Chapter Twenty-Two

Hermione would be the first to admit that she had no idea what she was going to do. Creeping through the various tunnels, she and Djali made their way slowly towards the Palace of Justice. She wanted to see if there was a tunnel that could lead her straight inside but believed that it was highly doubtful. Otherwise, people would have used it to get out before. Unless they were unable to get to it.

Biting her lip, she continued to think of various ways to get the gypsies out. When she came to the area where they all connected, Hermione knew that she was beneath the square in front of Notre Dame. Taking the correct tunnel, she glanced down at Djali. He seemed alright but she had a feeling that he was just as nervous as she was.

"It's alright, Djali. We can do this." Hermione whispered as she gave the goat a small smile.

He knew to be silent so simply nodded his head. It still astounded her how similar he was to Crookshanks. Smiling softly at the thought, Hermione crept down the channel until she came to a dead end. Carefully looking around, the young witch muttered to Djali.

"Can you keep an eye out, make sure no one comes this way?"

Djali simply turned to watch the entrance of the tunnel. Grinning, Hermione pulled out her wand. A few spells told her that the dead end was just before the Palace of Justice. Taking a deep breath, Hermione carefully concentrated on creating a new tunnel. It was ambitious of her but considering her other options, she believed it was the best course of action.

Hermione slowly chipped at the stone. She didn't want to risk alerting anyone as to what she was doing and she really didn't want to cause a cave-in. Wiping the sweat off her brow, she cast a quick spell to see what time it was. Her eyes widened when she realised that it was mid-morning. Biting her lip, Hermione decided to carry on. Clopin would already know she had vanished by now and that she had her wand. He was probably fretting but this was something she just had to do.

Glancing at Djali, she pulled out some food and allowed them a small break. Hermione could hear the chaos from above and hoped it would end sooner rather than later. Once Djali sat back on guard duty, Hermione cast a disillusionment charm on the tunnel's entrance. Better to be safe than sorry.

Hours later and Hermione had created a new tunnel. Panting heavily, she knew she had really pushed herself. Slumping down to sit on the ground, Hermione smiled when Djali checked up on her. Patting his head, gave him some more food.

"It's alright, Djali. We'll get them out of there soon. Just a short break."

After about ten minutes rest, Hermione pulled out a pepper up potion and downed it in one. Vanishing the vial, she stood up, feeling re-energized, and headed along the tunnel's route to its new dead end. Having Djali stand guard once more, she double checked where they were. Right underneath some of the cells.

Nodding to herself, she carved out a smaller tunnel leading upwards and gently forced it up. It wasn't long before she hit what she believed to be the stone floor. Calling for Djali, Hermione gave him an apologetic smile.

"Don't suppose you could give me a boost?"

Hermione was sure he rolled his eyes at her. Pouting, she was relieved when he simply bent down, allowing her to use him as a stool as he slowly stood up. Pushing up on the stone slab she had hit, Hermione slowly eased it free and peeked out. She was in the cells alright. She couldn't see any of the gypsies but she had a feeling she was close. Casting as many silencing and disillusionment charms as she could, Hermione pulled herself up into the cell and looked down at Djali.

"I need you to stay here, mon amie. You'll need to show them the entrance to the new tunnel. I'll be down as quickly as I can."

Not giving the goat the chance to do anything, Hermione put the stone slab back and stood up. Knowing she couldn't be seen or heard, the young witch eased through the cell door and wondered through the hallway of the cells. It wasn't long before she arrived at two cells that held the two groups of gypsies. Counting quickly, Hermione realised that eleven gypsies were captured because of her.

Taking a deep breath, she left them in their cells for now. Moving swiftly, she quickly realised that there were hardly any soldiers in the building. Biting her lip, she almost groaned when she concluded that they were all out in the streets of Paris; looking for her. Grabbing a loop of keys that were hanging on a nail, she dashed back through the hallway, she had to make it look as though she had just arrived. Hiding behind a wall, she dropped her spells and walked through the hallway with a finger pressed to her lips.

The gypsies stared at her in horror and awe. The older gypsies were shaking her head at her, wanting her to leave quickly whilst the only child in the prison, Malina, started crying. Unlocking one of the cells, she whispered to them all. They leaned against the bars to hear her.

"I'm going to take a few out at a time. I found a new tunnel. No one can know about it though. We need to be really careful."

Waiting until they nodded, Hermione silently asked who was going first. It was an unspoken agreement that Malina and her parents would be first. Quickly but quietly, the three gypsies followed their Queen to the next block of cells. Ushering them in, Hermione wanted to smile at their disbelief when she removed the stone slab. Pressing a finger to her lips, Djali made sure to be quiet. Hermione turned to Malina's father.

"Djali will let you use him as a step to get you down, then you help your wife and Malina. Then, you follow Djali to the crossing tunnels and wait there for the others."

Luckily, the man just nodded and quickly did as she said. Just as Malina was about to go down, the young girl hugged Hermione tightly.

"Thank you, ma Reine."

Smiling softly at her, Hermione helped her down. Watching as the trio followed Djali, she replaced the slab and proceeded to get the next group. Biting her lip, she went for it. Grabbing half of the remaining men, Hermione rushed them to the right cell and was pleased to see Djali already there. Repeating her previous instructions, Hermione was surprised but also rather humbled when each of them thanked her.

Doing the exact same thing again, it wasn't long before Hermione was closing the stone slab behind her with the three groups of gypsies waiting for her. Using her wand, she sealed it, and its connecting tunnel, back up but kept the first tunnel. That way it would be a lot easier to perform more rescue missions whilst making sure that the soldiers didn't accidently come across the new tunnel. Once finished, she shoved her wand and bag down her top for safe keeping.

Dashing through the catacombs, Hermione was relieved to find them all gathered at the point she said to be. Glancing down at Djali, she petted his head a job well done. Malina ran at her and hugged her legs, almost making Hermione fall over in her enthusiasm. Chuckling, she stroked the girl's head.

"Now, you all need to get back to the Court. Quickly." Malina looked up at her with a frown.

"Are you not coming with us, Esmeralda?" Kneeling before her, Hermione shook her head and tapped Malina's nose gently.

"Not just yet, little one. I have something that needs doing. Not to mention how much trouble I'm going to be in when I get back.' Hermione pulled a face that had Malina giggling. 'However, do you think you can pass a message on to that annoying husband of mine?"

Malina nodded eagerly. Anything for her Queen. Hermione spotted the amused looks from the other adults and whispered to Malina.

"Tell him, better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission. Think you can do that?"

"Yupp!" The girl beamed before racing back to her parents and started pulling on their hands, she had a job to do after all.

Hermione watched silently as the gypsies made their way back home. Sighing in relief, she cast a glance at Djali.

"If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn I was an adrenaline junkie."

Djali looked confused but followed Hermione as she darted through the passageways once more. Hermione was following the sound of the soldiers and their horses. She had a feeling that something was going on and she wasn't going to like it. Biting her lip, she soon came to the gate that led to the Miller's house. Frowning, she turned to Djali.

"C'mon, Djali. Let's see what's going on."

Pulling her cloak from her beaded bag, she gestured for him to jumped on her back. Once he was settled, she gave him his pipe and the pair left the tunnels and joined the crowd that was gathered just outside, watching.

"Poor miller."

"He's never harmed anyone!"

"Frollo's gone mad."

Hermione agreed with the man. Frollo really had gone mad. She was also really confused though. Sure, she had made him look a little bit of a tit but that was all. Had she remained she would have probably been whipped. So, why all this effort just to find her? Hermione really didn't understand it but then again, he didn't seem like the most mentally stable man she had ever met.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump out of her skin. Looking back, she let out an audible sigh of relief at the sight of Bartley. He, however, looked pissed. Despite this, they argued in hushed whispers, not wanting to alert anyone to her presence.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Hermione shot him a glare.

"Taking a look at what Clopin thinks he can hide from me."

Bartley took a step back and dropped his hand in shock. It was evident to her that he hadn't expected that. However, from that point on, he was silent. He remained by her side but was quiet. She could live with that. Djali had decided to use the moment and jumped off her back, but allowed her to keep her cloak on.

Hermione could only watch as Frollo and Captain Phoebus were debating with each other when Frollo passed the man a lit torch. Hermione's eyes widened in horror as she heard the terrified gasps of those around her. They were about to burn the miller and his family alive. Clasping a hand around her mouth, she shook her head, silently begging them not to do so. Relief crashed over her when Phoebus put out the torch in a barrel of water.

However, that didn't stop Frollo from taking another torch and setting the windmill on fire. Hermione could hear the screams from the family inside and moved towards it, only to have Bartley clamp his hand on her arm, preventing her from moving. Luckily, Phoebus was able to break in and save them. Only to be struck on the head by one of the guards.

Just as they were about to remove his head, Hermione pulled the ribbon out of her hair and grabbed a rock from the ground, she then slung it at Frollo's horse. On impact, Frollo was thrown off, giving Phoebus the distraction, he needed to get away. Hermione held her breath as the ex-captain rode through a shower of arrows, one of them hitting him. Phoebus tumbled off Frollo's horse and bridge, into the river below.

Pulling Bartley with her, despite his quiet protest, Hermione ran down the hill towards the river. Keeping close to the stone wall, the pair of them overheard Frollo shout at the soldiers.

"Don't waste your arrows. Let the traitor rot in his watery grave! Find the girl! If you have to burn the city to the ground, so be it!"

Exchanging terrified looks, Hermione and Bartley waited until they were sure Frollo and his men were gone. Throwing off her cloak, Hermione quickly jumped into the river and searched for Phoebus. He deserved another chance. He went against Frollo, not for the first time, and saved the miller and his family.

Pulling him up to the surface once she found him, Hermione pulled him towards Bartley who helped her pull him up onto the bank. Huffing and puffing, Hermione squeezed out the water from her hair and tied it back once again before glancing at Bartley. He shook his head.

"We can't take him to the Court, he's an outsider." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I know that! I was thinking of taking him to a friend. He deserves a chance after helping me in the cathedral and saving the miller and his family."

Bartley looked like he wanted to argue but ultimately gave in. Who was he to go against his Queen's orders? Picking him up, Bartley gestured for Hermione and Djali to lead the way. Nodding in thanks, Hermione lead them to Notre Dame. Bartley's eyebrows rose when he realised where they were going.

"The bell ringer?" Hermione glared at him, daring him to argue.

"Yes, he's a friend."

Luckily, Bartley knew to keep quiet. Carefully making their way inside, the two gypsies were quick to climb up the stairs. Bartley was a tad slower since he was carrying Phoebus. He just nodded to her.

"Go on, I'll be there in a minute."

Nodding, Hermione continued up to the top of the stone steps and walked through the doorway, holding on to the edges as she did, and called out to him.

"Quasi? Quasimodo?" She spotted him immediately as he jumped down the stairs, a happy grin on his face.

"Esmeralda?! Esmeralda! You're alright! I knew you'd be back." Taking his hands, Hermione smiled as she spun around with him. Bowing slightly so that she could speak to him face to face, she sighed.

"You've done so much for me already, my friend, but I must ask your help one more time."

"Yes, anything." She beamed brightly at the answer before turning to find Bartley bringing Phoebus into the room. Turning, she explained herself to a rather distressed Quasimodo.

"This is Phoebus, he's wounded and a fugitive like me. He can't go on much longer. I knew he's be safe here. Please, can you hide him?" It looked like he was going to refuse them but Quasimodo changed his mind and nodded. He gestured up the steps and towards, what Hermione assumed to be, his sleeping area.

"This way."

Bartley laid Phoebus down on the bed before backing off, letting Hermione do her thing. She had sort of become the Court's unofficial healer after tending to Clopin's back months ago. Her lips twitched slightly at the thought. Phoebus let out a moan as he slowly came to.

"Esmeralda?" Hermione pushed him back gently as he tried to rise.

"Shh. You'll hide here until you're strong enough to move." She pulled out her needle and thread from her beaded bag and prepared to start sewing. Pulling his tunic up slightly, she grabbed a flask of wine. She heard Phoebus groan.

"Great. I could use a drink.' Smirking, Hermione poured the wine on to his wound. 'Ah, yes! Hmmm! Feels like a 1470 burgundy. Not a good year." Starting to sew, she heard Bartley shift uncomfortably behind her. Not sure why he was uncomfortable, she shook it off.

"That family owes you their lives. You're either the single bravest soldier I've ever seen, or the craziest."

"Ex-soldier, remember?' She finished up her stitches and moved his tunic back. 'Why is it, whenever we meet, I end up bleeding?" Hermione snorted before shaking her head.

"You're lucky. That arrow almost pierced your heart."

"I'm not so sure it didn't." Phoebus grabbed her hand and placed it above his heart. Hermione wanted to groan out loud as the realisation hit her all at once but Bartley beat her to it by snorting loud enough to draw all their attention. She could see the bastard biting his lip to stop himself from laughing as he looked away. Sighing, she shook her head before turning back to Phoebus.

"I must apologise then." Phoebus looked confused and she could have sworn she had seen Quasimodo lean forward.

"What for?" Hermione raised her left hand along with her eyebrow.

"For not making it clear that I'm a happily married woman."

Hermione almost laughed at the soldier's stunned look. Rolling her eyes, she packed up her things and stood up. She was about to say something to both Phoebus and Quasimodo when Djali caught her attention. Quasi looked out and gasped before running towards them.

"Frollo's coming. You must leave! Quick, follow me!' Hermione, Djali and Bartley quickly chased after Quasi, leaving Phoebus in his care. 'Go down the south tower steps."

Hermione let Bartley and Djali head off as she turned towards Quasi and held his hands tightly.

"Be careful, my friend. Promise you won't let anything happen to either of you." Quasimodo smiled at her.

"I promise." The young witch pressed a kiss to her friend's cheek.

"Thank you."

Without another word, Hermione raced off towards the steps. Holding her breath, she and Bartley paused and waited for Frollo to enter the church before running towards the entry way to the tunnels nearest to them. Djali dashed ahead of them and when they were about half way home, the pair slowed down. Breathing heavily, Hermione frowned when she spotted Bartley's smirk. Rolling her eyes, she huffed.

"Oh, shut up!"

Hermione was sure that if Bartley could have roared with laughter at that moment in time, he would have done so gladly. Rolling her eyes, Hermione dreaded what Clopin was going to do when she got home.