Sands of Change
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 20
Hermione Granger had popped herself back into the middle of the dancing girls. Where she was before she had popped out. But she had found herself in the middle of chaos. The girls had made a multi layer circle, blocking the men of the dark guild from getting there. While she realized that the music had stopped.
One of the girls that she had spoken to before she had left. Turned to her and asked, "Is she safe?"
"She is back with her father," stated Hermione with a focus edge.
"Let us through," the men yelled at the women. Before, one of the women had gotten whipped by a vine.
Hermione saw red. "Get down," she hissed.
Just a moment before, she raised her hands. Once all the women had ducked down. A wave of water forced them away from them. Pushing them towards the walls.
At that moment, Gajeel and Laxus had jumped out of the shadows. Signaling for Hermione and Lucy to get in front of the girls from other places. Within moments, the guys charged at them. Only to find an Iron club or zapped by lightning in most places.
Lucy growled as she pulled her whip out. Then started cracking at anything that moved closer. Hermione lost patience and Locomotor Mortis a few guys. While throwing some Petrificus Totalus at a few more. Making quite a show of falling bodies.
After seeing that there were only a handful left. Hermione encouraged the girls to follow her out of the cave system. She was grateful that she didn't have to slap a few in order to listen to her. She had managed to lead them to the exit closest to town. Only causing the girls to jog. Making them get there faster.
Once back in town, they were greeted with Travis Weasley and his daughter, Molly. "Everyone is in town. Except for your three friends."
Hermione nodded, "Thank you for helping, Travis."
"No, thank you for bringing them home."
Hermione started walking around the town. Setting upwards and other protective measures. She knew she had to move as fast as she could. Hoping that it was enough to protect the town. Once she was finished, she was back where she had started.
Travis turned to her. "What is this shimmering dome?"
Hermione smiled kindly. "It's what's protecting your town. I didn't want a stray Dark Guild member sneaking in."
The man nodded in agreement. Just as, a dark figure came into view. When it came clear to see who it was. Hermione raised her hand, calling for her diamond blade, him to a tree away from the town.
"What the living Hell! Can't a man make a pleasure business around here?!"
Hermione growled, "Not by using teenage girls, you're not!" She threw another blade, hitting close to what makes him a man.
"You're nuts lady!" The man whimpered harshly.
Molly came running towards her. Only to hug Hermione. "Please, don't allow him to come any closer."
"Who is he?"
"Donovic's second in command. Darian, he calls him family. But I don't see any resemblance." Molly shivered beside her. "He was the one that led me to the caves."
Hermione glared at the man. Only to cause him to flinch. She nearly wanted to throw another blade at him. Just to see how close she can get. But she was not into torture.
Bellatrix LeStrange had scared her from ever wanting to try. Not even think about it. Hermione didn't think she had it in her to begin with. She never thought about torturing anyone before. Not even against people like Draco, back when they were in school together.
But the man before her. Led women away from their homes. Only to show that they were nothing more than slaves. It was sickening. She really wanted to snap at him. But Molly had her arms around her, preventing her from acting on anything.
Within a blink of an eye, Laxus flashed into existence. He looked around and noticed the man pinned to the tree. He turned to her with a raised eyebrow in question.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I missed." She might as well have a smig of fun with it.
"I hardly doubt that." Laxus noticed Molly at her side. "You've been brave during this whole ordeal."
Molly moved to where Hermione blocked him from coming close to her.
Hermione took a deep breath. "It's nothing against you, Laxus. But she's afraid of men, who aren't her Dad."
Laxus nodded his head. "I heard what she said to you. After you left, was when Gajeel and I took action. No one should go through that, no matter the age."
Molly looked at him in awe. "You fought against the men?"
Laxus nodded, "I even zapped Dominic, hard. While Gajeel had clubbed him hard, in the head."
It was then that Molly had eased off of Hermione. Giving a small smile. "Thank you, sir." Before she walked back to her father.
Laxus glanced around. "Gajeel and Lucy had stayed at the cave. I had already called the Rune Knights. They should be here soon." He looked at her. "How are you holding up?"
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. "I don't know yet. Magic wise, I am stable. But emotionally, I want to see someone suffer for this. But my moral compass won't allow me."
Laxus grumbled, "Believe it or not. But I struggle with my moral compass. I used to think that power was important in life. But, I had a wake-up call. So I understand what you mean."
Hermione smiled at him. "I should give Travis Weasley an update."
"Ask him about a place we can crash."
Hermione nodded and turned on her heel. Making her way through people to get to Travis. Giving her his full attention.
