Hey Jess! I wrote a chappie for the first time in ages. Yay. Yes I promise another obi chappie will be soon to follow. The title sucks but I am on holiday so I can do what I want!Yay!(CAN YOU TELL I'M EXCITED?)
I probably should be apologising profusely to my readers and reviewers… but I can't be bothered.
Chapter 8: On the road again
A soft golden light was shining through the mist, where a girl stood, immune to its warming embrace. Dazed and confused but trusting in the voice that was calling to her, beckoning her to follow, she moved towards the light. The mist began to part, swirling around her slim figure and pooling at her feet. The golden glow of the light intensified and recognition stirred in the lost girl's eyes. As awareness awoke in her sleepy consciousness, the golden glow touched the girl's skin for the first time. Awakening her senses, a smile curled on the corners of her mouth. As this smile emerged, the light suddenly receded as if affected by her solitary grin. Slowly raising her lowered head, it was just possible in the shrinking light to see glinting pointed teeth, framed by wild tendrils of hair and a pair of wild tiger eyes smouldering in the dark.
"PEASE FASTEN YOU SEAT BELTS"
Hermione awoke with a start, opening her eyes wide and immediately was jerked back into her seat by a thick black seat beat. As the groggy feeling left her mind, she tried to make sense of her new surroundings. It appeared she was in an..aeroplane? And in first class at that. The last thing she remembered was following that beautiful music and meeting mythical creatures. Mythical creatures that had said she was one of THEM.
Okay this is officially weird. How the hell did I get from there to here?
Seized by panic Hermione grasped for the seal belt release.
"Hey love, your not allowed to get up yet" croaked a mans voice.
Love? Nobody calls me that and lives.
"Hey buddy, just who do think you're….oh". Starring across at her was an elderly gentleman with a kind expression on his face. "Geez sir…Sorry, for being rude, but I'm a little antsy today."
Grinning a wide smile that revealed a set of perfect pearly whites the man nodded. "Ah yes, these long flights can make even the calmest person jumpy. Don't worry deary, you'll be able to visit the ladies room quite soon. This turbulence can't last forever."
"Um…can I ask you something…er…sir? Did you see me get on the plane and (after reaching into her jacket pockets to hopefully find her ticket…yes! Success!)could you tell me why I am in first class when my ticket states I should be in coach?"
The man looked at her, trying to decide if she was pulling his leg. Noting her dazed expression, he decided she must honestly have no clue. "Well, yes, I saw you board the plane. In fact you were a few people behind me the in the line. Oh, and I suppose you were one of the lucky scallywags who were chosen for an upgrade. I heard them making several people the offer. Yes, you've been sleeping peacefully in that chair like an angel for most of the trip. Actually you remind me of my darling Marie, the way you keep drifting off, muttering things under your breath. Bless her soul. She had the most wicked temper but could be such a sweetie. Just like her dog Sally. Ah now that was a clever dog. Do you know she used to be able to pick up a paper and…."
"DING, DING. PASSENGERS ARE NOW ABLE TO REMOVE THEIR SEAT BELTS. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR COPPERATION."
"Thanks for that sir, I'll be going now" said Hermione, secretly praising the crews timing. They had just saved her from hearing a lengthy yarn about Marie and her wonder dog Sally.
Oh you horrible girl, that poor man just wanted somebody to talk to. Maybe I'll lend him an ear once I have this sorted. At least I know now, that I walked on the plane and wasn't teleported...I hope. Maybe an old guy who thinks I look like his wife isn't the most reliable source of information. Hm….
Hermione looked at her watch. Great, she only had another hour or two before the plane landed. At least then she could do some much need research and figure out just what had happened to her.
Making her way down the aisle to the toilets (just in case the old man caught on to the fact she was just trying to avoid hearing his life story), Hermione caught a glimpse of something in the reflective armrests of the plane. Something very disturbing. Something horrifying. Something where her reflection should have been. Something with pointed teeth.
Hermione bolted to the end of the plane and rushed into an unoccupied cubical.
Oh god, please tell me nobody saw that… oh god, oh god… Not wanting to face herself, Hermione tried not to look up. This is stupid, it was probably just a weird trick of the light. I'm fine, I'm fine, I have to be fine.
Screaming this mantra in her head, Hermione forced herself to look in the mirror.
"I'm fine...?"
Staring back at her was a normal looking girl who looked like she needed a good sleep.
Other than that, all her teeth were normal (braces are fine but a little bit of magic never hurts) and her eyes were still honey brown. There was no monster, no evil creature looking back at her, and more importantly, not a trace of a blood-thirsty Fury. It must have been a dream – no, a nightmare. She was alright.
Hermione let out a whoop of joy and considered dancing around in the cubical, if it wasn't for the fact flight attendants get suspicious of moving toilets.
"Well, I might not be a creature, but I sure do look like hell. Where's a brush when you need one?"
Wetting her hands, Hermione smoothed back her hair and washed her face. She straightened her clothes and looked back into the mirror satisfied. Wait, her necklace wasn't sitting right on her collar. Hermione undid her collar but froze before the last button was undone.
The blood drained from her face as a cruel looking slash appeared beneath her fingers. Gently fingering it, blood came away on her hands. It was fresh.
Hands slightly shaking at what this injury might imply, Hermione washed the blood from her hands and watched as the blood-stained water circled in the sink before disappearing down the drain.
Trembling with shock, Hermione dreaded what she might see if she dared to look in the mirror again, but a dizzy feeling in her head forced her to steady herself by opening her eyes.
Gods no…
If Hermione had eaten the offered in-flight meal, then she surely would have thrown up.
Her human face was twisting and distorting. Her eyes flashed and changed to bloodthirsty tiger eyes. Her hair lengthened and gained small silver beaded plaits and finally her teeth sharpened and some longer teeth burst from the roof of her mouth, spurting blood. This was the face of a hunter. This was the face of a Fury. This was the true face of Hermione.
It wasn't a dream, this was real. The memories of her brief encounter with the furies resurfaced in Hermione's mind, like they had been waiting for the scar to unlock them.
It was at that moment Hermione remembered the older Fury's words, the one that claimed to be her great grandmother. It had been her that slashed her and whispered "so you don't forget".
"Geez, thanks granny. Don't suppose I could have remembered when I wasn't on a plane full of muggles. Holy crap, how can I go back out in the plane looking like jungle girl?"
Hermione began pacing the extremely small toilet cubical, racking her brain for answers. Well, magic was out; she didn't even have her wand on her. Although…if she really was a magical creature, she should have some innate abilities. That was it! Magical creatures are allow to use magic even when they are underage because magic forms the very nature of them, Hermione recited mentally. She knew reading 'A Wizard's Guide to Magical Creatures and the Laws Binding Them' would prove useful.
Well, furies have the ability to shape change, so shouldn't I be able to shape change into something a little less conspicuous. Magic is mostly will power formed into action… hmm… it's worth a shot.
Hermione concentrated on her image, willing away the features of a Fury. Magic began to shimmer in the air and Hermione knew she was succeeding when her eyes reverted back to honey brown. She forced herself to continue, but the strain of wielding untaught power was beginning to show. Beads of sweat rolled down her pale skin, as her teeth shrunk to human proportions. In a final burst of effort, her hair lost its braids and reverted to Hermione's normal length and colour.
Exhausted, Hermione checked her image. It was the perfect image of a tired girl. Reluctantly emerging from her safe haven, Hermione counted how many steps it would take for her to flee into the cubical, just in case her newly found magic didn't hold back her Fury looks for long.
After staggering down the aisle, she collapsed into her seat.
"Oh, you're back, love. I was beginning to think you fell down there. Well, it's not long until we land, but I'm sure I could fit in a story about my dearest Marie. Well, Sally, remember Sally? Yes, well Sally had been off her dinner and my Marie just couldn't say why……"
Hermione reluctantly committed herself to listening about Sally, until the plane was safely on the ground. After saying a hasty good-bye she set off for Diagon Alley, the only place she could get some answers.
Normally alert, Hermione failed to notice the shadow that was following her out of the airport. Admittedly, she was distracted. The figure waited until Hermione had left the airport to step out of the shadows. Watching a passer-by, in a few seconds an identical person was walking the other direction. The only trace that the shadow had been there was a solitary feather that glinted silver in the darkness.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah ….I wrote another chappie!
I am so sorry to anybody who actually was reading this story for the long break but my life has been kinda complicated recently. Also my muse decided to go on holiday (and she didn't tell me). Not really an excuse but anyway, enjoy.
Hey, readers. Jess (DRS) here. I did offer to lend Maddy my muse, but she ignored me. sulks
Reviews are great, the world would be a better place if the world (and me) had more reviews.
