about an hour in the afternoons. We walk around the lake when you are in the infirmary. She has taught me a lot, without really teaching me a thing. Just subtle hints here and there on posture, and like you said etiquette," Harry smiled as he remembered his stumbling and bumbling self.
"Why are you cozying up to my supposed bond mate Harry Potter? Do you have a crush on her?" Hermione asked nudging his shoulder. He smiled bashfully also sporting a blush.
"No, it's not like that at all 'Mione. We mainly talk about you, society, hopes and dreams. You know that kinda stuff. She is just so…" Harry fought for words. Hermione squeezed his arm and she smiled
"Yeah she is," Hermione filled in for him. She knew the allure played a factor, but Harry was so much more levelheaded than most. Hell, Hermione thought he was asexual at first.
"Hermione how do you know you love somebody?" Harry asked softly as they walked down a path deeper into the forest, but by no means into the Forbidden part of the woods. Hermione sighed and their steps were heard in the crunching of the snow.
"Honestly, I have no idea," Hermione said and then Harry looked to Hermione. She glanced at her friend, and then sighed once more, "With the… situation I am in I don't know if it is love, or compulsion, but I would be lying if I didn't feel something deep, and all-consuming for both of them," Hermione confessed.
"Why do you not think its love?" Harry asked.
"I have never been in love before, and if I didn't know about the bond, I would have thought this was owed to my heightened emotional state due to the tournament," Hermione replied. Harry squeezed her hand in his arm showing his support.
"I know you are nervous Hermione, but I have known you for many years now. Fleur makes you happy. Lady Malfoy, well, I hope she comes around," Harry quirked a smile, Hermione smiled back but she let their steps lead them along a well walked path. A flash of light came from nowhere. Hermione stopped pulled Harry to the side and pulled her wand. They heard an oof off the path and Hermione listened.
Harry moved, but Hermione pushed him down, and held a finger to her lips and then tapped her ear with her wand silently. She did the same to Harry. She would not tell this to Narcissa, but she found a spell to magnify her hearing. Harry's eyes flew open. And then they both waited, and then a snap of a dead branch and a curse flew softly whispered into the woods. Hermione and Harry's heads looked into the direction of the noise. Hermione lifted her hands and held up her fingers. 3,2,1, and then they moved to the path, and cast a notice me not spell. Harry looked forward held her hand as she looked behind them. They found an off shoot of the path they were on and dashed toward the lake. Hermione then dragged him closer to the castle, into the open, near people. Harry and Hermione sighed in relief. A pop sounded next to Hermione.
"He got away," an elf said with slightly drooped ear tips.
"It's alright, you were there. I am sorry my friend I let my guard down. Forgive me," Hermione asked, and the elf shook his head and sighed.
"Witches and wizards are not supposed to ask forgiveness of what is theirs to command," Blake responded looking at Hermione.
"You are not mine, my friend," Hermione smiled as she reminded the elf that she was not his master. He sighed and shook his head, but he smiled and then snapped his fingers.
"Who was that?" Harry asked.
"He is a dear friend of mine that tries to keep me from harm," Hermione said keeping Blake's identity vague.
"Does he have a name?" Harry asked and Hermione smiled.
"If he wants to give you his name, he will give it, I cannot give it to you myself," Hermione said mischievously.
"What like a secret keeper charm?" Harry asked and Hermione smiled. Sometimes Harry was absolutely brilliant.
"Something like that," Hermione said and then took a deep breath. She looked at her watch. Her shoulders dropped, but Harry reached for the watch face and covered it.
"You will be gorgeous. Stop worrying," Harry assured her.
"Is that what you meant when you commanded me to stop earlier?" Hermione smiled lightly.
"Yes, actually," he said and smiled back.
"Are you not nervous?" she asked him to seek validation for her feelings.
"No, not really," he confessed as he turned and looked out over Black Lake. He shuddered looking at the rippling surface.
"Why not?" she asked watching the same scene.
"Because I am going with the most intelligent witch in our year, and one of the best dancers I have seen. I am lucky I am going with my best friend," Harry smiled as he felt Hermione's hand slip into the crook of his arm and her bushy head of hair rest on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Harry," she spoke softly. He only nodded.
Hermione's thoughts were drifting to the person in the forest, the witch in the carriage, and the other witch in the supposedly in the infirmary. There were too many parts to the whole she was missing. She felt warmth slowly creeping over her. She lifted her head and looked around. At the entrance of the castle stood a blonde with glacial eyes. Her cold demeanor could have frosted the nearby steps, but her eyes didn't leave Hermione as she nodded and put her wand back in her robes. Hermione nodded her thanks then looked back to Harry suddenly drained and placed her head back down on her friend's shoulder. Sometimes Narcissa Malfoy was bloody exhausting.
Dances:
"I can't do this Luna," Hermione gushed as she stood, hair made, dress on, light make up, barely there, and heels. Hermione Granger was in heels looking in a mirror as she gulped looking at herself.
"It is only Harry, Hermione, seriously nothing to worry about," Luna said coming from her room. Hermione smiled. She was adorable.
"Who is your date for the evening?" Hermione asked.
"Why, Mr. Longbottom. It will be a grand time," Luna commented looking about and shook her head.
"Calm down Hermione," Luna placed an arm around her waist and Hermione lifted her arm to place around the girl's shoulders. They had become close since living together.
"Just try not to get attacked tonight and everything will be just fine," Luna smile and Hermione paled, but kept the smile on her face, "Let us off, I would like to see what the other champions and the staff are wearing to the formal," Luna said. It was one of the most normal things she said to Hermione.
They left their secret hideaway. That's how Hermione began to refer to their living accommodations and part of her wished they could live together like this always. It was quiet, and they were both very safe. She also noticed that Luna was thriving with her studies, friends, and with her health. Luna clutched her hand, and it was the first time that Hermione felt the very slight tremor in Luna and noticed the girl was just as nervous as she was.
Harry and Neville stood at the end of their hall waiting and the girls looked to the other. They both took a deep breath and then walked through their barrier and then walked to their prospective partners. Hermione watched as Luna and Neville walked off. They were the cutest plutonic couple she had ever met. Harry took her hand in the crook of his arm as he was taught and looked strapping and in control. So contradictory to her own inner turmoil.
"Harry," Hermione whispered as she angled her head toward him, and he tilted his head to her.
"I have to confess something," she said as she smiled around her and kept her chin as level to the ground as possible. He nodded telling her he heard her.
"I am petrified," she whispered, and he looked to her. He saw Fleur. Fleur's eyes were glued to Hermione and he veered them off to the side and he made a quirk with her head. She leaned into Draco and they walked slowly in the direction of the pair.
Once there the air was thick with heat and hate and both girls looked between the two boys. Harry stood calm, but he squeezed his arm to his ribs trapping Hermione's arm to his side. Draco looked almost as aloof as his mother. Hermione looked to Draco.
"May I borrow your date for a moment Draco? I need some advice. You know girl talk," Hermione reached for Fleur and Fleur eeped as she was yanked away from her date and shoved into an alcove with a notice me not spell. Both boys stood in front of the space watching the people.
"I know what you have done Malfoy," Harry declared. Draco looked over the masses and didn't reply.
"I will not apologize to you. I can only beg forgiveness from the person I wronged," Draco said and then turned slightly to the alcove and then looked out over the throng of partygoers. "I assume that if you know she knows?" Malfoy asked.
Harry only nodded and watched a split second where his shoulders dropped. Then rose back as if nothing happened.
"So be it," the Malfoy Heir said and then tapped lightly on the alcove.
Inside of the alcove a frantic Hermione clutched to a gorgeous Fleur. Fleur held her tightly and nuzzled into her free neck. With Hermione's updo the Veela inhaled her scent, and kissed skin lightly as Hermione wrapped herself around Fleur.
"I am petrified," Hermione whispered.
"I will be right there. Harry will be right there, and if I had to wager so will Draco. Something tells me he will work out a debt to you," Fleur said, and Hermione pulled back.
"What do you know?" Hermione asked.
"I know many things my love but know this Narcissa and Draco are not your enemy, no matter their actions. Trusting them is not wise, but not trusting them is folly. Draco will never again attack you again. Know that. But in the future please, forgive our mate," Fleur begged as she placed her forehead against Hermione's, "Gods, you are gorgeous. May I kiss you?" Fleur almost begged.
"Yes," Hermione melted when their lips connected and then they heard a tap again. They slowly pulled apart looking each other over. Hermione felt her heart pound, and Fleur felt her head swim.
"I love you, ma Lionne," Fleur said softly. Hermione lifted her hand and kissed Fleur's lips and they both exited the alcove.
"Are we alright now?" Harry asked the pair as Hermione grasped his arm and Fleur grasped Draco's.
"Let's go before I puke," Hermione said and all three cringed, "I was sort of joking," Hermione tried to diffuse, but it didn't matter they all tried to keep her from expelling her nerves.
"Champions to positions, ready to start the dance," Hermione heard Professor McGonagall's voice and she let that voice flow over her. Someone she knew, and then clutched Harry's arm tightly and then looked to Fleur's back. She took a deep breath.
It was an insurmountable amount of time and she began reciting Hogwarts A History in her mind then Harry tugged on her and led her to the dance floor. He looked at her, and her nervous eyes clashed with is equally nervous eyes. They then smiled.
The dance started. Spins, steps, and lifts took place as Hermione smiled at Harry, and only at Harry. She lost herself in his sea of green. She only needed to focus on that color as she danced, and the steps came naturally.
"Harry this is easier now. Thank you for being there for me," as Hermione smiled and relaxed in his arms. Harry only goofily grinned as he looked about and Hermione found his gaze. Fleur and Draco matched one another step for step, but it looked like a battle of pureblood will. Hermione shook her head and then turned to smile at Harry.
"If this goes the way we plan you realize you will be a sacrifice, right?" Hermione asked making sure he understood. Harry looked toward her. His soft green eyes full of brotherly love as he bent forward and kissed her cheek, and she wrapped her arms around him holding him close.
"I trust you with my life, just as you have trusted me with yours. I will take the risk for you Hermione," Harry whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and clutched him closely.
To anyone on the outside you would think Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were an item just discovered.
"May I cut in?" asked a voice Hermione hated to within an inch of her life. She looked up in to eyes she wished she never known. Harry smiled as he gave her hand to the intruder, and then took the hand of the woman left to the side.
"Granger," Draco greeted as Hermione coldly accepted his invitation.
"Draco. I only assume you are here for a reason or you would not associate with a mudblood such as myself," Hermione dragged on coldly dancing with the supposed pureblood.
"Mother is up in arms. She is lost. She is devastated," he confessed into her ear as he held her in a dip. She clutched his arm and then he stood them upright and then moved them about the floor.
"Your mother has a will of her own, a mind of her own, and a heart of her own," Hermione said and then spun then came back to Draco, "No one will make her choose one way or another on who she chooses to love," Hermione flashed a step and held Draco close, "I will never push her. Nor will Fleur," Hermione continued.
"I don't know how to deal with her," Draco whispered in her ear.
"Then don't," Hermione said as she whispered in their space.
"I think she did something impetuous, all for me," he said.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Hermione asked eyes narrowed, unfeeling and wanting to get away. Someone please save her!
"I think she took my place," Draco said, and Hermione pushed him asway. Suddenly the floor opened, and the band stopped, and she looked around. Draco stepped to her, but she backed away and she lifted a finger. She circled the boy and then she looked around once more and then dashed from the floor. She fled the event to the nearest hallway she could find.
No, No, No, No.
Hermione's mind went over and over but still she wished for the positive. She found steps to the grand stairwell and sat upon them and then put her face in her hands. She got lost in her galaxy of facts, and her universe of warring feelings.
A body sat next to her. After a long moment they helped her to her feet and placed an arm about her shoulders and escorted her to her barrier. She looked up and nodded and then the person walked through with her and stood just inside and then held her. Oh, so close, so warm and comforting.
Hermione pulled back as she felt the body against hers and looked into eyes parallel with her own. There was a broken sadness there in those eyes and Hermione almost reached out to wipe away the circles under those eyes, and to provide solace.
"You will attack me?" Hermione asked as she put an arm's length of space between them as her mind kicked into gear as she remembered Draco's confession.
The body in front of her, the woman she wished would just accept Fleur and by extension herself, looked at Hermione, turned her head, and nodded.
"When?" Hermione asked. Blue eyes never connected with her.
"I have not been attacked since Draco, unless you count this morning so you will assume his post. What are you going to do? Bend me to breaking? Have me groveling, begging for the end?" Hermione gritted and the woman before her never shifted her gaze nor her posture.
Hermione put hands on Narcissa's shoulders and shook. The woman spiked to life and slammed Hermione hard against the wall, her breath stolen from her on impact and then once more as lips found hers. Hermione softened against the embrace but there was something …. Not right. She sighed.
"You have to mean it Narcissa. Just as you felt me and Fleur together, I felt the both of you. You and I must feel something similar for a recognition to take place," Hermione took a breath and her shoulders slumped as she turned from Narcissa to look out the walkway. "I see why you brought me here. To solidify recognition," Hermione sighed then stood straight which put her in Narcissa's space, "Fine then. I recognize you as a bond mate, do with me what you will," Hermione announced coldly.
Narcissa pulled back. She knew this would be different than Fleur. Fleur was all passion, and feelings, lacking logic. Hermione was a perfect blend of both. Analytical and passionate. How in the world could she combat that? Then it hit her. You don't fight it.
"Hermione," Narcissa said and then let her shoulders fall. She stepped back and leaned against the wall of the hidden hallway.
"You are only in this corridor because you were invited. Speak truthfully or you will be kicked out on your ass," Hermione gritted. Narcissa 's shoulders dropped.
"You have such raw feelings of hate and discontent toward me," the older witch commented.
Hermione stood fast on her wall watching the crumbling witch before her. She wished to reach out but knew it was folly.
"You will hurt me, hunt me? Why?" Hermione asked and then Narcissa flinched.
"I had to take the place of my son," Narcissa confessed. Hermione closed her eyes and then looked at Narcissa with seeing, resolute eyes.
"If I were to die then I guess I would prefer it to be by your hand," Hermione said as she stood from the wall and watched the hall before her. Then an errant student passed by.
"I wish not to hurt you," Narcissa confessed adamantly but Hermione turned her head to her with a sad smile.
"But you will, and I guess it will be a true test in our game," Hermione said and took a step to the hall to go back to the dance, but she was grasped by the wrist and pulled into Narcissa. Hermione looked into open blue eyes and felt the rapid heartbeat against her hand as she reached out to steady herself. Hermione could not pull her gaze from Narcissa. Their lips so close, their eyes trapped by the other.
"Don't promise me anything if you cannot give it to me," Hermione said and Narcissa's gaze shifted.
"Would you settle for a promise of a love that can never happen?" Narcissa asked as her breath puffed on Hermione's lips.
Hermione stayed in Narcissa's space. She felt their magic fluctuate and combine and then snap apart.
"No," Hermione said as she slowly pulled from Narcissa. "I will not accept something halfway. I won't halfway give the other half of my heart to you Narcissa. I give you the rest of it. If you can't meet me or Fleur the rest of the way, I cannot accept you," Hermione said and then snap. It was as if Narcissa was slapped in her face, and Hermione clutched her chest. Far off she knew Fleur felt the same.
"Leave please, you have done enough," Hermione said and then held her hand out to Narcissa indicating the hallway before them. Narcissa looked once more to Hermione and then left. When Hermione saw the woman drift around the corner she crumpled against her wall. She wept, everything about this night ruined by a witch that wished to protect her, but damn her she couldn't give to her the only thing she wanted. She couldn't give her heart. Later it was Luna, Harry and Neville that helped her to bed. Practically comatose to the world around her.