"…Ooh"

Claude Frollo was harshly awakened by the sun blinding him through the magnificent gothic windows of the Palace of Justice. He groaned: his bones creaked when he tried to move and his head throbbed as if he spent his night wallowing in spirits. When did he grow so old he thought to himself? Arising from the cold granite floor, his muscles cried out at him. He winced, this was nothing, he convinced himself; his body had dealt with more intense pain than mere muscle stiffness. Holding the bridge of his aquiline nose, he huffed and rolled his bloodshot eyes shutting them tight. He would have to attend to a mass amount of paperwork and cases today…aaah, but just one moment. The permanent scowl etched onto his careworn face transformed into a smirk. His crimson rimmed eyes shot open at the abrupt realization.

"Esmeralda." He whispered to himself.

The minister turned his attention out the window to the illuminated church where the sensual gypsy was currently residing. Frollo's smirk grew wider as he stared enraptured at the cathedral…He began to imagine the scent of her voluminous raven hair, those piercing emerald eyes and her shapely body dancing before him, taunting him…calling him.

"Frollo, Claude Frollo…"

Frollo's heartbeat began to ring in his ears. A ragged breath escaped his thin lips as he imagined her form in the fireplace from last evening, beckoning him.

The sound of the bells tolling pulled him from his thoughts.

"Zingara, you will be mine."

Attempting to straighten his appearance, he smoothed out his robes and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. Claude Frollo barged out of the prayer room and marched towards the kitchen, causing strange looks from his servants. Pointing to a portly cook, he bellowed before him.

"You! Arrange a basket of food for three, I have a guest awaiting inside Notre Dame…Oh and a bottle of fine wine."

"Y-yes sir, right away sir!"

Frollo's appearance shocked the startled cook, he looked more haggard than usual, troubled in fact. The Judge only rolled his eyes in annoyance as the chef merely gawked at him.

"Well don't just stand there, do as you are told!"

Turning briskly he began to quietly ascend the grand staircase of the Palace of Justice to his study. Unlocking the door, he grabbed his chaperone and placed it upon his head. The Minister blurred past his reflection only to stop, retracing his steps back to the mirror. Seeing his appearance caused him to sneer. His reflection was never something he was delighted to see, and today even less so. Frollo glided past irritated and picked up his basket, smirking at the thought to see her once again.

Placing his foot onto a step of the gloomy carriage, he suddenly heard a voice from behind.

"Sir, I- Whoa..what happened?"

Frollo turned gritting his teeth.

"I had a little trouble with the fireplace…What is it Captain?" He drawled.

Phoebus cleared his throat at the ghastly sight before him. "I-I only wanted to know your orders sir. Do you need assistance for the situation inside Notre-" He was cut short.

"The situation inside Notre Dame is under control, your assistance will not be necessary…"

Frollo seethed internally, remembering how he intruded Notre Dame and noticed Esmeralda staring intently at the dull Captain of the Guards. He noted to keep on eye on him, silently hoping he'd drop dead.

"…Continue doing rounds today, arrest who you must and uphold your responsibility as always, Captain, that will be all." Frollo slammed the door behind him and the carriage rolled off towards the church.

Phoebus took note at the large basket Frollo had held and quirked his brow suspiciously. Signaling the guards, he set off to his duty.

Esmeralda jumped and covered her ears at the loud toll of the bells that struck at day break. It would take some getting used to, but the sight of Quasimodo swinging from rope to rope was simply fascinating. Her eyes darted following him with each swift movement. As the vibrations shook the scaffolding, she couldn't help but laugh at the strange sensation. When the aftershocks subsided she was met by a thump as the bellringer landed before her.

"Good morning Esmeralda!"

The Gypsy chuckled in response. "Good morning, how did you sleep?"

"…What?"

Esmeralda's heart stopped and her tan coloration grew pale.

Quasimodo squinted in confusion, only to widen his eye in realization. Putting a hand to his ear, he removed a large tuft of bedding wedged inside.

"Oh!..Sorry, ear muff." An embarrassed smile crossed his features.

Esmeralda only sighed in relief. "For a minute there I truly thought you lost your hearing. I'm glad that's not the case." She placed a hand on his back and stifled a light chuckle.

A sudden thought caused Quasimodo to turn and walk to the balcony.

"My Master should be coming for breakfast soon."

Esmeralda scowled following the bellringer.

"I guess I'd eventually have to face him again…What do you two usually do?"

Quasimodo, looked down to the people below and back up to Esmeralda's sparkling green eyes.

"W-well, on a good morning we usually go over the alphabet and perhaps some scripture and gospels. But, it all depends on his mood. H-he once told me the King was keeping a close watch on him and that our visits would be briefer, but that was a couple months ago…"

"Hmm, figures." The gypsy rolled her eyes as her gaze focused back on the enormous, looming architecture facing Notre Dame. A few months ago there was another influx of Gypsy's entering Paris from Andalusia, Spain. So it wasn't only Frollo trying to keep them at bay… The thought made her stomach feel queasy.

"Do you know when he will arrive?"

Quasimodo pondered for a minute. "Well normally around 8am, but I sometimes receive his visits later. Why?"

Esmeralda smirked. "Oh nothing… I just have a good feeling he'll definitely show up today."

Minister Frollo arrived at the Church. A guard uttered something akin to gibberish as Frollo stepped out and waved him off, stating he would come back much later than anticipated. Opening the doors to the church, the Archdeacon squinted at the hungry look in Frollo's red-rimmed eyes.

"Minister Frollo! I haven't seen you here this early in quite sometime…"

Frollo quickly averted his gaze from the stair well to the Archdeacon with contempt.

"Yes, well it seems my ward has a guest with him, I only wanted to provide breakfast."

The Archdeacon was unsettled with his response. He encouraged visits with Quasimodo but now that Esmeralda was trapped, he only shook his head.

"Don't think the eyes of Notre Dame are not watching Frollo, control yourself."

Frollo felt his blood boil as he watched the Archdeacon walk back to the altar. Averting his gaze the Judge began to ascend the spiraling staircase to the bell towers. With each step his pace quickened, his eyes widened anticipating the view yet to come, to see her again. A rattle of a tambourine suddenly caused him to halt. Ascending the loft he darted to the shadows and peered out from behind a pillar. Over by the balcony Quasimodo sat clapping his hands to a rhythm as Esmeralda's hair brilliantly shined from the morning light. She was clad in her white chemise and twirled ever so gracefully. The gypsy rattled her tambourine and smacked it onto her voluptuous hips every so often.

The Judge scratched his nails along the wooden pillar and his mouth went dry from the sight. She was so beautiful. To see her voluptuous legs exposed was exhilarating. An ache began to grow in his loins until he realized she was clad in a chemise in front of his deformed ward. That detail caused his blood to boil. Only he should have the privilege to see Esmeralda in such an intimate way. Frollo fumed as he emerged from the darkness and approached the two.

"Good morning Quasimodo…ah, Esmeralda. Such a lovely chemise." He spat with venom.

Esmeralda spun around gasping at the wicked look the Judge gave her. Quasimodo turned pale, hobbling over to him nervously.

"G-Good morning Master, we were just-"

"Not another word." Frollo seemed to bury his eyes into Quasimodo's soul. The bellringer only sucked in his breath in fear.

Esmeralda gingerly approached the two, causing Frollo to turn his attention to her. He swallowed as he sized her up, his eyes caressing over her cleavage. Esmeralda caught on quickly and crossed her arms leering at him.

"If you're going to blatantly stare at my breasts, you could at least try to hide it better Minister."

Catching Frollo off guard he clenched his teeth. Quasimodo only reddened at the situation. He never knew his Master to be even remotely interested in women from the way he talked about them.

"So typical of a gypsy to be crude inside a holy place of worship. Such a shame. Well no matter, let us not dwell on such inane ideas. I brought breakfast to share with my ward, you may join if you wish. But don't think such behavior will go unpunished."

Trying her hardest not to jump up and strangle him, she silently followed Quasimodo and Frollo to the table. Sitting herself down she turned her attention to Quasimodo as he hurriedly began to set it. For a brief moment Esmeralda met the slate grey eyes of Claude Frollo. He continued to stare at her stoically, enjoying every minute, memorizing her exotic features. Esmeralda finally spoke up breaking the silence.

"What happened to you last night? Did you sleep at all?"

Her brief concern for him, genuinely surprised Claude as his expressive eyebrows raised.

"…Nothing of your interest, paperwork and the like."

Esmeralda leered. "Some paperwork."

"…Indeed." Frollo sneered back, she was quite intelligent.

Quasimodo finished setting down the goblets and plates taking a seat in-between Esmeralda and Master Frollo. Softly he piped up.

"…Master, would you like me to open the wine?"

Breaking off the staring contest Frollo gruffly replied; "Very well", allowing the bellringer to serve the three. Gingerly reaching a tan hand to her goblet, Esmeralda took a sip. As much as she hated to admit, it was the best wine she ever had.

To say breakfast was awkward among the three was an understatement. Suddenly, Frollo began to look intently at Quasimodo's face…He cupped the boy's chin and spotted a mark on his cheek. His eyes lowered trying to decipher what it was. Quasimodo's eyes enlarged in fear as he gulped. Esmeralda was unaware until she looked up from her goblet to see Claude Frollo seething.

"Such an interesting mark Quasimodo…"

"Oh…Master, it-it.."

"Claude you're bleeding." Esmeralda frankly stated, hoping he'd drop the subject.

Claude Frollo looked at Esmeralda incredulously until she lightly grabbed his free hand. Upon inspection his fingertips were bloody. Claude Frollo cursed himself, the rough wood cut him when he dragged his nails along the pillar. Sighing in annoyance he simply shrugged.

"It is easily-" Frollo was rendered silent as Esmeralda tore a piece of her chemise and began to wrap and tie each affected finger. Frollo watched intently as she continued, tying the last one. The act genuinely touched him as his eyes grew softer looking into her emerald orbs.

"There, that should do it." Esmeralda offered a small smile and looked to Quasi as he managed a small sigh in relief.

"…It seems I have reached my limit, I must continue my duties….Thank you Esmeralda." Lifting the small basket the Judge began to walk back towards the ladder. As Quasimodo helped him, the Judge grew serious, his face solemn.

"Don't think her distraction made me naïve to that little mark on you face. Watch yourself boy."

Quasimodo gulped rather awkwardly and nodded in complete submission.

"Y-yes Master, never again Master."

After Frollo had long disappeared, Esmeralda rushed over to her friend.

"Quasi, are you alright? I'm so sorry, I-"

"No, don't be. What you did yesterday made me feel so special, I-I just forgot I still had it there… I must go ring for mass."

Quasimodo looked sullen as he trudged up the ladder to the bell loft leaving Esmeralda feeling guilty. Frollo could not keep tormenting her dear friend any longer. Enough was enough.

~* Author's Note:

Hey guys! I meant to post this in the first chapter, but hey welcome to my story! :D

SO, first chapter was a little cheesy and a basic summary of what most of you have seen from the movie so I apologize. This chapter was much, much longer and I hope was more enjoyable. I think I have a plan of where this is going. It may turn into Fresme, I'm still deciding, but you'll be able to figure it out with subtle hints.

Oh and yes Frollo is an ass and Esmeralda see's right through him…well as much as she can XD Quasi is adorable and I intend to keep him that way :D

Regardless enjoy, hopefully it wasn't too cringe worthy.

Fav and Review please! Any feedback is great :3