Heloooo!
haha sorry. I watched Mrs Doubtfire. Totally recommended. Ok so if you stayed with me after the last... steamy chapter, I love you and am forever thankful for your support and loyalty to this insanity. We are moving along. Not much happened from trial 2 to trial 3, but we know with Hermione the world never stops...( That should totally be a James Bond movie title... let me check... nope the closest is Tomorrow Never Dies... take it away guys... take it away LOL)
Anyways...
Come on... they are all but bonded, but still some slight problems. In this chapter they seem a bit manic. First Hermione is not, but having a snake, any snake around her neck would make me run for the hills and then add on top of that what type of snake... no fucking way. My heart rate soars just writing that. Secondly, Hermione wasn't clear. So (sighs) I am not trying to create undue stress, but I did say I write angst. This time I hope it is tempered.
I hope you enjoy this little interlude,
Snow
Primrose ~ I Can't Live without You
Over time:
Since that night in Hermione's shower, in her chamber, ever since they kissed, devoured mouths, and touched flesh, Hermione felt like she was running a marathon without moving her feet. Her heart sped at the thoughts of her lovers, and she found herself distracted on more than one occasion. Harry elbowed her in History of Magic with Professor Binns droning on, and then once more he had to kick her foot in Potions when Professor Snape sneered at her and asked her a question multiple times just to prove she was distracted. Hermione took to sitting in the back of the class, in the corner, tucked away from eyes, and questions.
It happened in the middle of April. Hermione and Narcissa continued her Defense Lessons, and Narcissa had taken to inviting Fleur to them as well. Hermione smiled when Fleur walked through their door and looked around at their newest obstacle course. Hermione graduated from caves to an orchard. It was more open, but you can use the trees as shields, and see.
"How long have you and Narcissa been doing this?" Fleur asked as she looked at the newest setting. As Fleur and Hermione walked about what seemed like an endless room hand in hand.
"Remember when you found me cut up? Basically, our first really meeting?" Hermione asked, and Fleur swallowed as she tried to forget the day, she had Hermione's blood staining her hands. "She offered to teach me, apprentice me in Dark Arts after that day," Hermione looked around, "She saw something in my memories," Hermione continued with Fleur.
"Tell me please," Fleur whispered. Hermione looked off into the endless orchard.
"She saw the assaults but what I think made her want to teach me was the vision she saw. I was pinned to a wall in an alcove and this person practically threw me against a wall. Punches and knees to my gut. Then a spell ripped through my body," Hermione paused as she began walking with her arms hugging herself tightly, "Then lips and teeth," Hermione stopped as she let out a shuddering breath.
"Were you harmed, ma Lionne?" Fleur asked. Hermione shook her head. She knew what that question was asking and no, she was not touched, or taken.
"No," Hermione said and reached out for Fleur's hand, "No, but sometimes I wake from dreadful nightmares," Hermione stopped and looked away and then began walking again. She was perplexed by this magnificent room, it was never-ending. It truly was magical.
"Is that why you don't want to be physical with us?" Fleur asked.
"Oh no, it really is me and my fear, and insecurities," Hermione smiled then her smile dropped, "What happens at the end of the year, Fleur? What happens if we bond and you leave?" Hermione asked softly. Fleur looked to the ground and kicked fallen leaves.
"We would have to see each other soon. I am not sure of what would happen to the Veela with two mates, but with one, if the bond is solidified, it could harm the Veela," Fleur sighed, "In that one case I a terrified," Fleur whispered.
"If we don't solidify the bond, what will come of us?" Hermione asks. Fleur's face fell, and she took a deep breath.
"We might not feel the ache as potently, but it will still be there," Fleur whispered.
"So, it would be best not to bond at the moment?' Hermione asked with a whisper looking at Fleur. Fleur nodded.
"I don't want that," Hermione whispered, and Fleur looked up into tear filled eyes, "but no matter we are damned, but the less pain you are in the better. I would never stand for you in pain. Never, Fleur," Hermione said as she began walking back to the door. Narcissa was late, and Narcissa was needed for this conversation as well.
"I want you so bad I can taste the salt of your skin on the air as we stand here," Fleur said as she reached for Hermione.
"I want …" Hermione's head flew to the door. Narcissa slammed the door and then leaned against it. They rushed for their witch. Narcissa let them huddle around her as she closed her eyes at the feeling of warmth, she began to feel around her two lovers.
"Time is up, Little Witch," Narcissa mumbled into Hermione's ear, but Fleur heard it. Hermione pulled from Narcissa and looked into her witch's face. In Narcissa's deep blue eye Hermione got lost in her depths.
"No," Hermione breathed as she pulled back from Narcissa. Narcissa let her go but her heart broke. Narcissa felt Fleur's arms around her from behind, Fleur's chin on Narcissa's shoulder watching Hermione. Narcissa leaned back into Fleur, and then wrapped her arms over Fleur's. Hermione turned around and saw them. They both saw part of her melt at the sight of them together.
"You both standing there," Hermione shook her head and began to pace. They understood. Hermione commented all the time on when she saw them like that, in this embrace. It was as if they were posing for a photograph. Fleur often wondered if Hermione looked at them like that for long moments as if her mind was taking its own private photograph. Stored in nearly photographic memory.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Hermione asked Narcissa. She shook her head and found that when she began to speak of her meeting with Snape, they were both tongue-tied after the initial meeting.
"I can tell you that I am being used in lieu of my son," Narcissa said as she stepped out of Fleur's arms toward Hermione. Hermione sighed.
"Let me guess. Draco can live a healthy, happy life, if you kill me?" Hermione asked softly as she took Narcissa's hand. She looked at her elegant fingers, played with them and swallowed as she felt Narcissa freeze. It was close, oh so very close. Her so called master, even in her thoughts she sits out the title, didn't want her to kill her, he wanted to destroy her.
"The last challenge? Will it happen there?" Hermione asked and Narcissa stood still. Her non-movement spoke volumes, but her fingers curled around Hermione's.
"Do you know how the last challenge will be laid out?" Hermione asked and Narcissa let out a small breath. Narcissa waved her arm and the landscape shifted. Hermione looked quickly to Narcissa and Narcissa looked around at her response. It was the close she could get to telling her witches the truth. Hermione and Fleur looked around. Narcissa watched Fleur and Hermione take in the small thigh high rocks, and flat grass.
"Today, until we go into that Challenge, we will be each other's dragon," Narcissa smiled at Hermione for the past reference and Hermione smirked. "We will have no allies here. Just treat me like I am the enemy," Narcissa saw Hermione look to the side and then Narcissa reached out and with the tips of her fingers made Hermione look at her, "I am your enemy my love," Narcissa said so softly. Hermione clenched her jaw.
"This is for real now isn't it?" Hermione asked Narcissa and Narcissa drew her hand away and tucked her hands against her sides crossing her body, inadvertently holding her frame as if she was trying to hold her love back. Hermione strode to Narcissa took her lips hard and pulled back with a pop of their lips. Hermione pulled her wand and then looked to Fleur. Narcissa looked to Fleur as the woman wore a mask.
"I will love you, Ma cheri," Fleur said and then looked to Hermione. Hermione and Fleur needed no words.
All hell broke loose as shields went up, and then flashes of light streaked across the room. Hermione watched as Narcissa seemed to dance like a fairy upon water. When she battled, she became one with the air, and elements, and used every single one of them to her advantage. Narcissa's blonde hair spun around her, but it was her eyes, her gaze actually. It was empty and glazed over. Hermione took a stunner to the chest and flew off her feet onto the ground. Fleur rushed to her side, but Hermione threw out her hand and pushed her back wordless and wandlessly as she saw Narcissa zero on Fleur. Narcissa narrowly missed her and Fleur whipped her eyes back to Narcissa.
Fleur closed her eyes and did the same as Narcissa. Let her feel the magic, let the magic flow through her and around her. They unleashed war upon the other. Shields took the brunt of landed spells, but Fleur was like Narcissa as she seemed to weave in and out of the space around her. She wasn't dancing like Narcissa was. She seemed to anticipate, and then flash in and out of the space around her. Faster than Hermione thought possible. This was above her and watching the two duel made her feel in awe of their skill. Fleur growled as Narcissa bombarda-ed her shield and it burst. She pushed a spell in French toward Narcissa with all her might, just as Narcissa sent a fiery orange spell at Fleur. The ground and air around them exploded. Fleur and Narcissa had their free hands up, as if telling the spells to stop, but they channeled magic into their hands, and deflected to the spell to the side.
Both women stood their breathing elevated, but not panting. Narcissa's rumpled hair began to fall from her clasp in the back and a scratch was bleeding on her neck. Fleur looked like perfection, except for the gash on her forehead. They slowly lowered their hands, and then sheathed their wands. Hermione could not breathe. She was out of her league.
"How in the hell can I get to be that good?" Hermione asked amazed. Narcissa smiled as did Fleur and both turned and walked to her, but it was Fleur who went to a knee. She looked at Narcissa, confused.
"I sent to spells little Veela. Both of them were paralyzing. You deflected one but one slipped right under your deflection and hit your thigh," Narcissa pointed and Fleur looked down, and sure enough the area was beginning to bruise. Hermione walked to Fleur and shook her head.
"Amazing," Hermione said as she pulled her wand on Fleur and ran the diagnostic, but Hermione couldn't find anything on the read out. She looked to Narcissa standing there coolly.
"My own creation, and undetectable on readouts, and magical signatures," Narcissa said looking down as she stepped slowly to Fleur. "You will be alright, and it will wear off in about a half an hour," then she looked at Hermione.
"You have been holding back," Hermione whispered and Narcissa nodded, "Were you holding back with her?" Hermione asked as she sat next to Fleur on the ground.
"Not really, but I am rusty," Narcissa said and Fleur scoffed and scowled at her, "If we practice like this, I am sure we will get better by your third trial. Champions, I think, will have to do more real dueling. I am not sure, but I think it's a trial to see who is truly the best. For Hermione you have a spell repertoire that is growling by the day, we just need to for on your endurance and foot work. You have power and intelligence, the rest is simply elementary," Narcissa said and Hermione nodded. Then Narcissa looked at Fleur.
"You will have to fight me like your worst enemy, my little love," Narcissa said coldly. Fleur stood on her wobbly leg and glared at Narcissa.
"I refuse to try and kill you," Fleur gritted and saw Narcissa's face never faultered and Fleur's brow furrowed, "That's it isn't it?" Fleur asked and Hermione stood and looked between the two.
"You want to be punished, is that it?" Fleur asked and then her hands flew out, grasped Narcissa by her shoulders. "Narcissa! Tell Me!" Fleur squeezed her thumb into her shoulder and shook her hard, and Narcissa gasped at the motions. Fleur's hands flew from Narcissa.
"What is going on Narcissa?" Hermione asked and then Narcissa took a breath and then turned to leave. Hermione lunged out and grabbed Narcissa's bicep hard to pull her back around but the gasp and groan of pain from Hermione doing that caused Hermione to stay her hand.
"Hermione don't," Narcissa said but Hermione walked closer and stepped closer to Narcissa. Narcissa looked down into warm brown eyes.
"Trust me," Hermione whispered, and then looked to Fleur. She was right there beside them. "Close your eyes and think of a place we can all be comfortable," Hermione directed and looked Narcissa into her blue. She saw the world blur about them and settle but she only watched Narcissa.
"Trust me, please," Hermione asked as Narcissa never let go of her eyes. Hermione felt Fleur walk off and a wrestle behind her. Hermione turned quickly from Narcissa and saw a bed, three chairs, a small table and a window, with ample amount of light. Hermione saw a small stool and guided Narcissa to it. Fleur stood off to the side and then sat as her leg was killing her.
Hermione stood in front of Narcissa and their eyes met again. Narcissa had not given her permission to trust her yet, and Hermione slowly lifted her hands to Narcissa's robes, and found the clasp at her shoulder and let the robe fall. Fleur bent forward and picked it up off the ground and draped it over the bed behind them.
"I am going to unbutton your shirt," Hermione said softly and then swallowed, closed her eyes and then Hermione opened them she was focused, and looking for what was wrong. Narcissa watched as Hermione unbuttoned her shirt, and when Hermione went to brush the blouse off her shoulder Narcissa grasped her wrist.
"Do not do this," Narcissa gritted and then Hermione tilted her head and then glared at the dark witch as if she challenged her. Hermione grasped Narcissa's hand with her free hand.
"What are you hiding from us?" Fleur asked and then Narcissa flinched when Fleur went to the other side, and gently pulled the side of the blouse down the shoulder. Hermione took in a breath and pulled her wand but Narcissa stopped her.
"I can't heal it," Narcissa said, "and if you try to heal it would cause me agony. I have already tried," Narcissa whispered and Hermione turned to Fleur. Fleur looked down on Narcissa's shoulder. It was purple, and deep red and near black around the rotator cuff.
"What happened?" Fleur asked but Hermione looked into Narcissa's face. The woman would not look at them.
"Marital bliss," Narcissa cut back to her lovers, and Hermione pulled her hands away from Narcissa immediate and pulled slightly from Narcissa as if she was slapped.
"How is Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione asked as she continued to look into Narcissa's face.
"Alive, I suppose," Narcissa replied, and then Fleur pressed her palm to the shoulder and then pulled her hand back.
"Merde! What the hell is this?" Fleur gritted angry, "Et iz dark magic," Fleur whispered.
"Who would curse you?" Hermione asked. Narcissa shook her head and reached over and pulled her blouse onto her shoulder, covering the damage.
"One thing about pureblood marriages, especially one of such prominence, and importance as a union between the Houses of Black and Malfoy was the fine print," Narcissa said. Hermione reached out and helped her with the buttons on her shirt. Narcissa's hands shook too much.
"Pain of thine is pain of mine," Narcissa whispered.
"He is hurt, isn't he? And because he is hurt, you 'ave to suffer," Fleur connected the dots. Narcissa sighed and nodded.
"He will not let Lucius heal," Narcissa confessed then she looked away, around the room, at her surroundings. Her gaze stayed for a second longer on the bed, and then to the window.
"He is the original wound carrier, therefore he needs to heal," Hermione concluded, "How long has it been like this?" Hermione asked. Narcissa refused to look into Hermione's eyes.
"What happens if Lucius dies?" Fleur asked.
"I will follow," Narcissa closed her eyes as she heard her voice respond against her will.
"If you are unbound to him?" Fleur asked, and then Narcissa nodded, "It will work? You will be alright?" Fleur asked and Narcissa nodded.
"Then unbind yourself. Surely this is grounds for divorce," Fleur's voice had risen. Hermione reached out to Fleur. She nodded, and Fleur calmed. She saw the distress.
"If you unbind from Lucius you will lose Draco. Wont you? They will take him," Hermione watched as Narcissa's eyes shifted but still looked at her, "He is leverage," Hermione whispered and Narcissa closed her eyes.
Hermione took Narcissa's chin in her fingertips. She gently drew Narcissa's chin to look at her. Hermione looked in there, and for a second thought she could see her thoughts but sighed. Hermione then leaned forward, and then took Narcissa's lips with her own. It was gentle, caring and loving. Narcissa closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. Fleur came to their side and wrapped her arms around them, kissing their heads, and offering soft words of support. Hermione pulled back and then gazed into Narcissa's eyes. Hermione's eyes set into perseverance and strength. She was determined, and then Hermione leaned and took Narcissa's lips deeply, teased her bottom lips and begged for entrance. Narcissa granted her little witch what she wanted and then wrapped her hands into Hermione's hair and pulled her harder to her, but Hermione stay hovering just out of where Narcissa tied to pull her. Hermione pulled slowly out of the kiss.
"Give them what they want," Hermione whispered and then Narcissa's eyes flew open.
"Are you insane?" Narcissa whispered in an angry rasp. Fleur blinked as Hermione pulled back to let Narcissa struggle back into her robes.
"No, dear, I am not insane, but I think I have a plan. Meet me at Professor McGonagall's office," then Hermione squeezed their hands and walked to the door.
Plan:
"Blake," Hermione said and she felt his magic behind her, "I am about to ask you something you will hate, but please get on my back and be prepared to pop us out of any situation," she asked and stood still and felt a weight about her shoulders then it slithers against her neck, she tensed.
"I can change for one as if our station. I am nothing more than a garden snake, so I do not impede your movement," he supplied in her mind.
"You are in my head?" she asked as she walked Blake whipped his tail at her.
"Not is not the time Hermione, yes in your head, you watch forward, I'll watch your back, and get to where you have to go quickly and safely," he said feeling her energy.
"We are going to Professor McGonagall's office," Hermione said, and she felt a little squeeze about her neck hopefully stating that Blake understood. Hermione walked with purpose, and her wand within quick access. Hermione felt it before she saw it. Maybe it was Blake as the snake moved about her neck and seemed to coil as if to strike behind her.
"You are not a garden snake," Hermione grumbled, "What are you?" she asked as she sped quickly.
"Inland Taipan," Blake said as he settled back about her shoulders.
"The deadliest snake on the bloody planet?!" Hermione growled and Blake whipped her with his tail.
"Focus," the shadow elf reminded her, and she gritted her teeth as she sped around the corner. The idea of him on her, the deadliest snake in the world, made her feet fly against the stones. She ran right into Draco Malfoy, and the snake snapped at him, making him and his posse jump back.
"Bloody Hell!" he gasped as Hermione began to beat against the ground as fast as her feet could take her.
Finally, she was there, in front of the professor's class and saw the door open just as she and Blake sped up to her.
"Please I need to talk to you," Hermione panted as she begged. Minerva McGonagall had not been shocked in a very long time, but the sight of the snake about Hermione's neck made her eyes grow and slowly reach for her wand.
"No! Please, we need to talk," Hermie said, and Minerva nodded and gave Hermione a wide berth as she let the girl into her office. She watched as Hermione stood still as the snake unwound from around her neck and then slipped to the floor as she bent forward. She watched as the snake shifted into the house elf protecting Hermione.
"Well, I have never in my life seen that," Minerva looked at the little man, "Extraordinary," she said, and the elf nodded to her.
"I thought you were his master?" Hermione asked and Minerva shook her head and motioned for Hermione to sit.
"It getting to the time where you need to learn just about everything," the assistant headmistress looked at the elf. "But his story is not mine to tell," she said, and he nodded and jumped up in one of the chairs and sat with the two witches.
"There is A LOT of stuff we have to talk about," Hermione said calmly finally getting the feeling of Blake's snake form off her shoulders and Minerva nodded.
"Hopefully you will finally talk to me about the things that have been troubling you. I have been worried, Miss Granger," Minerva said.
"Yes, but you have to swear, close to an unbreakable vow swear you cannot tell another soul," Hermione said, and the Scottish woman stood from behind her desk and kneeled before Hermione and covered her hands.
"I will swear it on my magic, and my honor I will not confide in any other than you give explicit permission for me to do so," McGonagall watched as Hermione seemed to melt into her chair then Hermione reached out and clutched Minerva's shoulders thanking her. Hermione motioned for her to sit while Hermione stood and paced.
"Also, you can't fire anyone," Hermione said and then Minerva let her lips quirk she had a feeling she knew where this was going. Poppy had kept her abreast of the situation.
"So, I have not one but two bond mates in Fleur and," Hermione looked at her professor and then closed her eyes, "Narcissa. Narcissa had a hard time accepting us due to her families political standing and wished not to put her a mudblood, and Fleur a Veela through all that mess and ridicule. Then on top of that there is someone in this castle who keeps attacking me. We know this, but one of the attackers was Draco Malfoy. Narcissa found out and she took his place to protect him," Hermione put her hand up asking for a moment to finish, and the woman sat back but she was clearly pissed off.
"I know this, we know this, me and Fleur and we are trying everything can to let Narcissa know it will be alright. She will be fine, and we will still love her, but she is stubborn and still places herself in danger. He has this weird marriage stipulation that and I quote, 'Pain of thine is Pain of mine.' She told us what this meant as we basically had to drag the truth out of her. She is injured and we can't fix it. Fleur and I figured out that for them to let Lucius heal they need to get me," Hermione took a deep breath and continued.
"I think it is the night of the third trial. No matter what they want me dead," Hermione looked up, "That is when I told Narcissa to let them have me. I have a plan and rushed here with… my friend. Fleur and Narcissa are on the way," Hermione said as she indicated Blake. The little elf sat there, and the professor sat back and waved a hand. A tea tray at their steaming for the witches. Hermione stepped forward and conjured another cup and poured tea for Blake and gave it to him, then for her Professor, and then for herself.
"How do you propose they, 'get you?'" the professor asked and then Hermione sighed.
"This will get tricky," then Hermione looked into her professor's eyes, "and dangerous," Hermione looked at Blake, "And we will have to lie… A LOT," Hermione said.
"By all means please continue," Minerva said as she sipped her tea.
"Do you think you can get your hands on a batch of Living Death?" Hermione asked and she sighed as the tea's warmth hit the pit of her stomach.
"Hermione, that is dangerous," her professor said and then the girl looked into her professor's eyes.
"I came to you because I knew you could help me, not tell me how dangerous something is. Minerva, I am not asking as a student, a protégé, or a girl. I am asking as a woman who wishes nothing more than to survive being assassinated, and to live long wonderful years with my bond mates," Hermione said as she looked her professor down. She took in the initial look of surprise as the professor heard her address her as Minerva.
"Have you solidified the bond yet?" the professor asked something so fundamentally personal as if she was going to turn in her transfiguration essay early. Hermione blushed and looked away and put the teacup that began to shake in her hand down on the table.
"No, we haven't. I was not very good to Narcissa in the beginning, and I am not ready for the physical intimacy that it entails. I don't want to disappoint them, do something stupid," Hermione took a breath and shook her head, "If they truly loved me it wouldn't matter right?" Hermione tried to chuckle, but the professor saw through her attempt at a wall.
"No dear, it would not matter, but something tells me that," Minerva cleared her throat and blushed looking away, "You will be just fine," the professor looked back at her.
"Hermione, I am not very used to these conversations, but if there is anything you need, a shoulder to cry on, a sounding board, or even someone to talk to know I am here," Minerva punctuated her statement with another clearing of her throat and put her tea cup on the tea tray.
"What is your plan?" the witch asked as Hermione still gazed into flames.
"I plan to get the shit kicked out of me and die," Hermione said and then sighed.
"I personally don't want Fleur and Narcissa to know or I believe they will give everything away if pushed too far. I am not saying they will intentionally betray me but if they use Draco against Narcissa she will crack. He is her son, I understand that. What if they use Gabrielle against Fleur? No, just this once I think I have to rip the hearts out of my lovers, and hope they forgive me later," Hermione whispered. "But I can't do that, or THEY will kill me," Hermione smiled softly.
"It sounds like you have thought about that for a long while, but I have a few questions. Sit down," then the woman paced just as Hermione did.
"Who will find you?
"Anyone really that isn't part of the Dark Lord's cronies, oh yeah and I am targeted by Voldemort. I forgot that part," Hermione said this, and Minerva looked at her slowly.
"That was very important information," the woman gritted, and then began to pace faster, "I can get you a vial, unbreakable maybe to wear around your neck for ease of access, but I will need some assurances," the professor said looking straight at the girl.
"Shoot," Hermione said.
"I need to know where you are. I will need to know how your vitals are, and I will need to be able to get to you as soon as possible," Minerva said. Hermione thought.
"I can do that. We can come up with a charm, a bracelet, or another necklace, or a charm on the potion chain. Something simple, not to complicated. Too much magic can draw attention," Hermione said, and her professor nodded. She sat behind her desk and looked at Hermione.
"You know your situation much better than I do. I hate it, but I think this will be for the best but why do you need to do this so badly? There has to be another reason," Minerva asked.
"If it happens, if I am dead, maybe they can release Narcissa from her bond to Lucius," Hermione shifted, "Maybe she could divorce him," Hermione said softly. After everything, Hermione could not sleep with a married woman. It made her feel wrong. Her mate was hers not another's. Narcissa needed to sever that tie before Hermione would feel better about taking Narcissa to bed. Would that stop her? Hermione didn't know, but it would forever be a cloud over their triad.
"I am sure there is a bit of fine print in there for Narcissa's benefit as well, but this, it is so risky. Are you sure?" the woman asked and Hermione nodded slowly. She still spun the scenarios around in her head. She had been planning this for a long time. But now there was reason. There was banging on the door.
"The blonde healer is at the door," Blake said and looked to Hermione. She let out a sigh and then nodded she stood getting ready for the woman to rant and rave at her. Blake snapped and the door opened. In came Narcissa her perfect mask on her face, but Hermione saw it. It was her eyes, and the clenching of her jaw.
"Narcissa don't," Minerva began but Narcissa lifted her hand silencing the woman. She stared at Hermione and walked to her little witch.
"Do you know how to finish a completely thought before running out of a room? Plans, you said plans, and then ran off," Narcissa sighed and then sat down, "Fleur and I were beside ourselves."
"Yes, but I needed to come here to talk to our Profess about me dying," Hermione said off the cuff, and Minerva groaned and put her hand over eyes as she watched Narcissa turn big watery angry eyes on Hermione in shock.
"Now do you see why I needed to stay away from the both of you. It is MY life that is bleeding this horrible nightmare into your life. It is my family and their alliances that put you at risk," Narcissa yelled into the chamber unraveling. Hermione reached out for her and she threw Hermione's hands from her. Hermione stepped to her once more and this time slipped into her space as she pounded her Hermione's arms and chest as the girl pulled her to her frame.
"You will not lose me," Hermione said, then pulled back as she lifted her hands to Narcissa's face and pulled her to her, taking her lips to her, "I am here, I will be here, and you will never be able to get rid of me," Hermione said as she reassured her lover.
"You said…" Narcissa said pulling from Hermione.
"I know what I said my love, and it is true. But I refuse to die. Maybe a little more blood on my part can get you and Lucius out of the hole, at least let him heal," Hermione said as she softly stroked Narcissa's shoulder. Narcissa sighed and shook her head. "Remember I have a plan," Hermione said trying to get Narcissa to calm.
"No, I will not let you go out there let someone hurt you Hermione. No," Narcissa as she shook out of Hermione's embrace.
"You have to," Hermione said softly standing away from Narcissa.
"Bugger this shit Hermione!" Narcissa spun around and then Hermione's eyes narrowed. For once in Narcissa's life she was on the receiving end of Hermione's death dealing glare. Hermione began to stalk to her like she was prey.
"I can let myself get a cut or a bruise here or there, but if Lucius dies, you die. Essentially you are more of a masochist in this situation than I am, so don't give me that shit about protecting me," Hermione ended her sentence as she swiped at the air.
"Miss Granger..." the professor began and then there was a knock on the door. The professor sighed and looked to the elf.
"It's the Veela," then Blake looked at Hermione still sipping his tea enjoying the warmth.
"Let her in," Hermione growled and spun from her lover and then leaned against a wall. Fleur came into the room and instantly froze at the charged atmosphere. Then she sighed and then shook her head.
"You going to commit suicide?" Fleur asked plainly and Hermione looked between the two of them.
"Is that really what you think?" Hermione stood there defensively. Fleur raised her eyebrow and Narcissa glared at her, Hermione shook her head and closed her eyes, "I told you I was coming here for help. What I meant was more of me, not all healthy," Hermione looked at Narcissa and sighed, "but with you there I know I will be fine."
"I was going to ask the professor for a way to get the infirmary, a continuously active portkey to the infirmary," Hermione said as she looked over the professor. Her eyes opened wide, and then blinked.
"With the recent attacks I think it would be prudent let me make on for you. What would you like?" McGonagall asked and Narcissa walked to McGonagall and gave her a gold band, and then Fleur came from toward them and gave her a silver band she always seemed to wear, "Can it be both in case something happens?" Fleur asked. Minerva took a deep breath and looked at the three witches. She nodded. She was not about to get in the middle of Veela bonds. As she worked, she listened to the drama in her office unfold.
"That is why you came here? To get a way to the infirmary?" Narcissa asked lifting her brow.
"Among other things, yes, it is a large thing I requested," Hermione said chin high wondering if Narcissa was finished with her rage or not.
"What ozzer things?" Fleur asked.
"I was hoping to have an ally on OUR side," Hermione said and looked at both of her witches, "Not the Dark Lords side, not Dumbledore's side. Our side. Could we use her in the future as a secret place, an ally for sanctuary because this is going to be hard enough fighting on different sides of a war," Hermione heard Narcissa gasp slightly.
"Yes, I know war is coming. I was also coming here to plan a way out of this without completely dying. I know you would kill me if I left you out of it but I need to know if the good professor here could help us," Hermione looked to Narcissa and Fleur and they nodded, then Hermione turned from them and paced slowly thinking, "but I still don't understand why he wants me so badly," Hermione asked as she looked into the fire thinking.
"You are the person that has kept Harry alive for years. I would assassinate you too if it meant making him vulnerable," Minerva spoke focusing on the portkey and then she was met with silence. She looked up over her half-moon glasses.
"What? Its tactics, its war, think about it," she said and then went back to the logistics of her rings.
"Is that true?" Hermione asked as she looked to Narcissa and she nodded. Hermione smiled then laughed. The two blonds and the Scot looked at her like she was insane.
"It's not your family, your politics, and your allegiances," Hermione gained control but reached out for Narcissa, "they are mine. Because I am Harry Potter's friend, I am royally screwed," Hermione looked at Narcissa and the woman watched as the girl pulled her back and forth gently, like Narcissa was young again. She couldn't help it, she tried to be stern, but she relented when Fleur began to smile down on her too.
"I am still angry you ran out without explaining yourself completely. You have this unfounded ability to crush my heart Hermione. I wish you would please stop," Narcissa confided and then Hermione looked to Minerva who watched with the two rings on her desk.
"I will try not to do foolish things in the future without talking to you first," Hermione looked to Fleur, "That goes for you too," Hermione smiled as she saw them exhale.
"You need to solidify your bond," Minerva said watching the three of them then held her hands up as all three looked at her.
"The tension, it is there in spades. If your bond was solidified, you would know everything there would be to know about the other. You would trust each other, have faith in the other, accept each other, and hopefully not lose your heads like we did today. Even through a certain witch was not very forthcoming with details. I do not condone this as a professor, but as a woman, who mated," she nodded as they looked to her, "I can tell you that I will give you my blessing," the professor watched them. She watched all three of them settle and nod as if it meant the most important thing in the world to them.
"I think that as soon as Narcissa is unbound from her husband it would be the perfect opportunity," Minerva said and then indicated the rings. The blondes walked to the rings and picked them up tentatively.
"How are they activated?' asked Narcissa.
"Five quick spins in rapid succession. So, there is no accidental activations," Minerva watched as they turned and looked at Hermione. Hermione backed up suddenly skittish. Narcissa reached for Hermione's middle finger on her right hand.
"My way to protect you if you will not let me suffer in silence for your life," Narcissa whispered and clutched Hermione's hand.
"I feel like I am getting married," Hermione whispered as she tried to breathe.
"Call them promise rings then," Fleur said as she placed her silver band on Hermione's middle finger on her left hand. Hermione wiggled her fingers and then narrowed her eyes. They began to resize to her finger and comfort. She smiled. They looked up.
"I will get you both something very important soon. I have been working on a project, but I want to make sure it works," Hermione said smiling but wanting to reciprocate.
"You don't have to."
"Oui, it is our love for you to keep you safe."
"I have been working on this since the night of the second trial," Hermione smiled as she Hermione looked at them. There was a clearing of one's throat and then sighed then looked at Professor McGonagall.
"My loves, we have an ally, and I am honored it was her," Hermione nodded to the professor. The venerable scot was rendered speechless not from shock, but from the overwhelming amount of emotion she felt for her protégé, her student
When they turned to Leave, Hermione took Fleur's hand and looked back to Narcissa and then to Blake.
"Please get her to the infirmary without being seen," Hermione asked, and the little elf nodded and looked at Narcissa.
"I'll have your requested item soon, look for my notice," the professor threw at Hermione and then Hermione nodded, and Fleur pulled her to the halls, to the great doors, and out onto the grounds. After all of that they needed fresh air.
Narcissa stayed for a moment and looked at Minerva.
"So, you support this?" Narcissa asked coldly.
"I have to in order to keep that girl sane, and happy," Minerva said with a sigh as she leaned back in her chair. Blake still sat in his chair.
"Why?" Narcissa asked and then saw the professor sigh and look over to the flames of her fireplace.
"She is special to me," the professor supplied. Narcissa narrowed her eyes, and then stood.
"You have more secrets than Dumbledore. I have no reason to trust you," Narcissa looked into Minerva's eyes.
"But you will," the professor said challenging.
"Yes, I will, because she does, and for all of her insanity, she has not been wrong yet," Narcissa said and then sighed then looked to Blake. He held out his hand from the sitting position as if he couldn't be bothered to move, and then the professor's office was empty.
Minerva opened her desk drawer. The picture moved and the man smiled teasing the camera. Then he wrapped his arms around a boy, no more than a few weeks old. They both looked at her.
"These days are getting hard my boy," the picture smiled. There was a knock on the door and the woman was spent, and tired, all she wanted was a whisky, a bath and a bed. She took a deep breath and welcomed in the sorry soul keeping her from her pleasures.