Sands of Change
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 6
Lucy led Hermione to her apartment. Asking Hermione to put up something to keep others out. So with the light pen, Hermione wrote keywords around the apartment. Protect, defend, and Lucy allows entry.
Within moments after the Runes were in place. They heard thumps, grumps, and profanities. Only to cause Lucy to giggle with glee.
"Yes, no more break-ins from my team!"
The totem that led them out of the guild. Nudged Hermione to the couch. "Sleep, you burned too much energy."
As soon as Hermione was forced to lay down. She fell into a deep sleep. Only to see her world frozen in place. As she threw herself through time.
The next morning, Hermione woke up with the totem laying over a blanket. Which covered her hip. Acting like a protective guard dog. Her eyes looked around the apartment. Seeing a clock that read nine in the morning. Telling her that she slept for twelve hours.
"You're awake," she heard Lucy cry out. "You nearly scared me when you didn't wake up. I had to call Loke to find out how exhausted you were."
Lucy handed Hermione some new clothes. Pointed her towards the bathroom. Hermione ordered the totem to stay out and watch Lucy. When she had a feeling that people would show up soon.
Hermione took a quick shower. Only to find herself in green jean shorts, black button down cotton shirt, and brown leather boots. Making her look like a hiker. When she left the bathroom, she found many people at Lucy's door.
With a long-winded sigh, she asked, "Why are all of you here?"
"Lucy won't let us in!"
Hermione could understand why Wendy would show up. Since she was a healer. As well as the old Team Natsu. When they had liked crashing at Lucy's apartment.
But seeing people like the Thunder Legion, Gajeel, Pantherlily, Elfman, Cana and Levy. Lucy had not told her about them. But then again, she could see why Bickslow. As Popo had not left her side.
"Can we go to the guild for this? There are too many for a small apartment!"
Many grumbled, but had turned to leave. Only for Lucy to say, "Thanks."
Once everyone made it to the guild. Hermione and Lucy were ushered to the middle table. Surrounded by many others.
"Please tell me," begged Bickslow. Who rushed to her side. "How do you know, Popo? He was lost, wandering around, when I met him. Forgot his name."
The totem pushed Bickslow back. "Hermione and I were in school together, 800 years ago. We battled the dark, only for many to die. She helped us learn, even though she was three years older."
Hermione nodded her head. "I was eighteen when the battle broke out. Colin was just fourteen."
Bickslow looked lost. "How many souls were lost that day?"
Hermione closed her eyes. "Hundreds. For years, we fought our teachers and government to allow us to learn. Teach us to fight. Only to be ignored."
"Man, who were you fighting," asked Elfman.
"A lose-less snake-man. He wanted to rid the world of everything that wasn't magical blood. Even those who were born without magical parents. People like me."
"That's genocide," gasped Master Makarov. "There would be no future generations!"
"What were you doing before coming here," asked Freed. "Before the war began?"
"Hunting objects that would kill him. Bringing the end of the war sooner. Since the war was fought within a day."
"How long were you hiding, hunting the objects," Gajeel jumped in.
"Nine months."
Natsu grinned, "How long were you riding a Dragon?"
"An hour. A half a day before the war started."
Laxus grumbled, "Were you caught before the war started?"
"Yes, I was tortured for three hours. Not giving any information. When I was carved." She shook her head. "Please, no more questions."
"Just one more," smirked Cana. "Which of our fine guys do you like?"
Hermione blinked at her. "I already told Lucy." Shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know." She noticed that some guys looked disappointed in her answer. 'I am not a piece of meat, you dumbasses.'
A guy in the back of the guild had started to laugh. She turned to him. Only to realize that she hadn't seen him before.
Lucy huffed, "That's Cobra. He can hear people's souls. It's not like reading minds or anything. But close enough. He is also a Poison Dragon Slayer."
Hermione shivered, she had dealt with three males the day before. Only to find there was another one. 'What the Bloody Hell, five in one guild! I really feel doomed.'
Lucy giggled after seeing Hermione's discomfort. "I know you may feel uncomfortable with the amount of Dragon Slayers. But our enemies are far more scared when they're faced with them."
Hermione shook her head. "With that knowledge, I think I might need a drink."
Cana yelled from sitting over Hermione's shoulder. "Mira! Hermione here would like a stiff drink!"
"You drink," asked Lucy in disbelief.
Hermione shook her head. "Not always. I was faced with near death situations for seven years. I learned to tolerate it."
After Mira served her what looked like whiskey. She drank the glass down in one go. Feeling her shot nerves being smoothed. Only to realize that she was going to eat something.
"Can I get you anything else," asked Mira with concern.
"Hash browns, please."
Then Mira left, with the order. Cana looked at Hermione. Only to make her uncomfortable. "What?"
"You're odd, you're just this quiet little thing that can fight, adapt and drink. I'm kind of envious of you."
Hermione smiled, "Usually I'm the one envious of people. I value books, wit and smarts. With a good dose of friendship. That's what I had. I was envious of people who could click with others. Forming romance like it was another language."
Cana laughed, "Oh, girl! It is another language, but mostly a dance. Should you let them know you're interested in them? Give them a little, then pull back just a little, for them to keep coming back."
Hermione shook her head. "That is a player move. I want something real. Giving each other that the other one needs. Grow as a strong couple."
Cana gave her a look. "You've never been with anyone, have you?"
Lucy groaned, "Cana!"
"I had other things to worry about," Hermione bit back.
Soon Mira came back with food. Where Hermione dug in. Showing everyone that she wasn't in the mood to talk. Leaving Popo knocking anyone away, if they tried to ask her anything. Only for Hermione to hide her smile.
