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Chapter Eight: Christmas
"What?" Hermione whispered in shock, her eyes slipping from his uncomfortably. Her tears had stopped immediately, stained upon her cheeks, her body frozen stiff with fear, unable to even breathe,
"Your right earring. It's gone." Kevin said severely, disbelief shrouding his voice, icy and firm,
"No." She whispered, "No." She said, ever more defiantly, "Don't you dare...don't you dare tell me that!" She tried to push him away, not daring to believe him for a second, believing him lying, but he strongly took hold of her hand, pressing it firmly up to her ear. She held her breath tightly, failing to grasp the ornament that had hung there but a few hours earlier, now nonexistent and clearly lost. "Kevin...What do I do?" She stared at him fearfully; almost pleading for him to save her, make it better and all the hurt go away, turn back time and talk her out of ever attending the Christmas ball. He simply sighed heavily and put his head into his hands noisily, thinking deep and hard. After only a few moments he turned his face to her, his hands reaching up in her direction, fingers spread wide at her, palms bearing,
"How?" He asked her flatly, "This isn't even possible. Only a Master can release their slave. You know as well as I do that he wouldn't just let you go like that. He'd have had to have physically removed them for you, he just wouldn't." She looked up at him, a sudden realisation hitting her, dealing a heavy blow,
"He touched my ear." He looked to her quizzically, wondering how they could have possibly come into such close contact, undetected, "He didn't know who I was, at all, and he looked at me...differently. He tucked some of my hair away, I thought he was going to kiss me or something, but then there was Viktor, and he was hurt and...and...He must have knocked it..." Kevin stuttered slightly at this, barely able to believe her, finally spluttering out,
"W...what? Why was he so close? How could you let him...? No...no...forget it! You've got to get out of here! Run before they find out you're not where you're supposed to be!" He dragged Hermione abruptly and aggressively to her feet and began pulling her towards the open fireplace which was now flickering feebly, the embers barely glowing anymore as the night passed and the heat faded from the room. He felt little resistance from her, no confrontation from a seemingly shell shocked Hermione, until something deep within her suddenly snapped, madly and wildly, a profound, long dormant passion waking within her, a fire burning brightly as she groundlessly felt stronger than she has in years, a vehemence for her own soul and the defiance of others. She pulled her arm roughly from his limp grasp,
"No." He spun around looking alarmed, as if she had lost her mind completely,
"Don't be stupid. Who know what they'll do to you! You can't just be missing, especially if they make the link as to where you've just been." He looked at her as if she had punched him clean in the face without even caring, not even considering who he was to her or she to him,
"I said no. I have as much right to be here as any of them! I should have been at that ball, you too! We're all a part of this school, we all deserve everything that those other...those other...other 'bloods' get!" He could see her once crying face begin to anger at the mere suggestion of leaving, even just to go back to her dormitory, taking his words personally, almost as if he were sending her home for good, away from Hogwarts, despite how much he truly wished that she would,
"Hermione. Be rational. Merlin knows why you even stayed around this long with that git as your Master! Take the opportunity and leave for good! Pack your things and go completely. There's no need for you to stay here." He made a move to grab her again, attempted to push her into the hearth again, but she backed away from him, almost in shock that he dares suggest such a powerful and unforgiving notion,
"How can you say that? I stayed because it is my right! For Carla! For you and Justin! I was born with magic, I didn't steal it! I have earned the right to be here." She cried, then softened, thinking a little, considering her own emotions, "My wand was taken from me, snapped, destroyed forever! I can never get it back...but the magic within me is not yet dead, and I will not give it up! Not for them. Not for anyone. This is my magic and this is my school." She drew herself to her full height, trying to create a proud a form as she possibly could have, despite the steady trickle of tears that cascaded down her cheeks, collecting by her chin and splashing upon her crisp dress, darkening the white material considerably, giving a murky and unclean appearance to its innocent colouring. Claws suddenly extended from beneath the table that they were stood near, a considerably fish filled fattened Crookshanks rolling out from underneath, looking up at her lazily, before climbing upon his hind legs, leaning heavily upon Hermione's. She looked to him, seeing his eyes burning up at her, encouraging her not to give in or up upon herself. A determined look set into her eyes and she bent down to scoop him into her arms in one swift motion, holding him tightly to her chest as he placed his head upon her shoulder purring lightly, "I may be scared of the consequences, but I am going to find it, before anyone else does or realises it's gone. I will not be thrown from this school over one stupid earring." She walked past Kevin, not even looking at him as she headed for the small table and chairs, pulling the curtain around her as she went, "And I am staying right here! I may be a Mudblood, but my blood is purer than any of theirs."
~x~x~x~
The room was still, silence falling like a thick blanket over every student within the Great Hall, no one even daring to move in the slightest. It was only broken as a small, long ginger haired girl stepped forwards tentatively, removing her mask swiftly. Ginny knelt down beside a slightly dishevelled Harry, who still lay, stunned, flat upon his back, trying to sit up gingerly, only to continually stare to the floor before him. She slowly placed a caring hand upon his arm, "Harry?" He looked to her slightly dazed, blushing a little, embarrassed, "Are you alright?" He gave her a slow nod, allowing her to help him upright and to his feet from where he sat, wobbling a little as his knee jarred a little. She continued to hold onto his arm, perhaps not for support, holding on a little longer than she needed to, as they both turned to look at an amazed Ron. "Ron?...You okay?" Her voice quivered slightly, so unlike her normal loud and brassy self, sounding almost fearful of him. His face was etched in shock and anger, slowly rounding upon his counterpart, who stood empty armed and confused in the centre of the dance floor, staring at the space that his fair maiden had previously occupied. They could see the cogs inside Ron's brain whirring, a hasty decision formulating within his confused mind, before he fled after the mystery girl he had held within his arms for only minutes. Pushing past all those around him, he raced out into the Entrance Hall, swinging his head from side to side desperately, before turning left and charging up the large marble staircase and up to the first floor landing, where he debated whether to carry on up the grand staircase, or head down towards the dungeons and the kitchen. Yet here he could see no trace of her, his eyes urgently scanning his surroundings for a single trace of her, not wanting to give up upon finding her, talking to her. Something floaty swam temporarily into his line of vision, bounding up the staircase wildly above him, and he bolted after it without a second though. Viktor however, was not far behind him, having followed almost immediately, determined to make sure he reached Hermione first, choosing to descend from the first floor, knowing exactly where their maiden had run to.
As he entered the kitchen Viktor quickly scanned every surface for any signs of Hermione, or that she had even been there. Her shoes were thrown casually upon the floor, near where she had stood but a few moments previously, her mask thrown carelessly not much further away, as if she had little regard for anything that had been given to her. A harsh voice floated over to him from beside a large fireplace, blue flames steadily returning to their usual amber colour, which flicked lazily and licked at Kevin's heels, "What are you doing here?" He dangerously spat at Viktor,
"Ver is Hermy-own-ninny?" He demanded from the newly appeared boy as he bent to pick up the shoes and moved over for the mask, clutching them all tightly,
"You tell me what you did to her first!" Kevin made an unexpected move towards him, raising his fists in an almost threatening manner, "Besides, she doesn't want to see anyone, not now, you take that dress," He extended a hand to the garment which lay strewn over a small chair, Hermione having left it behind as she ran for the fireplace, back up to her Masters room clad in her normal Gryffindor dress, "And you go back to your own school." Krum gave him a dark smirk, obviously hoping that he would turn around and leave his school immediately and return to Durmstrang Institute without another word,
"She can have it. It vos a present." Viktor shrugged his shoulders, apparently oblivious to any anger within Kevin, seeing no problem with anything that had passed that night.
"Is that so?" Kevin took a step towards him, snatching the shoes and mask right from his hands greedily, "I'll definitely be taking these back then! She can have everything, and you? You can piss off!" He snapped, wanting not to even be in the same vicinity as his adversary. Viktor lifted his nose a little at Kevin, then turned his back upon him,
"I vill speak to er when she iz ready to talk avout our passionate kiss." He began making his way back over towards the entrance of the kitchens, heavily marching down the long corridor towards the exit. Kevin stood, rooted to the spot, stunned, then made an abrupt move forwards, standing at the entrance to the corridor,
"Kiss? What kiss?" He cried into the emptiness, despite Viktor having already departed.
~x~x~x~
Hermione sat, legs crossed loosely and back resting against her Master's bed, head slumped over her chest, an occasional tear slipping from her eyes and plopping onto her dress, the rest being wiped by an intermittent dab of her hand. Carla sat across from her, in a similar position, propped up against Master Dean's bed, unsure of how really to handle the current situation that she now found herself in. Many times she opened her mouth steadily, looking as though she were ready to say a wise and un-Carla-like comforting speech. Yet every time she fell silent, her lips pursed, eyes searching for support from anyone, from anywhere, in dire desperation. Yet she could not be aided without knowing exactly what was wrong, without having to speak. "Hermione?" She asked quietly and carefully, scooting forwards slightly and pulling her legs into her chest, her arms remaining tightly wrapped around them and chin resting upon her knees, "Tell me?" Her friend looked incredibly torn, not wanting to reveal what had happened in the last hour to anyone, almost regretting even saying a word to Kevin about the situation. Hermione took a huge breath, knowing that if she could trust Carla with the secret of attending the ball, this could also be kept, their five year friendship reassuring her that he problems needed to be shared,
"While I was there, I danced with so many people, even...even Master Ron. It was nice...he was nice...I've never known him like that before." She took a deep rattling breath, struggling to find the right words, again regretting even beginning a conversation, "But Viktor kissed me," Carla's face lit up in excitement, obviously thrilled with the outcome and incapable of even realising that there was an issue, "Oh, no no. I mean, yes, it was perfect. A slow dance, a careful embrace, he was very gentle. It was like a real life fairytale. But it just wasn't right, and I saw the hurt on Master's face...I felt so guilty." Carla looked extremely confused with her final statement, unable to comprehend Hermione's thought process,
"Guilty? Why would you possibly feel guilty? After everything he's done to you! How can-" Hermione cut across her hotly,
"There has to be a reason! Only the Slytherin's slaves are treated like I am, and those poor slaves of the rest of the Weasley family before they left. I know that the Gryffindors can be bad, but if they were so bad then they'd be in Slytherin! From how he treated me tonight, I can't possibly believe that the horrible boy he is towards me is really him." She breathed deeply, trying to regain her composure and unsure of whether to go on and reveal the crux of her story, "Plus, my earrings gone. He touched it, it fell out at some point, and I don't even know where it is." Carla put a shaking hand to her face, eyes closed in frustration, silent and still. As if she could not dare to believe it, she shuffled yet further forwards and steadily reached out a hand towards Hermione, keeping her eyes closed tightly. Barely inches from her friends hair, she paused, her hand becoming a twitching ball, not wanting to feel an absence, before slowly extending her fingers again, carefully lifting her hair upwards, squinting a peak at her friend. She gave a heavily groan and sat back quickly, seeing that nothing hung from her lobe,
"Hermione!" She shook her head viciously, annoyed at her stupidity, "What are you gonna do?"
"I have to find it obviously, and hide it from everyone for as long as I can." A roar of laughter sounded from behind them, signalling the return of their Masters. Panic flashed across their faces and Hermione bunched her hair hurriedly over her ear, fixing the bushy mangled mess tightly with an elastic band tied previously around her wrist. Carla dived to the side of Deans bed, pulling out various cleaning implements and throwing a wet cloth in Hermione's direction, pulling a bucket and a scrubbing brush with her, the both of them beginning to furiously scour the floor, creating as many bubbles as possible to give the impression that they had been working away for hours past. The door banged open; practically flying off of its hinges and into the wall, as Harry, Ron and Neville stumbled in, accompanied by a giggling Ginny.
~x~x~x~
"For Merlin's sake Ron! Will you walk straight?" His sister gave him a large whack about his back, causing him to tumble forward, only just managing to stay upright by his long legs as he fell through the door to their room.
"Oi! Give it a rest Gin." He rubbed where her hand had connected with him painfully, slightly annoyed by her aggressiveness, especially after being invited into their room in the first place,
"Yeah Ginevra!" Mocked Harry, "Ron's just in looove!" There came a sloshing crash as water began to spread across their floor rapidly, spreading out from a singular point like a ripple upon a small pond. They turned a Neville closed the door slowly, seeing Carla and Hermione huddled by the floor, cloths and brushes in their hands and horrified looks upon their faces. Hermione's hand was reaching out after the unturned bucket, its contents emptied, steadily seeping away. Her face fell as she received glares from both of the Weasley siblings and highly disapproving looks from their accompaniments.
"Wow, you have such a shit slave Ron." Scowled Ginny, to which he nodded frivolously, "You can definitely tell this one's a Mudblood." His face changed almost immediately, twisting into an ugly feature,
"I've told you before not to use that word!" He rounded on her heavily and she huffed in his face,
"It's just the truth." She said flatly, looking more disinterested than ever before,
"No," Said Harry coldly, surprising her slightly. She knew he disliked the use of the word, but saw no problem with it herself, instead thinking it an apt description of the girl before her, seeing no issues with naming her so. "It's just cruel. I think you ought to apologise." Ginny's face burned with embarrassment and the shame that Harry put upon her normally proud form, stuttering and barely able to form audible words, saved only as Ron intervened, glaring now instead at Harry for suggesting a member of his family apologise to a slave.
"No. She just won't say it again." He turned to look at Hermione, whose arm was still outstretched, but wore a slight smile for him, a grateful and almost knowing grin, "Clean it up then Granger!" Her face fell instantly and she hurriedly scuttled about the mess, soaking as much as she could into her cloth and her own dress, and then wringing it out back into the bucket, not caring about the cold material now sticking to her stomach and legs.
'This will take...forever...' She though dismally, looking over to Carla, whose head was down and as low as possible, still silently scrubbing energetically at the same spot as before, occasionally eyeing her and the steadily growing wet patches that were budding upon Hermione's clothing and threatening to wear a hole in the floor with her brush.
"She really was beautiful though," Hermione's ears pricked up at the sound of Ron's voice, the words overflowing from his lips and into her ears, "Really graceful, so sweet. Even Harry said she was gorgeous, and I thought only Cho Chang had your eye!"
"Oi!" Harry said sharply, sounding embarrassed at the mention of Cho's name. Hermione had seen her the previous year at the Triwizard Tournament, and knew that she was a truly beautiful girl. A Ravenclaw Halfblood, the young Chinese woman in the year above them had captivated Harry, who had thrown himself into a vicious love triangle with her and a now deceased Cedric Diggory. To Hermione, to be compared to such a girl was incredible, unimaginable and something that she would have never expected. She chanced a small glimpse at her Master, he was stood leaning against the foremost post of his bed, watching Neville intently who was sprawled on his own bed next to Ginny.
"Definitely Pureblood then," Ginny said, lazily playing with the hangings about Neville's bed, barely even thinking about her choice of vocabulary.
"Hey!" Chipped in Harry defensively, "Nothing wrong with being Halfblood." She reddened again, stumbling over herself,
"Oh no! No not at all!" She tried to smile sweetly at him, yet, being completely out of character, it appeared as more of a grimace, and she simply sighed, self conscious, putting her head into one of her hands and rubbing her eyes slightly.
"Do you know who she is?" Enquired Neville, looking over to Ron, who had flopped down upon his own bed, wanting to oblivious to the world and sink into his memories of the night.
"Like hell do I, never seen her before in my life. Besides, I'd have tons of competition, right?" The others nodded slowly, slightly disheartened, causing his face to almost shatter in discontent, upset that they did not even have the heart to lie to him out of pity. Hermione gave a sudden look over towards a gasping Carla, whose eyes were wide in astonishment, her jaw almost touching the floor. Hermione was mouthing to her to be quiet and to shut her mouth before she aroused any kinds of suspicion, or forced Hermione to put her soapy scrubbing cloth inside of her face. Harry cleared his throat loudly,
"Well, she may be closer than you think! Don't give up hope eh mate?" He walked over to his own bed, careful to tiptoe around the various patches of water that had yet to be mopped up, and sat upon it happily. Ron however, just snorted in his direction, clearly still wounded, "Come on! It's Christmas Day tomorrow! There'll be foooood!" Harry sang at him, earning an enormous grin from his gluttonous friend,
"Well, I do like food." Ron contemplated thoughtfully, his mood lifted again somewhat, "And if she is there at dinner, Krum will be with Granger, so he won't have a chance to try and snog her again in front of everyone! Not when he fancies the knickers off of this one!" He jerked his head in Hermione's direction, whose face spotted crimson considerably, earning a wide smirk from him,
"Viktor?" She dared to ask tentatively,
"Shut it Granger! It has nothing to do with you. Get moping!" He threw himself backwards onto his bed, happy within himself finally, "I'm going to get her! This girls mine."
~x~x~x~
Ron was sleeping soundly between his crisp white sheets, snoring loudly, oblivious to the morning that had begun around him, the birds chirping noisily by his window, the wisps of cool air beating softly against the pane. Hermione huffed lazily, sat watching him and waiting for her Master to awaken. Christmas morning was upon them, snow steadily trickling into the grounds outside, coating the castle into an ice palace. She smiled peacefully, watching the flakes hit the window and dissolve instantaneously, frosting up the glass. She used to love Christmas, joyfully playing in the cool snow, wrapped up in long scarves and woollen mittens her mother had lovingly created for her to wear. The girl who had lived a few doors down from her would come over and the two of them would play for hours creating snow angels and snowmen, giving them true features and pretending he was magical as they recreated The Snowman, intent upon watching the film later that day as her family and friends gathered for dinner. Yet even as they had matured, and the girl thought her too 'nerdy' to be associated with, the opening of presents, the decorations and overall joy that was brought to her through the spirit of Christmas never let her hopes fall. She giggled to herself a little, thinking forward to how she could shape her well imagined her future. She thought of taking her children out towards the ice rink, playing with them and helping to create the most magnificent snow sculptures, all the time accompanied by a loving husband who watched over them carefully. Yet for now, she knew that all she had was this. A present from her parents and perhaps from her few friends, knowing that she would have to babysit her Master for the entire day, unable to join in with the festivities. She had even had to buy her ungrateful Master a present, knowing that he would give her nothing in return and expect her to look after him for the day, waiting on him hand and foot. It made her feel sick, knowing what was coming, and as he stirred, she braced herself for the ferocious unwrapping of the large pile of presents that were currently stacked high at the bottom of his bed. Ron turned over groggily, groaning in his half asleep state, yet jolted suddenly, seeming to register exactly what day it was and immediately sitting bolt upright, "Harry!" He cried loudly, causing all the boys to wake disgruntled, not wanting to move from their warm, comfy beds, but suddenly extremely excited, attacking their own piles of perfectly wrapped boxes. Hermione looked over to a very bored looking Carla who gave her half of a smile and yawned widely. She shrugged and took up a small package next to her, beginning to open her own very small collection of gifts, ignoring Harry completely. Hermione looked to an obliviously energized Ron and held up a small parcel,
"Master?" She interrupted him, earning herself a dirty glare for interrupting his joy,
"Yes, yes! Open what you want!" He returned to the box of Zonko's Joke Shop treats, grinning madly from ear to ear, barely able to contain himself. Hermione gave a sudden excited look towards the long package, giving it a small shake before quickly beginning to open her parents' gift of a copy of Charles Darwin's Origin of Species, cradling it affectionately, catching Ron looking down at her strangely, trying to peer over her shoulder to read the title. She beamed, reluctantly to place it down, excited to begin reading it soon, and turning to a slightly larger package, she carefully read the miniature label. Carla, Justin and Kevin had put together to buy her a large baking set along with the shoes from the previous night, that she adored, smiling kindly at her friend and making a mental note to thank the others for their kindness when she saw them next. Her final present was inside a small white bag, caringly given to her by Viktor, also wrapped inside several boxes, which she recognised immediately, having stared at them through the shop windows for hours on end during summer shopping trips with her mother. She opened the largest of the boxes and pulled out a particularly costly silver Muggle bracelet, followed by its accompaniment of charms. She stared down in shock, knowing how expensive it must have been, especially after the dress he had already also purchased for her so lovingly.
"Oh Hermione!" Carla gasped in wonder, causing them all to turn and look at the bracelet she was holding up to inspect, "A Pandora! Who could have possibly afforded that?" The boys stared puzzled into silence at how such a small thing could cause such astonishment, until Harry spoke,
"A Muggle bracelet, they're very expensive aren't they? I've heard girls love those, hundreds of pounds for them, sometimes even thousands." Even he looked amazed at her receiving such a present, let alone any complementary ornaments,
"Pounds? Is that Muggle money?" Asked a slightly confused and still half asleep Neville
"Yes Master Neville, Master Harry! Extremely expensive! Even the silver ones! Who's it from Hermione?" Hermione blushed slightly, not wanting to divulge any kinds of information about it, trying to hide the present from them a little by shuffling the boxes and bag about noisily,
"V...Viktor." She half whispered, hoping they wouldn't take any notice of her or ask to hear her again. Yet she simply received a loud 'humph' from Ron who continued noisily unwrapping his own presents, attempting not to give the impression that he cared about such a present. Hermione smiled a little more, feeling less embarrassed, removing them all proudly from their boxes. She proceeded to attach the bracelet and its several charms to her wrist, gladly sitting back and now waiting for Ron to finish his unwrapping so that she could clear up quickly and be done with it.
"Oh...Her, Granger. Looks like there's something here for you." Harry said, a little awkwardly at first, throwing a small golden box at her, tied up with a small red ribbon. She looked curiously at it as it hit the floor about a foot in front of her, then to Harry, "It's not from me if that's what you're thinking." She shook her head rapidly,
"No, not at all Master Harry! I was just...thinking..." She chortled a little sheepishly, scratching her head lightly; unsure of what she was actually trying to articulate to him.
"Must have just got mixed up with mine. Stupid owls."Harry said plainly, continuing with the half opened pair of mouldy socks, seemingly from his mother's non magical side of the family. Hermione silently scolded herself for even allowing her brain to suggest that Master Harry would have purchased her something, despite them having spent the past five Christmas' together. Returning to the box, she lent forwards gingerly and clasped it tightly in her hands, bringing it back into herself and pushing her back against the cupboard by Ron's bedside. Cautiously taking it in her fingers, she placed it in her open palm, staring at it intently as she slowly removed the ribbon, looking around every few seconds, just to check that no one was watching her. Taking a small flap by the front to open it, she slowly lifted the lip, peering tentatively inside. She took out a small piece of paper that lay upon the top of whatever else was inside of the box, and read it carefully and quietly,
'I won't tell if you don't.' The handwriting was unknown to her, foreign and frightening. Having no clue as to what the box pertained, she barely felt able to open the lid again, the note putting her in a difficult situation, wanting and knowing that she had to open the box once more, but wanting to throw it away from her, never to see inside of it. Yet, knowing what she had to out of necessity, she delicately pulled open the top once more, her missing earring laying upon a small red, plump cushion, clearly polished to perfection. Her eyes widened suddenly and she snapped the box shut tight, pushing it into the folds of her dress along with the ribbon and not wanting to look at it anymore, almost wishing she had not received it and grateful that no one had asked about its contents, 'Somebody knows.'
Japan's Arc Angel x
