Chapter Nineteen

Clopin knew Hermione and Selina were up to something the second he heard that the woman was looking for his wife. However, he was all caught up in the preparations for the day so didn't look any further into it. That is to say, he was stunned when he witnessed his wife's dance.

Had he known she could move like that, he wouldn't have let her dance in the first place. Clopin didn't believe he was a jealous man, but he was proven wrong when he spotted the lustful gazes she was getting from the crowd. He had also overheard the new Captain enthusiastically agree with Frollo when he was told to watch her display.

Growling lowly, he was interrupted by Duke.

"Now, now, Clopin. No wife likes a jealous husband."

Rolling his eyes at his friend, Clopin sighed as he tried to calm down. His jealousy was soon replaced with fear as Hermione made a fool of Frollo though. He had no idea what was to come but he knew that making him look an idiot in her routine was not the wisest choice. Sighing, he waited patiently for her dance to be over before stepping up to do his bit.

It stunned him and the crowd to find the bell ringer had come to join in with the celebrations. Spotting his wife's glare and mouthed words, he held his hands up.

"You're not going to like me for this, chérie.' Stepping forward, he tried to calm the crowd down. 'Ladies and gentleman, don't panic! We asked for the ugliest face in Paris, and here he is! Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame!"

Based on the look on Hermione's face, it was clear he was in the doghouse. Rubbing the back of his neck, he knew there was little he could do. Hermione was from a time where everyone was equal. That was completely different to the time they were currently in. Sighing in relief as the people took to his suggestion, Clopin tried to keep an eye on things but shit hit the fan the second the guards threw the first tomato.

Groaning, he tried to explain himself to Hermione but he was just speechless. He didn't like how people treated others, but there was very little he could do about it. He should have known that Hermione wasn't going to stand for it. As he tried to call her back from the crowds, he couldn't help but groan when he saw her move to release Quasimodo.

His wife had a pure heart, there was no doubt about that. However, it was going to get her into a lot of trouble. He was proven correct during the heated argument between Hermione and Frollo. As much as he silently begged her not to kick off, he knew she was only just getting started.

Despite fearing for her life, Clopin couldn't help but feel proud of how Hermione defended their people. No one had ever really stood up for them the way that she did. At least, not since his mother. That didn't mean he wasn't going to shake some sense into her though. The minute she started counting the soldiers, he knew she was up to something.

Clopin could only stare, with his jaw hitting the ground, as his wife made a mockery of the soldiers. He felt someone pat his back but he couldn't drag his gaze from Hermione long enough to see who it was. Just as she had winked at him and thrown the helmet, he saw it end up embedded in a wooden post just behind the new Captain.

"What a woman!"

Clopin snarled slightly in his direction but had no choice but to agree when he was captivated by his wife moving around once again. Once she had finished with the guards, she disappeared from sight. Letting out a long sigh, he gestured to the other gypsies to vanish. It would do them no good if they were caught in Frollo's ire.

Grabbing what he could, Clopin made his way down into the catacombs with his people and rushed to the Court of Miracles. Putting things away, he tried to make sense of his jumbled-up thoughts as he heard the people go over what Hermione had done enthusiastically. Grinning, he would be the first to admit he was proud but he was also terrified.

It was rare for one to cross Frollo and live. Frowning, he really hoped that Hermione was alright. He took a few trips up to the surface to grab whatever the soldiers hadn't destroyed. Strangely enough, Clopin was able to find Hermione's costume intact, but couldn't find the scarf Frollo had thrown. Grabbing it, he headed to the Court for the last time that evening. He wanted it known that no one was to go up to the surface until the next day. He didn't want to risk any lives.

All but throwing the costume into his tent, he called out for everyone to gather in the square. Once everyone was silent, he stepped forward and called out.

"I want it known that no one is to go above ground until tomorrow morning at the earliest. We need to be especially cautious now."

He watched as his people nodded and left to go to their tents or continue their own conversations. Frowning, Clopin couldn't help but worry for Hermione. He knew she was smart enough to know to lay low before coming back to the Court but he didn't want her hanging around just anywhere. He wanted her safe. Groaning, he rubbed the back of his neck as he slumped down the steps towards his own tent.

Ducking inside, he was grateful when his friends let him have a moments peace. Sighing, Clopin sat down on the bed and tilted his head up towards the fabric ceiling. His lips twitched slightly as he grunted.

"Maria, please. Keep her safe."

Hoping his whispered prayer found its way, Clopin forced himself up. He had things to do after all. Ducking back out of his tent, he made his way towards Bartley and the pair of them proceeded to make sure they had everything they needed. It was obvious that Clopin was trying not to worry about Hermione, so Bartley let him crack on with it without a word. Sighing, he removed his hat to brush his hair back when a shout came from the entrance to the Court. Hoping it was Hermione, Clopin was sorely disappointed when he spotted Duke. That was, until he noticed the panicked look on his friend's face.

"Esmeralda is stuck in Notre Dame. She claimed sanctuary in order to get away from Frollo. I overheard some of the guards talking. They've placed a guard at every door. There's no chance of her getting out."

The people that had gathered turned to Clopin. He himself had paled slightly before he remembered who he was talking about. Taking a deep breath, he called out for all to hear.

"Esmeralda has gotten out of bigger trouble than this. She sneaked into the Palace of Justice itself for Maria's sake. Notre Dame will be child's play."

He was glad that the other gypsies believed him, for he wasn't sure he believed himself. However, he did frown.

"Who told Esmeralda about sanctuary?"

No one answered. No one had mentioned it to her. Seeing people shake their heads, Clopin felt a strange sinking feeling in his gut. Sighing, he shrugged his shoulders.

"She must have found out somehow. At least it's helping her now. However, no one is to go anywhere near Notre Dame. We know the soldiers won't be kind if any of us were to do so."

They all shuddered at the thought. The soldiers weren't kind on the best of days, never mind if they believed they were going to help one of their own. Once the people walked away, Clopin was ambushed by Selina and Kezia with Bartley at his back.

"You're not going to be angry with her, right Clopin?" Clopin stared at Selina for a long moment.

"I won't lie, Selina. I'm pissed off with her. She knew the dangers and she fucked with Frollo anyway. However, I am proud of her for putting him in his place. That doesn't mean I'm not going to shake some sense into her though." Selina bit her lip but slowly nodded.

"Alright. Just don't be too angry with her. She stood up for us, the last person who fought that hard for us was your mother."

Without another word, Selina turned her back and headed towards her tent. He watched Kezia follow the younger woman after giving him a small nod. Selina wasn't wrong. Clopin's mother had fought hard for them and that was what led to her execution. Hoping that Hermione wasn't about to follow the same fate, he turned back to his task, leaving Bartley to follow.

Clopin sighed heavily as he thought over various plans and ideas but figured it would be best if Hermione was able to get herself out. Hoping that she could just apparate again, like she had when she rescued him from the Palace of Justice, then everything would be alright.

However, he knew that wasn't very likely. She was under the watchful eye of the priests and they would know if she escaped or not. Clopin highly doubted that they would say anything to the soldiers but they would have no choice if they were asked. He was almost certain at least one of the priests was an informant for the soldiers though. Sighing, Clopin dragged a hand down his face. He needed his wife to be alright. If only a small sign that she was okay was given, he would be thankful for it.

It was night though. If she had any chance of getting out of the cathedral, it would have been before the church was on lockdown thanks to the soldiers. Huffing, Clopin even hoped the blasted goat was alright. He could have sworn he had just heard Djali's annoying bleat when he heard some of the children cry out.

"Esmeralda!" "Esmeralda!"

Not really wanting to get his hopes up, Clopin slowly turned his attention to the entrance. True enough, he saw his wife being ambushed by the children. The soft smile of hers shined brightly, even after Selina threw herself at her and whispered in her ear.

Clopin felt his anger grow. How could she just walk in as though nothing had happened. He knew he needed to get the full story out of her but that did nothing to tame his rage, especially when he saw the bruise on her arm. It was a hand print. Someone had grabbed her hard enough to leave a bruise. The second Hermione's eyes laid on him, he knew he needed to keep a hold of his anger. Otherwise, he would let it go and she would think that it was fine for her to do the exact same thing she did earlier that day.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Clopin watched as Hermione hesitantly moved towards him. He was grateful when Djali remained with Selina. As though the others could sense his anger, they all stepped back but kept their eyes on them. As though they knew they were going to get a good show. Tensing his jaw, Clopin stared Hermione in the eye and found no remorse or guilt, that just made him angrier.

Hermione stepped closer to him but left about a foot of distance between them. She was eyeing him warily and he couldn't blame her.

"I'm home."

The two words were whispered and almost forced him to let the anger go. It's true, she was home now, so why be angry? Because he knew she would do it again and again. He would not watch his wife hang because she just had to say something to the wrong person.

Clopin simply nodded in reply. He knew that would tick her off or upset her but he was trying his best not to shout at her. He didn't want their first argument to be in front of everyone. However, Hermione didn't get the message. She huffed at him and crossed her arms.

"What? You're dying to say something, so spit it out."

It felt as though all his restraint had been for nothing. He wasn't shouting at her but he was a lot louder than he had planned to be when he told her off.

"What the fuck were you thinking?! You're supposed to be goddamn intelligent, Esmeralda! You didn't show a single bit of intelligence when you went against Frollo of all people!"

He saw that Hermione was turning red with anger and he could see the rage in her eyes, but that didn't stop him. He was too far gone now. He only just paused long enough to make sure he didn't end up shouting the wrong name out in anger. He really didn't want Hermione to have to use her magic on his people if he slipped up.

"I was thinking that someone needs to stand up for our people! True, I'll give you the fact that it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. However, I will not lie down whilst he tortures someone! It was cruel and you know it!"

"I don't give a shit if he tortures someone, Esmeralda! I care about you staying alive for fuck sake!" Hermione was practically growling at him as she got in his face. Not the smartest thing to do in an argument. She was just proving to him once again that she hadn't been thinking at all.

"Well, I do care! I will not be a coward and hide whilst he does whatever the fuck he pleases!" Clopin's nostrils flared at the insult.

"So, I'm a coward because I want my people to live?" Hermione's eyes sparked, she was close to exploding, but so was he.

"You know what, Clopin. Yes, yes, you fucking are. You're just as bad as the rest of them if you stand back and watch shit like that happen without saying or doing anything to go against it."

Clopin heard the distant gasps from the crowd but he really didn't care anymore. Grabbing Hermione by the shoulders, he tried to shake that sense into her. Just like he said he would when given the chance.

"Fine then. I'm a coward because I want people to live. Having food thrown at you is nothing compared to having the noose around your neck!"

"I don't care! It shouldn't be happening anyway! Who the fuck has the right to cause someone that much pain?"

"Frollo does! That's the whole fucking point!"

"Frollo will only get away with it for so long, Clopin!" He snorted loudly at her as he shook his head.

"He's gotten away with it for twenty fucking years! He'll probably get away with it for a lot longer!"

"Someone needs to knock him down a peg or two! If that's me, then so be it!" Clopin lost his shit before she did. He practically roared at her.

"I WILL NOT WATCH YOU SWING FROM THE GALLOWS! DO NOT ASK THAT OF ME, ESMERALDA! DO NOT! I REFUSE TO WATCH MY WIFE HANG BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T THINK TO SHOW A LITTLE SELF-PRESERVATION!"

Clopin knew he had more than likely gone too far. He knew he had scared the children because he could hear some of them crying. He knew he had really, really upset the other gypsies but someone had to make it clear to Hermione that her actions had consequences. If he had to be the bad guy, then so be it. He would apologise to the others once he knew Hermione wasn't going to pull another stunt like that again.

However, when he spotted the tears in his wife's eyes, something inside him broke. He really fucked up this time. He was almost certain he would be doing a lot more than just ass-kissing to make up for it. The pair of them had had small disagreements, but nothing like this. Just as he was about to apologise to her, Hermione's face turned cold, making him flinch at the sight. Brushing his hands off her shoulders, her tone was just as emotionless as her eyes.

"I'll make sure you don't get an invitation then."

Pushing passed him, she made a beeline for their tent. Sighing heavily, Clopin pinched the bridge of his nose. He could hear the others slowly moving away, leaving him to make it up to his wife. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Bartley giving him a sympathetic smile.

"Go after her. You're both angry but you should never go to bed angry. Talk to her about this. Calmly, might be a good idea though.' He took a few steps forward before turning back to look at Clopin with a smug smirk. 'Oh, angry sex can be some of the best you've ever had."

Groaning as his friend left, Clopin felt his anger disappear. Rubbing his face with both hands, he was sure he heard Djali huff at him. Opening his eyes, he found a rather angry Selina before him.

"I understand why you're upset.' She raised a hand, stopping him from saying anything. 'But, Esmeralda doesn't understand why. She's a fighter, that's as clear as day. You need to make her understand why you're upset without angering the pair of you. Go and make sure she's not doing anything stupid. I'll keep a hold of Djali for tonight."

Sighing as the woman walked away, Clopin turned his gaze towards their tent. Hermione was pissed with him, but he was going to make her understand why he was just as pissed with her. Striding towards his tent, he could have sworn he saw some people flinch.

Pausing just before he entered, Clopin took a deep breath and stepped through the fabric. Looking around, he saw Hermione was stood with his back to him, in the middle of the tent. He could see how angry she was because she was shaking, her hands clenched in fists. However, he could also hear her sob.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he wasn't quite ready to completely let go of his anger but he didn't want to upset Hermione any more than he already had. Opening his eyes, he stepped close to her. For a long moment, he didn't know what to say. However, Hermione surprised him by casting a few spells before removing her glamours. Her wild hair was practically alive and he could have sworn he saw sparks coming off of the ends.

Unsure what to say, he was stunned when she spun on her heel and faced him with the angriest look he had ever been given from her. She threw her wand to the side and strode up to him. He was almost certain he was going to get a slap to the face when she surprised him once more. Grabbing a hold of his face, Hermione kissed him for all she was worth. That was definitely not how he saw things going when he entered their home.