Round One
THC
Ravenclaw, DADA
(event) robbery
(action) running
WC: 1055
Thank you my lovely betas
Reining in Justice
Leaning back on the park bench, her handbag sitting next to her, Hermione let the sun warm her cheeks. Her hands were holding a big cup of bubble tea. Nibbling on the big straw, her mouth filling with the bouncy balls. She played with them in her mouth while watching the joggers run past her. It was a lovely day, and the only thing that was missing was a good book. Didn't Lordstan just publish his new findings in the field of modern charms?
As she was sitting there, letting the soft breeze blow through her bushy hair, she paid little attention to the people in her vicinity. From the corner of her eyes, Hermione saw a young man. He was just standing there with his hands in his pockets.
Blinking, Hermione didn't notice him creeping up on her, and suddenly, he was very close, far too close for her comfort. Before she could even realize what was happening, the young man had already grabbed her purse and ran away.
Her mouth gaped open as she watched the thief run away, with her wand in her bag. She was motionless for a moment as her brain tried to comprehend what was going on. It all happened so fast. She was frozen, not quite knowing how to react. Would there be repercussions for her, for violating the statute of secrecy? How was she supposed to explain herself when she didn't even know what was going on?
Hermione jumped up and chased after the thief as soon as her limbs allowed her to move again. Her eyes were locked on the back of her target. She was no longer stuck in a loop of thinking, she was acting. Her mind went blank and her heart was racing. Survival mode kicked in and adrenaline was gushing through her veins. It had been years since she last felt that kind of excitement. But like a switch had been flicked, it was all back. Her real primal self broke free from all the chains of civility and showed their teeth.
The thief with her handbag hadn't - despite the head start- gotten too far ahead. With many people strolling through the park, he had a hard time navigating the countless dog leashes and hand holding couples that blocked his path. Hermione, meanwhile, was gaining on him, simply squeezing herself through the gaps in the crowd the thief created.
Pushing herself off the ground, she latched onto the man's back,pushing him onto the floor. He let out a loud groan as he hit the ground. There was an audible gasp from the people around them. With all her weight on him, she pressed him against the ground. Panting, she felt her heartbeat pushing blood against her eardrums.
With her breathing more even, Hermione reached out for the handle of her handbag. Just as she got it, he tore it out of her hands and pushed it out of her reach. The man was struggling underneath her and she had trouble keeping him pinned to the ground.
"Stupor," she whispered.
She felt his muscles vibrate as the shocking hex hit him. With her wand still out of her reach, her magic wasn't nearly as strong as it could be, but it was enough to surprise an unexpecting Muggle. Taking her chance while he wasn't fighting her for a moment, Hermione dragged his sweater over his face to hinder his mobility.
"Tut, tut, tut. Such violence from a lady."
Looking up, Hermione found none other than Lucius Malfoy, standing next to her. His robes were loosely draped over his arm and his long platinum blond hair cascaded over his shoulders. He was just standing there, relaxed, watching her struggle.
"Well, aren't you going to help me?" The thief thought harder against her, promoting Hermione to smash his skull onto the hard asphalt.
Mr. Malfoy tilted his head, not even attempting to pretend to not watch the scene right in front of him,"I think a capable witch like you can handle a situation like that with ease." With his eyes, he trailed down her curves until they landed on her butt. He watched her unashamed as Hermione kept struggling with the thief.
She let out a groan. Of course, that pompous pig wasn't going to help her. In frustration, she pressed the thief stronger against the ground, "What are you even doing here?"
"We live in interesting times, it is my duty to ensure that none of my associates stray from the right path. Muggle London offers ample places to have a conversation away from prying eyes."
"Of course, you're only here to bribe officials."
"Blackmail, if you would please."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "My apologies, blackmail, of course."
"The more important issue is, of course, what in Merlin's name are you drinking?" He held her cup of bubble tea in his hand. "You have the noble earl grey rolling in his grave."
Not paying too much attention to his taunts, Hermione used the distraction to finally get her handbag and with extension to that, her wand back. The thief was fighting her with all his strength and she didn't have her hands free to properly fight back.
She landed hard on her butt. The young man jumped up, wiping his bloody nose with the sleeves of his sweater. He made the run for it, however didn't make it far. Hermione pulled her wand out of her bag and pointed it at the thief. He came crashing down to the floor and Hermione slowly stood up wiping the dust off her clothes.
She discreetly tugged her wand away, back into her handbag. Satisfied with her use of magic, she watched the bewildered Muggle remain lying on the floor. Nobody messes with Hermione Granger.
Hermione stood there and smugly watched as the police arrived, before the young man had a chance to get away. His nose had started bleeding again and his face was covered with scuff marks. He was groaning in pain as the police cuffed him.
She turned her attention to the elder Malfoy, who was still there watching the spectacle. Removing her bubble tea from his hand, she looked him straight into his icy blue eyes. "You were right, I can handle it all by myself."