This is a short one, I am unloading all the work I have done for the stories I have posted. I have them saved on my phone and it is currently on the fritz and I am afraid of losing them.
SO apology in advance.
As always I own nothing HP
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Chapter TextThe temperature in the room seemed colder than anywhere else in the house. This alone was enough to alert him to an issue at hand. However if he would have had doubts they would have fled at the sight that was waiting for him when he entered the library.
It was almost as if an invisible line had been drawn down the middle of the room and them magically divided the occupants by sex. On the side by the center of the room were the men. They didn't have a chosen pose as some sat while others lounged against the shelves or paced small five foot tracks across the room. He could see the expressions on each of their faces ranging from exasperated to enraged.
On the other side of the room next to the roaring fireplace sat the contradiction. The ladies were all sitting primly on what had tobe an enlarged couch. The sight was appealing for many different reasons. Besides the obvious that none of the women, including even madame Longbottom despite her advanced age, were all conventionally attractive at the least. They were seated together in pastel robes as they alternated in hair color. Each woman held the same unaffected expression as they all but ignored the gaggle of men.
Hermione was sitting in the middle of the couch, the only movement of her body was the curls that were bouncing about her shoulder as the young Lovegood witch sat behind her and plaited small pieces of it before lacing ribbons into other sections. To her left Madam Longbottom sat with a cup of tea as she and a pink haired younger witch spoke quietly. On Hermione's otherside sat the ever regal Narcissa Malfoy who was holding the hand of her older sister Andromeda Tonks. The two witches had been all but inseparable since they were reunited at the Riddle manor. It took two days of tears and very unlady-like cursing before they realized they had both been in the wrong all these years.
Fenrir turned his head back to the men before making his decision and making his way to the couch with the ladies. Leaning down to press a kiss hello on Hermione's cheek before ruffling Luna's hair affectionately making the younger witch giggle out a greeting.
He noisily pulled up a chair near the couch and broke the silence in the room.
"So, what's going on? Why do I feel like I just chose sides in an impending dual?"
Hermione grinned at him.
"I see you chose well." She winked at him.
He scoffed playfully. "Well of course. You think I'd throw my lot in with those tossers?" He thumbed over at the men ignoring the coughed out 'Traitor' from Rodolphus.
"Nothing is wrong Fen. It just seems like our friends have some issues dealing with powerful witches." She shrugged before an answering groan came from the other side.
Fenrir looked over at the now stopped pacing Dolohov who was frowning at them.
"No. That isn't it and you know it. We just don't want you to take any unnecessary risks."
Then it was Hermione's turn to scoff.
"Oh ho, I'm sorry I didn't realize that privilege went to you alone." She held her hand up pointing between the two of them.
"POT...KETTLE." She over enunciated.
"Black!" Sirius said, pointing to himself grinning until the seated ladies turned their heated glares on him and he sat back into his seat positioning himself to hide behind Lupin.
Instead of adding to the argument Fenrir just looked to Hermione to fill him in.
"We were just talking about how we can't keep fighting this on two fronts. Where Bellatrix isn't exactly dangerous when you compare her to Dumbledore, she is an unnecessary complication." She started and he nodded along. "After Andromeda was able to come to Grimmauld despite the wards I had the idea to utilize Kreacher for our benefit for once. He is attuned to Black magical signatures. We could have him take us to her. I suggested this and instantly the lines were drawn. It seems despite the fact that Narcissa, Andromeda, Madame Longbottom and I have not only discussed this and agreed we would go, the others here don't trust us to go so and be successful. Which beyond being sexist is ignorant, as right now I am positive we could and would easily wipe the floor with them if we should feel so inclined." She huffed, crossing her arms.
Fenrir hummed with a slight nod to his head.
"Where is your father?" He asked, seeing a few missing faces.
"He is with Lucius and Thomas. They went to meet with allies in the east while Severus is at Hogwarts to meet with McGonagall." She answered him tiredly.
Fenrir went to respond but Dolohov spoke from the other side of the room over him.
"Which is another reason not to make any rash decisions. You are supposed to be practicing self preservation. It is the whole reason Potter is here, it's an attempt to quell both of your more Gryffindorish reactions. Like you know hunting down a mad woman with no plan." He huffed.
"They have a plan." Theo interrupted from his place more in the middle then firmly ensconced on the men's side. "Call the elf, use it to find Bellatrix, incapacitate her and gift her to Madam longbottom. Then Madam Longbottom hopefully turns her into a turkey or a vulture and stuffs her and makes another lovely hat out of her." He said with a bow of his head to the grinning older witch.
Hermione didn't even speak, she just raised a hand and pointed it at Theo with a smug look on her face, eyebrow raised in challenge at Dolly. The dark haired wizard turned a snarl to the younger one on the couch.
"You." he pointed at Theo. "Stay out of it. I have no idea what comments are truly yours and which you have passed back and forth silently between the two of you. Don't think I dont know you've been projecting back and forth this whole time." He glared.
'Tip your hat to him.' Theo sent to her and she giggled when they both at the exact same time tipped imaginary hats Dollys way making him growl again even as the others snickered at their actions.
"Dolly calm down. We are just getting antsy. With Mrs. Weasley being released it is only a matter of time before Dumbledore tries something else. I don't want to be so focused on him that Bellatrix is able to sneak in and catch us off guard. She has already jeopardized enough, we can't afford to let her try again."
Hermione's explanation did little to quell the nerves and temper in her wizard. It wasn't until an ethereal voice spoke up that the situation seemed to be cooled for the time.
"At any rate, arguing in this enclosed space will only draw in the red-bellied narbtoads. And trust me we do NOT want that. Unless none of you are planning on siring heirs in the future." Luna said in her normal wispish tone.
The collective of men flinched at the implications of her words. It was only Hermione that noticed the small wink Luna sent her way.
.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
She left the door to her bedroom open knowing it wouldn't be long before he followed her through. THe others had all dispersed with their own plans for dinner. The elves would be making dinner for those that were staying at Riddle manor but it wouldn't be ready for a little while, so they had all left to go freshen up in their respective rooms. The others had left through the floo heading to their own homes, leaving Hermione to be fully aware of the wizard following her at a distance.
She was standing at her dresser when she heard the door click shut and felt the wave of a locking and silencing charm sweep over the room. She looked up in the mirror and caught his eye. The dark green looking over her in a mixture of appreciation and agitation.
"Malshka, do you do it on purpose?" He asked, his voice gravelly.
She cocked a questioning brow. "Do what?" She asked the reflection of him.
"Drive me fucking crazy." He growled as he stormed up to her and grabbed her from behind.
His face buried in her neck as he squeezed her, alternating open mouthed kisses and soft bites to her neck and shoulder. She hummed leaning back against him, her own arms coming up to rest over his as she melted into the embrace.
"I don't do it on purpose Dolly I promise. It is never anything against you. There are things that just need to be done and I've always done whatever I can." She whispered.
He shook his head against her shoulder, the hot puff of air of his sigh leaving goosebumps in its wake.
"You don't have to do it alone anymore though Malyshka. There are no more covert actions and hiding. We are all here to help, let us protect you."
She turned her body and he lifted his head, looking her in the eye.
"And when do I get to protect you Dolly? Why do I have to sit by and watch you put yourself in danger?" She asked, her brow arched.
He grabbed her chin and pulled her face into his. Just a hair's breadth apart he answered.
"You are too important to me. I have almost lost you multiple times to my own stupidity. I refuse to willingly stand aside and risk you again."
He pressed his lips to hers and she responded eagerly, knowing at that moment what she had planned to do was necessary. They stayed there embraced for minutes before she pulled back, a sheepish smile on her face.
"As much as I want to continue this further I have to stop for tea first. My mouth has been dry since those biscuits after lunch." She giggled and yelped when she had turned round and Antonin had swatted at her bum.
"Fine a quick tea break and then I want you on the bed. I think I may have my dinner early." He gave her a roguish grin and wink that had her throwing her head back in laughter.
She handed him his tea cup and made her own. Watching him closely as he threw it back she let out a silent sigh of relief as she pulled him over to the bed. He sat next to her and she held his hand as she reached her free hand up to caress his cheek.
"You know I love you right? You and Thor both are the best things in my life. I would be lost without you both." She confessed in a soft whisper.
He looked at her oddly at her change of tone and the serious look on her face.
"Of course I do Malyshka. Just as I love you. Thor as well. You complete us." He said just as softly, having to raise a hand to cover a yawn at the end of his sentence.
She gave him a small smile, laying him back on the bed she perched herself over him leaning down to kiss him softly. She watched as he frowned and shook his head slightly at his suddenly heavy eyelids.
"I know, that's why I know that even though you will be very angry with me, you will forgive me anyways for doing what I have to do."
His eyes widened as he tried to raise up but couldn't as his body now felt like it was made of lead, his eyes drooping even as he tried to keep them open. A small flicker of rage was the last thing she saw before they shut tight. She kissed him again before standing and leaving the room. Lock and silencing spell still in place behind her.
She entered the front room and nodded at the occupants.
"Any issues?" Narcissa asked curiously.
She shook her head negatively.
"No, Tully put the sleeping draught in his tea cup, I only had to hand it to him. I expect I will be getting quite the tongue lashing when we return, but it had to be done. The others will understand when it's over."
Narcissa and Andromeda nodded in agreement while Madame Longbottom simply patted her cheek.
"You are a strong witch, he is a protective wizard, he will have to learn where to draw the lines."
An elbow nudged her softly in the side and she looked up in time to see Andromeda wink at her. "Plus, think of the make-up sex."
They left one after the other to Grimmauld place, quiet laughter following them.
O..o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o. .o
Kreacher was less than enthusiastic to help. It was only after Narcissa promised him she would restore Walburgas portrait to its former glory that he agreed to side along them to find Bellatrix.
Elf magic was in a league all its own, Hermione was constantly reminded how powerful the creatures could choose to be and was amazed. Kreacher was able to lock on to Bellatrix's signature in less than a minute and had them all grabbing hands as he apparated them out of the townhouse and dropped into the darkness.
The four witches looked around the dim room in confusion. None had a clue as to where they were. It was dark and very cold, and there was a distinct smell of dampness in the air. The floor beneath them was stone and they were too far away and the room too dark to see what the walls were.
"Where are we?" She asked, hoping one of the Black sisters had an idea.
There was a pause when the two turned in circles trying to recall anything about their surroundings but were unsuccessful.
"Not a clue." Andromeda answered. "I would assume a cave of some sorts, but the air smells stale. So a basement perhaps?"
The others nodded, agreeing with her assessment.
"Lets space out then some, try to get a better grasp on where we are. Keep the lights to a minimum, so we don't draw attention to ourselves before we need to." Hermione suggested.
She had thought about asking Madam Longbottom if she needed help traversing the room but decided against it when she heard the oldest member of their party take off in her chosen direction. She shook her head hoping that when she reached her age she would still be as spry and tough.
Hermione chose her direction trying to keep a count of how many steps she took so she would know how to get back to where they came. She tried running basic spells but none of them were giving her any consistent readings. Wherever they were it was warded by old magic, and would be a pain in the ass to try to break through. The odd part was that it felt familiar to her. In an odd sort of way the magic there was something she had felt before, but she didn't know where.
She walked alone for minutes when she heard her first sound. It was a soft humming sound that made her skin crawl. She reached a hand out and felt for the first time a wall, it too was made from stone. They had to be in some underground bunker or large basement of some kind. She pulled her hand away quickly as the frost on the wall had nearly frozen her hand. She stayed close to the wall and inched her way along getting closer to the sound. Sending out her patronus to silently fetch the others to head her way she took another step forward and crossed into a warded area. The first thing she noticed was the smell. It had her gagging almost instantly. A hand raised quickly to clamp her mouth and nose shut.
Trying to keep her wits about her she cast a bubble head charm. Not a minute later the three other women approached, each reacting the same way, except poor Narcissa lost her resolve and bent at the waist vomiting.
"Where on earth are we?" Augusta Longbottom cried as she cast a quick bubble head charm on her and the two others. "And why does it smell like death?"
Hermione bit her bottom lip, almost afraid to guess in case her thoughts were correct. She raised the light on her light for a brief second before replacing it back to a dim light, aghast at what the quick flicker had shown her.
"I'm afraid we are in Azkaban. The lowest level if I had to guess. It would explain the cold and damp, there's no windows, before we were here there was the tiniest hint of salt water in the air. And then of course, no one has come back since the Dementors escaped, so that smell is decaying bodies that were left behind." She said slowly in a whisper. "The plus side is I did memorize the blueprint my fourth year, the negative is that the anti apparition ward is still in effect, and of course the small matter of the dementors." She frowned. "I met with them when we treatized, but I was impersonating Mr. Pucey, there's no way to know if they recognize magical signatures or not. However we also don't know if any stayed behind. The very fact that Bellatrix is holding up here makes me think there isn't any around anymore."
"Unless of course she is used to them being so far gone in her madness." Andromeda added a tilt to her head saying she wouldn't be surprised.
Hermione let out a snort of laughter. "That's true, but without the rune stones there's nothing stopping the dementors from approaching her and feeding.."
Her words trailed off as the humming sound returned louder now. The group turned wands drawn to the noise and saw as a light approached them. When it entered the room and they were all able to see it was surprisingly only one voice that spoke up.
In the most unladylike and undignified manner that Hermione had ever witnessed, Narcissa Malfoy blurted out.
"WHAT THE FUCK?"
O.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.
The doors to the dining room opened and Thorfinn stepped inside. He had expected the room to be full to the brim with the multiple house guest staying at Riddle manor as well as his best mate and intended. However he was thrown off guard when only four men were seated at the table. Potter, Black, Lupin and the young Longbottom boy who was shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
Thinking he must have gotten the time wrong he sent a smile their way.
"Evening gentlemen." He spoke and received nods of recognition from all of them. "Where is everyone else? Did I manage to confuse the times again?"
Remus shook his head negative while Sirius spoke.
"I'm starting to think we may have all gotten them wrong. I started to get Vixen, but when I approached her room it was under a thick locking and silencing spell, and well…" He wiggled his brows as Remus reached across and whopped him on the back of the head.
"Ouch shit Moony I didn't say anything, in fact I did the gentlemanly thing and walked away when I felt the wards, I could have stayed and tried to break through them to have a look or listen." He swatted back at the older wizard and for a minute the two wizards in their thirties were slapping each other back and forth like children.
Neville's face bloomed with color as he worked out what Sirius meant and he ducked his head while Harry's face grimaced in disgust.
"Ew, Yuck, that's my sister!" He exclaimed, making the two men stop fighting and look at him.
"Its my betrothed, and there's nothing ew about her." Thor winked as he made his way to the hall. "In fact I'll go check in on her."
Sirius let out a barking laugh as Remus shook his head exasperated, the two younger wizards sporting matching blushes now.
Thor had his wand out taking down the wards on Hermione's room when he got the first feeling that something wasn't right. The wards were placed on the outside of the door, how would that have been possible if she and Antonin were inside the room together. He felt the sweat beading on his brow as he tore down another layer, the magical energy needed to disable Hermione's wards was always worse than any others.
When the door clicked open it was to an unusual silence. He moved just as quietly as he entered the room. The lights were dimmed from a drawn curtain and he could only make out a bundle on the bed under the covers. Thinking that the two had fallen asleep together he waved his wand to brighten the room and made his way over to the bed.
Sitting near the foot of the bed he almost took a tumble off the edge when only one body was revealed when he moved the comforter. He stared at the slumbering form of his best mate as his brows furrowed. Antonin was still dressed as normal, almost as if he had suddenly fallen asleep onto the bed, and Hermione was nowhere to be seen. He listened closely to see if he could pick up on the sound of her possibly in the shower but was unsuccessful. Feeling the same urge to panic in his bones he pulled his wand and pointed it at the sleeping wizard.
"Enerverate."
Deep green eyes popped open as the dark haired wizard quickly sat up in the bed, narrowly avoiding smacking foreheads with Thorfinn. His eyes had a manic look to them as they darted about the room trying to locate something or someone before turning dark in anger. His dark brows pinching and jaw tightening as he fought to free himself from the covers and climb out of bed.
"FUCK!" He growled. "That stubborn fucking witch, I cannot believe she fucking drugged me!" He stomped around the room nearly falling off balance as he tried putting his boots on as he was moving.
"What is going on? I just got here and had to break down wards to get in the room, who drugged you?" Thor rapidly fired questions his way.
Antonin scoffed. "Let me guess the house is inexplicably empty?" at Thorfinns nod he continued. "Our diabolic witch and those other horrible influences she has recently become attached to seem to have decided to go against everything the rest of us said and go after Bellatrix themselves."
Thor choked on air as his brows shot up in shock. Not being able to do anything but watch in shock as Dolohov threw open the bedroom door with such force that it put a hole in the wall. Snapping to attention he quickly followed the fuming wizard into the hall.
"Where are you going? Where is she?" He called out the question.
He watched the lights flare as the angry wizard shrugged his shoulders aggressively.
"No idea, and knowing her she's done something where we can't find her. But, that doesn't mean no one can. So I am going to kill that Nott kid, he is probably behind this."