Chapter 32
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Villa, Forest of Dean
December 1995
Thick layers of snow greeted Hermione. Two nights of constant snow had built around the Villa so it was nearly impossible to see it unless one specifically searching for it.
She heard the others arrive seconds later. She turned just as Adrian and Marcus spotted her. She smiled widely but didn't move towards them. That would involve walking through snow and witch or no witch, she wasn't going to do it. Adrian snickered, the prat, while Marcus deliberately bumped his shoulder so that he toppled over. She gave a laugh and marched forward, wand already applying certain enchantments. Xenophillius still didn't know of her identify. Yet.
Once inside of the boundary she saw the place awash in light since the wards and enchantments made it look dark from the outside looking in.
She noticed that the fireplace must have been on since it was producing puffs of smoke that disappeared within the charm that Zeph had placed on it.
Snow began falling just as she trudged up the porch. She turned to see the boys pushing each other and quickly picked up speed so that a second later, they stood in front of her. She leaned forward, her elevated position putting her in just the right height to brush some of the snow of their shoulders. For the longest of time, she stared at them. She hadn't seen them since she had returned. But it was at this moment that she realized that they had taken a large chunk of her heart and she had sorely missed them.
They must have seen the emotion in her eyes for they both drew her between them. The hug was everything and more. It wasn't until the door opened and Zeph whispered for them to come in or they would be buried in the snow if they didn't that they let go of each other. Hermione turned around just in time to see Zeph wipe a tear away.
They all spoke and ate, acting as a large family as Gabe and the others joined them. Adrian took a liking to Gabe while Zeph spoke with Heidi over the new drapes they had to pick up later in the week and presents for everybody. Hermione sat back and watched them. Xenophilius was sipping green tea by the fire and reading an old book.
They were waiting for the others. Hermione slipped out of the living room and opened the notebook, it had been glowing warmly with a pending message. She opened it and read what had to be Percy's message.
"Father is fine, the potion worked. Thank Professor Snape for me. Thank you too, Hermione. Father will not be rotating with the others until he's in better condition. They have asked me officially to join and to take his place in guarding the Prophecy. I will keep you informed of any other changes or attempts."
Hermione closed the notebook and leaned her head against the wall. She hadn't planned for Percy to be put in such a situation but she would take advantage of it.
As would he.
The sound of greetings alerted her to the fact that somebody had arrived. Hermione went back in to see that not only had Severus arrived, but he had also brought his godson. The tall boy was dressed in a sleek suit that looked out of place amongst the others that wore casual clothes. He coolly glanced around and noticed the same thing. His neck and ears flushed red.
Severus greeted Gabe and nodded politely towards Heidi. Hermione leaned against the doorway, her eyes drinking in Severus. He was wearing his Death Eater robes, his mask nowhere in sight. The door opened again.
Percy came. Lines of worry marked his face. He was immediately greeted by Zephrine, who pulled him to the side and asked him to eat.
Zeph had been mothering many of them and just like everybody else, he didn't say no.
Hermione looked away and locked eyes with Severus. He had shrugged out of his robes now and was heading her way, Malfoy following him. He brushed her side, his fingers touching hers and walked further down the hall. He spoke to her, his mind greeting hers intimately.
"Riddle asked me to take Draco for now since he wishes to have only the adults for the next few weeks in Malfoy Manor."
"That fine, he can have one of the new rooms. Zeph and Dimitry have theirs but with what you just shared, they might not be using it so we will leave their room empty. I guess Zeph will be leaving later tonight."
Severus led his grandson down the hall and disappeared around the corner towards the new quarters. Hermione turned her attention back to Percy, who was now sitting beside Gabe. It wasn't what she had expected to see but Percy didn't seem to mind.
Adrian and Marcus could be heard in the kitchen; which only left one other.
Xenophilius stood and strolled up to Hermione. It was the perfect chance to ask for Luna. So she did. Xenophilius shrugged but the nonplused look hadn't left his eyes as he answered her. "She has gone where she needs to be. She will come when she is ready. Now, I must rest and wake early to write the next piece for Friday."
She would have spoken but he raised a finger. "There is no need to hide. I might not be as gifted as my daughter but even I know when certain things aren't what they seem."
With that, he left her standing with a confused and amused face. Hermione chuckled and let the enchantments drop. She should have known.
Severus came into view as he let Xenophilius pass him. Hermione took in his change of clothes. She hadn't realized he had gone to their room and now wore his most comfortable trousers with a long sleeved cotton shirt that she had given him weeks ago. It wasn't black in color. It was closer to a deep blue that suited his figure.
Severus smirked, having heard that last bit and touched her face carefully. The slight touch meant more, said more and gave her more.
They both walked in together and took their seats. He sat with her on the couch as the others turned their attention on them. Hermione noticed the casual way that Severus reached for her hand. The boys did too and Adrian even raised an eyebrow. He must have said something because Marcus elbowed him hard.
She shook her head and pulled her legs up so that she could rub her sock covered feet. They had been aching for days.
Severus stopped her and pushed her hands aside. His large hands covered her whole foot, the warmth of them seeping into her bones. It raised several pairs of eyebrows and Zeph even beamed at him. But he ignored them. She tried to keep her breathing steady and instead focused on Percy.
He had pulled out his notebook and must have been reading a message from Amelia. He wasn't frowning so she took that as a good omen.
While he was busy, she asked about Narcissa. Zeph was in charge of her as well as the baby that was due in four months time.
Zeph smiled and began to recite the note she had sent to Hermione and more. "I have news from Narcissa. She will be having both Greengrass girls with her this upcoming week. They are all under the illusion they will eventually have to get to know each other since one of them is going to marry her son. Of course, they will need to be accompanied by the girl's mother, Corinne. She will have the excuse to enter Gringotts. Since the Goblins don't share information about what one does in there, she will be able to slip into her sister's vault."
That left Gabriel and Heidi confused. Hermione saw no point in keeping them in the dark and told them why she needed this information as well as her purpose in going to Gringotts. Percy perked up at that. He knew about almost everything but wasn't up to date with everything she had done so far. They listened closely to her. Percy had known but even he became visibly shocked at the additional news. Leaving them slightly stunned, she turned back to Zeph.
"I'll find a way to meet her. I think I know what I have to do."
Narcissa had already sent to tell her that Sirius and her alone could get into her sister's personal vault. But Sirius was being closely watched. Both by the Ministry and the Death Eaters. He would also have to explain himself to Dumbledore. The only way to do it was by Narcissa.
"Let her know, just in case she doesn't read my note, that I will be meeting her in Diagon Alley that day. I'll slip in just as the real Daphne steps aside."
Zeph searched Hermione's face as if looking for something. Like if Hermione hadn't been telling the truth. Hermione raised an eyebrow but was distracted by Percy. He cleared his throat and finally asked about Heidi and Gabe. Hermione waved that aside, there were more important things to discuss.
"What did Amelia say?"
"Dumbledore has been asked to step aside. Amelia was appointed as the questionnaire for Skinner. He stood no chance against her questions. Most viewed her in a positive light. He let slip two names. Corban Yaxley and Richard Picket. Only one has been found. Yaxley is nowhere to be found."
"All of this happened in the last forty-eight hours, correct?" Hermione inquired softly.
Percy frowned, almost like he didn't understand her tone. But she didn't elaborate and instead asked something else. "What about Moody? Is he still looking for the owner of the note?"
"He has asked Dumbledore if he could search by himself. But the thing is, Dumbledore is wary of whoever has left the note behind. He doesn't want the Order to be divided. An enemy as big as Riddle is already enough, adding another would be too much. He told Moody not to linger on it. Not that it will stop Moody if the itch is too great. Dumbledore might have said that to him as an excuse as well. He wants to know who it is." Severus answered her instead.
He cocked his head to the side and continued talking. "Riddle has Yaxley. He has been punished for his slip up. He will be kept close after he recovers. Riddle knows that it's only a matter of when he will be discovered. But people are already becoming aware. Muggleborns are disappearing in great numbers, only the ignorant believe the lies that are coming from the Ministry. It will only get worse from now on," he paused and reached for the blanket that lay over the back of the couch and spread it out onto her lap before continuing.
"Riddle has asked me to keep my attention on whatever the Ministry decides. At this point, he will be keeping important task and duties within the inner circle. That circle has now changed. Lucius Malfoy, Walden Macnair, Thorfinn Rowle, Dimitry, and I will be the only ones with any knowledge or secret tasks. Of course, there are a few who could later join. If they are leaked, he will kill whoever he has to in order to create an example of the person. Aside from all that, I have let it slip that there was a note left in the Ministry."
"He wants to know who it was from. He isn't as obsessed about it like Moody but he does wonder what else he has overlooked. He will begin his own search as well."
Hermione bent her leg under the blanket and flipped her hair out of her face. "Let them do as they wish. It's child's play at this point. They won't ever know it's me unless I wish it otherwise."
o0o
The villa was silent, the only noise she could hear was the fire crackling in the living room. She had left her bed an hour ago. Now she stood in front of the kitchen window, which she had opened to cool her face down.
Hermione stared outside, her eyes taking in the naked beauty of the night. The woods surrounding the area mirrored a white painting, the snow thick on the branches. But in truth, she wasn't actually seeing it. For an hour she had stood here, her mind wide open, wandering away from the present.
Still lost in her thoughts, she brushed aside the odd feeling surrounding her. It wasn't a good feeling but neither was a bad one. Yet, it wouldn't go away.
Percy had left as soon as they had stopped talking. Zeph had followed him out and had said a simple goodbye to Hermione. She had known that she wouldn't see her for the rest of the break unless something happened. Gabe and Heidi had left as well but not before letting her know that they were going to check on Xenophilius. The man also didn't sleep as much as he should.
The boys were called away by Dimitry, they had planned to stay with Hermione. Severus had also been called. That was also a big part of why she couldn't sleep. It was a little past three in the morning but she had known she wouldn't be able to get any more sleep. Not that it mattered.
It wasn't a noise that made her turn, it was the lack of it that did. Malfoy came in, his face showing signs of tiredness. The circles under his eyes mirrored her own, she wasn't the only one lacking sleep.
He paused in surprise and gave a wary glance around. "I came to get something to drink."
"There is fresh tea in the pot."
He hesitantly nodded and moved slowly to it. She turned back to the window, mind already straying. He became background noise. A gust of cold wind came in a few minutes later. It made her aware of the fact that she wore a thin strappy sheath that did nothing to fight off the chill. It was then that Malfoy made his presence known again.
"I want to ask you something, Granger. You don't have to answer it unless you don't want to."
She didn't look back. She only tipped her head in acknowledgment.
"When do you plan on revealing yourself?"
What? With a bit of shock, she turned now. He was staring at her curiously. She crossed her arms and leaned back against the sink. This was something nobody had asked her before.
"I don't think that is something I should plan. It will happen naturally or it won't I can't say that I care one way or another aside from the fact that if it does become known, I will be upfront with those that are currently fighting for power. That is something that I don't want. I won't deliberately do it unless I have no other choice. Does that answer your question?"
Malfoy set his cup down, the sound it emitted let her know he had finished his tea. "I see. Do you trust us? Those that know who you really are?"
Seeing no reason not to answer, she arched an eyebrow. "I trust enough. I can fix any problem should it arise but I don't think it will. Anything else?"
Whatever had prompted him to question her seem to evade him and he shook his head. But he stayed with her till the others began to wake and slipped out when Xenophilius came in for his own cup of tea.
o0o
The sound of footsteps on cobblestone echoed all around her. The sound of people talking and laughing filled the air in color. Children threw snowballs and shouted with glee when it found a target. There were students with their parents and those that had already graduated.
In all of the chaos, Hermione stood beside Narcissa as they both waved off Corinne Greengrass and Astoria. Only when both females entered Madam Malkin's shop did they look away. Hermione waited for Narcissa to take the lead. The older woman didn't question her immediately and instead made her way towards Gringotts. Narcissa spoke up after they passed a rowdy family with two young toddlers. Hermione didn't miss the slight touch to her glamoured stomach.
"Miss Smith?"
"Yes, it's me."
That was all it took to convince Narcissa. Both of them were soon inside of Gringotts. Neither spoke as they made their way to one of the available Goblins. It all went smoothly for them. Up until they passed the underground waterfall. She felt the strong enchantments unravel the polyjuice potion. She looked down and noticed the leaching of color from her hair. It was turning back to its original brown color. Shite. But she should have expected it from the Goblins.
She tucked her hair back and pulled the hood of her cloak on. When the cart came to a stop, they all got off. The Goblin paid her no mind as he led them to Bellatrix's vault. Narcissa had already warned her about the enchantments placed inside of her sister's vault. But that didn't worry her. What did was actually finding the cup.
A shudder and roar of a dragon filled the silent area they had entered. Hermione frowned. She knew why she was hearing it. There was a dragon guarding the vaults in this particular area. She remembered that part now from Narcissa's warnings.
A part of her had doubted it.
But alas, there it stood. Hunched over and bleeding from recent wounds. It quivered in rage and fear. The large and haggard dragon swung it's large horned head in their direction and would have spat fire but it reeled back an instant later. With an inward growl, the dragon thumped it's tail harshly on the rock floor. It's white glazed eyes locked onto hers with an acute sharpness that should have been near impossible for the dragon to do. Especially in its condition.
Hermione cocked her head unknowingly, her ears picking up the voice of the Goblin as he spoke. He wanted them to hold something in order to get past the dragon. Hermione frowned and ignored the item he tried to hand it to her. With a shake of her head, she declined it once more when he tried to shove it into her hand.
When he would have insisted again, she shook her head. "He won't harm either of you."
Those words reached their ears and forced both bodies beside her to still. The dragon thumped its tail in irritation and nervousness. It wasn't like she could actually communicate verbally with the enslaved dragon. But something savagely wild rose within in her to heed its silent plea. Not the human side of her.
It was and tasted of the Sphinx, its rage clear and loud as it ruffled her own feelings. Hermione closed her eyes to half-slits as the Goblin walked out in front of her, his eyes crossing back and forth between the dragon and her.
"What sorcery have you done to it, witch?"
Narcissa cleared her throat delicately. "You can ask her later when I'm not waiting, Goblin."
The Goblin sneered in a gruesome manner and held the toy out. But he didn't have to use it. The dragon wasn't concerned about them. It was still staring at Hermione. The Goblin led the way, his face still set in the same manner.
They reached a lonesome hallway with black steel bars that made way to a series of doors. Yet, the Goblin didn't turn his back completely to the dragon. Hermione wasn't concerned at all and instead stared at the hallway. The doors were few and all of them were set quite far apart from one another. When the Goblin finally walked ahead of them, he tucked the foul toy into his coat and led them straight to an old metal door that pulsed with all types of magic.
He asked for the key and Narcissa handed it carefully to him. He used his palm as well and seconds later, the door opened. Hermione waited for them to walk in before following at a slower pace. She walked into a large cave-like room that held millions of items in gold as well as other types of jewels. Many of them looked old and had dust bunnies. The gleam from such treasure was muted in the cold and dusty room.
What really stood out to her was the magic. There was so much Dark Magic. Her blood pulsed with the urge to touch them. Her scar burned anew and her veins stood out harshly beneath her cloak. But beneath it, was the familiar call of something much darker. It called from the back of the room. Where the air grew colder, the cave harsher in texture. She drew out her fake wand and turned to the other two individuals who had not been paying attention to her.
"Imperio."
The unforgivable worked like a charm and she left both of them facing away from her but in deep talk about certain changes Narcissa would like in her own vault.
Hermione ignored them soon after and put her wand away as she slowly walked past a pile of jewels on a rough piece of rock that sat in the middle of the chamber. Her eyes searched the piles of goblets and plates that littered the floor and walls. With another lazy sweep of her eyes, she saw the cup. The only reason she saw it was because in that instant her eyes filtered the dark and knew that they had started to glow in the dark like a cat. It easily helped her find it.
Narcissa was the only one holding light so she should have known her eyes would adjust by themselves. She pulled her wand back out and elongated the tip so that it became a hook. With softly whispered words and movements, she obtained the cup and now stared at it.
It was definitely a Horcrux. It sang to her with its malice song. It made her want to destroy it then and there. Fighting the compulsion to do so, she turned back and slipped the cup into her beaded bag. She planted false memories on the Goblin and Narcissa.
According to them, she had never left Narcissa's side. But she kept control of them even outside of the vault. She left them standing by the cart that would take them back and with careful steps, approached the dragon who had stayed in the same spot that she had last seen him in.
Hermione walked around him and to his back to see the large chains and manacles that held the dragon from flying. Without using her wand, she blew them to smithereens.
The dragon drew back from the blast but didn't spew fire from its mouth. Hermione didn't dare touch it for she knew that even if it didn't attack her, it would take offense at the touch from any human or goblin. But she did speak to it in a soft tone that would only carry to its ears. But the words she spoke weren't hers. They weren't even human.
Yet, the dragon understood her. Hermione didn't know how but she knew it did. It would escape when the sun was at its lowest.
It would be free.
o0o
A large Thestral greeted her when she arrived at the Villa. As well as a petite girl with a large bright blue hat that couldn't possibly fit in the doorway. What was even weirder was Malfoy holding a bucket full of raw meat. Luna was feeding the Thestral a small piece and looked up at Hermione with a sunny smile that looked out of place next to a blank-faced Malfoy. He was holding the bucket with one hand and staring hard at Hermione.
In return, Hermione smiled at both of them just as the front door opened. It was Severus, who was dressed in casual clothes. He hadn't returned when she had left earlier so she was only just seeing him. He didn't smile yet he greeted her warmly privately. When she walked inside, she noticed a lack of people. Severus noticed her look.
"The Blacks went out for some supplies and Lovegood is in his rooms writing or something. I arrived an hour after you left."
Hermione walked ahead of him and into her study. He closed the door with an idle hand and leaned against it. She looked over her shoulder and finally noticed the tight lines around his eyes. She dropped her cloak and walked back to him. With gentle fingers, she traced the lines and asked him what was wrong. He shut his eyes and leaned forward for more of her touch. That said more than any words he could have spoken. Something bad must have happened.
"Skinner is in Azkaban. Picket has been questioned by Amelia. He has mentioned Yaxley in his dealings but he also told them that he has been spying on Pius for Lucius. Riddle knows that his hold on the Ministry will slip if Lucius is taken so he was in a foul mood when he called. He wants me to stick as close as possible to Dumbledore and find out what is going to happen without delay. He also ordered for two families to be killed or taken tomorrow night."
"Who, Severus?"
"Justin Finch-Fletchley and the Cattermole family."
Hermione knew of the Hufflepuff boy. He was somebody that changed his mind fast when it came to Harry. But she didn't know who the Cattermole family was. She asked him several questions about them and soon knew what kind of people they were. Even though Reginald Cattermole was a half-blood, his wife wasn't.
She was a muggleborn like Hermione. They had three children together and the father worked for the Ministry. Severus told her that the murders would be sending messages to everybody. That even those in the Ministry and at Hogwarts would not be safe from his wrath.
She left his side and went to her desk. With quick fingers, she added the new plans to her notebook, letting the others know of it. At least the adults. But she would have to find a way to include the younger ones in.
"By the way, in the morning, there will be an uproar in Ministry. I helped a dragon escape from Gringotts."
A startled sound escaped Severus. One that she had never heard him utter before.
She looked up at him when he made no comment. He was standing there with a confused face that looked so out of place. It reminded her of the fact that he wouldn't have let out a sound like that unless they were alone. He only ever let his guard down with her. And she loved him all the more when it happened.
She smiled and told him what had happened from the moment she had arrived as well as what had happened at the end with the dragon. But he wasn't amused. No, instead he was frowning somewhat fiercely and cut the air with his hand to stop her from speaking.
Hermione didn't take offense. She knew he hadn't done it to be rude. She dropped the quill she had been holding and pulled off her beaded bag. He walked over and inspected the Hufflepuff Cup. It didn't stop him from speaking his mind about the subject before.
"So the Sphinx interfered once again. Have you not remembered what it said to you weeks ago?"
"No, but I have been trying. Running over the memory over and over again. But it always cuts off right before the Sphinx begins to speak." she said as she handled the cup with careful fingers. She sat down and stared at it. The whispers coming from it should have affected her but all they did was bother her. But she could hear them and if she had been a weak individual she would have fallen for those tempting and degrading whispers. His voice brought her back, away from her thoughts.
"When will you destroy it?"
"As soon as possible, In case something else comes up, I have to do it now. Waiting is not a choice when we are so close."
Cold fingers touched her neck and gently lifted her face so that she was staring into pitch black eyes. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. Hermione met his lips with a bit more force. She bit his lip and twisted her tongue with his, both beginning to breath faster and harsher with every touch.
They drew apart when they would have taken it further. His eyes were swirling with a desire that she knew was mirrored in her own. He traced her bottom lip, the slickness of it making the touch even more intimate.
"Let them help you recover. I have to leave in a few seconds but I will ask Dimitry or one of the boys to stop by. I'll try to come back as soon as I can."
Hermione held those words close to her heart hours later as she fixed a couple of potions and finished others that Severus had left burning. She could hear the others moving around the house as evening began to set. Luna had just left after letting her know that dinner was ready. Heidi had cooked. But Hermione would not be eating.
It would all just come back up later. After an hour of working non-stop, the potions were ready to be bottled up and stored. Though, she would be using four of them soon. When she walked out of the lab and into the living room she saw everybody except for Xenophilius. That wasn't a surprise since he tended to disappear as soon as dinner was over with and wouldn't emerge unless he needed something. Hermione became the center of attention as she stepped further in and addressed the younger ones.
"Luna, Malfoy, I will need you both to leave us alone for the rest of the night. Please don't leave your rooms."
Malfoy frowned somewhat fiercely but he wasn't one of hers yet, had no right to question her and left without a word. Luna paused on her way out, her hand holding out a bracelet that had beads and crystals on it. The colors, green and silver, blending together in a way she had never seen before.
"Wear this. It will bring you back."
Hermione took it carefully but didn't take her eyes off the girl. She wasn't one to take or believe in such things but it wouldn't hurt to wear it.
"You know a lot more then you let on, don't you?"
Luna raised an eyebrow instead of answering and began to laugh. It was a laugh that held hints of surprised enjoyment that Hermione had never heard come from the girl before.
Luna cocked her head, eyes turning suddenly serious even as the lines of laughter slowly faded from her thin face.
Those eyes told Hermione that everyone was entitled to their own secrets. Hermione understood that. She wouldn't want others to know her secret too or to pry in them. So, instead of questioning the girl further she waved her away.
Once Luna walked out of the room she turned to the others as she slid the bracelet on. She paused as a strange feeling filled her chest. It calmed her yet kept her alert. An odd combination.
And with a surprise glance at her wrist, she realized that she had slid it onto her right hand.
Shaking her head at the strange situation, she turned to Gabe and Heidi. Both had stayed silent and were now watching with open speculation. Hermione sat down on the arm of one of the larger armchairs and pulled off her beaded bag and casually reached inside to retrieve the cup. With another hand, she used her wand and set a couple of spells and charms to silence any hint of noise. Gabe raised both eyebrows at her spells.
"Why are you doing that? I'm married you know."
Whey they both looked at him in question he shook his head and chuckled. A second later, she understood what he had meant. With a quick flick of her wand, she had him toppling off the edge of the seat and he yelped. Heidi offered no help and sat back with her arms crossed.
"You deserved that, Black." Heidi idly commented. Hermione smirked and changed the subject.
"I need your help. I have to destroy this Horcrux tonight. Severus would usually help me with this but he can't be here and it's dangerous for me to do it alone. I left some potions in the lab that need to be bottled and beside them are some that are already in flask and phials. Give those to me when I wake."
"When you wake?" Heidi asked hesitantly, her eyes shining with worry that assured Hermione she was in good hands.
Gabe lost his smile and leaned forward onto his knees. "You don't need to ask. Just tells us what we need to do."
For the next few minutes, she told them of the previous times she had destroyed the Horcrux. This time in detail. They grew dark with every word that left her mouth. The same expression her parents would have worn if they had learned of it as well. It was the sort of expression that only parents could pull and one she didn't understand completely. But they didn't interrupt her and listened carefully.
"Don't be alarmed if I don't wake for a few hours. That is normal."
"That doesn't sound right. But we'll do as you say."
She took the cup out and set it on the tea table that sat to the side of her. She rolled up the sleeve of her shirt and once again used her wand to cut her arm. Her blood oozed from the wound in began forming a jagged line down to her hand. The bracelet didn't escape the taint of blood. A sudden thought filled her head. Her parents would be outraged if they knew. She shook that thought away as Gabriel came into view, his face expressionless. He kneeled down in front of her and watched the blood flow.
Heidi stood beside him, her face not as blank as his. Taking a deep breath, she reached for one of the handles of the cup, her blood-drenched fingers making it slippery. Hermione writhed and a silent scream left her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut as a dark tint of his soul reached with slimy hands across her mind.
No!
Two voices said. One was her own. The other, not. Fighting the touch of his darkness, she drew back into her mind and tried to regain control of her body. Only with difficulty did she manage to lift her eyelashes. But the rest of her body wasn't working. It was a numb feeling that was muted with pain that didn't make sense. She tried to open her mouth but it quickly began to fill with the swirling taste of iron. The metallic taste invaded her taste buds and began to choke her.
In a desperate state of mind, she tried to focus her gaze but all she saw was a blurry figure standing over her. It could only the young Riddle boy who had come calling once again. Then he spoke in a cold and collected voice she had never heard from him before.
"The cup will serve a great purpose, Smith. I can assure you that it will be kept...safe. In a minute or two, you will take your last breath. I shall leave you now before I see such a thing. It has been quite a bore entertaining you for so long. Goodbye, Hepizbeth."
Hepizbeth tried to yell for help, to shout her denial. But nothing was working. Her eyesight was beginning to dim and the sound of his footsteps suddenly vanished. Eventually, she couldn't see no more and it was in those seconds that she heard Hokey. Her old house-elf gave a shattering wail and sobs followed soon after as the elf began shouting his apologies.
"Mistress! Hokey didn't mean to! Hokey doesn't know why he poisoned his Master! I'm sorry-"
That was the last thing she heard before giving a shuddering gurgle of blood.
Hermione watched as the elf screeched once more before the vision faded. But something was wrong with her own feelings. Something was missing. Something didn't feel right. Hermione stared at her hands and realized she could see spots of blood on them. But that didn't seem to bother her. She rubbed her fingers together, smearing the blood and blending it into her skin.
"You will now understand the curse to the gift. I wish you luck, witch."
o0o
Hermione blinked and saw the ceiling of the villa. It wasn't dark. It wasn't black like her vision had been. She took several deep breaths and felt more than one pair of eyes on her.
She realized that she was laying down, her head propped on a pillow that had been tucked behind her. She trembled as she tried to sit up. A pair of masculine hands helped her up and she found herself staring into Adrian's eyes, the blue in them full of warmth that dimmed when she didn't smile at his appearance. He stepped back when she swung her legs to the side. She looked away from him and saw the others.
Gabriel had dark circles and Heidi's hair was tied in a messy bun. She didn't see Marcus. Xenophilius was standing by the fireplace, a teacup in his hands as he stared at the fire.
But she didn't see the one person who she thought she needed. She turned to look at the cup. It was now free of what had plagued it and sat in the same spot she left it at. It wasn't important anymore. She forced herself to drink the potions that Heidi had been holding. The taste didn't bother her and neither did the lack of emotion she was feeling.
It was like viewing herself from afar. She understood the complexity of it but it didn't worry her. Forcing herself to stand, she didn't look at Adrian as she headed out of the living room. Yet, she did speak to him.
"Tell Dimitry I'm fine. I will be in contact with him later. Go back."
Not one sound came from him. She walked down the hallway and into her bedroom. She took a shower and was slipping on clothes when her notebook heated with an incoming message. She flicked it open and read the short message.
It was from Remus. He had an exact location on Greyback and was asking for orders on how to deal with Macnair. Hermione wrote a quick response and began to re-pack her bag and was ready to leave two hours later.
The sun had slipped out of sight and was hidden behind clouds that had started to drop inches of snow once more. Hermione slipped out of the house without telling any of them and apparated to the house that Andromeda and Ted Tonks occupied. Remus was already waiting for her. He stood under a willow tree, his brown coat giving him the camouflage effect she knew he hadn't planned. It was a product in the making that the twins had given him to try out.
Hermione nodded curtly.
Remus smiled tiredly but eyed her with a different kind of expression she had seen on the others. Just like them, he knew not to question her and instead filled her in on the situation.
"Macnair is following Greyback and thinks he hasn't been discovered. Greyback knows and doesn't care. He plans to kill him eventually or turn him. Greyback hasn't killed anybody yet but he is planning to attack a small town up north. He plans to move tonight."
"Let's take care of Macnair first."
...o0o0o0o0o...
Thanks for reading!
Feedback is welcomed
Editing 7/10/19
Vanee