Hey everyone
Hope everyone is having a great day. Thanks for sticking with the story. I hope you all know that this story is far from being over. So dont worry about an ending. I dont see one for a while yet.
I made Narcissa have a bitch moment to motivate Hermione... needless to say it back fired.
Sorry for the cliffhanger.
Enjoy,
Snow
Dried White Roses - Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue
Pre-Maze
Fleur and Hermione walked to an arena once. This time the challenge was late, no sunlight to hit the event. Stands were built high and overlooked the event just enough to get a feel bit not see exactly what the champions went through. The fans of each school sat in those stands and the roar of their cheers made Hermione look around. It was so loud.
"Blake," Hermione whispered, and she immediately felt a tightening about her throat. She smiled as she felt his coils. Fleur turned from the stands and blinked rapidly looking at Hermione's throat. Hermione lifted and eyebrow.
"Why is there a venomous snake around your throat?" Fleur asked.
"Can you go invisible?" Hermione asked looking at Fleur and Fleur opened her mouth to ask Hermione if she was insane and then the snake around her neck shimmered out. Fleur once more blinked rapidly.
"Would you like to share?" Fleur asked as she looked around and Hermione slipped her arm around her waist.
"I have insanely awesome friends," Hermione said with a smile then Hermione looked backward on the pretense of looking over their shoulder between them, "Give me time to explain later. He has become a wonderful friend, and speaking of wonderful friends," Hermione nodded, smiled and waved.
Luna and Harry edged to the front of the wall so they could see their champion. Hermione and Fleur turned and walked to the boy and girl.
"You look better Hermione," Hermione observed. Hermione shrugged and smiled.
"You will have to owl me when you can," said Luna as she looked about and then her eyes slammed into hers. It was encompassing, terrifying, and yet so free and loving. Hermione swallowed as she narrowed her eyes. Luna Lovegood was bloody powerful. "I care about you Hermione," then Luna looked to Fleur, "Very very much," Luna pulled back her aura and then looked around in the air as if she was tracking something. Hermione looked to Fleur. The Veela was clenching her jaw. Hermione waved to her friends and then her blood ran cold.
"Oy, I thought you were going to save me a seat to cheer on our favorite champion," Ron said to Harry as he slipped past the bodied to Harry. Harry watched Hermione's eyes narrow, her face turn pale, and then shift to red filled with rage.
"Good luck 'Mione," Ron said with a smile. Hermione clenched her jaw and turned from the group. The last thing she saw was his smile. It oozed knowing what he had done. She walked to her starting place and Fleur followed. Then heard her name called. Fleur watched her lover walk to her start point and look at the maze that loomed before them. She watched her breathe and get her wits about her once more.
"So that is her?" Gabrielle asked none to quietly in French.
"Oui," Fleur replied. She stared down her little sister and then they both laughed. Fleur walked to the wall and lifted her hands for the younger girl to take. It was the only way for the sisters to embrace. When they looked at the other it was as if a world of words passed before them and when Fleur let go, they both knew, the maze would change Fleur. Gabrielle nodded and blew her big sister a kiss. Fleur walked back to Hermione talking to… nothing.
"I know. I know what he did. Hell, he sat there as if challenging me to call him out on his deed," Hermione said and then flinched slightly, as if tapped on her chin, "I know. I will get it together. It was just a shock. Now I know. It wasn't some polyjuiced person impersonating Ron, or Ron being imperioused. It was the fucker all by himself. I guess part of me wanted it not to be him," Hermione took a sigh and Fleur watched as she looked on and watched the girl smile and move her head slightly, "Thanks, but your scales feel strange, comforting but strange. I was never a reptile girl. I guess I will change for you," Hermione said and then she chuckled. Then shut her eyes.
"Love," Fleur said softly as she slowly slipped her arms around Hermione's shoulders. She felt Hermione slip her arm about her waist and smiled, "Who were you talking to?" Fleur asked and then Hermione smiled cocked her head listening and then grinned.
"I can't tell you yet what his name is, but it was my friend," Hermione said as she tapped close to her neck. Fleur looked into Hermione's eyes.
"Are you sure he isn't dangerous?" Fleur asked and then felt a flick to her ear, and she looked around. Hermione snickered.
"'How dare you?' said my friend. My love you will find out soon who he is. I am sure he will let us know everything when the time has come," Hermione titled her head and nodded, "When this is over, he will inform me of everything," Hermione said and then Fleur nodded. Hermione then whispered, "You ok in there?" Hermione asked the arm pit of her robes. That is one reason why they kept standing like that. Hermione giggled when an imp tickled her underarms.
"One more bout of unity for the cameras?" came a voice that made Hermione clench her wand. She sighed as the champions came close and a group photo was taken. Rita Skeeter looked to Hermione and then looked to her quick quill notepad and then sighed. The quill simply looked rested, not at the ready.
"Miss Granger, for the press with your permission may I ask you a few questions?" Rita asked.
"I get to decide what is published or not," Hermione said, and Fleur and Rita looked at her like she grew a third eyeball. The woman licked her lips as if she was handed prime rib for dinner.
"I heard you have been attacked throughout the year, would you like to comment," Rita was smarter this time. She waited and left it up for Hermione.
"I have been, and I just wish to thank them," Fleur, Rita, the serpent about her neck, and the critter in her robes tensed, "If I had not been attacked, I would not have been able to make the most valued relationships I have in my life right now. Harry Potter, Luna Lovegood, and Fleur Delacour have been pillars of solace in a dark time. I think it happened when Fleur found me bleeding in the halls. We struck up a fabulous friendship. We are after all here for the betterment of international wizarding relations," Hermione nodded to the quick quill notes, "It better be verbatim…. Beetle," Hermione gritted. Rita nodded.
"You are giving me gold right now Miss Granger," Rita smirked.
"There are also rumors you have apprenticed to become a Healer… is that true?" Rita asked. Hermione narrowed her eyes. Wondering where she when with this, "I assume if you win this, or even survive this a healer with experience in the Triwizard tournament will help greatly in practical assessment in your mentorship," Rita backtracked, and Hermione nodded.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey accepted my mentorship when Professor McGonagall took me to her for what seemed like an aptitude test," Hermione chuckled, "I never knew I was to be accepted on the spot just because I had already read up on some things. She has been a patient, yet a tough master in this apprenticeship," Hermione concluded and gave Rita a look. Then Rita grabbed her quick quill pad stilling it.
"Miss Granger I have to ask this question. It has been a brought to my attention Miss Delacour and you are … more than friends," Rita said.
"Give me a moment," Hermione said and then walked away narrowing her eyes at the woman before her as she watched her with every moment.
"We cannot out Narcissa," Hermione said and earned a tickle to her arm in affirmative, "but for you and me," Hermione said to Fleur, "We can tell the world and let the chips fall where they may," Fleur tensed and smiled and then Narcissa shuddered against her side. "My friend can Narcissa talk to me?" and then all of a sudden, the snake shifted down her shirt and wrapped around her waist and chest. Hermione shuddered, and then as he came into contact with Narcissa she smiled then laughed.
"You eat me I will hex you into oblivion," Narcissa voice came into her mind.
"Hello love," Hermione said and then the thoughts stopped.
"Tell her nothing. Even though we have our plans Fleur still must face the world. France is much more forgiving, but here we need to keep a low radar," Narcissa guided.
"Because we love each other?" Hermione asked baffled. Then there was a caress to her mind.
"No, Little Love, it would be because we are in love, she is a target. She can't be a target for later, to be used," Narcissa informed and Hermione nodded then looked at Fleur.
"She said not to tell the world not because we love each other, but because you are the only one of us after this to be in the world as we heal," Hermione reach out, and sighed, "We both could never rest knowing your safety would be at risk," Hermione said hoping Fleur understood, and then Fleur caressed her cheek.
"You lead and I shall follow," Fleur said. Hermione nodded.
"Rita," Hermione said, and the woman perked up, "I am sure you know I cannot answer that question but suffice it to say Fleur Delacour has become one of my best friends and confidants. If I were to have fallen head over heels in love with Miss Delacour, how could she love a gangly muggle born such as me?" Hermione said and then nodded to the quick quill pad.
"However, much I would never think of her in such a light she has become a part of my family, especially after saving my sister. I have nothing but respect, love, and loyalty to the English girl beside me," Fleur said taking the sting out of the comment and Hermione smiled.
"Perfect," Rita said and then looked to Hermione, "Want to read what will be written?" She asked sheepishly. She never asked that. Ever since that vow she felt confined.
"No, Rita, just don't slander me, my friends, or my future lovers. Rita, I will make you an ally, not an enemy," Hermione softened her eyes and Rita looked at her, then shook her head.
"I make a lot of money off of dirt Miss Granger, I am sure you know," Rita said, and Hermione nodded, "But you are a hot item, and if I can get direct quotes from the champion herself, and possibly any other announcement," Rita looked between the two, "I would be honored."
"I will have you be my personal press liaison if it helps keep me from being slandered in your column or in and other press if you can help it," Hermione smiled, and Rita nodded.
"Give me gold like this, I call it a deal," Rita said, and Hermione smiled and watched Rita walk away.
"How in the hell did you placate that woman?" Narcissa asked astonished.
"I made her vow she never slander me, or my friends, or lovers I will take her and eviscerate her," Hermione said and closed her eyes as Narcissa chuckled against her mind. A bell rang. The trial was about to start. Fleur looked to Hermione and pressed their foreheads together. She kissed her cheeks right and left. Then parted from Hermione. Hermione stood by herself.
"Narcissa," Hermione said in her mind like she was talking to Blake.
"I am not comfortable with this trial," Hermione said as she felt her heartbeat elevate in nervous anticipation.
"I am not either, but I will be with you and Fleur. I will guide you to the other. Remember your training with me, and then if you reach the cup first…. I love you," Narcissa said and Hermione let her words slip over her. "Also… Little Witch… Blake will help you," Narcissa dropped. Hermione's eyes flew open.
"Blake is yours?" Hermione asked and then felt the snake shift about her waist, "Don't kill her Blake," She felt the snake stop.
"No little love, he is yours," Narcissa said and then there was a sigh.
"Yes well, Hermione, I planned to bond with you after all of this was done," the elf said in her mind.
"What does it take?" Hermione asked curious. She heard both Blake and Narcissa chuckle in her mind.
"Inquisitive as ever," Narcissa said lightly.
"Blood," replied the elf.
"Is that all you require? I will not make you my slave. I just know you are more adept at somethings than I am and…"
"Yes, blood, that is all. No incantations, nothing, just your blood to tie me to you. Narcissa and I went through a blood cleansing when we decided I was a better fit for you," Blake said.
"Do you want this?" Hermione asked in her own head.
"If it were any other witch or wizard, I would say no, but for you, and your respect, equality, and love, even for me, I would be honored to be your elf," Blake concluded.
"Alright, When I am revived, I would love to talk about this further with you," Hermione said and then she felt Blake smile. "Are we ready?" Hermione asked getting ready.
It didn't matter there was a pow from a wand that rang across the area. Hermione took one last look to Fleur and they both bolted into the maze.
The Maze
Hermione ran as fast as her feet could carry her and then she was at a loss 10 meters in the maze she turned around and looked to the crowed. She wasn't looking for him, but she found him. Professor Moody indicated left. She narrowed her eyes and relayed the information to Narcissa. She heard her witch sigh.
"Follow his directions. He wants you to get to the cup first," Narcissa sounded.
Then Hermione went in further. She looked around and then pulled up her shirt and a creature came out and fluttered to the ground. Narcissa shifted to human, reached around, planted a sound kiss on Hermione's lips, and then changed. She lifted her little body off the ground and looked out over head.
Hermione started going, no intersections or choices in sight. Hermione ran, or walked as fast as she could. Her adrenaline was in high gear, her wand in her hand, and her senses open. There was a snap beside and behind her as she walked and then she threw a look over her shoulder. The hedges were collapsing on each other! She would be trapped!
Hermione ran as if her life depended on it. She ran into something solid.
"Viktor, hello," she said and then noticed his milky eyes, she backed away and then cast the strongest protego she could ever manage. She lifted her wand.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Avarda…."
His wand was spirited into her hand and she then threw it over the hedge. The imperioused Viktor rushed her using his brute strength.
"Incarcerous, Petrifacts totalus!" Hermione yelled and then Viktor laid before her in a heap. There was a rustle and then she lifted her wand and fired off a warning stupefy into the hedges to the side of the figure.
"It is me 'Ermione," Fleur said and then Hermione narrowed her eyes. Fleur Knew that gaze, "I love you, I have loved you for so long, you are my mate, and you have a mysterious creature around you that we can't learn their name of," Fleur watch as Hermione looked to Fleur and Fleur sighed, "Our first breakfast together you ate something called a rice cracker. You said it wasn't poisonous," Fleur smiled.
"Kiss me," Hermione said and then held her wand on Fleur. Once their lips connected all was lost, "Good, hi love. I am sorry," as Hermione nodded to the imperioused Viktor. Fleur looked down.
"I understand," then Fleur smiled, and they moved together. They weaved through the maze and encountered Devil's Snare, closing hedges, and then knocked out a spell throwing Cedrick. The boy was casting anything anywhere. They just, yeah, knocked him out. And then they came to a long stretch. They looked to the other. Hermione sighed. Her tongue stoked the capsule.
"Narcissa?" Fleur asked of the air and down fluttered their flying squirrel. She taught herself to fly by combining a levitation spell and propulsion spell. She hated simply gliding. She wanted to defy gravity. Then Narcissa landed before them.
"My loves," Narcissa lifted her hands, and placed a palm to each cheek first looking into Fleur. Then into Hermione's.
"Fleur get the chalice after Hermione collapses," Narcissa directed, then Narcissa looked to Hermione, "Make it look good my love. Come at we will all of your fury."
"I can't," Hermione said softly as she covered Narcissa hand at her cheek. Narcissa looked at the girl and then a mask of ice covered her face.
"Then you are weak and nothing. You are a mudblood and needs to be eradicated from the face of the wizarding world," Narcissa leaned to Hermione clenched her teeth and looked in her eyes, "I could never love another of lesser blood. Thank you for being my puppet."
Narcissa popped off.
Hermione let the words fall over her. The way she looked at her. Were they true? Her eyes shimmered.
"She didn't mean it," Fleur said reaching for Hermione but Hermione shrugged her off.
"We have a cup to get, and war to hopefully embrace, please love find shelter," Hermione said. Fleur kissed her one last time.
"Don't kill her," Fleur said as she saw the anger and betrayal in Hermione's eyes. Hermione only nodded then they dashed and once there to the podium they grasped their hands and then the other reached for the goblet.
They both felt the yank and pull. They landed on the ground and rolled behind something solid. There was a sensational laugh.
Hermione and Fleur let go as they hit the ground and Hermione immediately shot to her feet as hands grabbed her and held her wrists behind her back. She squirmed and fought and then heard a gasp in pain. Hermione's eyes shot to Fleur and she was held similarly but her shoulder looked dislocated.
"Stop," hissed a voice. Hermione looked to the man before her draped in black robes. He was grey pale, bald, and inhuman. He had slits for nostrils, and his eyes were as cold as death. Fleur squirmed in the man's grasp and Hermione's eyes flew to Fleur.
"Please, Miss Granger face me. So, I can either entice you to glory, or kill you," his voice sent chills running up and down her spine.
"No," Hermione said clearly and stopped struggling. She simply stood with this man holding her hands behind her back. "You can let me go. It would be stupid to fight," Hermione said as she looked around and counted 5 death eaters. Then her eyes fell on the most feared wizard in the world. He looked at her, expressionless and then he cackled and looked around and then looked back to Hermione.
"She is as fiery as you had reported," hissed the Dark Lord behind him, a man skittered forward. A man she never met before, but she saw the oversized clothes. Hermione took a deep breath. Keep your breathing minimal, clear your head, take in your surroundings.
"Hello Professor Moody's imposter," Hermione said and then flinched as the man jetted to her his face inches from her own.
"You have caused me so much strife. You are too smart for your own good," he said and then back handed her.
"Stop, Barty, it isn't her fault her will to survive was more than your will to kill her," Voldemort said. The servant crouched and then backed away. Hermione was seeing stars and heard Fleur's voice. Pleading for Hermione.
"Beating me black in blue is some way to entice me to glory," Hermione said nonchalantly, and then this time Hermione felt a hex hit her ribs and she grunted and pitched forward, but those arms didn't let her go.
"I could always kill you, Mudblood, but for a simple girl to evade death, and capture when chased by death eaters, that is something to be deemed remarkable," Voldemort said and then nodded to the man behind her, and Hermione placed her hands on her knees trying to get air into her lungs even though it hurt like hell.
"Ah Narcissa, welcome," he said, and Hermione looked up. She saw her love, cold as an Antarctic wind.
"The tournament officials are frantic," Narcissa said.
"I would say so," Voldemort commented, and Hermione glared at the woman. Hermione stood up, then looked to Fleur. The cup was 20 feet to her right, Fleur was 10 feet to her left and Narcissa stood behind Lizard Face.
"So, entice me. Aside from not dying during this oncoming war, what could you possibly give me to follow you?" Hermione asked and then Voldemort looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Your life isn't enough?" Voldemort asked.
"Not when I would be your slave, and disposable at any moment," Hermione said and then looked to Narcissa, Fleur, then the death eaters. Why haven't they taken their wands and what the hell was she doing talking to this man the way she was? Is she insane?
"I see, you think I would throw you away when I tire of you, or you finally prove to be inconsequential?" Voldemort asked. Hermione shrugged.
"Everyone else seemed to have thrown me away," Hermione looked behind Voldemort into Narcissa's eyes, "Why not a Dark Lord hell bent on world domination?" Hermione asked. Her heart was beating like a jackhammer. What the hell was she doing having a conversation with the Dark Lord?
"You are extraordinary girl," the Dark Lord looked at her. Really looked at her.
"I'll join you, if you let her go, unscathed, and safe," Hermione said looking the wizard straight into his beady eyes.
"No, Hermione!" Fleur yelled and then Hermione looked to the young woman with a small smile.
"I am sorry love," Hermione said and then Voldemort smiled as she looked to him.
"Splendid, Narcissa take her, and wipe her memory," Voldemort said and then smile evilly to Hermione. Narcissa looked cold and controlled.
"Please heal her, for I fear I will not be able to, that is my last request," Hermione said to Voldemort. He nodded his head to Narcissa and then Narcissa walked to Fleur and then looked once more to Hermione.
"I would rather be eradicated proving I love you and could never harm you than live with your words on my heart," Hermione whispered. Narcissa slowly stooped to pick up the injured Fleur. Fleur croaked out as Narcissa grabbed Fleur and pulled her forward. Narcissa never looked at her as Fleur struggled to reach for Hermione. Narcissa cast a petrificus totalus, placed her hand around Fleur's bicep and then nodded to her Dark Lord. Hermione let go of a deep breath as she heard that pop. She felt the squirm and slither under her robes. It was subtle, and freakishly odd, but she knew what Blake was doing.
"You are phenomenally stupid Hermione," Blake said into her mind.
"Yes, well it looked like the odd were not in our favor, and our plan was flawed anyways. We could never know who would be here, and immediately grabbed upon delivery. Your job now is to make sure I make it back to the castle. Ok?" Hermione mentally projected the elf.
"I will do what I can, but I will protect you Hermione Granger," he vowed and she let her self-smile.
Hermione looked to Voldemort, and then tilted her head. Hermione chanced a glance behind her, it was Lucius Malfoy that held her before. She sighed and then looked back to Voldemort.
"Is it customary not to take prisoners wands away?" she asked. Voldemort looked at her and then she held up her hand, wand held loosely in her fingers.
"Yes well, good help and all," Voldemort said, and Hermione blinked. Was that a joke?
She cast a bombarda at the Dark Lord, elbowed the Lucius behind her, and then sprang to her right behind a headstone.
"Avarda Kadavra!"
Hermione blinked as she watched Lucius Malfoy crumple to the ground where she once stood. She tried not to panic, but the death of her lover's ex-husband made the sensation of deep seeded fear crawl up from the pit of her stomach and settle in her chest.
"Focus, and calm yourself," Blake said in her mind and his tail hit her cheek.
She looked around as she heard death eaters come at her. She poked her head out. She cast rapid fire incarnatus to the death eaters. 3 out of the 4 went down, Hermione smiled. Then she rolled to another head stone closer to the cup. She took a cutting hex to the thigh and grit her teeth. She looked once more, and the Dark Lord and his followers shot hexes at her. Then her head stone exploded behind her. Hermione inwardly smirked as this was like the snowball fight Ginny, Ron, Harry, and herself had fun with. But in that explosion, she scrambled, pain a forgotten thing as adrenaline overpowered her and she moved casting hexes as she went not caring if they landed. She looked once more. Where did one of the goons go? She heard a whistle and Hermione cursed. She sighed and looked as if she was letting her wand down, but with all her might pushed him back with wandless magic. He rolled and then crouched. She could not get her protego up fast enough.
Another cutting curse hit her, but this time it was deep, and across her gut. She lay there bleeding, panting and in massive amounts of pain as the Dark Lord hovered over her.
"I may die, but you will join me. Want to play poker in hell?" she teased, and he lifted his wand.
"Crucio," he muttered. She couldn't think, she couldn't regulate her breathing, all she wanted was the damned cup. One ditch effort she reached out but it would not come to her. She heard a snap of tiny fingers and the cup flew to her reaching hand. Just as Voldemort cast his killing curse, she landed on the pitch at the beginning of the maze with the cup in her hands. She bit into her capsule. Then her world went dark, and painless.
Dead.