Chapter Thirty-Two

Hermione had a strange feeling about the circus the second they stepped foot on the grounds. She couldn't quite explain it but she was sure there was something dodgy going on. That didn't mean she was going to let Phoebus' comments slide though. She was pissed with him but since she was fairly sure he hadn't meant for it to come out the way it had, she slowly let go of her anger. It also helped that she didn't want to ruin the evening for her children.

Sighing, she squeezed Clopin's hand during Sarousch's performance. She knew exactly where the elephant went, but that didn't mean she was going to tell Clopin. Chuckling, she spotted his pout as she pointed towards the sleeping man, only after his fit of laughter, of course. Shaking her head, Hermione followed her husband off through the crowd, listening to the giggles off of Blake as Quasi tickled him for teasing him.

It wasn't much longer when Phoebus headed towards them with two sleeping children. Smiling softly, Hermione watched as Clopin moved to take them only to have Phoebus shake his head.

"It's alright, I'll take them home and watch them until you get back. Just thought I'd let you know." Hermione smiled.

"Thank you, Phoebus. I don't think we'll be much longer, if we can drag Blake away that is."

Phoebus chuckled and nodded before leaving them. Passing Daniel to Clopin, Hermione wrapped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder. She was beginning to feel slightly dizzy but was able to push through it. Clopin knew, however, that she wasn't quite right, but let her take her time. It was on the second loop of the circus that they spotted Quasi with Blake, who was fast asleep. Hermione shook her head as she untangled her arm from Clopin's, reaching out to them.

"Oh, Blake."

Smiling in thanks to Quasi, the four left the circus. Yawning widely, Hermione shifted Blake slightly as they headed home. Practically beaming, despite being very sleepy, Hermione looked up at the stars and thanked them for giving her a wonderful family. She thanked Merlin for her loveable, sometimes idiotic husband. Smiling, Hermione opened the door to their home and spotted Phoebus descending the stairs. He looked surprised to see them but his features softened at the sight of the two boys, fast asleep.

"I'll see you both tomorrow, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Phoebus."

Hermione heard Clopin close the door as she headed up the stairs and tucked Blake into bed. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, she slowly eased the door shut before checking on Rosella and Luca. Smiling at the sight of the twins fast asleep, Hermione closed their door just as quietly before moving towards Daniel's new room. They were grateful that the youngest boy slept through the night, unlike his older siblings who didn't until they were at least four. Shaking her head, she pressed a gentle kiss to the one-year-old's forehead before Clopin tucked him in.

"Are you going to do your puppet show later on?" Clopin shook his head.

"Non, I'm too tired, mon amour. Come, time for bed."

The couple beamed at each other before heading towards their own bedroom. The pair practically dived under the covers and promptly fell into a deep sleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, Hermione woke up with a smile on her face. It had been sometime since she had had such a good night's sleep. Gently cupping her stomach as she leaned over the toilet to throw up, she figured she had better make the most of it. Smiling, she couldn't understand why she was in such a good mood, even whilst throwing up.

Shaking it off, Hermione bounced downstairs and was immediately swept into her husband's arms. Giggling, she danced around with him before he dipped her low to the ground and planted a firm kiss to her lips. She heard her children cry out a loud 'EWW!' but pointedly ignored it. It would seem she wasn't the only one in a good mood that morning. Chuckling, she smiled before helping to pass out the food and dug in.

The family were quick to head towards the square. Hermione had agreed to dance for the crowd on this day, long before the circus turned up. Feeling as though she was walking on air, she ushered them all out of the door, making sure to have her tambourine with her. Djali danced about before her, making Hermione chuckle and shake her head at the goat.

Clopin was carrying Daniel whilst their children ran off once more. Sighing, she simply leant against her husband before beaming up at him. His arm around her, the pair walked towards the square. Hermione stared up at Notre Dame and allowed herself a small smile for overcoming the whole chaos with Frollo. She hoped that she would be able to face anything thrown her way.

Selina threw herself in Hermione's arms, almost knocking her over to Clopin's annoyance. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, it wasn't like they had told anyone she was pregnant again. Phoebus just guessed since she had gone dizzy and almost threw up. Shrugging her shoulders, she figured she had probably better let people know soon. Perhaps after the festival.

"I'm so sorry we couldn't find you last night! Did you have fun? What did you think of it? We need a proper catch up, Esmeralda!" Laughing at the older woman, Hermione beamed at her.

"One too many questions there, Selina! But, yes, we do need a catch up."

Hermione barely had time to wave at Clopin as Selina dragged her off towards the stage she was about to dance one. The pair of them gossiped as much as possible before it was time for Hermione to go on. The young witch sighed, she would have to make some time later on for a proper talk with her friend. She had missed Selina, despite living so close to her now. Hermione giggled as she heard her husband introduce her, as if the people didn't already know who she was.

"Come see the lovely Esmeralda in her dance D'amour.' She looked out and spotted him use a puppet with some kids. 'Be careful, or you may lose your heart."

Chuckling, Hermione began her dance. She had to admit that it wasn't much but the people seemed to enjoy it. Blake was stood in the front corner of the stage, juggling the balls he had been given at the circus the night before. Hermione had to admit, he was rather good. Djali was dancing around, performing his usual tricks. Hermione spotted some children near the stage and pulled them up onto it. She loved it when the children wanted to be involved.

She heard Quasimodo call out to her from behind the screen.

"Esmeralda. Esmeralda. You've gotta help me!"

Frowning, she nodded before turning back to the group of children before her. Smiling, she passed one of the girls her tambourine and turned to leave with Quasi. Quasi led her to her tent, behind the stage, that had been propped up ready for the festival. Sitting down, Hermione rested her hand on Quasi's shoulder.

"Quasi, what is it? What's wrong?"

"I think I'm sick. I feel awful, and then wonderful, and then wonderfully awful, and then awfully wonderful." Hermione grinned.

"Euphoria." Quasi continued as though she hadn't spoken, all with a sappy smile on his face.

"I can't eat, I can't sleep."

Hermione tried her best not to smirk at her friend. Sitting down at her table, she rolled her eyes as she pretended to use the crystal ball before her. She still had yet to get back at her husband for claiming she was good at divination and letting the towns people believe it.

"I see, and it hurts to breathe but you don't care?"

"Yes, yes, exactly! What do I do?" Hermione grinned.

"Well, you have to tell her how you feel."

Quasimodo tried to backtrack, making Hermione smile even wider as she spotted Blake and Djali in the tent with them.

"How can I? What would she say?"

Quasimodo looked so depressed that it hurt Hermione. She shook her head.

"Sorry. I can't help you with this one.' She moved to cup his jaw, making him look at her. 'You'll have to find out yourself."

"But, I-."

Hermione pulled him up and moved him towards the exit. Holding his hand gently, she smiled.

"Hey, you're ready!" The bright beam on Quasimodo's face made the bullshit about divination worth it. One hundred percent. However, she wouldn't be saying that out loud any time soon. Just as the two of them were about to leave, Phoebus back barging in with a scowl on his face.

"That circus is responsible for a string of robberies." Hermione stared at him in shock.

"What?"

"I like the circus, Uncle Phoebus. I wanna join!" Phoebus glared at Blake, a massive no in Hermione's book, making him drop the balls he was juggling.

"Absolutely not! Those people-." Hermione narrowed her eyes at the soldier as she folded her arm, stepping in front of Blake.

"Those people? How can you lump people together like that?"

"But the gypsies weren't guilty of crimes like these circus people." Quasi frowned.

"Madelaine's not. She's different."

"Well, maybe. And maybe she's just using you to get something else." Hermione's eyes narrowed in anger at the sight of Quasimodo's devastated look.

"You don't think she could be interested in me? Just for me?"

"Oh, of course, she co-! Anyone could but look at the facts."

"Find some. Then I will."

Quasimodo stormed out of the tent. Hermione watched him leave before glaring at Phoebus. She had her suspicions about the circus but the soldier made it seem as though no one could ever care for Quasi without wanting something. She was angry at him, but she was rather disappointed as well. Leaving the tent, she went after Quasi, knowing Blake and Djali were following her.

Unable to find him, Hermione sighed. Glancing down at Blake, she spotted how upset Phoebus had made him. Kneeling down before him, she cupped his face gently with one hand, placing her other on his shoulder.

"Blake, you know your uncle is just annoyed about all these robberies. Don't worry, peu d'amour, he'll soon pull his head out of his butt."

Blake giggled at that before nodding and throwing his arms around her neck. Holding him close, she heard him whisper in her ear.

"I love you, Mama." Kissing his forehead, she responded.

"I love you too."

Letting go, she watched him run off with Djali tailing him. When an arm wrapped around her shoulders, she knew her husband was looking at her with concern. Sighing, she summed up what had happened.

"Phoebus believes the circus is responsible for the robberies. Quasi is mad at him because he made it seem as though no one could ever love Quasi without wanting something. Blake is mad at his uncle because he told him he was never allowed to join the circus."

Clopin let out a low sigh before squeezing her shoulder.

"I have to admit, I'm suspicious of the circus but I wouldn't have put it that way. Anyone could love Quasi, but I must admit, I'm not sure about this Madelaine girl. However, if Blake wants to join the circus then we had better make sure they're not thieves before he goes off and joins without saying anything."

Looking up at him, Hermione frowned. She hoped that Blake wouldn't do something like that but he was as stubborn as both his parents. Groaning, she rubbed her eyes in irritation before nodding.

"Oui, we better had then."

The pair of them shared a small smile before splitting up. Hermione spotted Selina watching Rosella, Luca and Daniel alongside her own children. Making her way over, she gave her friend an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Selina, would you mind watching them a little while longer?" Selina waved her hand.

"Of course, Esmeralda! I love watching my niece and nephews! You know Kezia and Samuel love playing with their cousins. Do you know where Blake's disappeared to?" Hermione shook her head.

"Non, I just hope he's not getting into any trouble."

Hermione dashed off and tried to figure out if the circus really was responsible for the crimes. Biting her lip, she had a feeling that it was true but didn't want to upset Quasimodo. Sighing, Hermione ran around for some time before arriving back at the square. Looking around for Clopin, she was stunned when the bell suddenly started ringing. Frowning, Hermione could have sworn she had just seen Quasi with Madelaine. Hermione stood there, stunned when the realisation hit her like a tonne of bricks.

Madelaine had been a distraction.

Hermione stared as one of the priests burst out of Notre Dame, shouting as he did.

"La Fidel! It's gone! The bell has been stolen!" Hermione saw Clopin move to stand beside the priest before shouting out to the crowd that had gathered.

"We must find her! Or the festival will be ruined!"

Feeling tears well up in her eyes, Hermione watched as Phoebus sealed off the city. However, he attention was captured by Quasimodo shouting at Madelaine.

"You used me! Which one is La Fidel? Let's, let's go for a walk. You never cared about me."

Hermione really wanted to glare at the blonde but found herself unable to at the look of pure despair in her eyes. She really did care for Quasimodo. Feeling a hand rest on her shoulder, Hermione looked up to see Clopin frowning at the scene before them. Throwing her arms around his neck, she allowed a few tears to fall as he pulled her closer to his chest.

Pulling back, she caught a glimpse of Quasi slammed the door to Notre Dame shut. Taking a deep breath, Hermione knew she couldn't do or say anything to comfort her friend. Instead, she watched, without really seeing, as the guards took Madelaine away.

Sighing heavily, Hermione sat down on the steps of Notre Dame, Clopin sitting beside her. Resting her head on his shoulder, she silently begged the dizzy spell to bugger off. Clopin kept a hold of her as he leant his head on top of hers. Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Sarousch was already miles away.

Lifting her head, she stared into Clopin's brown eyes, silently pleading with him to tell her none of that just happened. Her friend didn't experience such a shattering heart break. La Fidel was still in the bell tower, ready for the next day.

Clopin was unable to tell her any of that. Sighing, Hermione let a few more tears fall. Clopin cupped her face and gently wiped them away with his thumbs.

"I'm sorry, mon amour. I know you wanted the best for Quasi." Hermione let out a rueful chuckle.

"I should have told him about my suspicions but I didn't want him to believe that she couldn't love him. Based on what I just saw in her eyes, she really does."

Huffing, Clopin pulled her onto his lap and stroked her hair. It had been a long time since he had done this. Smiling softly, she closed her eyes and relished in the moment. However, the moment was crushed when Quasimodo landed next to them. Standing up abruptly, she moved to say something to him when he turned to her, eyes wide in fear.

"Blake, he's gone after them!"