Chapter 28
They all waited with bated breath for what Joe was about to announce. The older Griffin looked nervous for the first time Hermione could ever recall and that stirred something in the pit of her stomach that she really was not sure about. She chanced a glance over to her very own shifter and looked on as Storm watched her father with an uncharacteristically stony appearance. He had been AWOL a lot recently and incredibly withdrawn; something that hadn't sat very well with the younger shifter. She had mentioned it every time they had spent time with her parents and Hermione was sure she was expecting something to happen, though she just couldn't put her finger on what exactly.
All eyes were firmly glued to the large bear like man in front of everyone, and he seemed to shift uncomfortably under the stares. Moving to rub the back of his neck he cleared his throat and finally it seemed as if he had steeled his resolve to get this over and done with.
"My brother is dead" He started, and straight away Hermione understood why the feeling she had gotten wasn't one she liked all together very much. His brother had been their clan leader and a very barbaric individual. He had attacked the Griffin's as soon as Joe had shifted for the first time, revealing his true nature. He had been pursuing them quietly since that day, and they had been waiting ever since for his next move. Storm had always commented on how she did not like how quiet they had gone, knowing there was something that hadn't added up the entire time. Dark eyes took in how solid Storm's jaw looked in that moment, how her eyes had taken on a sharpness she had only seen a few times before. Reaching over, she grabbed the younger woman's hand in order to give it a gentle squeeze. Anyone would think this news was brilliant, but the way she had reacted told the older witch otherwise.
"He had sustained injuries the night they attacked us, and they could not heal him adequately enough. The clan will leave Joey alone" He finished, though his eyes flicked to the younger woman's as she stared him down. Her shoulders squared as if she was ready to jump up at any point.
"Well that's brilliant? Isn't it?" Harry piped up now, looking from Hermione to Storm and back to the large shifter stood before them. He had a small smile playing at his lips now and it seemed as though relief had flooded through his system. His large paw like hands reaching to grab a butterbeer of his own in order for him to take a hefty swig from the bottle.
"Which one of you did it?" Arty asked before Hermione had the opportunity to. The question burning to get out. She had a hunch that whoever had landed the blow that had ultimately ended the shifter and leader of the clan would make a difference somehow. She also had a hunch that she already knew the answer.
Ginny was watching them all, light hazel eyes flicking between everyone in order to gauge the reaction. Lori had stayed quiet and didn't look at all surprised. Harry had gone back to tinkering with the bbq though his green eyes often flicked up to take in their situation, and Hermione's parents had taken seats beside the brunette, listening quietly to the conversation they altogether didn't really understand.
"I did" Storm spoke quietly. Just loud enough to be heard and without any of the conviction her voice normally had. She remembered the night as if it had only happened yesterday. The panic that welled within her as she watched the clan bounding towards them underneath the light of the moon. After the evening that they had spent with Harry and Ginny, the first time since the birth of their baby boy they had actually felt safe enough to leave him.
She had watched giant animals with snarling lips curled up around fangs barred and ready to take chunks out of all of them. Watched as they had been incredibly outnumbered. She hadn't got a clue who was who, but they had fought them all off. It had felt as if they were failing, as if they were losing until she had come to blows with what had felt like the largest beast she had encountered. His dark fur was already wet with blood and saliva when she tackled him off of her father struggling underneath the beast's weight. Her own fangs sinking solidly into his shoulder before the animal had even a split second to react. She had ripped her head back with all of her might. Taking a mouthful of flesh with her as she pulled away only to sink her teeth in again and again and again. She had lost count of how many times she had ripped flesh away from the beast, her head had felt like it was totally underwater and it had been the first time she had ever given into her instinct and just let the animal take over. It had been frenzied and she couldn't find it in her to stop even as the beast had gone limp. She wasn't even sure she remembered how exactly he had gotten away from her.
After that it had ended. It was so sudden it had shocked her, and she had remembered the adrenaline leaving her body leaving her completely vulnerable face first in the blood-stained grass. They had never spoke about that night again, she had tried to push it from her mind as images flooded back to her every time she had shut her eyes. It was like a horror movie, and she was the star.
She had always reasoned that she was just protecting her family, protecting her son, Hermione, her father, and mother, protecting Arty. She had done it for all the people that had protected them, had pulled them into the safety of their lives without a second thought. She had done it; she had dealt the final blow in many ways and definitions. It wasn't what she had done that bothered her, it was how. She hated the fact she had lost control entirely and even though the greater good had ultimately won the battle, it made her feel sick to her stomach.
Absently she raised her fingers to her lips as if the blood and flesh still marred her skin, as if she could still taste the slime and muscle that had come with each fatal bite. She doubted he had lasted long after that night. She was partially surprised he hadn't bled out there and then, all over the grass in their back garden.
The silence that had fallen around them felt as if it was suffocating her, she could feel it constricting around her throat as if it was physically sucking all the air from her chest. She could feel the shocked stares from those who hadn't been there that night, from those that just didn't understand. They weren't what made her feel wrong, it was her father and mother, it was Arty all looking at her with sympathy. They knew what she had done, Arty had been the one watching as she lost it and savaged the faceless beast. She had been the one to rush over and try to pull her up out of the grass once it had been over, she had tried to stop the thoughts of what she had just done from flooding her now human consciousness. Almost as if she had known what it would be like once her little sister registered what she had done.
"Storm" came Hermione's voice. Though it almost sounded like she was talking through a thick fog, like she was now miles away.
Storm just shook her head and shifted where she stood, unable to comprehend what exactly was being said. She knew this meant the Clan had a new leader, she knew there was a reason why they had been so quiet since his death. She knew there was a reason why her father had been so reserved and so unlike himself. As if there had been a weight he was shouldering completely alone. His brother's death had meant he was the nearest blood relative to take the lead, his rightful place.
She had to get out of there as quickly as possible, get away and just be quiet for a while as she considered what exactly this would mean for them all. The plan had never been to kill, merely hold off until they had figured out an amicable solution. Though they all knew there had never been, and there would never be such thing.
She took off as fast as she could, four paws beating the sand as if there was no tomorrow. Enjoying the feeling of being completely free for a moment or so as she made it to the trees that lined their land before disappearing into them. She knew Hermione would understand, she knew the brunette would never and could never be mad at her for defending their son so intensely. That part of her was terrifying, the part that would so willingly let go of her humanity as long as she could use the excuse of defence. She always had that tendency; her fists would always fly before her mouth engaged.
Finally, she came to a stop in a clearing, the grass was soft and a gap in the trees allowed the sun to shine through in a way that warmed the entire area. It warmed her skin as she shifted back and lay watching the clouds move above them. Quidditch was easy, she knew how to do that. Catch the snitch and do not get hurt. That had been her mantra since the start of the world cup. She had thrown herself so wholeheartedly into it, and it was easy. It was easy to be on a broom so high up with only two things to worry about. It was as if everything else stayed on solid ground for her to return to so reluctantly.
She knew she was incredibly lucky to have everything she had, and everyone that stuck by her throughout this mess. Part of her was absolutely ecstatic that this chapter was over, and they would never have to look over their shoulders again. She had kept her son safe, and he would never have to worry about going through what she had gone through. The clan was her fathers now, and she had no doubt that he would eradicate that barbaric rule and many others that his brother had continued. There would be many of them that would not have to worry about their children, and they would be free to choose to live the life they wanted to.
As her heart stopped hammering so heavily, she could feel the calm flood through her veins. With every heartbeat she felt herself loosen more and more. The ability to think clearly had returned to her after a while and she found she felt much better knowing exactly what had happened rather than twisting it and warping the memory into something it wasn't. She had been terrified of the revenge she had convinced herself would follow, terrified of what would happen to Hermione and Joey if anything had happened to her. It had been mentally exhausting, and it had consumed her entirely.
The lingering sun had given way to a full moon before she rose from the grass that had provided a short-term sanctuary. That had provided all she needed to sort through the mess that was her own thoughts and guilt. The night had grown cold, and she soon shifted down into her typical dog form and made her way slowly back to their home. Quietly hoping that everyone had taken their leave and it would just be Hermione waiting for her. Joe would be in bed by now, and it would give them chance to talk through everything.
The porch light was still on when their home came into view, and she took the opportunity to return to her human form. Long legs making quick work of the distance that had been left. Soon she was pulling their back door open, and stepping through into the warmth their home had always provided. It was dimly lit, and the sound of their television playing some kind of documentary filtered through to her. She knew that meant Hermione was still awake and waiting for her.
Stopping at their fridge she pulled it open and grabbed another beer having discarded the one she had earlier. Staring into the cold light for a moment before she turned to pop the top off. She wasn't really sure what she was going to say to the older woman, or how she was even going to explain why she had been so bothered by the events and learning of the finality of it all.
She was caught off guard and jumped slightly when she turned to find the brunette leaning against the counter behind her, watching her intensely. Hermione had yet to speak and Storm couldn't find the words to even start. She moved to rub the back of her neck awkwardly as she diverted her eyes to the floor. Unable to hold the older woman's stare for long. She felt like a monster now, in the presence of this warm woman. Hermione was tough, that was for sure. Storm definitely knew that was for sure. But there was tough and calculated and fighting desperately for something you believe whole heartedly in.
Then there was what Storm had done. She had mauled someone to death because she had lost control. What she had done was so far detached from human, and that is what haunted her.
"I'm sorry" She muttered, and Hermione's heart sank. Storm looked so utterly broken in that moment. As soon as it had been revealed Hermione had put all the pieces together. The dark circles under the shifter's eyes, sitting out on the porch staring intensely into the darkness every night, her paranoia about how withdrawn her father had become. She understood then it had been much, much more than Storm just stressing over everyday life. She had quietly berated herself for not noticing sooner that there had been something else.
A few steps was all it took for Hermione to close the space between them. Her heart heavy with pride as she considered what the younger woman had sacrificed for their family. She had put her humanity on the line, something she knew Storm had always grappled to hold onto. There would never be anything more important than they were to the younger woman, and Hermione had realised that this is why she had fought so hard for all those years. So she could have exactly this.
Fists balled into the shifters jersey shirt as Hermione yanked her closer, their lips meeting in a needy kiss that didn't last anywhere near as long as she would have liked. The younger woman pulling away to wrap her arms around Hermione's waist. Pulling the older witch flush against her body as she moved to run the tip of her nose against the soft flesh of Hermione's neck. Breathing in heavily as she tried desperately to calm the butterflies that had erupted within the pit of her stomach.
Hermione's fingers had gone to tug gently at the longer hairs at the back of Storm's neck. Splaying her fingers out in order to hold the shifter as close as possible.
"I love you" She spoke clearly, her voice full of conviction. "I am so proud of you always" She spoke again, moving to press a kiss to the younger woman's cold cheek.
"I love you too 'Mione" Storm muttered, pressing a tender kiss to the older woman's neck.
There would be much to contend with in the future. But at least they knew it would be much easier to cope with now that the clan wouldn't be an issue.