Chances
Chances are the fascinations
Chances won't escape from me
Chances are only what we make them
And all I need
The arrival and very swift departure of Hermione's friends brought the outside world and its horrible realities crashing into the manor. Yet despite this, both Hermione and Evie were very determined not to rue over it. Christmas was fast approaching and that gave them all something to occupy their time with. The Manor was once again unrecognisable as it was dressed appropriately for the festivities of Yule. The outside was blanketed in heavy snow but the inside of the Manor was warm from all the fires and laughter that filled the space. Draco had gone back to check on his mother one morning and the Rowle siblings and Hermione were having breakfast.
"You still haven't told me what you want for Christmas," Hermione said looking at Thorfinn.
"Nothing," he said with a small smile.
"How could you want nothing?" Hermione asked surprised.
"What more can I ask for, love?" he asked in reply. He huffed when he noticed Hermione's still confused expression. He really had thought it was very obvious. "I thought every Christmas I'd ever have would be behind the steel bars of Azkaban and now well … that's not the case anymore is it?" he asked rhetorically, "I get to spend this Christmas with you and Evie," he said turning to smile at his sister, "So I really can't think of anything more I'd want."
Hermione was very touched by his answer but she wanted him make this Christmas special for him. But his insistence on not needing a gift was making that rather difficult, so she pouted a little dramatically, "Well I can't very well shop for nothing," she grumbled and both Thorfinn and Evie laughed.
"Well you see Duchess," Thorfinn said snaking his arm around her waist and pulling her towards him. Hermione yelped in surprise and smacked his arm, "Seeing as I want nothing that just means that you don't have to leave to buy anything," he teased.
Hermione chuckled, "That's not how this works Viking."
He made a face that showed his was rather displeased with their plans. He sighed and then looked at her, "And what is it that you want for Christmas?"
Hermione was about to reply but she stopped. She hadn't thought about what she wanted. It had been about making Thorfinn's Christmas special. She didn't want anything other than Thorfinn. She turned and looked at him, inwardly groaning when she noticed his knowing smirk.
"Why don't you surprise me?" she replied instead.
Evie grinned at the pair and there was a glint in her eyes that Thorfinn recognised.
"What?" he asked frowning. Hermione hadn't moved from his lap, instead pulling her coffee and the Daily Prophet towards her.
"Nothing," Evie replied still grinning. Thorfinn merely rolled his eyes at his sister. "So I take it we're still heading out then?" Evie asked Hermione.
Hermione nodded ignoring Thorfinn's quiet grumblings about Evie and Hermione's plans to venture out to Diagon Alley. He wasn't too keen on the idea but his stubborn witches refused to hide from the world any longer. Due to his grumblings he'd failed to notice the letter that the owl had dropped in front of him. When Hermione had picked it up and handed it to him, he didn't even bother trying to hide his surprise. He noticed the markings on the parchment and shook his head when Hermione offered to check it for any curses. Hastily he ripped open the letter and devoured the contents. Hermione didn't say anything, simply watching curiously. She was a little worried when his grip around her tightened but still she said nothing, waiting for him instead. Eventually, Thorfinn looked at her and she could easily see the guilt as he laid down the letter.
"Who is it from?" Hermione asked.
"Antonin," Thorfinn answered quietly. Hermione froze at the name, remembering their last encounter at the ministry.
"What did he say?" Evie asked when nobody said anything.
Thorfinn looked rather disturbed and it was a while before he answered. "He uh… he just owled to tell me that his sentence has been reviewed." Thorfinn told them, "Apparently complaints were made to the council and they are now forced to reopen all Death Eater trials."
"Did they reconsider his sentence?" Evie asked.
Thorfinn nodded, "It would seem his ten-year sentence will be overturned to…"
"To…?" Evie pressed.
"The kiss," Thorfinn mumbled. "He's sentenced for the Kiss."
Both Evie and Hermione gasped. "C-can they do that?" Evie asked aghast.
"He's a Death Eater Evie, no one is going to care," Thorfinn reminded her.
"But that is not how this should work!" Hermione insisted. She stood from her seat pushing the newspaper away and picking up the letter instead. Yes, Antonin Dolohov was a Death Eater but she believed that they all deserved a fair trial. What sort of message would this send? Hermione looked at Thorfinn and could see the deep sadness in his eyes at the news of his friend's fate. "T-that's not right," she mumbled more to herself.
"That's the way it is, Hermione," Evie said sadly. "He is a Death Eater and if rumours are to be believed," she said this looking at her brother because he always refused to comment on such things, "One of the worst." At this Thorfinn clenched his jaw, biting down on his anger. "But …" Evie sighed.
"But?" Hermione prompted.
"He saved my life more times than I can count. He's a Death Eater, yes, but he's also a good friend." Thorfinn said. He shook his head and without saying anything more, hastily got up from the table, leaving the room in an unsettling hush.
Hermione was unsure what to do then. She turned to Evie, "Should I …?" she asked hesitantly.
"No," Evie sighed, "Just give him a moment."
Hermione nodded. Evie reached over grasped Hermione's hand.
"He's not a terrible person Hermione," Evie said. Hermione looked rather sceptical on that point, "I don't deny he's done terrible things." Evie continued, "But I don't think he deserves this."
"I think regardless of what he's done he should at least get a fair trial," Hermione said.
Evie smiled at this. Hermione Granger, ever the defender of justice.
"Out of curiosity, what makes you say he's not a terrible person?" Hermione asked.
"Being Thorfinn Rowle's sister was not just stressful, it was also very dangerous. There were times when he'd be gone for days on end on some ridiculous mission for him and I'd be left all alone in this Manor. It was during these times that Antonin made it a habit of dropping by. At first I thought he was waiting around for my brother to make sure he didn't screw up but then I realised he was … I don't know protecting me I guess. I imagine Thorfinn might have asked him at some point. But he never complained and he never left until Finn was safely home." Evie explained to Hermione. Whatever she wanted to say next seemed very difficult for her and that gave Hermione pause because Evie was one of the strongest people she knew. "There… there were a few times when Finn barely came back. He'd stumble through the door all bloodied and bruised and if Antonin hadn't been here, I honestly don't know what I would have done." She chuckled with some remembrance, "He'd make these delicious breakfasts the next morning," she said and really did laugh at the surprised expression on Hermione's face, "And simply act as if he hadn't just saved my brother." Evie sighed again, "I just… figured there must be some humanity beneath all that imposing Death Eater."
Hermione chuckled ruefully, "He sounds as equally complex as Thorfinn and Draco."
"I'm not a Death Eater sympathiser nor do I condone what they've done but I will say that in some cases these so called Death Eaters aren't as evil as the world makes them out to be." Evie said. "Antonin Dolohov has a soul and I hate that he's going to lose it before he's even given the chance at redemption."
"I'm sorry Evie," Hermione said gently. She didn't know what else to say on the matter. She did agree that it was very unfair that Antonin was about to lose his soul before even getting a chance at redeeming himself.
"You should go check on him now, Hermione," Evie said rising from the table.
Hermione nodded and left the kitchen in search for Thorfinn. It didn't take very long to find him. He was leaning against the balcony of their bedroom. The tension he felt was very clear in his taut muscles and clenched jaw. He'd pulled his hair back into a bun and it only served to show just how upset he was. She could see that worry in his eyes.
He didn't say anything as Hermione approached. She placed a hand on his shoulder and immediately she felt the tension he held so strongly.
"He's not an evil person Hermione," Thorfinn said quietly, unknowingly repeating his sister's words. "I'm not saying he hasn't done terrible things, but he's not …" he stopped and sucked in a breath. "We all did terrible things and I know what it must look like but he's…"
"Evie told me a little about him, and from what I gather he's been a very good friend to you," she admitted.
"He's been more like a brother," Thorfinn said and suddenly it made sense to Hermione why he was so upset. This wasn't just another friend he was about to lose. This was his brother. "I probably wouldn't have survived this long without him." He sighed, "It doesn't seem fair. Had the bond not happened between us, his fate could easily have been mine," Thorfinn said finally looking down at Hermione. "It probably would have." He turned to Hermione and asked very seriously, "How is it fair that we both did such terrible things but his fate is now so much worse than mine?"
Hermione bit her lip, "It's just how fate works, Thorfinn," she said gently.
"But how is that fair?" he pleaded quietly to her.
"It's not," she whispered looking into his tormented grey eyes. Hermione reached up, cupping a hand on his bearded cheek and gently pulling him down a little to her level till their foreheads were pressed together. Hermione thought she recognised something else in his eyes but she couldn't be quite sure.
"It's not fair at all," she whispered, "I'm sorry Thorfinn." He shut his eyes in defeat at her words, "But… I'm glad you don't share the same fate," she continued and his eyes flew open at her words. He stiffened beneath her touch, "And if he's as good a friend as you and Evie say he is, I'm willing to bet he's glad that you two don't share the same fate."
It was a bitter pill to swallow and immediately Hermione knew it was a big part of what Thorfinn had been agonising over. He hated that his fate was so blissfully different to his brother in arms but more than that, he was glad for it. When his arms wound around her, pressing her close, Hermione knew what it was she'd seen in his eyes a few moments ago; guilt.
Thorfinn raised his head just a bit, his lips brushing against her forehead as his fingers carded itself into her hair. "How terrible of a person does it make me for being glad for that?" he whispered.
"Just as terrible as me or Evie I'd imagine," she answered. He looked a little surprised at her answer.
She knew he could never think of his sister or herself as evil and she had to remind him that perhaps it was okay to be grateful fate had played a different hand to him. She had to remind him that he was not the only one carrying the guilt of Antonin Dolohov's grim fate.
This time, when he kissed her it was without guilt or remorse. He kissed her so assuredly and so grateful for his fate. And when she kissed him back, Hermione did so with renewed gusto; a new appreciation for the fact that their magic had chosen to save them both. Their bond had protected him from a similar fate and now their love would carry them through everything that would follow.
She brushed her lips against his delicately, "You know, I think I'm going to ask Evie if we can reschedule this shopping trip," she murmured.
Surprisingly Thorfinn shook his head, "No I think you should go."
"You do?" Hermione asked with raised eyebrows.
Thorfinn chuckled, "I still don't like the idea very much but I don't want you here moping with me." Hermione frowned and was about to argue again but he quickly and chastely kissed her silencing her. "Please. I promise I'll be okay."
Hermione didn't look entirely convinced. "Well what are you going to do then?" she asked.
Thorfinn sighed, "Perhaps I'll write him back," he suggested. "Do… do you think that sounds like a good idea?" he asked uncharacteristically hesitant.
"I think he might like that," Hermione answered.
Thorfinn smiled looking rather relieved at her words. He pulled her closer, sighing in content when she laid her head against his chest. He hated that his fate and his brothers were so different and he hoped it time the guilt lessen but for the time being he was just grateful that for once in his life, fate had been so uncharacteristically kind to him in having blessed him with Hermione.
}{}{}{}{}{}{
Evie watched Hermione walk away and sighed, truly grateful for the witch that had made a rather unexpected entry into their lives. Her brother was as complex as they came. His burly stature was intimidating enough that most sensible wizards were weary of him. That coupled with the fact that he had been a Death Eater. But his quiet demeanour and sharp wit was rather surprisingly. Evie had worried about her brother for the longest of times. Not just that he might die on one of those suicide missions the Dark Lord would send him on but that he would be destined to spend the rest of his life alone, alienated from the world because he'd made impossible choices to keep her safe. For who would knowingly love a Death Eater? It was a hard argument to have. To have to do the things to protect one's family is easy enough to understand but when those things start to cross the moral grounds of good and evil… well that conversation becomes a lot harder to have.
She knew everything her brother had done had been for her. And there would never be any way for her to repay it. Not that he would ever allow her to. But it seemed fate had taken care of that. It had brought Hermione Granger to them.
Evie was quite positive she had never seen her brother so happy before and she was sure that Hermione didn't have a clue as to the great impact she'd made on them. For, it was Hermione who seemed to bring out the more flirtatious carefree side to her brother. He laughed more these days, louder and more boisterous than he'd ever done before. It was Hermione who taught him patience – a trait he'd never been too good with. And it was Hermione who had given him the most important thing he could ever need; a chance at redemption. But their bond didn't just work one way. Evie had been right, as much as Thorfinn needed Hermione, she needed him, for more than just surviving a war. Thorfinn taught Hermione it was okay to be selfish and want more for yourself.
Evie was glad that her very smart brother had not squandered the opportunity and now there was no doubt as to why their magic had chosen them for each other.
Her eyes fell on the letter her brother had left behind. She sighed. Antonin. Now that's complicated, she mused. She hadn't lied when she told Hermione about Antonin. He was much of a complexity as her brother was. She figured that's why they were drawn to each other. They were so much alike sometimes; Evie swore they had once been actual brothers in a previous life. They had worked for the same terrible power hungry Dark Lord and did the same terrible things but yet their lives were now so different.
"Hey," a voice said softly.
Evie looked up and saw Draco standing just at the threshold looking at her rather worriedly. She smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
"What's happened?" he asked with a small frown.
Evie sighed and motioned for him to come closer. Draco took a seat beside and without saying anything else, Evie pushed the letter towards him. A hesitant Draco, already fearing the worst quickly read the letter, his stomach twisting with every word. When he was done, he laid down the letter only to find Evie had tears in her eyes. She was doing her very best not to shed them though. Draco looked at her very concerned and without thinking it any further pulled her to him and that was all the comfort she needed to let go as she cried. He didn't say anything, simply holding her as did so.
"T-that could have been Finn," she hiccupped and immediately more tears fell because it was absolutely awful that she was glad it wasn't. But it had to be somebody. "He did bad things but he doesn't deserve this." She cried. "That could have been my brother, Draco," she mumbled before turning her face into his chest and muffling her cries.
"But it's not," Draco said gently. He moved her just a little so he could look at her. Merlin, he was mad for this witch and it hurt to see her so distraught but there was very little he could do to change that. So he did the only thing he thought might help, he held her a little closer, a little tighter. "It's not," he repeated.
"And I'm glad for it," she said clearly disgusted at herself for that.
Draco sighed as it was slowly become rather clear on how Thorfinn Rowle survived the war with most of his soul intact. Evie. He was sure she had been there, reminding Thorfinn to be better as the Dark Lord quite literally beat them down the path of evil. Draco often wondered what his life would be like if he'd had someone like Evie to help him through the war. To help him hold onto his soul like Evie helped Thorfinn hold onto his.
"W-what does that say?" She asked looking at him hopelessly. "Antonin used to make me breakfast and stay up with me till my brother came home. Merlin knows he's saved Thorfinn more times than any of us could count and yet … I'm glad," she bit her lip looking so utterly distraught at that thought.
"It says that you love your brother, very much," Draco answered. "And if Antonin is anything like the wizard the rumours have him to be I doubt he'd appreciate your pity."
Evie frowned, opening her mouth to argue but when she thought about it, Draco was right. Antonin would hate that they were pitying his grim turn of fate. She could practically see the sneer on his face at her guilt and tears.
"But…" she said weakly.
"He knew what he was doing," Draco reminded her, "He knew what would happen if the Dark Lord lost. Believe me, we all did. Thorfinn and I … Evie we got lucky. But there are a lot of wizards like Antonin who didn't. And they aren't in the least bit surprised by their fate. My uncle Bas, Yaxley, Amycus Carrow, Macnair," he said and Evie scrunched her face at those last two names, "Okay bad example, but the point is they aren't surprised by where they are now. They knew the moment the Dark lord fell… we all did." Draco finished quietly.
Evie looked at him and a new thought occurred. She straightened a little, wiping her tears as she did so.
"You still don't believe it?" she asked.
She didn't need to clarify her question. Draco knew what she meant. He let out a long breath and shook his head. In a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability Draco answered her completely truthfully. "Some days I think they're going to break down the Manor doors, saying they've made a mistake. That I really do belong in Azkaban right next to my father … and …."
"And?" Evie pressed gently.
"And I'd let them take me because they'd be right." Draco answered, "They'd be right," he repeated quietly.
Evie bit down on her gasp, her jaw clenching shut tight, angry. Angry at the Dark Lord for starting such a war. Angry that good wizards like her brother and Draco and even Antonin were made to do terrible things for the sake of survival. And in turn all they got was a heavy conscious and people telling them they were nothing but evil. They had been told it for so long, they started to believe it.
Evie didn't say anything; instead she placed her hand on his cheek, feeling the slight prickle of the small stubble there. She waited till he raised his eyes to look at her, his guilt-ridden silver meeting her red-rimmed blue. And then she kissed him. His response was almost immediate, one hand wrapping around her waist as the other delved into her blonde tresses. She kissed him hard, with a purpose she'd never had before; hoping to remind him, or perhaps burn into his soul that he was worth something, worth more than what the world thought of him.
They pulled apart, just barely, breathing heavily. Draco looked at her a little shocked.
"No…" she breathed. "No, they're not right." She told him. "They're not. Draco," she said imploring him to look at her. He did. "You did terrible things but that doesn't make you a terrible person, Draco. Believe me," she pleaded, "I … I was wrong about you. Like the world is wrong about my brother, I was so wrong about you and I'm sorry …"
"No, Evie – " Draco started.
"Sshh!" she said and immediately he shut up rather shocked. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Evie sucked in a breath and continued "You deserve a chance to be better, please don't think you don't." She needed him to know this and she needed him to believe it. Because she was tired of seeing Draco believe he didn't deserve to be happy all because he made a mistake as a frightened teenager.
"You're talking about redemption," Draco sighed heavily shaking his head at the thought. "That is not so easily granted, especially to people like me."
"No, it's not," she admitted, "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be given a chance."
He didn't say anything for a while and Evie was worried she might have said too much. "Draco," she whispered gently squeezing his hand.
"Evie, do you really believe that?" he asked softly.
She smiled, "Yes."
"That I deserve a chance to be better? That I could even be better?" he asked amazed.
"Yes."
He seemed to consider his next words very carefully before reaching out and gently grasping her face in his hand. "Would … you …" he stopped and Evie frowned. Draco never stumbled over his words. "Do you think you could be my chance?" At redemption?" he asked.
Evie smiled, "I kind of thought I already was," she teased him and was rewarded with the barest of there smiles from him. "But to answer your question; yes." She told him.
"You know I don't deserve you right?" he clarified and Evie rolled her eyes.
What was it with the men in her life thinking they deserved so little?
"Let me decide that," she told him.
And because for the first time in a very long time, Draco was finally getting something he never thought possible, he didn't argue any further. As difficult as it was for him, he decided to trust Evie on this. If Evie, who knew about everything that he'd done believed he was worth a second chance then he really was not going to question her on that. He ran his thumb across her cheeks, still wet from her tears and then tucked her in his arms, his chin resting atop her hair.
"You know, we have to tell your brother about us now," Draco mumbled into her hair.
"I'm pretty sure he already knows," Evie told him. "He's not stupid."
"No he's not. But I'd still like to tell him," Draco said.
Evie rather bemused, scrunched her face in realisation, "Oh my god, you want to ask his permission," she laughed.
Draco scowled, "It's only right," he grumbled. Because it really only seemed right that Draco should at least speak to the very imposing wizard about his intentions. It was just the way he was raised.
"Merlin you're such a pureblood!" she teased.
Draco huffed, "Hey! You're also a pureblood," he reminded her.
"Yeah but Thorfinn and I aren't your type of purebloods." Evie countered.
"And thank Merlin for that," he teased. Evie laughed and folded herself back into Draco's arms.
}{}{}{}{}{}{
"I really don't…" Hermione breathed, "have to go…" she said and her words were then cut off as Thorfinn kissed her again. He pressed her up against the wall with barely any space between them. She moaned in delight when he ground his hips against hers.
"Yes you do," he mumbled though not letting her go. He kissed along her jaw and down her neck and Hermione groaned because he could not have started this at a worse time.
"Alright you two!" Evie called from the foyer, "Please be done with whatever it is you're doing," groused. "Now!" she added a moment later.
Thorfinn groaned and very reluctantly pulled away. "That woman has the worst timing, ever," he whined.
Hermione chuckled and then straightened her clothes as they walked down the stairs. She knew her face was oddly flushed and her hair now most likely a wreck but it was the grin on her face that had Evie rolling her eyes – good naturedly of course.
"Gross," Evie commented. Thorfinn tugged on her hair and she scowled at her big brother. "Come on then," Evie sighed, "Before he attacks you again."
Hermione laughed and stepped away from Thorfinn only for her to be pulled back to him and then he was kissing her again. She faintly heard Evie groan in the background. Thorfinn pulled back, his thumb delicately running across Hermione's flushed cheek.
"Be careful," he whispered doing his best to hide his anxiety. "Promise me," he said this looking up at Evie too.
Evie smiled sincerely at her brother, "I promise Finn, we'll be fine," she assured him.
Thorfinn nodded slowly and then Hermione stood on her toes, pressing another kiss to his lips before letting Evie grasp her hand. She turned and gave him one last assuring smile as they reached the apparition point just beyond the front doors. She waved at him and grinned when he absently waved back and then he was gone as the pull of apparition took her away.
As Christmas was nearing Diagon Alley was expectedly full with people looking seasonally flustered as they raced from one store to the next. Thankfully because everyone was so busy with their own task, Evie and Hermione attracted only a small amount of stares. They had agreed that given how busy Diagon Alley was most likely to be and the less than warm reception Thorfinn had received the last time, it would be better if he stayed behind this time. Just until the public had time to calm down especially when Skeeter's article was all anybody could talk about.
"I'm waiting for the day when that gets old," Evie groaned doing her best to ignore the cold stare of another elderly witch.
Another passing wizard spat in their path before stalking off.
"Or that," Hermione scowled but she wasn't entirely surprised. She knew this trip was going to be difficult. It was the first time she'd be out in public since Skeeter's article. Hermione was not naïve enough to believe this shopping trip would go off without any such incidents as what the wizard had demonstrated.
"Come on," Evie said with a little sigh. Hermione let Evie lead her through the bustling streets, both witches steadfastly ignoring the now rising comments and cold stares. They'd made good on their lists getting everything they'd needed and then some.
Time seemed to pass favourably as they laughed and picked their way through one hideous sweater after another. Hermione felt that she'd found a true friend in Evie; who was doing her best to distract Hermione from the mounting whispers of 'Death Eater whore,' and who didn't complain when Hermione slipped into the bookshop. Evie, who rather than belittle Hermione's bookish qualities seemed to encourage them.
"So, tell me again what we're looking for?" Evie asked as they aimlessly browsed the shelves.
"I… don't know," Hermione said defeated. "I have absolutely no idea what to get your brother for Christmas," she whined going back to the conversation they'd had earlier that morning.
Evie laughed, "Well knowing my brother, I'd say the gift of you is more than enough but unfortunately I know he's already had that gift," she said mockingly scrunching his face in distaste.
"Evie!" Hermione cried scandalised.
"What? It's not like you two are very discreet," Evie replied rolling her eyes.
Hermione giggled knowing she was right. They weren't at all.
"Well what are you getting Draco then?" Hermione challenged.
Evie smirked, "I have a few ideas."
"Eew, forget I asked," Hermione said making a face causing Evie to laugh. "Your brother is the most difficult person to shop for, if only because he literally has no interest in such material things," Hermione complained. "Most material things," Hermione corrected at the bemused expression on her friend's face. "Evie help me!" Hermione whined.
Evie laughed. "I'm sorry Hermione, I really wish I knew what to tell you but honestly… I think this might be the first time in a very long time that my brother won't be wanting anything for Christmas," She said giving her friend a knowing smile.
"Ugh, you're no help," Hermione groused.
"Look Hermione," Evie said seriously turning to her friend. "I don't think you can get my brother anything physical or material. He doesn't want that, not when he's got you."
"So the gift of me really is enough?" Hermione joked.
Evie chuckled, "You'll figure it out," she encouraged.
Hermione begrudgingly agreed and soon enough they left the store and took a stroll down the Alley, still in search of a gift for Thorfinn. They had walked most of the alley when Hermione noticed a few new stores had opened. One of which being a magical tattoo parlour. Evie noticed her looking and smiled.
"Thinking of getting one yourself?" she asked.
I don't know if I could handle the wandwork" she said truthfully. "Still a bit sceptical about that," she explained and Evie understood perfectly what Hermione meant. Bellatrix.
"I remember the time my brother got his first tattoo," Evie said smiling. "My father was furious!"
"Was it the wolf?" Hermione asked genuinely curious. "It's absolutely beautiful. Oh! All that detail!"
"Oh, you're quite familiar with that one then?" Evie teased.
Hermione blushed understand the implication, "Your brother makes it a habit of sleeping without a t-shirt on," she answered enjoying the look on Evie's face.
"I don't want to know such details Hermione," Evie replied.
Hermione shrugged innocently, "So which was his first?"
"The family crest," Evie answered. "I think maybe he was hoping my father would appreciate the gesture or see it as an unwavering commitment to our family. In any case it didn't turn out that way." she sighed. "My father told him it was a classless thing he'd done. That, only common thugs allow themselves to be tattooed, a bit of an irony given my father was inked with the Dark Lord's precious little design," Evie sneered sarcastically.
Hermione frowned, "Your father sounds like a real piece of work," Hermione mumbled and then turned to her friend with wide eyes wondering if she'd crossed a boundary.
Evie threw her head back laughing, "Oh he was. Anyways," she carried on, "When my mother got sick, Finn was so lost and it was around that time he got the wolf done."
"And the runes?" Hermione asked.
"Ah yes! That was actually my mother's idea. As you've probably noticed my brother's not much for jewellery and she wanted him to have something that would protect and guide him all the time." Evie told her. "I never really believed it, but then the war happened and the number of times my brother should have died but didn't ... I guess it really did work for him."
Hermione smiled at her friend. "Thorfinn said your mother called him her wolf," she said more than asked.
Evie beamed at this. "My mother, Merlin rest her soul was an endless romantic. See she hadn't been able to cast a patronus until after Thorfinn was born and it just so happened to take the form of a wolf and I guess she took that as a sign. She saw my brother as the protector of our small little family. Wolves are strongly associated with family." Evie said. "They live and die for their pack and my mother knew that much was true for Thorfinn. He might not have had much love for our father but there was never any doubt about his loyalty to us." Hermione nodded, listening intently. "But she also knew it would take a very special kind of witch to win my brother's heart." Hermione frowned not understanding what this had to do with the wolf symbolism. "Well it would have to be somebody who would understand and appreciate this sense of loyalty and intellect and perseverance in my brother." Evie reached for Hermione's hand. "You know what else they say about wolves, right?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"They mate for life," Evie answered simply. Hermione blushed but didn't say anything.
Instead Hermione looked back at the tattoo shop, "Do you think Thorfinn would like to get another?"
"Probably," Evie said with a small shrug. "But it will have to wait till his four years are up." She reminded Hermione. "He's not allowed to have alterations done to his person by magic while under the revised conditions of his parole." Evie recited with mock seriousness.
Hermione chuckled, "Come on, let's get some of those chocolate cakes your brother likes," she suggested.
"I don't think his like for the chocolate dessert has anything to do with the actual dessert and has everything to do with you," Evie teased.
"Oh gods, Evie," Hermione scolded blushing more at the reminder of the picture that had been put in the paper.
"Come on," Evie said laughing at her friend.
The cake shop was busy but after stocking up on chocolate cake, and a few other delights they left the store. But there was something different in the atmosphere when they stepped out into the Alley again.
Evie sensing it just as much as Hermione did turned to her friend with false cheeriness and said, "You know I think I'm done for the day. What about you?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded, "Let's go home."
"Now now now," A voice said as a figure stepped forward, "Where are you ladies rushing off to?"
"We're heading home," Hermione said calmly, though her hand was deep in the pocket of her coat, gripping her wand.
"Back to your Death Eater lover?" the man sneered. His hood was pulled up over his head obscuring any clear view of his face. Hermione was certain though that voice sounded just a little familiar.
"What is so special about him that his kind should go free after everything they've done?" Another yelled at them.
"Them?" Hermione questioned confused. Who else had been released from Azkaban?
"Yes them, that pathetic Rowle and his nasty little friend Dolohov." The first man answered.
"Dolohov hasn't been set free," Hermione clarified.
"Of course he has!" The man argued, "Been set free from his sentence to receive the kiss! Ha! A likely story! An easy way out," the man yelled stirring the growing crowd around them.
"The kiss is not an easy way out!" Evie cried aghast. "How could you think that?"
"Of course you'd defend him, you stupid little brat," the second man spat, "You have no idea the kind of man he really is!"
The two men both glared at them but neither Evie nor Hermione were phased enough to back down.
"I think you'll find I know better than most," Evie said evenly.
"Oh yes, rumour has it you've been fucking the Malfoy heir," the first man accused and Evie gasped at his crudity. "Death Eater for a brother and now Death Eater for a lover. You've come full circle! And you've dragged our golden girl along with you! Spoiled her mind and turned her against her friends!" The first accused.
Hermione scowled, "Don't you dare!" she warned angrily. "None of this is any of your business so I'll ask that you leave us alone!"
"Eager to get back to your Death Eater," the first man taunted, "whore?' he finished.
Hermione gritted her teeth and fisted her palm in on itself. She didn't have to listen to this. "Come on, Evie." She said , "Let's go," Hermione said reaching for Evie.
"We warned you Rowle!" the first man said stepping forward, his hood still down so they could not see his face. "We warned you that your kind are not welcome here!"
"Were we not clear the last time?" the second man asked menacingly.
Hermione and Evie both gasped in horrid realisation. These were the same two attackers that had set Thorfinn alight with the magical fire.
"It was you!" Hermione accused stepping forward. "You attacked him the last time!"
"It wasn't an attack sweetheart," the man answered condescendingly.
"Oh?" Hermione challenged.
"It was a warning," he spat and then turned to Evie, "You should have heeded that warning. You should not have come here."
"We have just as much right to be here as you do!" Evie argued.
"You have no right to be here!" the first man yelled.
Much to her disappointment, Hermione noticed that the growing crowd didn't seem interested in helping them, they were merely gathering to watch the spectacle.
"He's a murderer and he should have rotted in Azkaban along with his friends!" This gained a few yells of encouragement from the crowd. "He's a criminal and he was just set free!"
"He wasn't just set free!" Hermione argued. "He is paying for the crime's he's committed. He might not be in Azkaban but that does not mean he's not being punished!" She said inferring to the fact that Thorfinn didn't have his magic at the moment.
"Ha!" the man mocked, "You think a killer like that needs magic?"
Hermione growled stepping forward but Evie quickly grabbed her arm stopping her. Hermione looked at Evie angrily but then Evie subtly looked around them, reminding Hermione that they were now very much outnumbered. She released a somewhat calming breath and then turned back to the man.
"Time to go," Evie whispered to her.
Hermione wanted to object. She didn't want to leave when this stranger was spewing out such hate about them to all the world but they didn't really seem to have a choice. When Hermione didn't move, it was Evie who gripped her a little tighter and then spun on the spot. The cold laughter of the man was all they heard as Diagon Alley disappeared from view.
AN: HI dear readers!
A very big thank you to all you wonderful people for being so understanding. I am honestly quite surprised I was able to upload this at all! It has been an insane week! I love my students but damn this week was a lot! Keeping that in mind, I do hope that you all are keeping safe and staying at home!
I anticipate another hectic week ahead so apologies in advance if I don't upload in time. Please do review as it is the greatest motivation. Honestly, it was the sweet words of all my faithful readers that I was even able to push through and get this chapter ready! Hope you enjoyed it!
Remember keep safe and stay home!
Song: Chances - Five for fighting
cheer!