Chapter Seventeen

The second Hermione stepped on the wooden platform, the crowd gasped and then went silent. Stepping towards Quasimodo, she untied the dark purple sash from around her waist. Kneeling down before him, she wasn't surprised when he flinched.

"Don't be afraid. I'm sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen."

Hermione felt relieved when he allowed her to wipe some of the food off of his cheek. She had a lot to make up for, but for now, this was the best she could do. She heard Frollo shout out to her from across the square.

"You! Gypsy girl! Get down at once!" Hermione stood up and retied the fabric around her waist.

"Yes, your honour. Just as soon as I free this poor boy." Frollo sneered at her.

"I forbid it!' Glaring, Hermione pulled out her dagger from under her skirt and cut the ropes tying Quasimodo down. 'How dare you defy me!"

Hermione turned to face Frollo. She saw the gypsies look at her in horror and awe, but only because they feared for her life. She spotted Clopin shaking his head at her, silently begging her not to make a scene, but she was on a roll and was damn well going to put the judge in his place.

"You mistreat this poor boy the same way you mistreat my people!' Hermione placed her hand on her chest to emphasise how the gypsies and outcasts were hers to protect. 'You speak of justice, yet you are cruel to those most in need of your help!" Frollo stood up and swung his arms about.

"Silence!" Hermione stared him down, furious as she raised her arm.

"Justice!" Hermione watched as the crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. Hopefully, she had planted the idea that Frollo was wrong in what he was doing. Pulling the ropes off of Quasimodo, she helped him stand up just as Frollo dared to speak again.

"Mark my words, gypsy. You will pay for this insolence." Hermione rolled her eyes at Quasimodo before grabbing the crown off his head. She wasn't finished yet. She made sure to give the judge a mocking bow.

"Then it appears we've crowned the wrong fool. The only fool I see, is you!"

Throwing the crown towards him, Hermione could have sworn she heard Djali blow a raspberry at the man whilst the crowd laughed. Frollo looked livid though as he pointed towards her.

"Captain Phoebus! Arrest her." Hermione could only stare as the soldier who had given her the gold coins snapped his fingers at Frollo's command. The guards moved in to arrest her. Hand on hip, she started counting.

"Now, let's see. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten of you, and one of me.' She reached down her top to pull out a handkerchief. 'What's a poor girl to do?"

Hermione faked sobbed into the cloth before creating an explosion of smoke. She used it to dash towards the fake block and axe, resting her head on against the pumpkins with Djali by her side. Once the smoke cleared, she called out.

"Oh, boys! Over here."

Batting her eyes, she chuckled as the crowd laughed. The guards who were a pain in her arse jumped onto the stage to chase after her. Jumping into the crowd, she was surprised but thankful when they caught her and carried her away, waving at the guards as she went. Backflipping off the crowd, Hermione spotted a trio of guards running her way.

Smirking, she ran towards them and jumped on a metal cage that contained an old man. Using it to knock them out, she ended up using the cage to make her way through the square when it snapped off its holder. Hermione spotted Djali jump onto a fellow gypsy's wooden base with wheels as she carefully kept herself at the top of the rolling cage. Jumping onto the back of Djali, it was no surprise the poor gypsy was terrified.

Making a mental note to apologise to him later, Hermione beamed when one of the men on stilts stepped forward and kicked four guards so hard that the young witch was sure they would never have children. Wincing slightly, she soon shrugged it off. Since they hadn't been paying any attention, the trio were shocked when they spotted a cart in the way. They ended up being flung in the air before making a crash landing.

Hermione looked back to see the cage landed on some guards and the door popped open, allowing the man to walk free. Turning her gaze back in front of her, she jumped off and ran as she was being chased by a soldier on a horse, his sword was drawn. Gasping, she sprinted as fast as she could with Djali by her side. Djali gave her a boost when they came to another man on stilts, allowing Hermione to pull the trousers down and fling the guard chasing her to the other side of the square.

The crowd watched as the man flew through the air, and cheered as his hat landed on Hermione's head. With a dramatic bow, Hermione rolled her eyes as three more guards on horses headed towards her. She spotted Clopin in the crowd and winked at him as she threw the helmet towards the three. How she was able to take out all three with one shot, she had no idea but wasn't about to question it any time soon.

Two more guards chased after her but Hermione and Djali were quick. Yet another man on stilts came to their rescue by forcing the two guards to catch a long pole as Hermione ran towards Frollo's seat. Hermione caught a glimpse of Frollo's alarmed look before she ran around the square.

Two of the men who had helped her gave her more assistance by lifting her on top of one of the stand's roof. Panting, Hermione decided that she had had enough fun for one day. Bowing to the crowd, she swiped up the blanket on the roof and disappeared with Djali by her side. She could hear the ahh's and ooh's as she slid down the back of the stand.

Ducking into the tent she had used to change, she grabbed her usual cloak and props before having Djali jump onto her back. Spotting a walking stick, she swiped it before donning an old man's posture. It had just started to rain when she stepped out of the tent. Hermione knew better than to head straight to the hideout, so she went for the next best thing, Notre Dame herself.

Slowly making her way through the guards, she wanted to chuckle as not one of them even thought to question her. She did feel slightly bad for the trouble she had caused but Frollo needed to be put in his place. Sighing, Hermione pushed open the door of the cathedral and made her way inside. Closing the door behind them, Hermione pulled off her cloak and let Djali jump down. Staring in awe, she would never be able to look around the magnificent church in anything but wonder.

As she was looking around the church, she heard a familiar noise that Hermione had come to associate with soldiers; their armour clanking with each step they took. Rolling her eyes, she was quick to grab the soldier's sword and threw him onto the floor behind her. Levelling the sword to his throat, she recognised him.

"You!" The soldier raised his hands in surrender as he eased back.

"Easy, easy. I just shaved this morning."

Hermione sneered at him. "Oh, really? You missed a spot." She raised the sword slightly to make her point.

"Alright, alright. Just calm down. Just give me a chance to apologise."

"For what?" Hermione hated to admit it but he had caught her by surprise, and thus, she lowered her guard. He grabbed the sword out of her hands and tripped her up. She could practically hear the smugness in his voice.

"That, for example." Turning her head to glare at him, Hermione snarled.

"You sneaky son of a -." The arsehole actually had the audacity to wag his finger at her.

"Ah, ah, ah! Watch it, you're in a church." Standing up, Hermione reached over towards a one of the staffs that held some candles on top. Swinging it at him, she smirked.

"Are you always this charming, or am I just lucky?"

The arsehole became more arrogant with each blow, no matter how well Hermione was able to keep up.

"Candlelight, privacy, music. Can't think of a better place for hand-to-hand combat!' A few more strikes and he actually looked surprised. 'You fight almost as well as a man!" Hermione's smirk deepened.

"Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you!" The solider chuckled.

"That's hitting a little below the belt, don't you think?" Hermione grinned wickedly.

"No, this is." She aimed for his groin, knowing he would block it and used the distraction to use the other end of the staff to hit him in the head. He was able to shake it off though.

"Touché!" That was when Djali decided to get a piece of the action and headbutt the soldier in the chest. The soldier groaned.

"I didn't know you had a kid." Hermione sneered at him.

"Well, he doesn't take kindly to soldiers." Despite the soldier no longer fighting her, Hermione refused to let her guard down again.

"Eh, I noticed. Permit me. I'm Phoebus. It means 'sun god'. And you are?"

Hermione exchanged a side glance with Djali as he mentioned his name's meaning. Rolling her eyes, she shot him a deadpanned look.

"Is this an interrogation?" The soldier put his sword away.

"It's called an introduction." Blinking, Hermione watched him warily.

"You're not arresting me?" Phoebus shook his head.

"Not as long as you're in here. I can't." Putting the staff down, Hermione had to admit that he wasn't what she had expected at all.

"You're nothing like the other soldiers." He smiled at the compliment.

"Thank you." Folding her arms, Hermione frowned.

"So, if you're not going to arrest me, what do you want?"

"I'd settle for your name."

Hermione stared at him for a long time. She really couldn't decide whether or not this soldier meant any harm or not. Biting her lip, she took the plunge, figuring her name wasn't that important. It wouldn't harm her to let him know it.

"Esmeralda." Hermione was sure Djali groaned but she ignored it.

"Beautiful. Much better than Phoebus, anyway."

Hermione was incredibly confused as to why he was staring at her. Frowning, she didn't know why he had taken a step closer either. She would have to ask Selina if this was typical soldier behaviour. She hadn't seen it in the other soldiers but then again, she did try to avoid them as much as possible. Just when she was about to speak, she heard a familiar cold voice from behind the soldier.

"Good work, Captain! Now, arrest her."

Sucking in a deep breath, Hermione's eyes widened as she realised he had tricked her.

"Claim sanctuary.' Hermione looked at the captain, confused. 'Say it!"

"You tricked me." She growled at him, furious with herself that she had let him corner her. She heard Frollo call over the Phoebus' shoulder.

"I'm waiting, Captain." The young witch watched as Phoebus looked like he was panicking before fixing a stern look as he turned around.

"I'm sorry, sir. She claimed sanctuary. There's nothing I can do."

Frollo looked furious with him as he shouted back, walking towards them. Hermione instantly tensed.

"Then drag her outside at-" He was interrupted when the Archdeacon rushed towards them.

"Frollo! You will not touch her!' He rested a hand on Hermione's shoulder as he spoke to her. 'Don't worry. Minister Frollo learned years ago to respect the sanctity of the church."

The Archdeacon shooed the soldiers away and even grabbed Phoebus by the arm, forcing him out. Djali couldn't resist headbutting him in the arse to make sure he left. A small smile twitched on Hermione's lips just before she felt someone grab her arm and twist it behind her back. Letting out a loud hiss, she could only listen as Frollo whispered in her ear.

"You think you've outwitted me, but I am a patient man, and gypsies don't do well inside stone walls." Hermione tensed her jaw as he paused to sniff her hair. Completely disgusted, she hissed at him.

"What are you doing?" She could hear the smirk in his voice as his hand caressed her throat.

"I was just imagining a rope around that beautiful neck."

Feeling sick, Hermione was able to pull away quickly as she flung her hair out of her face. Disgusted, she tried to put some distance between the two of them.

"I know what you were imagining!" Frollo smirked at her.

"Such a clever witch. So typical of your kind, to twist the truth to cloud the mind with unholy thoughts. Well, no matter. You've chosen a magnificent prison, but it is a prison nonetheless. Set one foot outside, and you're mine!"

Chest heaving, Hermione could only watch in horror as he left, closing the door of the church behind him. Running towards another door, she opened it just a crack and overheard some of the soldiers talking.

"Frollo's orders! Post a guard at every door."

Slamming the door shut, Hermione slunk down to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees. Djali trotted towards her and nudged her with his head. Sighing, she petted his head gently.

"Don't worry, Djali. If Frollo thinks he can keep us here, he's wrong." Hermione heard the Archdeacon speak to her from his spot in front of some candles.

"Don't act rashly, child. You created quite a stir at the festival. It would be unwise to arouse Frollo's anger further." Hermione stared at him in horror and despair.

"You saw what he did out there, letting the crowd torture that poor boy! I thought if just one person could stand up to him, then...' She sighed heavily before looking to the priest. 'What do they have against people who are different, anyway?"

"You can't right all the wrongs in this world by yourself." Hermione snorted.

"Well, no one out there's going to help, that's for sure." The Archdeacon smiled and gestured to the church.

"Perhaps there's someone in here, who can."

Hermione watched carefully as he left her. Glancing down at Djali, she frowned. How was someone in the church going to help her? Looking up, she realised that the priest had meant God. Huffing out a small laugh, Hermione shrugged her shoulders. Might be worth a shot. Staring up at the statue before her, she let out a sigh.

"I don't know if you can hear me

Or if you're even there.

I don't know if you would listen

To a Gypsy's prayer."

Hermione gazed softly at the statue as she clasped her hands together in front of her.

"Yes, I know I'm just an outcast

I shouldn't speak to you.

Still I see your face and wonder

Were you once an outcast too?"

Turning her back, she walked through a row of lit candles. She assumed that they were lit for those who had passed and as an offering alongside a prayer. She couldn't find it in herself to light one.

"God help the outcasts

Hungry from birth.

Show them the mercy

They don't find on earth.

God help my people

We look to you still.

God help the outcasts,

Or nobody will."

Hermione slowly walked through the great church. This time, she kept to the shadows as she watched the Parisians make their own prayers. She knew she wouldn't be invited to pray with them anyway. Folding her arms around her stomach, she tried to ward off the cold.

"I ask for wealth.

I ask for fame.

I ask for glory to shine on my name.

I ask for love, I can possess.

I ask for God and his angels to bless me!"

Hermione shook her head in disgust at the sound of their prayers. They knew nothing of struggle and strife. Leaning against a wooden plaque, she sighed.

"I ask for nothing

I can get by.

But I know so many, less lucky than I.

Please help my people

The poor and downtrod.

I thought we all were, the children of God."

Hermione stared up at the stunning stain-glass window she had admired with Clopin all those months ago. Staring up, she couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes.

"God help the outcasts,

Children of God."