PN/AN: Aye-oh! We're finally back after a long hiatus from this fic. I didn't realize how much I missed writing Strike until we started this chapter haha. A lot definitely happens in this one and it is loooong so be prepared XD This is definitely one we've both been looking forward to for many reasons, but I won't give any of those things away X3 As for musical inspiration, I really didn't have a lot this chapter. Just "Once Upon A Dream" covered by Harlow (Lana Del Rey, Music Box Version/Lullaby). It was definitely interesting. Alright, I'll stop rambling now so you guys can read X)
Fran A/N: Yup, apologies for the delay, that's why the long chap I hope you guys forgive our procrastination. I am really happy to finally post this chap [people don't believe when we say that we just scream at each other and a new chap is born lol] So many things happen on this one so, have fun with all the stuff we will throw at you. The singing sea from the Seatbelts and where do we go from here from Alicia Keys were my biggest inspirations here.
lipeviez PN: ahahaha I'm glad you're finally giving into the darkness of Strike and enjoying this colossal mess XD Writing Fleur and Gabrielle arguing is surprisingly fun. I personally love the bickering. As for the masquerade . . . it's definitely going to be interesting. Hopefully you're not disappointed lol. Fran here: It will hurt but not much, I think. We are trying something we called the imperfect mate so veela are not necessarily accurate when it comes to finding their mate that's why all the mess with Gabs. Oh, the masquerade is not the only surprise so buckle up bwhahaha.
Shadow994 PN: I looooove this playful, provocative Gabrielle myself. You seldom get to see her developed as a full-blown actual character in fics so it has been really fun developing her like this X) Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoy the chaos that is sure to ensue haha. Fran here: Gabrielle is one of my favorite characters since she wasn't really developed so writing about her gives delightful freedom. The masquerade is something PN and I wanted to write for so long that when we had to it was bliss.
courtneynr15 PN: ahahah I'm sorry we've had to torture you so much and her veela is definitely taking the wheel. I think we've all fallen victim to mistaking great fucking for love at least once in our lives. Gabrielle's mistake is just . . . a little worse XD haha thank you so much for the review! Fran here: Aww it wasn't a filler, just a longer road lol. The sibling banter is PN's fault so burn her haha. Sometimes people are blinded by desire so I guess that Gabs is one of those in heat ones. It's due to her veela, tho.
LookingAtYouKid PN: Gabrielle is going to . . . go through some things haha I'm afraid I can't say much, but things will definitely start to become far more complicated very soon. As if things weren't a mess already XD. Fran here: If you thought things were a mess, wait for it...lol. A lot of stuff is going on and our favorite veela are just in the middle of hell. Mostly Fleur, tho.
Bella67x PN: Thank you so much for leaving reviews! We adore hearing your guys' thoughts and sometimes the things people say in reviews really makes us think and sometimes changes some things in the story X) As for the veela, you're totally right. It is trying sooooo hard to break free and it scratching at the surface. The masquerade is certainly going to make things a little more difficult for sure haha thanks again for the review again. It's greatly appreciated X). Fran here: We love replying so keep 'em coming, it's always a pleasure to read you guys thoughts. That veela is trying to break free and the consequences of the silencing could be really bad for Fleur.
ThatGayNerd PN: I'm glad you're liking the mamba! It has been a super fun to develop and is mostly Fran's baby. She is the brains of the whole operation after all. I just get to play in her world and make chaos XD. This chapter was definitely a little more difficult to write, because all of the main characters are going to be in the same place for the first time so getting down how they're going to interact was rough. Hopefully we did it justice and you enjoy. Thanks for reviewing X) Fran here: Oh yes, the mamba was a last minute addition that turned out great and the ritual would be finally revealed here! This chapter was a challenge but a worth one.
ceMR PN: Maaaaaaaaaybe X) Haha I'm glad you're excited! This chapter has been a long time coming X) Fran here: Lol yeah, they are. Freaking finally lol.
Stephy Baby PN: Sorry it took so long to update DX I got swept up in my own fic and now some one shots, but we're back! X) Fran here: We are sorry for the delay, please be kind to us.
princessbluebella123 PN: Hermione is Fleur's mate, but Gabrielle's veela is recognizing her and Gabby is confusing that recognition with Hermione being her mate. Fleur's veela is silenced right now so she also doesn't know Hermione is her mate yet. Welcome to the shit show XD, Fran here: just what Nonsense said, lol. Yeah, welcome to hell.
Oh yeah, Fleurmione week is coming and we will take part of it starting the 3rd of September so keep an eye and you might be surprised to find new stories around.
Also, there's a small warning for the first part of the chapter. The prayers are real but adapted for this specific ritual. We respect the beliefs of all of our readers so if a witchcraft ritual [santeria in this case] offends you, we apologize in advance [bow your head nonsense, show some respect, come on.]
Enjoy!
8.- Masquerade
After almost ten hours in a plane and two more in a car, Hermione was in a sour mood. That, added to the humid weather, was making her feel extremely annoyed, but all her mental complaints ended the moment she got to the ilé or house of saints of the priestess. A thick sheet of green crowned by tall trees welcomed Hermione the moment she got off the truck she rented.
A group of macaws took flight and the Ravenclaw looked up to observe the colorful birds that were uncommon in her home country. Monkeys screeched while parrots and toucans screamed at each other from nearby branches. It was all chaotic harmony.
Suddenly, all noise stopped and a shiver ran all the way down Hermione's spine when a warm breath hit her ear, the scent of sage filling her nostrils as she heard the faint rattle of a snake. "What do you want, witch?"
Hermione's blood ran cold when she turned around to see the dark eyes of a priestess glaring at her as she placed the case with her camera and lenses on the floor. She wore a long flowing colorful garb while her long black hair done in carefully constructed dreads flowed down past her shoulders.
Witch? But, how…
"I don't know what you're-"
A loud scoff erupted from the priestess' mouth, clearly insulted by Hermione's horrible attempt at playing dumb. "There is no point lying to me. I can smell your kind from a mile away." She sneered while Hermione took a hesitant step back. "Why are you here?"
"I-I came to see and photograph the ritual of initiation of…" Hermione started only to be promptly interrupted again by a raised hand and a rude voice.
"I know that." the ebony woman added in a rather harsh tone "I also remember not accepting."
Hermione winced at the words. It was true. She had reached out to the Mother of Orisha priestess of one of the Islands of the South of the young continent to try to convince her to let her photograph one of the initiation rituals of the extremely secretive religion.
Unfortunately, she never received a reply, but no response didn't mean no. At least, that's what she told Tonks who refused to come with when they had no solid evidence that they would be working.
Hermione couldn't let it go, though. She needed this. She was back down near the bottom of her career and she had to crawl her way back up. Capturing pictures of such a rare ritual was sure to get her noticed and get her back on top at an alarming pace. Now, if only she could convince the priestess in front of her to let her.
Hermione straightened her posture under the cold gaze of the mysterious woman in front of her. She couldn't back down now. Not after she came all this way.
"You didn't reply," Hermione replied stubbornly. "That isn't a no, Bárbara."
The priestess looked impressed for all of a second before that scowl overtook her countenance again. "You want to play games with me? Do you have any idea how old I am?"
Hermione looked taken aback by the question, afraid to answer, but also afraid not to. "Um..." She stuttered for an appropriate age to pick. If she guessed too high, it would be insulting and the same could be said for if she guessed too low. From her appearance, Hermione would say she's about thirty-two.
The ebony woman threw her head back and laughed. "Thirty-two? That is sweet of you, but no."
Hermione furrowed her brow in confusion. How could she know Hermione was thinking that? "How did you...?"
"I've been around for a long time, witch," Bárbara smirked as she looked the brunette up and down in a way that made Hermione want to hide. It was eerie to say the least. "Now, tell me, why did you come here?"
Hermione sighed; she was clearly going in circles with this priestess. "I already told you."
"No." Bárbara shook her head as she approached the photographer. "You came here for more than a photograph."
"I don't understand" Hermione hesitated. Despite being knowledgeable about many topics, this was one that escaped her grasp.
"There's something..." Bárbara searched for the right word as she eyed the Ravenclaw up and down. "Missing." She took a step back from the brunette as if Hermione had just slapped her, a disgusted look taking over her countenance as she crinkled her nose."You're tainted."
Hermione felt insulted and self-conscious at the same time at the look the woman was giving her. "Tainted?"
"Yes, tainted." The priestess spat. "You will not be stepping anywhere near my temple." She whirled around on her heel to leave the photographer, but Hermione chased after the agitated woman.
"W-wait!" Hermione stumbled on her words. "What do you mean?"
Bárbara paused in her steps, feeling Hermione's soul reaching out to her in desperation. The witch knew what she was talking about, but couldn't even bring herself to say it. Maybe this tortured soul could use her help so she turned around to face the distraught brunette and waved her hand to produce a cigar between her fingers.
"You are suffering" after what seemed a quick prayer, the priestess lit the cigar and several blue sparks came out, the same color as Hermione's magic, while she curiously watched the pained expression that took over the Ravenclaw's face "you had a big loss and you have lost your way. You can clearly see it here" the priestess raised her cigar and a dark burning cross was seen among the blue flames.
Ginny . . .
Amber orbs filled with tears at the mere thought of her ex. She lost her over a year ago, but the wound was still fresh. Every time she thought she closed it, it would reopen, fester, and become infected. It weakened and crippled her, leaving her life and soul a disgusting mess.
"I-I…" Hermione took a deep breath, balled her fists, and looked down. "I have. Yes."
"I could soothe this pain," Bárbara spoke as a cloud of smoke lazily rolled out of her mouth.
Hermione's head snapped up at the mention of a way to stop her agony. At this point, she would be willing to do anything to repair the fragments of her broken soul. "How?"
"It is not pleasant and far more painful than what you're used to." The priestess smiled wickedly at the sight of the English witch's burn marks on her left forearm.
"Whatever it is..." Hermione gulped as she steeled her courage and covered her burn marks with her hand. "I'll do it."
"I see" the priestess added with a chuckle "do you think you can handle it, witch?" the woman signaled to one of her assistants. The young shirtless man spread a dark powder around Hermione and didn't stop until a circle was formed. A young woman dressed in white with beaded necklaces of different colors added different markings around the area.
"I-" Hermione didn't have time to react when the priestess spat a reddish flame that lit the dark powder that the Ravenclaw now knew was gunpowder. The flames lit dark first and then turned golden.
The photographer stumbled back a little when she noticed a snake slithering in the flames surrounding her. Its body moved around the circle before it made its way out of the flames, evoking a shiver from the Ravenclaw when she saw its golden form fully emerge.
"So, you are compatible with fire, interesting" the priestess commented while the snake approached her and wrapped around her left arm "come, I will help you" Hermione waited until the last of the flames extinguished before taking her luggage and following the priestess inside her home.
Walking down a dim hallway, the priestess ordered one of her helpers to take Hermione's bags before they entered where the altar was. There, the photographer could see a mix of skulls tinted in black, red, and white along with statues of different saints of Catholic origin. Several trays with fruits and candy were scattered along with flowers, bills of diverse currencies covered with uncooked rice, and lit candles of different colors.
After praying to her saints, the priestess sat in an armchair next to the altar and signaled the photographer to sit on the floor while the woman petted the head of the golden snake that hissed softly.
"No photographs yet, witch" the priestess commanded, and Hermione placed her camera on the floor "When we are done, you can take all the photos you want, but first..." Amber locked with dark orbs and the former blinked when the priestess lit another cigar and more blue sparks came out. "You must face your despair. Are you ready?"
"I am" Hermione added with a hint of fear.
"Very well" the priestess raised and checked the cigar and the figures of burnt tobacco that formed before pointing it at Hermione "go to that room and change into white robes" the Ravenclaw nodded and left the room with her camera. The priestess clapped twice and the shirtless man and the woman in white reappeared "prepare the gold." Both nodded and left.
A moment later, the man came back and drew a circle in gunpowder before adding different old and almost forgotten symbols of African origin. The woman in white reentered bringing a steamy clay bowl with a bubbly golden liquid and placed it on a small table on the side. After bowing and paying her respects to the saints of the sacred altar, she turned around and started lighting candles to cover all the symbols of ancient origin, and circles drawn by the man.
The shirtless assistant sat by the right of the priestess and started playing an ancient song with his drum, and the priestess' eyes turned white. The monotonous rhythm increased, and the older witch raised from her seat and started dancing in honor of her saints.
A golden halo surrounded the statues and an iridescent fog engulfed the dancing woman when several of the gunpowder-covered writings lit around the priestess. The saints had accepted the request. The golden snake hissed in approval, as well.
Soon, the drum's tune slowed down, the white eyes of the woman turned back to their dark shade. Feeling the approval of the saints, the priestess stopped dancing and sat while petting the head of the golden snake once more.
When Hermione reentered the room, it was lit like one of those muggle movies where witches performed silly love rituals and she would have smiled at her thoughts if it wasn't for the stern look the priestess gave her.
"Sit in the middle of the circle" dark eyes gleamed and Hermione complied. "Do you see this snake that came out of the fire?" the Ravenclaw nodded "this will be your guardian. The one protecting you after you come back."
Hermione frowned at the thought of that eerie snake watching her with those beady eyes being her guardian, but didn't have much time to dwell on it when the priestess took a bottle from the altar. She filled a pair of small glasses and spat in them before handing one to Hermione "now drink" the darkish liquid bubbled for a few seconds before turning completely golden with swirling blue streaks.
Hermione crinkled her nose at the thought of drinking this unknown liquid that now had this stranger's spit in it, but Bárbara did not look like she had much patience for her. So, after hesitating under the unrelenting gaze of the priestess that just finished her own drink, Hermione Granger drank the liquid in two big gulps.
The room started to become blurry while Hermione attempted to remain conscious. She looked to the priestess whose body looked like it was vibrating, but the snake was still. The last things she saw were those beady eyes glowing red and a flickering tongue before her world went black and she collapsed.
"Babe?" a soft voice called, and Hermione cracked her eyes open.
"My Luv" the photographer's orbs widened when she saw red hair and concerned emerald eyes come into focus.
Ginevra Weasley was kneeling next to her. She looked exactly how Hermione remembered her, even with that frown on her face instead of her trademark cocky smirk.
Her heart thudded painfully in her chest at the sight. This had to be a horrible trick, but then Ginny placed her hand over her own and she felt so real. It couldn't be an illusion.
Upon realizing her deceased fiancé was really there with her, Hermione burst into tears while the redhead engulfed her in a tight embrace. Tears dripped from deep green eyes as they cried together for everything they had lost.
"I have missed you so much" the photographer whispered while she buried her head in Ginny's shoulder.
"Me too, babe" the redhead replied before cupping her cheek and making her lover look up. The couple kissed softly first, but Hermione's pent up feelings took over and the kiss turned more passionate until they had to part for air. The photographer smiled when she felt Ginny's forehead against hers, just like she did whenever she wanted to feel her girlfriend close.
"I can't believe you're here." Hermione smiled as she clung to the woman she had been missing since she departed from this world. "I don't ever want to leave."
"You have to," Ginny whispered while she stroked brown locks soothingly.
Hermione jerked away, panic shining in her honey orbs. "What? Why?"
"You don't belong here." Ginny smiled sadly as she tucked stray strands of hair behind the Ravenclaw's ear. "You have to let me go."
"I-but..." the photographer sobbed softly.
"I will always be in your heart, but you also need to move on, babe" Ginny whispered before kissing the Ravenclaw softly "you are the love of my life, but..." The redhead looked away with a sigh. "I am not yours."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked in a hurt tone, grabbing Ginny's face so the chaser would look at her. "Of course, you're mine."
"We were the happiest we could, my dear 'mione" Ginny replied softly before kissing her again while running her fingers down Hermione's cheeks and neck "but the one for you is not me, so please let my soul rest."
"I-I can't..." a stream of new tears came out of the photographer's eyes.
"I will always love you, babe," Ginny kissed her one last time before she started vanishing in front of Hermione who tried desperately to grab her to no avail "but you belong to her. She is in greater pain than you are." The redhead whispered with a tender smile "She needs you and you need her. You will help each other heal".
"W-wait. No." Hermione desperately grasped at the disappearing form only to be met with air. "I love you, Ginevra Weasley." Hermione cried out in pain.
"And I love you too, Hermione Granger," Ginny smiled before her features started vanishing "but you will love her even more. Just do me a favor."
"Anything," Hermione replied softly.
That smile turned into that trademark smirk that drove Hermione insane. "Give her a chance."
Just like that, Ginny was gone once more and the Ravenclaw was now surrounded by fire. Her veins felt like they had been filled with liquid lava, coursing through her system and entire body while she writhed on the floor.
Hermione opened her eyes wide and she had to blink several times when sweat beads threatened to fall in her eyes. Her limbs felt heavy as lead and the increasing rhythm of the drum hammered in her head. When she looked down, she realized that her arms and legs were restrained by magical ropes.
"Welcome back, witch" the priestess greeted with a cocky smile "took you long enough"
"What did you do to me?" Hermione asked through gritted teeth while she tried not to focus on the searing pain. "why I am restrained? Why..."
"Did you say goodbye to your obirin?" the dark-eyed woman grinned, ignoring the brunette's questions.
"I-" Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. Seeing Ginny one more time was one of her deepest wishes, and it was granted. She finally got what she wanted, even if it didn't go how she imagined it would.
The photographer had always thought of her as the end of her road, the one to settle down with, but life had cruelly shown her that maybe Ginevra Weasley was not the love of her life. Ginny would never lie to her so she had to accept that maybe, what her former lover told her was true and there was someone else out there in pain and waiting for her. She had to trust Ginny on this one, even if her cryptic words made absolutely no sense to her. "I did..."
Goodbye Luv.
"Very well, now I will help you." The priestess approached while the golden snake slithered down her arm and landed on Hermione's leg. It moved upwards until it reached the photographer's left arm and curled around it before letting out a satisfied hiss. "It seems that the mamba has accepted you"
"So, it will protect me?" the Ravenclaw asked as she watched the snake apprehensively.
"Yes, after I seal it to your skin." The woman replied while raising her left hand and the woman in white approached with a steamy bowl. "This is our sacred liquid fire that will guide you through any tribulation. The pain your skin will undergo will exorcise the darkness within your soul and you will be reborn in the sea of life." The priestess took the bowl and took a sip of it before spitting it on a nearby marking.
"Th-there's more to this ritual?" Hermione trembled in trepidation while the snake coiled on her, poised and ready to strike.
"Yes." Bárbara smiled. "Now, you must truly suffer."
"I thought-"
"If you are not willing, this will not work." Bárbara's spoke solemnly. "You have to embrace the pain. When the Gods see this willingness to suffer, they pay attention. Are you ready?"
Hermione exhaled shakily, attempting to slow the shaking of her limbs before she nodded her head.
Seven pillars of fire raised, and the woman's eyes and clothes turned ocean blue "Iyá eyá ayaba okun omá iré gbogbo awani Iyá" she chanted.
The moment the liquid gold touched Hermione's skin the witch screamed in pain and writhed in agony. The golden mamba shone brightly when it was bathed in liquid fire and its features became clearer. Its long, slender and cylindrical shape was seen. The coffin-shaped head raised, and its medium-sized eyes were empty. The more gold was poured, the more visible the snake became. Its scales gleaming brightly as it squeezed the Ravenclaw's bicep.
Hermione had lost consciousness just after the priestess started chanting in an ancient language and her male assistant resumed his drumming. On the altar, the statues shimmered in a myriad of colors as if they were deliberating.
Suddenly, they stopped shining the moment two crimson beads raised and landed on the mamba's empty eyes. The snake blinked and its orbs shone before the snake opened its dark mouth and a pair of fangs extended before they punctured Hermione's skin. Two small holes remained and started suppurating a blackish liquid, the same one that was coming out from Hermione's closed eyes. The cleansing process had begun.
After making sure all that darkness left the photographer's body and soul, the priestess poured the last drops of the liquid fire and the two holes healed. The golden mamba hissed in approval before reducing its size to rest comfortably around Hermione's left bicep.
The photographer would regain consciousness two days later after dreaming of a field of red amaryllis and the back of a tall and regal blonde woman that made her feel warm inside despite trying to chase her and never seeing her face. Hermione woke up feeling different as if a heavy weight left her shoulders and her life became worth living once more.
Hermione woke up with a gasp, covered in sweat, and with tears in her eyes. She hadn't had that dream in a long time, but it was so vivid as if she was experiencing everything for the first time. Out of reflex, the photographer grazed her fingertips against the resting mamba wrapped around her left bicep that hissed softly before staring at her with its shiny ruby orbs while the photographer wiped her tears.
"Thank you for protecting me all this time." Hermione patted the head of the mamba that just blinked.
The one for you is not me…
She heard Ginny's words again and Hermione furrowed her eyebrows deep in thought. This was not the first time that she dreamed about Ginny or the ritual, but it was certainly the first time that the words resonated over and over in her mind as an omen of sorts.
"Who the hell were you talking about Gin?" Hermione sighed to herself before getting out of bed and heading to the kitchen. Her hand twitched while trying to decide what to drink. The obvious choice would be butterbeer, but she didn't feel like it, so she took an unopened bottle of sparkling water instead and headed to the living room.
Of all the pictures she took during the trip she got the mamba, there were two that she kept to herself and now hung above the chimney. The first one was a self-portrait where her mamba looked straight into the camera and its open mouth with enlarged fangs looked menacing. It was taken with a black and white film, but the color of the mamba and its eyes were retouched manually with natural pigments. An old-school technique used by Hermione made the image shine and was one of the pictures she was very proud of.
The second one was one of the initiation rituals she went to photograph originally. The man on the picture would become a priest of the goddess of earth and Hermione was able to capture the moment his right arm started turning into vines.
The now greenish fingers looked strong as a stone but delicate as leaves. In a matter of minutes, the man turned into leaves that were immediately burned between prayers and dance. From the ashes the man rose in green robes, carrying an oak staff. He was now the priest of the goddess Earth.
The humble expression of the future priest and how he surrendered to his destiny was something that Hermione captured with a magical camera. The moment of being chosen by that particular goddess and the transformation that followed. Being buried alive was not a small feat. The way the now priest raised from the ashes with a clean slate with the sole mission of serving was something that captivated the Ravenclaw to the point that she kept the picture for its symbolism.
Now, a third picture was proudly hung in the middle. One that she made sure to put an illusionment spell on so only she could gaze upon it. The fairy.
In an elegant part of London, Fleur slumbered, dreaming she was in a vast field of tall amaryllis. The soft grass tickled her bare feet as she walked aimlessly through the bright red field, her fingertips brushing the soft petals of the flowers as she soaked in the warm sun.
She smiled to herself as a cool breeze washed over her and enjoyed the calm feeling this place evoked. She didn't know where she was or how she got here, but she felt at peace for the first time in a long time so she wouldn't dare question her stroke of good luck. Instead, she would find solace in this newfound sanctuary.
She floated along until a particularly bright amaryllis caught her eye. With the grace only she could possess, she kneeled down and carefully placed her hand underneath the base of the flower. She made sure not to bruise any of the petals as she leaned forward and closed her eyes, inhaling the scent.
The natural fragrance of the flower was subtle, but sweet and evoked another smile from the model until she heard a soft giggle in the distance that made her arctic eyes snap open.
The sound made her tense as she stood up and searched for the source of the noise that broke her reverie. She thought she was alone here. It was peaceful and a nice reprieve, but now there was a stranger intruding on the moment.
Her eyes finally landed on a mysterious figure in the distance that oddly didn't bother her. In fact, it soothed and intrigued her. Who were they?
She walked closer to see it was a woman with medium length brown hair and a slim figure covered in a yellow sundress that went down to her knees. The only other thing she could make out was the girl's skin. It was kissed by the sun and seemed to almost be glowing.
She opened her mouth to call out to her, but nothing came out. When she tried a second time, her vocal cords failed her again. It was frustrating, to say the least. She wanted to get the dainty woman's attention who seemed to be in a world of her own, completely unaware of her presence.
When she got within ten feet of the girl, she attempted to speak, but she didn't have to say anything. The brunette already seemed to know she was there. That became apparent when she simply turned her head in Fleur's direction.
Fleur paused in her steps when luxurious brown hair cascaded in front of the woman's face, but she was still able to make out a sharp jawline and a hint of a playful smile pulling at the corner of full lips. The sight made her heart flutter painfully in her chest. It was like this mysterious figure was playing a game with her and she so badly wanted to play too or at least be in on the joke the girl seemed to be amused about.
The veela held her breath as those lips parted and started moving as if the brunette was talking, but no sound came out. What was she trying to say? What did her voice sound like? Fleur was dying to know so she moved closer, but the sound was muffled.
It was like they were underwater and Fleur was trying to reach the surface. Since she couldn't seem to do that, she cautiously reached her hand out instead when they were within arm's length.
It felt like a spark of electricity jolted up her arm when her fingertips finally grazed the woman's left forearm. She was so warm and filled her with a sense of relief. She felt like starlight, a blanket wrapped around her body on a cold rainy day, a beautiful sunset, Christmas, the first day of spring. Home.
She had to see who this angel of mercy was and was about to find out when the woman started to turn on her own accord, but at the last second, something else seemed to gain her attention and she snapped her head in the opposite direction. Fleur turned her head to see what she was looking at, but nothing was there. When she looked back to the girl, she was turning into golden dust.
No.
Fleur frantically moved her other hand to grasp the girl, but she didn't feel that sunny skin this time. Instead, the girl completely dissolved into nothing but dust. The shape of her figure hung in the air before the wind swept the remnants away, leaving Fleur empty and alone once more.
No.
Fleur whipped her head every which way, searching for the figure, but she was alone in the vast field with only the memory of her warm skin under her fingertips as a reminder that she was there. That sense of serenity was deteriorating faster than the brunette disappeared and was replaced with despair.
No!
Fleur wanted to scream as she fell to the ground, but nothing came out, so instead, she started punching the ground over and over again. She was ruining the flowers, but she didn't care. She wanted her back.
She didn't stop her abuse, even when the skin on her knuckles broke and the petals of the flowers, the grass, and remnants of the gold dust started to turn crimson. She had been so close to...well, she didn't know what. All she knew was it was gone and it upset her to no end.
Fleur woke up with a gasp, her chest heaving, and her knuckles throbbing. "What was that?"
Fleur blinked, confused and a bit dizzy, a headache hammering her temples when she lowered her gaze to see her knuckles were dripping blood, staining her expensive silk sheets. The sight made her jump. Had she punched her headboard in her sleep?
She sat up to assess the damage but found no marks anywhere that would cause such a reaction. She paled at the realization that her dream had somehow bled into reality while she rushed to the bathroom to fix her hand up. She never could stand the sight of blood.
Hermione was distracted for the entirety of the day leading up to the masquerade. Ginny's words rang through her head like a record stuck on repeat. She couldn't make heads or tails of what the red-head meant or why the memory decided to come back and haunt her dreams.
"You need help with this mask?" Tonks smirked as she toyed with the extremely elaborate mask Hermione had custom made. Two snakes made of gold underlined her eyes. Their bodies covered with rubies and diamonds of different sizes.
The tail of the first one curled in the middle of the top part of the mask and the rest of the thin body wrapped slightly above the left temple of the user. Being a long snake, part of the lithe body covered above the eyes while coiling into a wide 'S' shape that surrounded the eyes while its head rested on its coiled-up body covered in rubies.
The second one was smaller but its scales shone brighter than the longer one. The tip of the tail curved and rested on the right cheek while its diamond-covered body coiled into a wide 'S' shape that went from the lower part of the face until the upper part above the bigger snake. The head rested on the right temple. It was a quite complex mask that wasn't that difficult to put on as it was of magical origin. That would explain the flicking tongues of both snakes.
"It looks like it will be tough to put on."
Hermione jumped when her assistant's voice broke through her reverie, lost in thought for the millionth time that day. "Uh...what?"
Tonks frowned at her friend's odd behavior. She had been acting like this all day and she wasn't sure why. It wasn't like the photographer to be so distracted and air-headed. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." Hermione shook her head as she shimmied into her full-length crimson gown. The corset top clung tightly to her waist and breasts, pressing them up almost uncomfortably, but she was going for fashion, not practicality. The gorgeous garment flowed out at her waist in waves with a small golden pattern of flowers sitting at the top of the corset. "I just need help tying up the back."
Tonks dutifully walked up behind the Ravenclaw, carefully zipping it up so she wouldn't pinch any skin while she watched Hermione's eyes glaze over in the mirror. "You sure? You seem kind of distracted. Are you nervous about the masquerade?"
"No, well..." Hermione let out a sigh as she placed her mask over her eyes. "Maybe. It just feels like...I don't know how to describe it." She groaned as she turned around to face Tonks.
Tonks raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Despite your choice of dress and mask, you're a Ravenclaw. Try."
"It feels like something is going to happen. I don't know what."
"Sounds like anxiety." The assistant scoffed, earning her a scowl.
"It's not that," Hermione growled. "It's something else. I just can't place the feeling." She mumbled as she walked outside to rest her forearms on the cool rail on the balcony while she searched the sky for answers. "It's frustrating, wonderful, and terrifying all rolled into one."
Tonks shook her head as she followed the brunette outside. "You're not making any sense."
"I know," Hermione grumbled as she ran a hand through her carefully straightened locks. "It's probably just stupid nerves or something like that." She shook her head, trying to shake off the feeling coursing through her veins.
"Don't worry," Tonks smirked as she nudged her friend. "You always win."
"It's not about the award per se, I mean my pictures were quite good this year so I have a chance of winning." Hermione grabbed the mask from Tonks' hands and touched it with her wand.
The snakes loosened their tight grip and the moment they came in contact with Hermione's face, they coiled and covered the area around the eyes perfectly. Next to each snake's head, a pair of small and bright red poppies sprouted and entwined with Hermione's curls to keep the mask in place. It was worth every galleon and a perfect match to the Ravenclaw's dark shadow and eyeliner. "It's more like my heart is expanding and trembling."
"Still not making any sense, mamba." Tonks chuckled at the loss of words of her boss. It was a rare sight that made the situation even more hectic. "In any case, is your fairy coming to pick you up?"
"No, she told me that we will meet at the masquerade since she was busy with some family business." Hermione sighed before grabbing a red tube of lipstick.
"Wow..." Cecile paused in her steps when she entered her cousin's room to see Fleur standing in front of her full-length mirror. The model looked absolutely stunning in her white dress.
The garment looked as if the corset was made of feathers pushing up a little past her cleavage, but not too much to hide it, while the bottom flowed out and became transparent so her long slim legs were on display. The look was topped off with an impressive diamond necklace sitting on her slim neck with minimal makeup applied and a stunning mask that matched the dress.
The mask was solid white, embroidered in diamonds with a couple of big feathers coming out of the right side of it and partly covering her blonde and lustrous mane that cascaded in soft waves down her back. The light amount of eyeliner the heiress used made her crystal blue eyes pop even more than they naturally did in contrast to the white.
"What do you want Cecile?" Fleur mumbled absentmindedly while she fluffed her blonde locks to give them a fuller look.
"I was just coming by to see if you needed help getting ready." Cecile frowned at the far-off look in her cousin's eyes. "I always help you before the ceremony."
"That won't be necessary," Fleur spoke into her mirror while she applied pink lipstick before popping her lips.
Cecile furrowed her brow as she tried to figure out what was off with Fleur. To be fair, the model had been off for the last month, but it was something different this time. There was something missing.
"You're not wearing your wig?"
Fleur rolled her eyes at the question. She had no patience for her cousin tonight. There was too much on her mind. That dream had been plaguing her all day and she had been feeling antsy. She couldn't figure out why and it was really starting to bother her.
"We already talked about this."
"You're really going through with this?" Cecile asked with a raised eyebrow. "You're really going to try to entrap Bellatrix Lestrange?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Fleur glared over her shoulder. "That bitch humiliated you. I won't let it stand. Someone needs to put that horrible woman in her place."
"Fleur, you don't have to-"
"Don't tell me what to do." Fleur snapped as she slipped into her white heels and grabbed her purse.
"You don't need to snap at me . . ." Cecile mumbled as she looked off to the side.
Fleur sighed when she saw the despondent look on her favorite cousin's face. "I'm sorry Cecile. I'm just distracted and have a lot going on in my head right now."
"You can talk to me." Cecile stepped forward and grabbed her cousin's left hand, running her thumb over the knuckles only to find the usually soft skin felt rough. When she looked down the skin looked slightly red and cut up. "What happened to your hand?"
Fleur quickly withdrew her hand, putting it firmly at her side as memories of the dream and that mysterious woman flashed rapidly through her head. It was dizzying and left her with so many questions and feelings that made her head swim. "It's nothing."
"It doesn't look like nothing." Cecile persisted while Fleur fluttered around her apartment, clearly flustered.
Fleur didn't even know where to begin with what was going on. She didn't even know what was happening herself. First, the disturbing flashes and now this mysterious woman was haunting her dreams. It was all too much and put her on edge. She just wanted to run away, but how could she escape herself? That was something she didn't know.
"I have to go."
"Wait." Cecile tried to follow her cousin, but it was too late. Fleur had all but ran away, her normal clear blue eyes, stormy and conflicted before she apparated.
"Well, that went incredibly well," Tonks smirked as she and Hermione strolled down a grand staircase that led to a wide-open ballroom.
It was over the top, just as Hermione expected, with extravagant chandeliers hanging over the gold and white marble floors. Tables were scattered around, there were multiple dark mahogany bars on the sides of the giant room with people crowding around to get drinks, and a wide-open space that was already occupied by a few people waltzing.
"Considering we didn't have to sit with Bellatrix, I would say so," Hermione replied in a bored tone, already ready to leave this pompous masquerade.
"You should have seen her face when you won photographer of the year." Tonks sniggered. "Steam was practically pouring out of her ears."
Hermione rolled her eyes behind her mask. She really wasn't a boisterous person, Tonks did plenty of bragging for the both of them. "It wasn't much of a surprise." She mumbled as she searched for a head of familiar blonde hair. Gabrielle insisted Hermione went to the ceremony without her, but she would be there to celebrate at the masquerade afterward.
The photographer had had no plans to go to the after-party, but when she saw how excited the petite blonde was at the prospect of going, she couldn't say no. So here she was, still feeling antsy. She had hoped the feeling would dissipate once the ceremony had finished, but it just got worse the closer they got to the masquerade's venue.
"What's wrong?" Tonks raised an eyebrow when she noticed her friend still seemed distracted. "Is your heart still trembling and your legs shaking?"
"And you wonder why I don't tell you things," Hermione grumbled as she crossed her arms.
"Awe, come on. You won!" Tonks yelled a little too loudly, gaining the attention of a few envious photographers who promptly scowled at the duo. "Take a load off and get a celebratory drink while you wait for your little minx." She winked at the brunette who scoffed at her obnoxious nature.
"A drink might help," Hermione spoke more to herself than to her friend. Her nerves had been frazzled all night and a nice glass of fire whiskey might take the edge off.
"Good." Tonks grinned from ear to ear. "Get me a beer and I'll get us a table."
"Aren't you the assistant?" Hermione glowered over at the purple-haired witch who threw her head back and laughed.
"The details are hardly important." Tonks waved her hand dismissively while she strode off and left Hermione to procure their alcohol.
"Bloody git," Hermione growled under her breath as she walked in the opposite direction, looking for a bar that wasn't too crowded.
There was one in the far-left corner that only had a few patrons standing at the counter which looked promising so she headed over, ignoring the sniggers of jealous artists and photographers. She knew she wasn't popular amongst her peers, seeing as she never attended these types of ceremonies and made no effort to inflate their ego.
She knew that it gave the illusion that she thought she was better than them, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She was in the industry for the love of what she did and couldn't be bothered playing politics or exchanging niceties.
"You're not a model?" A pompous male voice rang out at the bar, catching the Ravenclaw's attention. "I find that hard to believe."
Hermione looked over to see a girl dressed in a gorgeous white dress that was transparent at the bottom so she could see her long legs lean forward while her elbows rested on the bar. Her shimmering blonde hair cascaded down her bare dainty shoulders and slightly obscured her shoulder blades.
'Gabrielle?'
It looked like her date from the back. The hair and figure certainly matched, at least it looked like that from ten feet away. She was hoping she would speak, but the woman just shook her head and leaned away from the greasy man with slicked-back brown hair moving into her personal space. It was clear his presence was unwelcome and Hermione couldn't have him hitting on her date and making her feel uncomfortable.
"Hey." Hermione smiled as she approached the blonde and gingerly rested her hand on her lower back, causing the girl to jump in surprise.
Striking blue eyes turned to meet her own, so clear and icy that they froze Hermione on the spot. She made a mistake. This definitely wasn't Gabrielle. Her eyes were a darker shade of blue, while these ones were as clear as the Caribbean ocean, but looked so tempestuous she might drown in the riptide.
And then, the strange sensation that had been invading her since she woke up that morning, the anxiety, the omen of sorts that she could not figure out for the life of her, came to a stop the moment she locked eyes with this total stranger. This unknown, yet familiar face with stormy eyes that made lights look brighter and time slow down to the point that even breathing felt intrusive had effectively trapped her in the span of ten seconds.
She could only dumbly stare as she took in the rest of the woman's features. Her jawline was well sculpted, her skin was perfect and luminous, and her lips. Merlin. They were perfectly shaped and the most sinful shade of pink she had ever seen. This woman was the epitome of what renaissance artists sculpted and painted in cathedrals. An angel among mortals, a true goddess.
Get it together, Granger.
Hermione tried to get her brain functioning again as those icy blues continued to bore a hole into her. The look was so intense she had to look away to stop herself from blushing like a school girl while she struggled to get her heart to go back to a normal rhythm. This feeling was something the Ravenclaw hadn't experienced in so long that it felt so familiar yet so distant that it scared her to no end.
What is she doing to me?
Fleur was in a similar state of shock. First, from being touched by a total stranger, who she had half a mind to tell off for invading her personal space, then from those vivid golden eyes locked onto her own. It felt like a shockwave went through her entire system when she saw her and those brown eyes that had swirls and flecks of gold hidden in their depths.
Her skin was tanned, almost a caramel color. Her hair was a light shade of brown and went down to her shoulders, and when her gaze trailed down to those playful lips, the girl tragically looked way, obscuring her face with her hair. It wasn't hidden enough though to hide a nervous smile that tugged at the corner of her lips as she removed her hand from Fleur's lower back.
For some reason, the loss of contact hurt. It perplexed the blonde and made her ball her left hand and squeeze so hard that her knuckles turned white, causing a sharp pain to shoot up her arm, and then a slight hint of realization hit her.
Is she...?
"Sorry," Hermione mumbled as she bit her lower lip.
Fleur just raised an eyebrow in response while uncertain amber shifted back to her. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, especially when the woman's scent drifted towards her. She could smell expensive perfume, but something familiar lingered underneath. Why couldn't she place it?
Zere's somezing familiar about 'er.
"For?" Fleur finally found her voice even though her head was somewhere else entirely.
Hermione looked over to the man that had been hitting on the blonde before looking back to the French witch. His advances were clearly unwelcomed if this gorgeous stranger's body language was anything to go by. She steeled her courage to speak up and firmly reminded herself she wasn't a schoolgirl anymore. She didn't need to get flustered over this woman so she straightened her posture to exude more confidence and put on, what she hoped to be, a charming smile.
"For taking so long to find you."
"Oh." The man sighed as he finally moved away from the model. "I didn't know you were with someone. My mistake."
"I should say so," Hermione replied with a glare, which he returned in kind before sulking off.
Fleur finally snapped out of her own daze when she realized what the Ravenclaw was doing. She thought she was some damsel in distress that needed saving. She didn't think she could handle herself and that thought was enough to set her teeth on edge.
'Ow insulting.
"Sorry." Hermione's smile turned sheepish as she took a step back from the veela. "It looked like he was bothering you."
"And you zought I needed saving?" Fleur scowled, watching the girl suspiciously now. She made her feel odd and was making the veela scratch at the walls inside of her, attempting to break free. Trying to get back from the silencing spell that had been weakening the more time went by. The same one the model now regretted but stubbornly kept in place. This woman was somehow making the battle raging inside of her more difficult and she didn't like it.
"I, well-" Hermione stuttered when those eyes zeroed in on her. "I thought-"
"You zought wrong," Fleur sneered as she took a drink from her champagne.
"I guess I was the one who was mistaken," Hermione spoke quietly to herself as she took another step back, but her tattoo that she had firmly told earlier to stay hidden, had other plans. It burned her when she tried to get further away from the unpleasant blonde and felt like it was almost tugging her in the French woman's direction. "You little git." Hermione hissed when she refused to move, resulting in another burn.
"Excusez-moi?" Fleur whipped her head in Hermione's direction, making the photographer freeze up.
"N-no. Not you." Hermione vehemently shook her head. "It's uh ..." She trailed off when she saw the veela looking at her weirdly. "It's nothing." She sighed, her shoulders slumping when Fleur tilted her head in curiosity.
"You are a strange one, aren't you?" the blonde model asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not usually," Hermione mumbled while she flagged down the bartender and ordered her drinks, desperately wanting to escape the blonde's penetrating gaze. Still, she couldn't stop herself from sneaking another glance at the gorgeous specimen next to her. There was something about her, but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. And even her mamba was reacting to her. "Do I know you?"
"Are you trying to 'it on me?" Fleur scoffed, finishing off the last of her flute of champagne and signaling the bartender to get a new one.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the cocky response. "No. I mean, you really do look familiar. I feel like I've seen you somewhere." There was something about the blonde's general bone structure and demeanor that struck a chord with her. She absolutely knew she had seen her before, but she didn't know where.
"I 'ighly doubt zat." Fleur grumbled.
"Well, you don't look uncomfortable in this setting." Hermione waved her hand as if to show what she meant. "So, you must be in the industry."
Fleur clenched her jaw as she got another flute of champagne. This woman was onto her and she really didn't like it. "I'm not."
"Are you-"
"Zere you are." A familiar voice purred in Hermione's ear, followed by a hand running up her back before resting on her shoulder.
"Gabrielle." Hermione let out a sigh of relief. Surely, her date could help ease some of this tension. She was a social butterfly after all, but her hopes were smashed almost instantly.
Dark blue orbs briefly flickered to the woman Hermione had been talking to, a spark of recognition shining in her eyes before she grabbed Hermione by her chin. The petite veela almost gave Hermione whiplash when she turned her head sharply in her direction, her nails digging into her skin as she covered the photographer's mouth with her own in a possessive kiss. It was all so sudden and Gabrielle's lips were so demanding, that it genuinely startled the Ravenclaw.
"Gabrielle." Fleur growled at the familiar name and the blatant display. Normally, her sister doing such things irritated her, but this time, it really pissed her off. Gabrielle was making a show of kissing this woman as if she was claiming her right in front of Fleur. It felt like she was sending a message and telling her to back off, but Fleur was the alpha. Not her. She had no right to act so aggressively in front of her.
After what felt like an eternity, the younger blonde finally pulled away to glare over Hermione's shoulder at her sister, her eyes briefly flashing gold in warning. She saw her older sibling talking to her mate and she didn't appreciate it at all. Hermione was hers and Fleur wasn't going to take her away.
"Surprised to see me?" The younger veela smiled cheekily while Hermione struggled to catch up with what was happening.
"Wait. . ." Hermione looked from her date to the fuming blonde to her right. "Do you two know each other?"
"You could say zat," Gabrielle's smile turned into a smirk while she played with the hair on the back of Hermione's neck. "You look lovely, ma belle."
"So do you." Hermione smiled nervously as she took in her date's appearance. Gabrielle wore a black gown that had a corset that hung tightly to her curves with diamonds embedded in it. The bottom flowed out, much like Fleur's, and was also somewhat transparent so you could see those legs Hermione knew too well hiding underneath.
Her mask was just as gothic as the rest of her outfit. It was more metallic black with sharp edges everywhere. The bottom of the mask curved over her cheekbones with a pointy end on each side and the top went up higher, giving the appearance of horns, while a skull sat in the middle of it right on the bridge of the younger veela's nose. If Fleur looked heavenly, Gabrielle looked like sin incarnated.
"What are you doing 'ere?" Fleur snapped, becoming increasingly more irritated the longer her sister clung to the brunette's figure. Gabrielle had no business being at the after-party to the ceremony. She wasn't in the business. It made no sense.
"I was invited," Gabrielle smiled at Hermione while her nails scratched at the back of the brunette's neck.
Something suddenly clicked in Fleur's brain when she saw how Gabrielle continued to paw at the woman she had been conversing with. The scent she smelled earlier that seemed so familiar returned and she remembered where she had smelled it before. It was lavender and rain. This would explain why her veela had reacted so strongly to the woman. This was Gabrielle's mate.
Merde.
For some reason, this revelation didn't make her feel any better. In fact, it infuriated her even further.
She had this overwhelming urge to lash out at her insufferable sibling. She wanted to break every finger that was stroking the small hairs on the back of the brunette's neck. Her hands were itching to turn into talons so she could claw that smug look right off of the younger veela's face. She could feel her blood almost literally boiling beneath the surface of her skin at how Gabrielle flaunted her mate.
This isn't right.
"Well, well." A dark voice sneered as heels clicked on the marble floor behind the trio. "Look who we have here."
Hermione stiffened at the tone, irritation already starting to take her over. "Bellatrix." She spoke as neutrally as she could while she casually took a sip of her fire whiskey, blissfully unaware that the woman she had been talking to was having a similar reaction.
"When I heard the golden mamba was going to show up to the award ceremony this year, I couldn't believe it." Bellatrix put on a fake smile as she leaned against the bar in her purposely tattered black dress, her face hiding behind a gaudy silver medico della peste mask.
It had glass openings for the eyes and a curved beak shaped like a bird's. It had two small holes on the lower part so the dark-witch was able to breathe with it. It was definitely an unconventional choice as it was originally used by doctors to examine patients with the plague. Hermione thought that it fitted her as she considered that woman worse than the plague, no pun intended. "It's so nice of you to finally attend."
Fleur's back went rigid as she listened to Bellatrix speak, but it wasn't just that voice that sounded like nails on chalkboard putting her on edge, it was an entirely new revelation that sent her spiraling. The girl she had been talking to was the golden mamba? Her sister was mates with the golden mamba!?
C'est ridicule!
Fleur glowered over at Gabrielle who now looked like the cat who ate the canary. She had been hiding this all along and being the annoying girl she has always been, she didn't tell Fleur. She wanted it to be a surprise. She wanted to rub it in Fleur's face as much as she could. She came here tonight just so she could have a dramatic reveal that she knew would piss the model off.
"Well, I would zink she would want to be 'ere to win 'er award." Gabrielle smiled cockily over at Fleur and the dark witch. "I 'eard you won more zan one actually. Best photograph and photographer of ze year. Oui?"
"Yes." Hermione nodded her head while she took another sip of her drink to try to steady herself. She definitely needed something stronger if she wanted to survive the night in one piece.
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes over at the shorter blonde who was positively preening at the thought of being on her rival's arm. "Well, I guess some people might consider taking pictures of wild animals art I suppose."
"I think you and I have a very different idea of what art is Bella." Hermione scowled over at the dark-haired photographer.
Cerulean orbs widened when she realized which magical picture the dark-haired witch was talking about. One that she saw in a magazine not long ago and that was praised by several critics. That one that she liked so much that she used her influence to obtain a framed copy that rested on her nightstand. The same one she brushed her fingers against while relaxing at home on rainy days.
The hatching of the baby dragons!
Bellatrix merely shrugged her shoulders in response. "Art is subjective." She smiled wickedly when she noticed the tall silent blonde standing next to her. "Wouldn't you agree?" She asked Fleur with a gleam in her eye while her hand trailed over to the heiress' forearm.
"Oui." Fleur nodded, promptly wiping the sour look off of her face to appear more pleasant. This is what she came here to do after all. She couldn't let herself become distracted by her sister and her...mate.
"What do they call you, Luv?" Bellatrix tilted her head, moving towards the model so there was barely any space between them while Hermione had to refrain from gagging. She could tell her mamba was just as disgusted when it squeezed her left bicep and coiled the upper part of its body in a defensive position, clearly irritated and ready to strike.
Fleur had to force herself to turn from the pair watching the interaction, one in curiosity while the other's eyes held something she couldn't readily identify and faced the abhorrent photographer. "Juliette."
She made sure to put on a show, planting a smile on her face that was so sweet, it would make sugar taste like salt, and held out her hand to the dark-haired photographer.
"Charmed." Bellatrix smiled as she brought the delicate hand up to her lips, placing a kiss on the soft skin.
Fleur had to hide her grimace while Hermione struggled to stay firmly planted in her spot. She had been nothing but nice to this woman and she was treated like the dirt under the blonde's shoe. Bellatrix Lestrange comes along with her greasy smile and greasier hair and the girl is suddenly putty in her rival's hands?
Outrageous.
Hermione frowned, gripping her glass tightly when she saw a flirty smile overtake Juliette's features. The sight enraged and baffled her at the same time. This couldn't be the same girl she had talked to moments before. Yet it was and it looked like Bellatrix found herself another willing victim that she could exploit.
"Tell me...Juliette." Bellatrix licked her lips as she hungrily eyed the blonde up and down. Her dark orbs seemed to spark when they landed on Fleur's cleavage, unabashedly staring in a way that made the Ravenclaw want to jump over the bar and throttle her. The lewd behavior and disrespect were so blatant. "Have you ever been photographed before?"
Hermione actually scoffed into her drink at that question, unable to act like she wasn't paying attention anymore. Could she be any more cliché? Could she be any more sickening?
Fleur shifted her gaze over to the source of the sound to see Hermione glaring over at them. The look of disapproval stung for some reason and filled her with guilt for the briefest of moments before she shook it off. She couldn't afford to be deterred right now.
"Non." Juliette shook her head and blushed under that dark gaze.
"What?" Bellatrix had the audacity to look surprised "I can't believe it; you are so gorgeous-"
"Cut the act, Bella." Hermione finally spoke up, shocking everyone around her. She wasn't one to stick her nose where it didn't belong, but this act was ridiculous, even for Bellatrix Lestrange. This couldn't really be how she tricked all of those girls into letting her photograph them naked and get them into her bed. Juliette couldn't really be falling for this charade, could she?
Bellatrix gritted her teeth at the interruption, looking over the gorgeous woman in front of her to glare at the infuriated brunette. She already didn't like the golden mamba, but now she was getting in the way of her and her prey. This wouldn't do.
"Excuse me?"
"This doesn't really work for you, does it?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow, stroking the flames of the wicked witch's rage.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Is there a problem?" Tonks finally showed up, glaring daggers at the woman she was forced to sit with every year. She knew firsthand how unbearable the photographer could be and she didn't take kindly to her messing with her friend that was finally coming out of her self-imposed shell.
"I don't know, you tell me mamba." Bellatrix spat out the name as if it was disgusting. "Is there?"
"Actually-" Hermione started, ready to fully go off on the despicable woman, but was promptly cut off by Juliette.
"Don't mind 'er." Fleur waved off Hermione as if she was a fly buzzing around, pestering her. She leaned forward to show interest, putting on another sickeningly sweet smile for the woman who had effectively ruined her cousin. This golden mamba woman was trying to come to her rescue once again, but she didn't need saving. She needed revenge. "Tell me more about what you do. It sounds like, 'ow you English say...intéressant."
Hermione felt her heart drop into her stomach at the easy dismissal. She was just trying to help, but the blonde wanted nothing to do with her. Juliette now had her back fully turned to her as if she was insignificant. Something not even worth noticing. It shouldn't bother her, but it did. It stung and made her feel completely defeated.
If she wants to be that way, then fine. It hardly matters. I don't even know her.
Hermione reasoned with herself, attempting to tear her eyes away from the way Bellatrix cozied up to Juliette. Her finger ran up the blonde's long slender arm, stroking the skin softly as she smiled pointedly over at Hermione before focusing back on her victim.
"It would be much better to show you." Bellatrix winked at the blonde and that was it. Hermione couldn't take it anymore. It was too disgusting and disturbing to watch. The whole scenario was twisted and wrong. And not to mention her mamba, that was furious, was hissing threateningly at the dark-haired photographer.
"Per'aps we should 'ead to ze table?" Gabrielle finally cut in, too surprised by her sister's odd and out of character display to have spoken until now. Fleur was up to something, that much she knew, but she had no idea what. She knew better than to meddle too much in her sibling's affairs, though.
"Yeah, that sounds grand," Hermione mumbled as she finished her drink and let herself be led away by her date with Tonks close behind.
"I will see you around..." Gabrielle trailed off, giving Fleur an odd look before she continued. "Juliette."
Fleur rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop herself from glancing over her shoulder one last time to get a look at the brunette being pulled by her hand. Somewhere inside of her, she felt a painful tug at her heartstrings. The feeling was enough to throw her off and make her feel nauseous. The veela was absolutely thrashing inside of her now, fighting against the restraints she put on it, but she ignored it. Revenge was far more important.
"Is Juliette your friend or something?" Hermione asked Gabrielle with a scowl. The whole interaction still wasn't sitting right with her. Everything about it was tainted and irksome.
Gabrielle looked at her mate curiously. She seemed irritated and on the verge of going back to rip Bellatrix apart. She had watched the entire interaction with great interest and couldn't tell if her mate was acting that way, because of that horrible woman, or if it was because of something far worse. Her sister. That was crazy though. Hermione couldn't be infatuated with Fleur, could she?
"Somezing like zat . . ."
Hermione threw one last dirty look over her shoulder before turning to her date. "Well, you should tell her to stay away from that horrid woman."
A/N PN: And so the plot thickens haha First interactions are always so difficult to write. We struggled for forever to figure out how Hermione and Fleur would realistically interact when they first meet and with Gabrielle and Bellatrix thrown in, it made it even more insane haha I did so enjoy the banter though X). As always, we would love to hear what you guys' thoughts on the chapter are. A lot happened and we're still reeling from it all ourselves XD.
Fran here: Wow, this was a long one. We had a lot of fun and endless nights writing so we really hope to hear your thoughts on this one. We are pretty proud of it even if it doesn't look like it. Btw, obirin means woman on Yoruba language [commonly used in santeria].