"Dying is a Delicate Moment"
A fanfic by Agara
"Kill me. Kill me if you ever loved me."
And he kills her.
Thoughts are written in Italics
Big line : New POV
"OoOoOo" : Same POV / Time lapse
CHAPTER SIX : BROTHER
Song : Brother by Matt Corby
10.11.1942
"I'm going to show you around Gracie ! You're going to love it ! Did you know this is the only wizard town in all Great Britain ?" Milton said to Hermione enthusiastically.
They were walking alongside to reach Hogsmeade. A thin layer of snow was visible. Hermione put her scarf back tightly around her neck. She reminded herself to look surprise once they arrived. She saw, on the horizon, the little town.
Once in the main street, Milton raised his arms and shouted "Tada !". She smiled. "First we going to join the lads ! They should be at the Three Broomsticks !"
Hermione sighed, exasperated.
"Come on Gracie ! Just for one drink, you won't even have to talk to him. And then I'll show you around !" Milton put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly. She nodded.
They resumed walking towards the bar. "Have you started your Divination essay yet ?" He asked. She gave him a panicked look and he laughed.
"We should probably drop the class. We're rubbish at it anyway."
"Do you think we can drop it before our OWLS ?" She asked him.
"Already surrendering Hortense ?" She heard.
She rose her head and saw Tom smirking and leaning against the wall of the Three Broomsticks, along with Thorus. The rest of the group arrived at the same time as they did.
"You should see her level Tom, there is nothing much she can do except surrendering." Milton snickered.
"Milton !" Hermione gently shoved the short boy.
"Nice to finally see you bad at something !" Thorus said, honeyed.
"Sorry I keep my Felix Felicis for my others classes." She answered coldly.
Everyone, except Hermione, winced.
"Come on Grace !" Isodor told her.
"You know what, go get you drinks I'll walk around. Somewhere he is not." She turned around and walked by herself through the shops.
10.11.1942
Isodor sighed heavily and gave Thorus a side look. The latter got a little upset.
"I know, I know !" Nott said while entering the pub.
The others followed. They all sat in their usual booth. Tom was in the middle between Dolohov and Rosier. In front of him, Thorus was brooding. None of what was happening seemed natural.
On any other day, they would have sat and started immediately talking. Milton would have cracked the same joke about wanting to drink alcohol and Isodor would have laughed at him. Lestrange and Rosier would have started arguing about their favorite Quidditch Team. Malfoy and Dolohov would have talked about politics and their families business.
But today was different. The last two weeks have been different.
If they were in a different house, everything would have been different. First, their head of house would have never allowed them to sort out the problem behind closed doors. Secondly, the aftermath would have been different.
In Hufflepuff, this would have never happened.
In Ravenclaw, they would have sat calmly around a table and talked through it.
In Gryffindor, they would have fought but at the end they would have forgiven each other.
But they were in Slytherin. And in Slytherin you don't talk about the problem, you keep your arguments in a compartment in your head to use it later, as leverage. You never forget and forgive but you act like you did. The Slytherin way is all about power.
They were all sat around a table at the Three Broomsticks. From outside this inner circle, the Slytherins seemed normal, talking to one another and laughing. But Tom knew better.
Look at you, sons of powerful men, wealthy and proud.
Look at you, the elite of England, speaking several languages, with the finer education.
Look at you, acting all grown up and yet being childish.
Look at you, giving me the opportunity to rise.
"Finally we have some boys time !" Antonin announced, cheerfully.
Thorus was awfully quiet. Isodor saw him, brooding, and talked to him : "Mate give her some time. After all, what you've told her…"
"I know, I know !" Nott cut him, coldly. "I've apologized a thousand times !"
Do not apologize Nott. You have done a wonderful job, without me suggesting it beforehand.
"Thorus, you have crossed the line. Deal with it." Malfoy intervened.
"You should try and talk to her again. Maybe she will change her mind." Tom suggested.
Thorus stood up.
"That's a terrible idea ! Give her some time! !" Milton tried to reason his friend.
"Two weeks is enough. Look at you, you have all forgotten about it right ?" Tom smirked.
He felt the boys tensed.
Thorus stood, finished his drink in one go and left the place.
10.11.1942
Hermione sat down on her usual stool, took off her coat and scarf and smiled at Aberforth. He poured her usual drink and looked at her.
"Ok sweetheart, what's wrong ?" He asked
"Nothing, everything's fine ! What could be wrong ?"
"Still not talking to Nott ?"
"And you, still not talking to your brother ?"
"Touché !"
She gave him a knowing look.
"Do you want me to beat him up ?" He smiled.
She laughed.
"Maybe it's a little violent and he is like twelve."
He was about to give her the bottle for her to pour her own drink when he turned his head towards the entrance door.
"Tell me sweetheart. Does this Nott has brown hair and looks like a lost puppy ?"
"Yes why ?" She chuckled.
"He is here. Go hide in the bathroom. I've got you."
She took the bottle and rushed in the first bathroom. She leaned on the door, closed her eyes and took a sip from the bottle. She smelled the odour of smoke. She opened her eyes and saw a tall boy, his back at her, taking a piss and smoking a cigarette.
He turned his face once, the fag still on his lips, and did not acknowledged her. He turned his face a second time, and then realized she was standing there.
Hermione was staring at his back, embarrassed. She took another sip. It seemed like he didn't care she was there. She heard him zipping up his fly. He took his glass, finished it and turned around.
He took a good look at her but still did not open his mouth. They stared at each other for a good thirty seconds. He had a light smirk on his face revealing his amusement. Hermione was flustered.
He was smoking, she was drinking.
He got close to her, nicked the bottle from her hand and poured himself a drink. He turned around and leaned on one of the sink, located on the left.
"So, who are we hiding from ?" He asked and showed her the sink opposed to his with his head.
She nodded, and before accepting his proposition to sit in front of him, got her bottle back.
"A prick. " She answered, detached.
He took the last drag, dropped the cigarette on the ground and stomped on it. "You should be even less precise."
Nice of you to think about Aberforth.
She snorted.
"Just tell me if you're hiding from Aberforth because you stole a bottle."
"Why would I do that ?"
"So I can sit more comfortably and witness him kicking your ass."
She smiled and took a mouthful of firewhiskey.
"Should you even be drinking ? You're like, what...twelve ?" He continued.
She laughed out loud remembering Aberforth saying the exact same words a few minutes ago. She stared him, defying look in her eyes, and choked a huge sip.
From the way he acted, he quite reminded her of a young Sirius Black. His entire look seemed perfectly messy, from his disheveled hair to his light scruff on his face. His eyes were as dark as his hair and had this glint of mischief, the same she saw disappear in Fred's eyes months prior. Her heart clenched a little at the thought. She took another sip.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be ?" She asked.
"Already trying to get rid of me ? You're wounding me kiddo." He responded carefree, grinning.
An easy silence settled.
"Actually, I'm only here for the free booze." He said while taking the bottle, once again.
"It's not free." She snapped, taking it back.
"Well, you're not of age to drink it." He nicked it again.
"Neither are you !" She looted it back.
Someone knocked on the door. Hermione held her breath. He and her shared a look and didn't move.
"Grace ?" They heard.
Did he really follow you there ? He is unbelievable, he just can't take a hint.
She recognised that voice and closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them back she saw him still staring at her, wondering what he could do. She realised she still had the bottle in her hand, she quickly gave it to the boy standing in front of her. He looked at it, as panicked as she was, he gave it back to her.
"You keep it !" He mouthed.
"No you ! You wanted it."
It went one for a couple of more seconds.
"I'm coming in !" The voice said.
Hermione took the bottle, and gave him a sign to let him understand that the person at the door should not come in. He nodded.
"No don't come in ! I'm not feeling well mate."
"Pollux ?"
Pollux ? It rings a bell.
"Thorus ?" Pollux asked.
"I'm looking for Grace, have you seen her ?"
Pollux turned around and looked at Hermione.
"What do I do ?" He mouthed.
"I'm not here !" She mouthed back.
"Grace Hortense ? Haven't seen her !" Pollux said to Thorus.
"Ok, see you around mate."
Pollux and Hermione heard the Slytherin go away.
"So, the prick we're hiding from is Thorus Nott." He concluded.
"Yep." She said. "Thank you." She continued sincerely.
He handed over his right hand and presented himself. "Pollux Parkinson, at your service damsel in distress."
She took his glass, filled it with the alcohol and smiled.
"I'm the one with the bottle, I'm your life saviour here." She told him while giving him back the drink.
They looked at each other, a small smile on their faces, rose their glasses. "Bottom's up."
OoOoO
He laughed so hard he almost spilled his entire drink on the floor. He reached for his cigarettes in his jacket, lighted one then replied to what Hermione had just said.
"You're so full of bullshit kiddo !"
She leaned more comfortably and defied him with her smile.
"It was not that hard you know."
"Well if it's not that hard, as you say, how come you ended up being a cat. I was going to ask you for your help. We have to brew polyjuice potion in sixth year. But I am really reconsidering it. "
"Oh ! You really don't believe I can brew a perfect one ? Let's do it right now then !" She laughed.
She tried to rise up from her seat, but the alcohol in her system made her lose her balance.
Hermione steadied herself with the sink.
"It takes a month kiddo !"
"Another reason to start now isn't it ? First step, we need a cauldron !" She replied.
Pollux was staring at her, in high spirits. Hermione opened her little purse.
"Where did I put it ?" She continued.
"You're fucking kidding me. You're looking for a cauldron in that bag ?" Pollux mocked her.
"How dare you mock my precious bag ? This bag is more valuable than your entire life Pollux !" She smiled.
"Valuable ? Well that's not really complicated. But is it as pretty as me ? I do not think so madam."
She laughed hard. "You are putting yourself in a competition with a purse, do you have no self confidence Pollux ?"
She kept seeking for the cauldron in her bag but only came across other objects.
"Fuck ! Oh there's a broom in there ?" She spoke up to herself, surprised.
"A broom ? Show me your bag !"
"What ? No !" She protested.
Pollux looked at her, perplex.
"Grace, I know you like taking the piss out of me, but if you do so, be reasonable. Look at the size of your bag, it's impossible you have a broom in this."
"Merely impossible ! Have you heard of an undetectable extension charm ?" She answered proud.
At this moment she was not playing the Grace Hortense act. She was herself, Hermione. She liked talking to him, it felt as it was natural and that she was her old self.
It feels good doesn't it ? It's the first time in months you've lost track of time.
Pollux looked at his watch. "Well kiddo, we should probably get out of here. I know I told Nott I was not feeling well but I wouldn't want people to start imagining disgusting things."
He stood up and helped her rise. She first left the bathroom and got to the bar.
"Grace ?" She heard Aberforth say. "You were in there ? It's been an hour, I thought you've left."
She smiled, put the empty bottle on the counter and gave him money.
"That's too much just for the bottle sweetheart." The bartender told her.
"Pollux's drinks are on me. And keep the change Abe."
The exchanged a last smile then she left the bar.
Outside a freezing wind was blowing, but Hermione did not feel it. The alcohol made her feel warm and bold. She started walking in the streets.
Let's fucking find Riddle now.
She saw him with the lads looking at brooms. Hermione got closer to them, confident. She arrived at their level.
"Well !" She said.
They all turned around.
"No way !" Edgard laughed.
"Merlin, you go Grace !" Isodor outbidded.
"Is she … ?" Abraxas started.
"Drunk." Tom declared.
Hermione stood straight and looked at them incredulous.
"I'm not drunk ! I'm just…" She started.
"Drunk. Definitely drunk." She heard a voice behind her.
She turned around and saw Pollux, standing there.
"Shut up." She laughed.
"This is not appropriate language for a twelve year-old, kiddo. Isn't it past your bedtime too ?"
She shoved him lightly. "Is it how you talk to the girl who paid for your drinks all day ?"
She saw in the corner of her eye Thorus looking at Pollux coldly.
"You thought my company was free ?" Pollux smiled.
She snorted loudly. "I guess that's how you became rich."
Pollux's friends gave him a sign for him to tag along.
"I'll see you tonight right ?" He smiled.
He didn't gave her the time to ask about what was supposed to happen tonight that he was already gone. A silence settled between the lads and her.
"You're friends with Cassandre's brother ?" Milton asked.
Oh ! That's why his name rang a bell !
"You didn't know him before ?" Edmund asked.
Wait.. Did you just say that at loud ?
"No, I've just met him." Hermione answered.
"In the bathroom right ?" Thorus commented bitterly.
Tom smirked.
"How come you were served alcohol ?" Milton inquired.
"I don't reveal my secrets that easily Milton." She replied, giving a small look at Tom. "Can someone tell me was is suppose to happen tonight ?"
"Haven't you heard ?" Isodor putting his arm around her shoulder. "It's only Slytherin"s biggest party of the year."
The two of them started walking back to the castle.
The walk from Hogsmeade to the castle had hepler her sober up. Inebriation had been replaced by sleepiness.
10.11.1942
Tom had given the lads a meeting at 8:15PM, in a old classroom on the fifth floor. As he walked down the hall, he made sure no paintings were in the hallway. He could not risk them telling other person about those meetings.
Tom was avoiding them whereas Grace was interest in them. He had seen her, looking at paintings as she was analysing them.
He arrived in the room. The seven boys were waiting for him.
They were all sat around a circular table. The chimney behind them was about to put out. The atmosphere was perfect according to Tom. They were all staring at him, waiting for him to talk, to move, to do anything. He liked the power he had over his "friends". He liked the way they looked up to him. So he cleared his voice and started talking.
"Good evening lads. Thank you for coming tonight. I suppose you are all wondering why I called you here..."
Tom looked at them, the seven pair of eyes were focused on him, waiting for him to finish his sentence.
"... So let me start first by saying that I do not have much time for speaking and that secondly today is a time for speech rather than action. But do not worry lads, this time will come.
We are all aware that the wizarding world is changing. Maybe us more than anyone else. All of your families work towards the same goal even if maybe not together. We have too, a responsibility. A role to play to make our wizarding world brighter.
Newspapers had announced Spencer-Moon's departure, if we may say. Newspapers had announced all of your families interest in taking his place. But the newspaper had praised your common competitor.
Yes, thousands of wizards and witches are, at this very moment, reading the article about the magnificent Wilhelmina Tuft. And where are your parents in all of that ?
Where does this "free press", as they call themselves, come from ? They come from their owner. Every newspaper has a master, and it only answers to him. This press, which is absolutely submissive, molds the public opinion. And it is our duty to give the public opinion its freedom back.
If the real, and only suitable candidates cannot succeed all by themselves, isn't your responsibility, as heirs, to help them achieve their goals ?
So thank you for coming tonight lads. Let's build a brighter future together."
They were all mesmerized by his speech. Hanging on every words Tom had just said. Analyzing each sentence.
Hook. Line. And sinker.
10.11.1942
Isodor had left her at the entry of Hogwarts, claiming he had to grab something by the kitchens.
She entered the common room. The Slytherin's colours were proudly display throughout the tapestry, the couch, the rags. The entire room was well lit thanks to the huge chimney and dozens of candles, suspended in the air. At the back of the room, a wizarding radio was broadcasting music. Foods and drinks were spread on a large table. People were chatting; laughing, and for the braver one, dancing in the middle of the room. Hermione didn't quite understood right away what was happening. Then she saw a banner : "Happy Birthday !"
She walked among the students and looked around her. She had never thought she would one day find the Slytherin common room welcoming. But, in this particular context, it seemed like she belonged there. She took a bite from a cake and poured a self a drink.
"Pax would have love this party. He was good friend with Cole" Belone spoke.
He was just expelled, not dead. Stop being dramatic Belone.
"I still don't understand why he did it." Hermione lied.
Macnair shrugged.
"I like parties. It changes. People seem to have fun don't you think ? " Galbanda Greengrass entered the conversation. "Especially at Woodcroft's ones. There is always something happening during those."
"Last year Cassandre and Walburga got together for instance." Belone explained.
"Woodcroft ?"
"Cole Woodcroft. He is over there." Belone pointed to a tall blond man on the other side of the table talking to his friends. "Sixth year. It's his birthday."
Cassandre interrupted their conversation. He stood in the middle, grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey, poured a drink and grinned at them. "Evening Ladies."
He drank one sip, turned to face Belone. "Have you seen Walburga ?"
The girl was slightly uneasy. "She is supposed to be here somewhere."
"Has she talked to you about me ?"
"Not to me at least. You should as Rosier. He just arrived." She pointed to the fit boy with broad shoulders. His light brown hair was perfectly styled.
Hermione turned her head towards the entrance of the common room and saw the eight boys stepping in. She frowned.
Has it already started ?
Thorus headed directly towards her. He had spotted her from the moment he set foot in the room.
Oh no. Not again.
"We need to talk." He told her, determined.
"Not now." Hermione answered, annoyed.
"When then?"
"When I'll want to."
Hermione saw something in his eyes. The guilt she had seen for the last couples of weeks had transformed into frustration.
"You're not the only one who has a say in this" He said, bitterly.
She scoffed.
"But I'm the only who should."
As she left, his jaw tensed, his fists clenched so he took the nearest bottle of alcohol.
Hermione was talking to Isodor, a glass of firewhiskey in her left hand, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head and saw Pollux, grinning.
"Easy kiddo. That's some strong stuff." He took her glass and replaced it by a bottle of butterbeer. "Here, that's better."
Isodor chuckled. "How do you know each other anyway ?"
"She just wanted to check my, hum... how to say it..." Pollux replied.
"There was really nothing to check out actually." Hermione snickered.
Isodor began laughing.
"Burn !" Cole Woodcroft said as he passed by.
Pollux turned around and tried to whack his friend's head but missed. Cole, who witnessed the move, flipped him off. The birthday boy put a arm around Pollux's neck.
"So who, in this room, has not seen your "business" ?" Woodcroft teased.
"And me who thought I was the only one." Hermione intervened, faking sadness. "Happy birthday by the way."
"One year older, yet not smarter." Pollux mocked.
The latter got shoved in the ribs. A boy, older than Isodor, approached Pollux and whispered in his ear. "Mate, your brother is getting fucked up."
As soon as he heard the words, Pollux exhaled loudly and slightly turned his head and looked for someone in the assembly. Hermione tried to follow his gaze, but the room was too crowded to see who he was looking for. She saw his jaw get tensed, and the frown of his eyebrows.
Abraxas and Tom got close to them. Malfoy patted Isodor on the shoulder to make him come with him. Tom, for his part, stayed.
"Butterbeer ? Is your head still hurting from your afternoon drinking Hortense ?" Tom told her.
Well done Hermione ! You almost screw everything up this afternoon by drinking. What would have happened if Pollux hadn't interrupted you in Hogsmeade ? What would you have done ? Punch Riddle in the face ? Though he deserves way more than that.
He had one hand in the pocket of his pant and the other one held a glass. A light smile was visible on his lips, one filled with contempt. He was wearing his school uniform, the slack and the shirt. And even if he was the only one wearing that, he fit the atmosphere.
She knew from the way he was looking at her that he expected an answer from her. So she just smiled and ignored his silent plead.
"Tom, I hope you're not on prefect duties tonight." Cole asked a rhetorical question.
Riddle rose his glass and shook it lightly. "Not tonight Woodcroft."
Hermione took back her glass in Pollux's hands and replaced it by the bottle of butterbeer she was holding. "I see you're serious about your position Riddle."
"You're the one to talk about seriousness kiddo." Pollux re-entered the conversation.
"Shove it Pollux." Hermione rose her eyes, playfully.
She saw, from the corner of her eyes, Tom's lips pursed. He was looking strangely at Pollux, as he was trying to resolve a difficult math equation. Pollux opened his mouth to replied, surely sarcastically, but a loud noise from behind them interrupted him. The entire group turned around and faced Belone Mcnair and Milton Mulciber arguing.
"Shut up Mcnair." Milton spat.
"Oh you don't want to talk about how a disappointment you are to your entire bloodline ?" The girl snickered.
"Shut up !" Milton's fists were clenching from anger.
Hermione thought about intervening, but Pollux held her by the arm. She wondered at this moment how he knew what she was thinking, but she was glad he did.
"Filthy words coming out of a filthy mouth. Denniston wouldn't be proud. How's your brother by the way ? Are you still in his shadow ? If you can call his entire existence bright."
Milton took a step forward but Antonin grabbed him by the shoulder. "Walk away Milton."
"She…" The smaller boy started.
"Walk. Away. Milton."
He obeyed. An unsettling silence spread in the room. On the other side of the room, someone turned the music a little louder, trying to cover for the awkwardness of the situation. Only just seconds after that, everyone resumed talking, as if nothing had happened. She chuckled silently.
Slytherins…
Tom started talking with Cole.
He is really good at faking interest.
She was analyzing him. The way he talked with ease, but still thought about very words that escaped his mouth. The way he looked directly in the eyes of his interlocutor, but still watched her discreetly. The way he seemed to listen to what Cole was saying, but still paid attention to every conversation around him. He was good at playing the part.
"Too late to hide now." Pollux leaned closer to her and smiled those words.
It took more than a second for her to understand but apparently less than one for Thorus to start talking to her.
"You know what Grace ? "We" don't need to talk. I need to talk. So keep your mouth shut if you want, but I won't. I shouldn't have said it that way. I know I fucked up, but you know what I was not the only one to think that !" His breath smelled like firewhiskey and his eyes were a little blurry.
"Th-They were too !" He rose his hands towards invisible people. "Everyone was ! But I was the only one brave enough to say it loud ! Should have said it a different way ? Yes. Do I regret saying it ? I did, but I don't anymore." He was struggling to get the words out as fast as his mind worked.
Where is it coming from ?
"Because I'm your friend Grace. And friends tell each other the truth of their mind. And I'm-I'm the only friend you have who's not dead…"
"Mate…" Pollux and Tom said at the same time.
Hermione was shocked and confused by Thorus speech. The Thorus of two days ago, who waited shyly and patiently for her to talk to him was not the one standing in front of her.
Where is it coming from again?
She saw Tom at this moment. He flinched when he realised he had said the same thing as Pollux, as if it was something he had not planned.
"You !" Thorus pointed his finger at Pollux. "You little shit…"
"Calm down right now Nott. You're stinking alcohol, you're making a fool of yourself, so if I were you I would go to sleep." Pollux got defensive.
She gave Tom her glass, turned away and got up to her dorm.
She slammed the door violently behind her.
Fuck him. Fuck him.
She was feeling hot, not knowing if ti was coming from her anger or the chimney in the room. She took off her jacket. She walked towards her trunk, she opened it and put the cloth on top of others. She looked behind her to make sure no one entered the room. She got closer to the wooden container. Even if she knew she had put wards in her box, she had to make sure everything she hid was still there. She got on her knees and started searching through her belongings. And here it was.
The crystal phial.
You didn't have a choice Hermione. You had to.
The moment she had step a foot in the potion classroom she knew what she had to do.
You didn't use Milton Hermione. He is already bad at potions.
In the middle of the lesson, she had got closer to Milton's cauldron, faking needing an answer from his potion partner. She had, in her pocket, berries. Ones she knew would not be fatal, but she knew would messed up his potion so he had to ask for her help. She had smiled when he came to her, like the good friend she was supposed to be.
You are a good friend Hermione. Maybe even if you hadn't screwed with his work he would have messed it up anyway.
They had gone to the storage room. She had told him what he needed to take in order to fix his brew. He had gone to the other side of the room.
It was the perfect time to do it. You had been quick Hermione. You should be proud.
It only had taken a few seconds for her to put down the wards Slughorn had put up. It was unbelievable to witness such an important potion without strong defensive spells around it. Milton had smiled when she had gone back to the classroom. Cassandre had stormed into the room, yelling nonsense at Walburga and Orion. This had not been planned. But it was even easier for Hermione. Slughorn had come back furious from the storage room.
So it began. You had chosen the perfect day Hermione. Knowing exactly when this article would come out. Reading that much old newspapers in your timeline was useful after all.
Hermione had witnessed something she had not imagined. She had known it would bring dissension, but not that much. She had just sat on her desk, intervened when she knew would be the perfect moment for. When Isodor had checked the bags she had smiled. She had been aware it would come to this eventually. That's why she had kept the phial in her purse, around her neck.
She had known someone would accuse her, maybe Walburga or Dolohov. Even Tom she had thought. But not Thorus. He had been the flaw in her perfect plan. Or she thought. But he had just given her the opportunity to put the wrong phial in Pax's sleeve. Harry's one. The one she had kept in her purse, hoping one day it would be useful. She had gotten closer to Nott, shoved Pax, slipped the wrong phial in his shirt, and cast a wordless sticking charm.
It was perfect Hermione. Pax was just collateral damage.
Hermione exhaled loudly, trying to stop the memory to flow back. She was feeling guilty. Pax had been expelled. She knew one day it would come to this, so she had chosen the one she barely knew.
Sorry Pax.
She took a deep breath, put the phial back in her trunk and headed toward the exit.
Hermione was walking down the stairs, her mind still remembering the events from the previous month but loud voices brought her back to reality. The two men, because those voices could not belong to women, were trying to whisper but the heat of the argument didn't allow them to do so.
"F-Fu-Fuck you !" One yelled at the other. He was so drunk that he struggled to heat the insult out.
"Cass..." The other one started.
She recognized that voice. She had been hearing it all day long. She had heard that voice joyful and laughing before, but now it was dull and cold.
"Fu-Fuck off Luxie. leave m-me a-alone."
Hermione didn't know if the mistake in Pollux's name was due to the alcohol or was on purpose but Pollux's face looked rather odd in reaction to the nickname. His eyes became sadder and swallowed loudly, as if to restrain to comment on it.
"Are you going to stay here, drunk as a skunk, and wallow in self pity over a girl ?" He decided to say at last.
Hermione got a little bit closer, just so she could see what was happening. Cassandre Parkinson was sat on the floor, a bottle of elves wine in his left hand. His older brother, Pollux Parkinson, was standing in front of him. The latter extended his hand and waiting several seconds in that position. Cassandre drunkenly slapped in had, refusing to get up.
"Fine ! Stay here !" Pollux said. "Drown your futile sorrows."
"Futile ?" Cassandre asked appalled. "Futile ?" He repeated, louder this time.
"Yes futile ! She is just a girl, and a bitch to be honest. So yes your problems are futile Cass. Grow the fuck up."
"Oh s-sorry Mister the perfect Heir of the P-Par-Parkinson family if my futile problems don't compare to your royals one."
"Fuck off Cass."
They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Something was not right. The tension in the air didn't belong to two brothers, but rather to two acquaintances who had to save the face in front of others but secretly hated each other. There were too many secrets, too many unsaid things, too many missed opportunity to get along better.
She remembered what Orion said in the classroom, the way he had undermined Cassandre's authority putting Pollux above his little brother. As she looked at the youngest Parkinson, she not only saw a heartbroken drunk kid but also the weight of being the second child on his shoulders.
Hermione had never realised how hard it could be for a second-to-the-heir on a daily basis. She thought about Milton for a second. His fight with Belone only earlier in the night. How being born later than someone else became the worst insult someone could throw during a fight.
She got even more closer. If one of them turned his head to the right they would probably see her in the shadow of the stairs. But she didn't care, she was captivated by the conversation taking place in the corridor heading to the boy's dormitories, or rather by the unsaid things.
"Are you gonna stand there or are y-you gonna leave m-me the fuck alone ?" Cassandre slurred after a painful silence.
"I should leave you alone considering everything. But I won't. You're not fine Cass and as your brother I just can't leave you like that." Pollux explained, sincere.
"Oh now you're playing the b-brother card. Save this role for when mum and dad are around."
Pollux exhaled loudly. He looked tired, like this argument was recurrent between the two Parkinson and he was sick of it. He stepped back and leaned on the wall.
"Aren't you tired of this Cassandre ?" He asked solemnly.
The other boy drank a sip of wine for an answer.
"Merlin, we can't talk with you !" Pollux concluded.
His little brother finally stood up. He put his empty hand on the wall to avoid himself from falling. "No Luxie, you just don't know how to talk to me and I guess it's now too late for you to learn."
Hermione saw Cassandre getting closer to the door so she hid in the dark corridor. The fourth year Slytherin got in his dormitory, slammed the door so violently behind him that it opened again and staggered away.
Hermione, on the ball of her feet, approached. Pollux's face was lit by the moon's light, his cheeks seemed hollower and his eyes darker. He looked older, like this argument was so old and so rehashed that it showed on his features. He quickly rose up when he saw her, put the pain away and smiled as if nothing had happened. She only had to give him a shy smile for him to understand that she had witnessed what had just happened.
She handed him the glass of firewhiskey she had in her hand. He grabbed it and smiled.
"You'll be the death of me kiddo."
10.11.1942
This morning Tom had been waiting with Thorus in front on the Three Broomsticks. They were both leaning on the wall, hands in their pockets and talking about transfiguration. They have been standing there for the past 10 minutes while the other members of their group were watching brooms across the road.
"... all this fuss for brooms ?" Thorus grinned.
Tom snorted. He turned his head to the right and saw Milton and Grace coming their way. He smiled lightly to himself.
"Have you talked to Hortense yet ?" He asked casually.
Thorus stopped laughing.
"She doesn't want to talk to me. I'll give her more time." He said, blasé. "I can understand why, I've gone too far."
"Have you ?"
First, doubt.
Grace and Milton were laughing while walking, Thorus saw them then turned his head towards Tom.
"Of course I have. First I've accused her of stealing, then told her she needed it to be good in classes and finished by assuming that with some luck not all of her loved ones are not dead !" Thorus said, getting angrier at himself by the second.
"You could have been right. Wouldn't you want luck if your friends were dead ? Wouldn't you want luck to prove yourself if you had arrived in a new school ? You would have all the reason. And I would have understood why you would have done it." Tom seemed to be reassuring. "You were right to point it out. She had all the reason. You were, apparently, the only one brave enough to say it out loud. Why would you take the blame for a thought everyone in the room had ?".
Second, anger.
Thorus gaze changed.
"You thought about it too ?" Nott asked.
"I know they did." Riddle answered, giving a head sign towards the boys still looking at the brooms.
Thorus nodded lightly. "And why no one had said anything ? They were all blaming each other, but no one dared to accuse her. I did ! I'm the only one in this entire fucking class who stood up and told her."
"You are a good friend Thorus. You are a good friend to her. You were the only one to tell her what you were thinking. They are all faking it. Look at Milton, he laughs with her, but he did not have the courage to tell her. You did. Maybe she doesn't want to hear what you want to say to her, but you need to tell her anyway. Make her listen Thorus. Be the friend she needs."
And third, action.
"...you think we can drop it before our OWLS ?" He heard Grace tell Milton.
"Already surrendering Hortense ?" Tom smirked.
Let's play round 2 Hortense.
Rule n°3 : You do not get to run from the situation.
Let's see how you get out of this one.
Authors' note : Hi everyone ! Sorry we took so much time to upload this chapter.
One of us just moved to Paris so it's quite complicated to write using FaceTime. We won't be able to upload as quick as we did for the first 5 chapters. But don't worry we're not planning on stopping !
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. It warms our heart to read them :)
Love
- Agara
DDM's Managers