Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They belong to
the illustrious JKR. I do, however, own the plot. . . and the Quads. . .
and Melody. . . and the deceased William. . . er. . . I think that's all. .
.
A/N: Hello, hello. Well. . . I really have nothing to say, except thankies to all you wonnerful reviewers! You make all this worthwhile! Okay, with that said, on with the show!
Double Trouble
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hermione woke with a jolt in the infirmary, her head pounding and her body aching. Something was niggling at the back of her mind, tickling. . . like there was something she couldn't remember. . . but what was it?
Voldemort! She struggled with the bedcovers, trying to free herself from the restricting embrace of the cotton coverlets. "Harry!"
"Shhh. . . Mya, you're fine. . ." A soothing voice broke into her thoughts, calming her. "That's a girl, just lay back, you need to rest. . . or Madame Pomfrey will have my head."
"George?" Her voice sounded strained, even to her.
"Yeah, Mya, me. Now, c'mon, close those peepers." Hermione grinned, flopping back on the pillows.
"George, I'm not two-OH! Where's Melody?" Her voice cracked.
"She's fine, asleep. In Draco's bed. He hasn't left her side, constant vigilance, y'know." He smiled, "Moody and Tonks are here. It seems that you can't be trusted to be by yourself."
Hermione scowled, "Oh, honestly! It was an attack from Voldemort, one would think I tried to commit suicide. I can take care of myself, I am sixteen. I'm not a child! Why, oh why, are they treating me as such? Haven't I proved myself enough? Haven't I shown them that I can look after myself?"
"Hey, you're preaching to the choir!" George held up his hands in innocence. "I brought you something."
Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"It's a Teddy Bear. It was in a shop in Hogsmeade. I picked it up, because, well, I thought you would like it. . ." George trailed off, suddenly nervous, as he handed her the stuffed animal.
She looked at the bear, her eyes shining. It was adorable, a plushie white bear with big blue eyes, and it was holding a pendant. A BEAUTIFUL pendant, with a green stone set into the white gold Celtic cross.
"George. . . it's beautiful." She breathed, her cinnamon eyes locking on his hazel ones.
"You like it?"
"I LOVE it." She smiled, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.
"Good, I hoped you would. The green stone is jade, it's for protection. I thought the Celtic cross would sort of accent it's properties. That is if you believe in Muggle terms of God and such."
"Er. . . George, I'm a GODDESS Incarnate. I believe in the Gods, not just God, but it's a very thoughtful gift anyway, and I do LOVE it. I honestly do." She looked up at him with teary eyes, "How did you get it."
"I love ya, hon. It's almost time for dinner."
"Our first Hogsmeade weekend isn't until. . .tomorrow! George. . . did you sneak out?!"
"I've got to go. Can't be late for dinner!"
"GEORGE ORION WEASLEY!"
***
Elizabeth sighed, "I'm sorry, but he was ASKING for it. He goaded me. I just retaliated."
"Still, I think that you owe Severus an apology." Dumbledore hid a smile with one of his hands. "It's the decent thing to do. He has been under a lot of stress with Voldemort back in power, he's had to do some work for me."
"Apologize?!" Elizabeth ground her teeth loudly. "Why should I apologize to that-that-"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Because I think it's wise."
"Interfering old coot." Elizabeth grumbled.
"Miss Trenton. . ." Elizabeth's jaw dropped, she hadn't realized she said that out loud. "Don't you mean Infuriating and Interfering old Coot?"
Elizabeth shook her head. This was it, she was going to be fired. "I-I"
"No need to say anything, trust me. Just do me this favor and apologize to him. He's had a rough time of it."
Elizabeth sighed, "Fine. I'll apologize. But if he ever does it again. . ." She left the threat open as she made her way from the office.
Dumbledore grinned, "Hmmm. . . I do believe that Minerva is going to owe me five galleons."
"For what?" One of the portraits settled forward to hear better.
"I bet that Severus could be shocked speechless. Heh, she won't be expecting this. Oh, little Nymphadora is in for a visit, I've some matchmaking to do." And the schemer rubbed his hands together in a very mischievous manner.
***
Hermione woke the second time, her stomach growling loudly. She hadn't had anything to eat since the last day at Lunch, and then not much. Noting that the bustling MediWitch wasn't in the room, she decided to make a break for it. She needed sustenance.
***
"You can do this, Beth." Raya looked at her sister with a mixture of pity and amusement. Trust Dumbledore to come up with the best punishment to fit the situation. She'd hate to have to apologize to Snape in front of the whole school.
"Yeah, it's not like you haven't had to eat your words before anyway." Skylar grinned into her soda, her stash from the States. Pumpkin juice was nasty, and frankly, she wasn't going to drink it.
"Shut up. . ." Elizabeth growled, spearing a potato savagely. "I don't need you two to 'Encourage' me any further."
"No, no, of course not." Danielle patted the auburn headed girl. "It's not the end of the world, y'know. We all have to admit we're wrong sometime."
"Don't patronize me, Elle. I don't need this right now." Elizabeth ground her teeth.
"Do I hear gnashing of teeth in this vicinity?" Skylar laughed.
"I'm just going to get this over with." Elizabeth sighed. She stood up. Charlie pointed at her and started laughing. "Just for that, mister, you're going to get yours." She growled lowly. "You won't like it."
***
Hermione opened the door to the Great Hall, and stood there, shocked, her jaw dropped. Maybe she'd been hit harder than she thought. . .
***
Elizabeth grinned as a hush fell over the Great Hall. *There! * She thought savagely, looking at the pale face of her beloved. *I got you! *
Snape stared at her, putting his hand on his lips. A choked sound came from the direction of her table. "I'm sorry for earlier." She breathed, winking. Snape blushed, but saw her furtive look at Charlie.
He grinned evilly. "I assure you. . . you can make up for it. . ."
***
Hermione almost gagged. *NOT AGAIN!!! NOOOOOO! * "I'm not seeing this, I'm not seeing this!"
***
The silence in the hall was deafening.
Snape was shocked yet again, and touched his lips for a second time. "Er. . ." He wasn't sure what he should say.
A loud clapping startled him, and he turned to look at Elizabeth's sisters, who were on their feet, clapping like mad. Danielle whistled loudly, her eyes shining. What a way to apologize to someone. A kiss like that should be banned, not to mention outlawed if done twice! That was amazing.
That incited the rest of the Hall. Everyone was on their feet, cheering madly. Even a few of the Professors. Snape blushed, and then grinned, bowing a little. Elizabeth sauntered back to her seat, her eyes shining with mirth. She stopped where Bill, Charlie, Sirius, and Remus were sitting, shell-shocked.
"How do you like my apologies?" She laughed, then went to her seat.
***
Hermione saw Elizabeth stop where Charlie was, and then realized the two very. . . lusty. . . kisses were for his benefit, not Snape's. She shook her head, and then made her way to the Gryffindor table.
***
"That was fantastic!" Skylar laughed, bouncing up and down.
"Lech." Elizabeth grinned back.
"What was it like?" Danielle sighed, "I mean, Tall, Dark, and Brooding."
"He's one hell of a kisser, even if he's surprised." Elizabeth admitted, loud enough so that the four near the end of the Professors' table could hear her. "And he doesn't taste bad, kind of like mint." A gagging sound reached her ears and she grinned. "The second time, I even got some tongue." The four girls giggled as a very murderous looking Charlie swept past them. "I could almost kiss him again!" Elizabeth called to his retreating back.
"I think someone's royally pissed." Raya commented, observing Charlie's stiff posture.
"I certainly hope so! It's his fault, really. I wouldn't have kissed Snape if he hadn't been laughing at me. Though, I have to admit, it was nice. Better than nice, positively marvelous." Elizabeth mock-fainted.
Dumbledore grinned at McGonnagall. "You owe me." He whispered, "He's speechless."
"Did you see THAT?!?" Minerva hissed, "Do they allow things like that?"
"It's the new millennium, children are apt to do anything they want."
***
Hermione grinned salaciously, "Well, that was interesting. I should go to the infirmary more often, if it ends up with spectacles like that."
George gasped, spinning about and pulling the girl into his lap. "Mya!" He proceeded to show her how much he had missed her the last few hours, resulting in some more enthusiastic applause and catcalls.
"Well, that was the best Welcome Back sort of thing I've gotten." Replied a rather happy, if breathless, Hermione. "Who's next?"
Draco grinned, "Me?"
"Don't think so, Malfoy." George growled, capturing Hermione for another searing kiss, "She's mine. . ."
Harry smiled, "Good to see you up and about. I thought I was going to have to drag this one-" He pointed at Draco, "Down to Dinner. Thank Gods Mel-Ari woke. He would have sat there the entire time, I believe."
"How long have I been out?" Hermione asked, through a mouthful of George's roll.
"Since about this time yesterday, love." George replied.
Ginny eyed her friend, "Do you need to talk about it?"
Hermione smiled, "You all would've been so proud." Then her face fell, her eyes widening, as she relived the scene in her head. "Oh Gods." She whispered, her hand tightening on the roll. "I-I killed him. It was horrible and wonderful. I shouldn't tell you all that. . ."
The group exchanged a look. "Mione? I think that you should. . . well, we think, that you should. . . talk. . . about it." Ron looked at the group, who nodded their assent.
"I-"
"Don't start, Mione." Pansy held up her hand. "You don't have to carry that around." She shivered.
"They're right." Fred replied, "Talking about it helps."
"Like you would know." Hermione sulked, then sighed. "You're right, I know. But. . . it hurts. I lost a piece of myself, I think, when I did that. He looked at me, and said. . . well, he said that he used me. ME. USED ME! I. . . he let in Voldemort. And I. . . I shouldn't have. . . but. . . he. . ." Tears coursed down her cheeks. "I wanted to. . . and I did. And, Oh Gods, it was. . . ecstasy and pain. You don't know, you never could, I suppose."
Harry looked at her oddly, then smiled sadly, "I could. . ."
"No Harry. You've never taken a life. You. . .you could never know what it feels like unless you've done it. It's. . . amazing, in a horrid way. You watch them, watch the life fade from them. It's so powerful." Her voice was hushed with awe. "I felt it, in my head. I felt him die. It was magical. . . so magical. He struggled, but I killed him. I shouldn't have, but I did. I killed him, and I'm not sorry about it. I'd do it again. A thousand times over if need be."
*___________________________________________________________________*
A/N: So, here's the long awaited chappie. Wow, Hermione's a little bloodthirsty, okay, no one got kidnapped, next chapter, promise. Don't forget to RR.
Love, ~Me~
A/N: Hello, hello. Well. . . I really have nothing to say, except thankies to all you wonnerful reviewers! You make all this worthwhile! Okay, with that said, on with the show!
Double Trouble
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hermione woke with a jolt in the infirmary, her head pounding and her body aching. Something was niggling at the back of her mind, tickling. . . like there was something she couldn't remember. . . but what was it?
Voldemort! She struggled with the bedcovers, trying to free herself from the restricting embrace of the cotton coverlets. "Harry!"
"Shhh. . . Mya, you're fine. . ." A soothing voice broke into her thoughts, calming her. "That's a girl, just lay back, you need to rest. . . or Madame Pomfrey will have my head."
"George?" Her voice sounded strained, even to her.
"Yeah, Mya, me. Now, c'mon, close those peepers." Hermione grinned, flopping back on the pillows.
"George, I'm not two-OH! Where's Melody?" Her voice cracked.
"She's fine, asleep. In Draco's bed. He hasn't left her side, constant vigilance, y'know." He smiled, "Moody and Tonks are here. It seems that you can't be trusted to be by yourself."
Hermione scowled, "Oh, honestly! It was an attack from Voldemort, one would think I tried to commit suicide. I can take care of myself, I am sixteen. I'm not a child! Why, oh why, are they treating me as such? Haven't I proved myself enough? Haven't I shown them that I can look after myself?"
"Hey, you're preaching to the choir!" George held up his hands in innocence. "I brought you something."
Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"It's a Teddy Bear. It was in a shop in Hogsmeade. I picked it up, because, well, I thought you would like it. . ." George trailed off, suddenly nervous, as he handed her the stuffed animal.
She looked at the bear, her eyes shining. It was adorable, a plushie white bear with big blue eyes, and it was holding a pendant. A BEAUTIFUL pendant, with a green stone set into the white gold Celtic cross.
"George. . . it's beautiful." She breathed, her cinnamon eyes locking on his hazel ones.
"You like it?"
"I LOVE it." She smiled, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.
"Good, I hoped you would. The green stone is jade, it's for protection. I thought the Celtic cross would sort of accent it's properties. That is if you believe in Muggle terms of God and such."
"Er. . . George, I'm a GODDESS Incarnate. I believe in the Gods, not just God, but it's a very thoughtful gift anyway, and I do LOVE it. I honestly do." She looked up at him with teary eyes, "How did you get it."
"I love ya, hon. It's almost time for dinner."
"Our first Hogsmeade weekend isn't until. . .tomorrow! George. . . did you sneak out?!"
"I've got to go. Can't be late for dinner!"
"GEORGE ORION WEASLEY!"
***
Elizabeth sighed, "I'm sorry, but he was ASKING for it. He goaded me. I just retaliated."
"Still, I think that you owe Severus an apology." Dumbledore hid a smile with one of his hands. "It's the decent thing to do. He has been under a lot of stress with Voldemort back in power, he's had to do some work for me."
"Apologize?!" Elizabeth ground her teeth loudly. "Why should I apologize to that-that-"
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Because I think it's wise."
"Interfering old coot." Elizabeth grumbled.
"Miss Trenton. . ." Elizabeth's jaw dropped, she hadn't realized she said that out loud. "Don't you mean Infuriating and Interfering old Coot?"
Elizabeth shook her head. This was it, she was going to be fired. "I-I"
"No need to say anything, trust me. Just do me this favor and apologize to him. He's had a rough time of it."
Elizabeth sighed, "Fine. I'll apologize. But if he ever does it again. . ." She left the threat open as she made her way from the office.
Dumbledore grinned, "Hmmm. . . I do believe that Minerva is going to owe me five galleons."
"For what?" One of the portraits settled forward to hear better.
"I bet that Severus could be shocked speechless. Heh, she won't be expecting this. Oh, little Nymphadora is in for a visit, I've some matchmaking to do." And the schemer rubbed his hands together in a very mischievous manner.
***
Hermione woke the second time, her stomach growling loudly. She hadn't had anything to eat since the last day at Lunch, and then not much. Noting that the bustling MediWitch wasn't in the room, she decided to make a break for it. She needed sustenance.
***
"You can do this, Beth." Raya looked at her sister with a mixture of pity and amusement. Trust Dumbledore to come up with the best punishment to fit the situation. She'd hate to have to apologize to Snape in front of the whole school.
"Yeah, it's not like you haven't had to eat your words before anyway." Skylar grinned into her soda, her stash from the States. Pumpkin juice was nasty, and frankly, she wasn't going to drink it.
"Shut up. . ." Elizabeth growled, spearing a potato savagely. "I don't need you two to 'Encourage' me any further."
"No, no, of course not." Danielle patted the auburn headed girl. "It's not the end of the world, y'know. We all have to admit we're wrong sometime."
"Don't patronize me, Elle. I don't need this right now." Elizabeth ground her teeth.
"Do I hear gnashing of teeth in this vicinity?" Skylar laughed.
"I'm just going to get this over with." Elizabeth sighed. She stood up. Charlie pointed at her and started laughing. "Just for that, mister, you're going to get yours." She growled lowly. "You won't like it."
***
Hermione opened the door to the Great Hall, and stood there, shocked, her jaw dropped. Maybe she'd been hit harder than she thought. . .
***
Elizabeth grinned as a hush fell over the Great Hall. *There! * She thought savagely, looking at the pale face of her beloved. *I got you! *
Snape stared at her, putting his hand on his lips. A choked sound came from the direction of her table. "I'm sorry for earlier." She breathed, winking. Snape blushed, but saw her furtive look at Charlie.
He grinned evilly. "I assure you. . . you can make up for it. . ."
***
Hermione almost gagged. *NOT AGAIN!!! NOOOOOO! * "I'm not seeing this, I'm not seeing this!"
***
The silence in the hall was deafening.
Snape was shocked yet again, and touched his lips for a second time. "Er. . ." He wasn't sure what he should say.
A loud clapping startled him, and he turned to look at Elizabeth's sisters, who were on their feet, clapping like mad. Danielle whistled loudly, her eyes shining. What a way to apologize to someone. A kiss like that should be banned, not to mention outlawed if done twice! That was amazing.
That incited the rest of the Hall. Everyone was on their feet, cheering madly. Even a few of the Professors. Snape blushed, and then grinned, bowing a little. Elizabeth sauntered back to her seat, her eyes shining with mirth. She stopped where Bill, Charlie, Sirius, and Remus were sitting, shell-shocked.
"How do you like my apologies?" She laughed, then went to her seat.
***
Hermione saw Elizabeth stop where Charlie was, and then realized the two very. . . lusty. . . kisses were for his benefit, not Snape's. She shook her head, and then made her way to the Gryffindor table.
***
"That was fantastic!" Skylar laughed, bouncing up and down.
"Lech." Elizabeth grinned back.
"What was it like?" Danielle sighed, "I mean, Tall, Dark, and Brooding."
"He's one hell of a kisser, even if he's surprised." Elizabeth admitted, loud enough so that the four near the end of the Professors' table could hear her. "And he doesn't taste bad, kind of like mint." A gagging sound reached her ears and she grinned. "The second time, I even got some tongue." The four girls giggled as a very murderous looking Charlie swept past them. "I could almost kiss him again!" Elizabeth called to his retreating back.
"I think someone's royally pissed." Raya commented, observing Charlie's stiff posture.
"I certainly hope so! It's his fault, really. I wouldn't have kissed Snape if he hadn't been laughing at me. Though, I have to admit, it was nice. Better than nice, positively marvelous." Elizabeth mock-fainted.
Dumbledore grinned at McGonnagall. "You owe me." He whispered, "He's speechless."
"Did you see THAT?!?" Minerva hissed, "Do they allow things like that?"
"It's the new millennium, children are apt to do anything they want."
***
Hermione grinned salaciously, "Well, that was interesting. I should go to the infirmary more often, if it ends up with spectacles like that."
George gasped, spinning about and pulling the girl into his lap. "Mya!" He proceeded to show her how much he had missed her the last few hours, resulting in some more enthusiastic applause and catcalls.
"Well, that was the best Welcome Back sort of thing I've gotten." Replied a rather happy, if breathless, Hermione. "Who's next?"
Draco grinned, "Me?"
"Don't think so, Malfoy." George growled, capturing Hermione for another searing kiss, "She's mine. . ."
Harry smiled, "Good to see you up and about. I thought I was going to have to drag this one-" He pointed at Draco, "Down to Dinner. Thank Gods Mel-Ari woke. He would have sat there the entire time, I believe."
"How long have I been out?" Hermione asked, through a mouthful of George's roll.
"Since about this time yesterday, love." George replied.
Ginny eyed her friend, "Do you need to talk about it?"
Hermione smiled, "You all would've been so proud." Then her face fell, her eyes widening, as she relived the scene in her head. "Oh Gods." She whispered, her hand tightening on the roll. "I-I killed him. It was horrible and wonderful. I shouldn't tell you all that. . ."
The group exchanged a look. "Mione? I think that you should. . . well, we think, that you should. . . talk. . . about it." Ron looked at the group, who nodded their assent.
"I-"
"Don't start, Mione." Pansy held up her hand. "You don't have to carry that around." She shivered.
"They're right." Fred replied, "Talking about it helps."
"Like you would know." Hermione sulked, then sighed. "You're right, I know. But. . . it hurts. I lost a piece of myself, I think, when I did that. He looked at me, and said. . . well, he said that he used me. ME. USED ME! I. . . he let in Voldemort. And I. . . I shouldn't have. . . but. . . he. . ." Tears coursed down her cheeks. "I wanted to. . . and I did. And, Oh Gods, it was. . . ecstasy and pain. You don't know, you never could, I suppose."
Harry looked at her oddly, then smiled sadly, "I could. . ."
"No Harry. You've never taken a life. You. . .you could never know what it feels like unless you've done it. It's. . . amazing, in a horrid way. You watch them, watch the life fade from them. It's so powerful." Her voice was hushed with awe. "I felt it, in my head. I felt him die. It was magical. . . so magical. He struggled, but I killed him. I shouldn't have, but I did. I killed him, and I'm not sorry about it. I'd do it again. A thousand times over if need be."
*___________________________________________________________________*
A/N: So, here's the long awaited chappie. Wow, Hermione's a little bloodthirsty, okay, no one got kidnapped, next chapter, promise. Don't forget to RR.
Love, ~Me~
