A/N: Hello all, I know it's been too long. For some reason, after the holidays, I just couldn't figure out a good schedule for writing. I was only able to write a little here, a little there. But now I am back, at least that is the hope. School has gotten a bit more involved so I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm working it out. As always, this has not been completely beta'd yet. My lovely beta, GidgetMalfoy, has been able to beta the beginning, but as I didn't finish the end of this until right now... well, the end is all me. I hope you all enjoy, Finn is so much fun to play with and Hermione is full of sass, which I always like.
Peace, Love and Slyther 2017,
Gimi aka Jess
"Aww Love," Hermione could hear the smirk in the arrogant prat's voice, "Aren't you pleased to see me?"
"Harry," Hermione's muffled voice came quietly out from under her arms, "Can you stun him? I won't tell anyone."
The men in the room chuckled as Hermione felt the chair from across the table pull out and a body sit down. She heard the clanking of the shackles as Harry chained him to his seat and then lifted her head to lay eyes on the man who tried to kill her in a little coffee shop on Tottenham Court Road.
Hermione took a moment to study her new fiancé. He was taller than she remembered, sitting next to Rodolphus, he was a good four or five inches taller than her father. He looked very much what she imagined a viking might look like without the helm with the horns. Suddenly the picture of this man in leather garb with a viking helm on his head, raising a sword over his head and shouting a battle cry popped into her head and Hermione let out an unladylike snort of laughter. A look of confused amusement crossed his features.
Hermione looked over at Harry, who was frowning at her. This look just made her giggle even more, the day had already been crap, even worse with having to deal with Bella and the guards. What Hermione really needed at this moment was a laugh. So she did, she laughed so hard, tears began to fall from her blue/grey eyes and then she began to sob. Rodolphus began to stand, concerned for his daughter, a concern that brought him back to when she was learning to walk and she had fallen down the cobblestone path at the manor.
"Uh- Ly- er-Hermione," Rodolphus started slowly, "Hermione are you okay?"
Wiping her face, she looked up at her father's blue eyes and saw genuine concern, letting out a tired sigh she answered, "No. My life was perfect up until two weeks ago. I had a great career, a fiancé who loved me, and I was suppose to be getting married this Saturday. Now, I found out I was adopted, my biological parents are people who hated me based on my perceived blood status, I have to marry a man who tried to kill me a few times or risk death anyways and the sight of Bellatrix makes my blood curdle but seeing what was happening to her makes it boil and I just don't know how to process all of this in a span of two bloody weeks."
Harry grabbed her hand, pulled her close and hugged her while Thorfinn just sat there with a sneer. While he felt nothing for this woman, only remembering what she was like in school all those years ago, he could vaguely see the resemblance to the swotty Granger girl he had hated. He felt nothing for her, she was still his and Potter had his hands all over her. Thorfinn didn't share.
"So, Granger, are you still a Granger? Should I call you LeStra-" Thorfinn shot Hermione a wide grin as she looked up with angry grey eyes. His grin broadened as he saw them narrow and her face get a bit pinched, she sat up straighter in her chair and he could see her back stiffen slightly. Thorfinn Rowle may have been big and blond, but he was no idiot. He had seen how that Malfoy kid had tried to ruffle Granger's feathers in school and how it never worked, hell, she didn't even react that day on the pitch his fifth year as Malfoy had called her a mudblood, he doubted she knew what it meant, but he never saw it affect her.
No, none of the Slytherins ever bothered Granger, none except him. He remembered in his fifth year, seeing her in the library before she had been turned to stone or whatever, how nervous she had been when she had walked right into him as he had his hand moving it's way up Violet Parkinson's skirt. The girl had fallen to the floor and when he looked down at her, she noticed where his hands were on the girl and turning crimson, scurried off the ground racing away, but not before throwing him a severely pinched look over her shoulder. A bit like the one she gave him now. The eyes were different, the hair a bit darker, but the girl looked very much the same.
The look she gave him was so severe that he couldn't help but snicker. He knew this girl would react stiffly towards him, he didn't really blame her. He was anything but pleasant to the girl in the years that he had known her. He was a right asshole to the entirety of Gryffindor, the smug idiots who didn't know the difference between bravery and death wish. No, Thorfinn did not like Gryffindors, he never understood the penchant for bravery that led many to take on roles of heroism.
"Don't start Rowle," Hermione bit out, "It's been a shite day and you being here isn't exactly helping."
Thorfinn raised an eyebrow, his blue eyes sparkled with mischief, "No? I'm sure I can help you relax sweetheart," He chuckled at the look of disgust that flooded her face. He gave her a lewd grin, "Give me five minutes and I'm sure I can get that wand you've had stuck up your ass since your first year at Hogwarts out."
Rodolphus began to see red, even with the dampening spell on the room, his magic sparked, while his chains didn't release him, they seem to have lengthen and he reached over quick as lightening and slammed Thorfinn's head into the table. Blood gushed from the young blond's face.
"What the fuck Roddy!" Thorfinn yelled jumping up from his seat to stare at the wizard next to him. Blood spurting from his nose and mouth.
Rodolphus stood, still five inches shorter than the bleeding man, he looked him straight in the eye, "That is my daughter you are speaking to," Rodolphus said pointing at Hermione, "She is to be your wife, not one of your Knockturn Alley slags. If you ever speak to her like that again, I will gladly go back to Azkaban for ripping you limb from limb the muggle way and feeding you to thestrals."
Harry and Hermione both stood there, having both jumped out of their seats when the two wizards on the other side of the table had, looked a bit gobsmacked. Hermione was not sure how to react so she pointed her wand at Thorfinn's face and without using a numbing spell, said clearly, "Episkey!" She was a bit embarrassed to say that the groan of pain Thorfinn whinged and the curse words that followed, made her a bit happy.
"Don't trouble yourself Rodolphus," Hermione said to her father, "I'm use to this idiot's words and if he thinks I'm the same girl I was in school or during the war, he's sadly mistaken." Rodolphus caught his daughter's grey eyes and nodded in understanding and retaking his seat, looking at his fingers, almost like nothing happened. Hermione looked at the blond still dripping blood from his nose and mouth, she tilted her head and smirked at the man, "As for the wand up my ass? Sorry to say, that has been removed many times over." Hermione gave Thorfinn a wink and sat back down.
Harry started laughing at the scene in front of him, being the one who was suppose to be keeping the peace, he waved his wand and stopped the bleeding, using a quick tergeo, he siphoned off the blood on Rowles face, though he still had blood in his beard. Rowle glared at the auror who just sat back down with a chuckle on his lips.
"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way," Hermione continued like the man across from her wasn't just bleeding a moment ago, "When is Kingsley due back?"
"In just a bit, he went to get things squared away for your… uh… father, you and I need to fill out a report at the ministry about what happened today to file charges against those guards and then we're just waiting for the warden to release Rodolphus to you. Rowle is waiting for his sister to come and they will be escorted to Rowling Hills by auror." Harry told his friend.
Hermione nodded, knowing it would be best, "Cheeks is staying with Bellatrix until she is settled, she should be coming to report to me once things are okay at the hospital." Looking at Rodolphus, "I will let Kingsley know that I will be bringing you to the hospital to visit with Bellatrix sometime in the next few days." Rodolphus nodded in thanks, knowing that Hermione didn't have to bring him anywhere near his wife, she certainly didn't want to be near her. He had hoped that her caring and Gryffindor nature would prevail and maybe his wife and daughter could have some sort of relationship.
"So, sweetheart," Thorfinn started again with a demented bloodied smirk on his face.
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle, here she was in a room with two convicted death eaters about to be related to both of them, Merlin, she thought to herself, I think I might be losing my mind. Maybe those curses my mother threw at me five years ago have finally caused enough damage.
"When's the wedding?" Thorfinn asked with a pink stained teeth.
Hermione winced at the thought of having to marry this barbarian, though she would have to admit, he was not bad to look at. His hair had grown longer over the last five years, no longer was the short hair she had seen that first night Harry, Ron and she went on the run. Secretly she thought that his hair was just as wild as her's was, noticing he had a bit of a wave to it now.
Blinking back into focus, Hermione let out a small sigh, "What does it matter? Let's just have Kingsley marry us and I'll just keep you tied in the dungeons at Malfoy Manor," Hermione said with a small smirk, "I'm sure Draco wouldn't mind feeding you scraps from the table, he's my cousin you know and he's rather fond of me these days."
Hermione could see Thorfinn's blue eyes narrow and a scowl replaced the bloody grin, "You think you're fucking funny you fucking bitch?"
Hermione stared right back at him, refusing to break contact, refusing to let this blond giant win, "I think I'm fucking hilarious Rowle, but that's besides the point. All that contract says is I have to marry you, it never said anything about letting you roam free."
Thorfinn actually growled at his bride to be. Harry, sensing danger cleared his throat, "Hermione, Rowle was held prisoner at Malfoy Manor during the war."
Hermione blinked, losing the battle of the eyeballs with her fiancé, "What did you say Harry?" She asked her friend.
Harry looked over at her, "I said, Thorfinn Rowle and Antonin Dolohov were both held prisoner at Malfoy Manor after failing to capture us that night. Voldemort was keeping them there and using them to torture when the mood struck him."
Hermione was baffled, "But you said all the prisoners were freed when Dobby came to rescue you and Ron."
Thorfinn scoffed, "Malfoy Manor has many dungeons underfoot Darling," he said sarcastically, "Dolohov and I were placed at the end of the wall of cells away from your precious trai- friends. No one cared we were down there."
Hermione looked at her hands while she processed what was said, looking back up at Thorfinn she asked, "Why were you even a Death Eater? You called me Mudblood, but I don't remember you being particularly evil. A bullying idiot yes, a killer, no."
"That's none of your business sweetheart, just stick to what you know, being a lion and leave my business to myself."
The door burst open and instead of seeing Kingsley, Hermione laid eyes on Ingrid Pucey neé Rowle. Hermione had not laid eyes on the blond woman for many years, but time had been good to the witch. Wearing a pastel pink muggle dress that flared out at the hips with a black skinny belt under her winter white coat, Hermione wondered what charms she had put on the coat to keep it gleaming white. While Hermione's charm skills were exceptional, had just hadn't gotten very good at clothing protection charms.
"Ingrid," Thorfinn asked, he had obviously not seen his sister in a while. "Is that you?"
Ingrid gave her brother a tight smile, noting the blood on his face, "Of course Thor," she said, Thorfinn stood up, as did Rodolphus. Hermione found this sight to be slightly funny. Those pureblood etiquette lessons must be ingrained. Harry also stood and after shaking Ingrid's hand, offered her his chair and took the seat on the other side of Hermione.
Ingrid stared at her brother, she hadn't seen him since she had gotten married and left for France. It had been over seven years, he had changed so much in that time.
Harry, seeing the siblings drinking each other in, cleaned the blood off of Thorfinn's beard & teeth. Thorfinn sent a smile at his baby sister, a real true smile, she had been his favorite person in the world, she had been his world. His brilliant baby sister, breaking tradition and had been sorted into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. She was a sight for sore eyes.
"Iggy," Thorfinn started with a small smile as she cringed. He gave her a small chuckle, remembering how much she hated that nickname. "How's life in France?"
Ingrid's face turned pink, Hermione noticed. "It would be fine if I was still there, as it is, Ades and I are moved into Rowling Hills, because someone has to keep you in line before your wedding."
Thorfinn smirked at his sister, "Oh we aren't having a wedding," he said matter of factly. Pointing at his bride, "This one wants to elope."
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "What I want is to marry Ron," Thorfinn shot her a grin, "To marry Ron and to feed you to one of Charlie's dragons," that wiped the smile from his handsome face, "But as that's not an option, why pretend?"
"Because that is the way it is in our world Ly-" Ingrid stopped, sighed and continued, "Hermione," Ingrid said, giving the woman next to her a small smile. "How are you? Your aunt has said very little when we've spoken."
Hermione snorted, "I've been better, I'd rather eat roadkill than marry your brother," Harry chuckled at the analogy but everyone else looked properly confused, which just set Harry and Hermione off a bit more, "Nevermind, let's just say, I had different plans for my life. Wait, why are you talking with Narcissa, oh Gods, she's going to marry me off like a Malfoy… Harry, just curse me now, a quick Avada, right here." She said pointing to her chest
Harry laughed at her and Hermione scowled, "It's not funny. I've been to her parties, this will be worse than the ministry wedding and I won't put it pass Narcissa to imperious me into some froo froo dress." More laughter, this time Hermione joined him, "Shut it, Harry! I'm going to be standing there in some Gone with the Wind type dress with 20 petticoats, I'll be swallowed by silk and lace in the middle of it, just hoping for rescue, you won't be able to find me for days if Narcissa is let anywhere near my wedding. Here I thought Molly was bad..."
Harry imagined the the sea of taffeta that Daphne had been under and he snorted some more, "I'll send in a search party to find you," Harry had a bit of a twinkle in his green eyes, "Just be sure to be wearing knickers this time. Remember that time the wind kicked up? Mooned the entire ministry!" Harry could see Thorfinn turning red, his hands clenched into fists, knuckles white, mission accomplished.
Hermione laughed when she saw Rodolphus and Thorfinn's red faces, "Harry," She scolded her oldest friend, "You are truly evil."
"You listen here Sweetheart," Thorfinn said actually growling slightly, "You will be my wife, you will behave accordingly." Ingrid groaned knowing full well that her brother had screwed up. He never did understand Hermione Granger, she was not some pureblood debutante. She didn't do what her wizard told her to do because he said jump. Thor was in for a big surprise if Ingrid remembered the girl correctly.
"Excuse me?" Hermione's voice went low, her eyes darkened to a stormy grey and Harry knew that his friend was about to explode.
"You are a LeStrange and soon you will be a Rowle" Thorfinn said pounding his fist aggressively on the table.
The noise echoed around the room, but Hermione didn't flinch. She was not afraid of him; getting to her feet, she put her hands on the table in front of her. "When will you get it through your thick skull. I may have the blood of LeStrange and Black running through my body, but I am a Granger. A filthy mudblood from Highgate."
Harry, once again snorted, his face was pink from holding back his amusement. He always did love it when Hermione took her anger out on someone other than Ron and him, "And as a mudblood, I remember you loved calling me that in school, I don't take orders from death eaters. Even lowly scum like you who probably still thinks he's better than me. If I want to swim naked through the Thames or dance in forest with the fae, I will do it. I will do whatever I damn well please because it pleases me." Hermione gave Thorfinn a smirk, "If you don't like it Thorfinn Rowle, well you can kiss my pretty pink ass and you can wonder how many others have had that pleasure, starting with your old master, Moldy Voldy,"
She gave Ingrid a tight smile and turned to Harry, "Harry, I'm going home to start packing. Send me a Patronus when Kingsley gets the paperwork settled and I will meet you all at the ministry. Ingrid, I'm sure I will see you soon, I'd say tell your husband hello for me, but let's be honest, he probably doesn't like me." And with that, Hermione Granger-LeStrange walked out of the room and went home.