Wednesday arrived quickly, and brought a surprise with it early in the morning. Asta was sleeping on the couch when she heard the roar of the fireplace. She quickly rolled onto the floor behind the coffee table, and watched to see who was coming out of the floo. It was opened for Hermione yesterday, but she assumed that upon Hermione's return it was sealed again, clearly she was wrong.
Asta knew her hiding spot was not good, it didn't hide her at all really, but she could at least try and catch a glimpse of who was entering the house through the "supposed to be sealed off" floo. She inched her way towards the middle of the coffee table, before looking up into the face of Hermione Granger.
When Hermione finally caught sight of Asta she screamed and jumped a mile high. Her eyes looked black, her hair was hanging on both sides of her face, and she looked contorted underneath the table. She looked like she was possessed by a demon, and it scared the shit out of Hermione.
"What the fuck were you doing down there!" Hermione shouted as Brynjar came flying down the stairs with a panicked look on his face.
"Asta! Asta are you alright?" Brynjar asked as he flung the coffee table into the opposite wall.
"Yeah I'm fine. I just scared Hermione that's all." Asta said as she pushed herself to her feet.
"Scared Hermione? Wha-oh." Brynjar said turning red as he saw Hermione standing there, suddenly very aware of his undressed state.
"Don't take this the wrong way but, what are you doing here?" Asta asked as she repaired the broken coffee table. "And what did I tell you about doing that? You always break stuff, bloody crazy." Asta mumbled as she set to fix the hole in the wall next.
"What! I rushed down here because I heard, what I thought was you, screaming in danger!" Brynjar exclaimed as he watched her work.
"First of all, that scream was too high pitched for it to be me." Asta announced as she flicked her hand one last time, completely repairing the wall from where the table hit it. "Second, if I scream at all I scream for you, I don't just scream nothing." Asta continued as she made her way towards the kitchen.
"Still, I thought you were hurt or in danger! What do you expect me to do? Walk down here all daintily like I'm afraid to disturb the intruder?" Brynjar asked as he followed her into the kitchen leaving Hermione in the sittingroom in complete shock.
"No but you don't need to come barreling into the room like a giant in a meat shoppe!" Asta exclaimed as she began to crack eggs into a frying pan. "You're not supposed to give away your position, and you always do! You do realize if she had been an intruder, you would be dead right?"
Brynjar rolled his eyes at her, tired of hearing the same thing over and over again.
"Look," Brynjar began as he swung his leg over the stool next to the counter, "if I feel you are in trouble I am going to barge in like a wild boar regardless if the situation. I don't care what happens to me, I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe."
Hermione had been listening to this comedic-turned-serious argument, in total silence. Mainly still in shock from the demonic looking sight that was Asta, but partly from the amount of selflessness that was between them. He would DIE for her, if it meant saving her life, and she could tell that Asta would do the same just from the way she carried herself around Brynjar. Both very protective.
"Ehem." Hermione coughed as she slowly made her presence acknowledged once again, appearing next to Brynjar startling them out of their married couple-like quarrel.
"Right." Asta said flatly as she served Brynjar a plateful of eggs. "Sorry, you were probably trying to tell us why you are here two days early?"
Hermione looked between the two of them, a warm comforting feeling developing in her stomach, as she watched the two of them interact so harmoniously. It was as though they were made for each other.
"Yes. I came back because I remembered we still have the veritaserum test to go through, before I will be comfortable talking Harrry and Ron into letting you both accompany us on our travels." Hermione said steadily as she took up a seat next to Brynjar.
"Of course!" Asta exclaimed slapping a hand to her forehead, before magicking all the dishes into the sink and start washing themselves. "Was it just Brynjar and I you wanted to take the veritaserum, or the blonde too?" Asta asked gesturing to the ceiling above her.
"All three of you if you don't mind, please." Hermione said politely as she dug in her bag for her bottle of veritaserum.
"Oh I don't mind." Asta said flatly as she started walking toward the foyer. "I'll go get the little wanker up now."
As Asta set off up the stairs to fetch Malfoy, Hermione turned to Brynjar and asked him something that made him almost choke on his food.
"How long have you been in love with her?" Hermione asked sweetly as she caught Brynjar watching Asta as she left the room.
"Wha- what…*cough cough*… what are you talking about? I'm not in-" Brynjar began before he was cut off, as he made his way to get a glass of water.
"Don't insult my intelligence." Hermione said with a small smirk. "I may be known for being book smart, but I can tell when two people like each other."
"Well… I mean I…" Brynjar sighed as he rested his elbows on the counter and hung his head. "Three years."
"Oh my… three years? Does she know?" Hermione asked astonished that he has had these feelings for so long, and hasn't yet done anything about them. Then again, Ron was the same way.
"No. She doesn't know, she's kind of oblivious to things like that." Brynjar explained as he looked up to meet Hermione's eye. "She never really got on with girls well growing up. Always trying to prove to her dad, who loves her for what and who she is by the way, that she can be just as good a fighter and heir as a girl that she would be if she were a boy." Brynjar paused, raking his hands through his hair in frustration as all this came to the surface. "She always hung out with me and the other boys, so she's too rough for the girls taste, they're all afraid of her. Well, all but one, but Taylor is an odd one."
"That's so sad." Hermione said as she watched the heartbreak take over Brynjar's face. "Her mother really did a number on her self-confidence, didn't she?"
Brynjar nodded, turning red at the thought of that wretched woman causing Asta so much pain.
"Yeah. She did." Brynjar said with finality. "But Asta is stronger because of it, and I wouldn't have her any other way. Well… when I do eventually, FINALLY have her."
Hermione's heart went out to Brynjar. The poor guy really loved her, and Asta couldn't see that because of the way she grew up trying to prove her worth to her father. She amended him on his patience though, he really seemed like he would wait an eternity for her, which is just fucking adorable.
"She will see one day soon, I'm sure." Hermione tried to console him. "If not just surprise her with a kiss or something, and see how she reacts. I can tell the feeling is mutual for her with you, she's probably just scared you'll reject her."
Brynjar chuckled at how naïve Hermione was, thinking Asta would react like a normal girl to a surprise kiss, even if it is secretly wanted.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked, brows furrowed.
"That you think she will react like a normal girl to a surprise kiss." Brynjar explained, still chuckling. "She is…. different than most girls. She most likely will hex my balls off first, then realize what is happening and feel bad about it." Brynjar was being entirely serious despite the fact that he was chuckling at the thought of surprising Asta with a kiss.
"Would she really?" Hermione asked gently as she placed a hand on his arm, drawing Brynjar's gaze to her.
"Yeah I think she would." Brynjar said as he broke eye contact with Hermione and took another drink of water before turning towards the foyer hearing curses and footsteps coming down the stiars.
"Why the bloody hell are you dragging me out of bed this early?" Malfoy grumbled as he walked down the hall to the kitchen, scratching his stomach. "It's not even fully fucking light…. out… Granger." Malfoy stated nervously as he saw her sitting at the counter, looking fully awake and a little surprised.
"Quit your bitching and do as you're told." Asta scolded as she squeezed between him and the door frame, tossing Brynjar a white cutoff as she jumped up on the counter. "Thought you might like to cover up." She said considerately as Brynjar hastily pulled the shirt over his head and over his torso.
"Thank you." Brynjar said gratefully as she nodded toward him in reply.
Hermione, however, missed the exchange between the two and was staring at Malfoy in awe. His chest is completely defined and toned, as though his clothes and hair being perfect were not enough, his abs and pecks were perfectly defined. Obviously not nearly as big as Brynjar's muscles and abs, but still very sexy. She thought he was just thin with taught muscles, she never imagined he would have muscles so defined. 'I think I'm starting to like Qudditch.' She thought to herself as she continued to admire Malfoy, who was looking from Asta to Hermione with a strange look on his face, almost like he was flustered.
"Hermione? Hello? Are you there?" Asta called as she snapped her fingers in front of her face, snapping Hermione out of her trance.
"What?" Hermione asked as she turned red, trying to his her face.
"Who do you want to go first?" Asta said as she giggled at Hermione's embarrassment at having been caught.
"Oh!" Hermione said frantically, grateful for the distraction, as she started rummaging through her bag for the bottle of veritaserum. "Um, Brynjar first, if you don't mind." Hermione said finally as she finally unearthed the bottle from her bag.
"Sure." Asta shrugged still smirking at Hermione. "Malfoy and I will just wait in the kitchen."
"Ok. I will come get Malfoy when I am done questioning Brynjar." Hermione said sheepishly as she averted her eyes from Asta's.
"Woah! Why the fuck am I getting interrogated? I didn't offer any-" Malfoy began but was cut off as Brynjar backed him into the icebox.
"You are getting questioned because you will be with us when, and if, we are allowed to go with them and help. You ARE part of the enemy, and once you are outside this house, Asta and I will have to keep hold of you to make sure you don't go running back to mummy and daddy with information." Brynjar growled as he stood toe to toe with Malfoy, who looked as though he was going to shit his pants. "You will cooperate, and do as you're told. We may have given you free reign of the house, and are laxed with you, but if you fuck this up for us in anyway, you will pray for death. Do you understand?"
Malfoy was trembling from head to toe, Hermione looked like she was ready to whip out her wand at the simplest twitch from any of them, and Asta simply looked entertained. Malfoy couldn't deny that he found these two very interesting and pleasant, but they are easily agitated people and highly dangerous. He has seen them both be kind, caring, compassionate, joking, sad, angry, pissed off, outraged, and deadly; and he was not keen on the idea of the big guy strangling him being the last sight he ever sees.
"Yeah." Malfoy said finally, drawing as much composure as he possibly could. "I understand."
"Good." Brynjar growled as he turned away from Malfoy, and gestured for Hermione to lead the way into the sittingroom.
Hermione nervously made her way into the sittingroom with an angry Brynjar following her. She has mixed feelings about both him and Asta, their tempers will be good when they are on the run, but what if they clash with Ron and things go wrong. She will have to talk to both of them about trying to control their rage when the veritaserum tests were done.
Hermione summoned the chair Malfoy always sat in towards her from the corner of the room, and summoned a barstool from the kitchen for herself. Brynjar settled into his chair as she settled onto her stool, and they looked at each other for a solid minute before Hermione handed Brynjar the bottle of Veritaserum.
"Take a drink of it, and let me know when you feel it start to work." Hermione instructed as she handed Brynjar the bottle.
Brynjar tipped the bottle back to his lips and took a generous swig from the bottle, before replacing the stopper and handing it back to her. He started to feel the need to divulge all the truths he has ever known to her, and he nodded his head.
"Ask away." He said flatly as he looked her in the eye with an extremely calm look on his face.
Hermione took a deep breath, and then she began to question him.
"Did you see her staring at me?" Malfoy asked cockily as he stole glances at her from where he stood at the sink.
Asta rolled her eyes as she jumped off from the counter and walked back towards the icebox to pull out more eggs to make breakfast for herself.
"She must be in love with you." Asta said sarcastically in a sing-song voice as she began making her breakfast.
"You're not a 'mushy talk about your feelings' kind of girl are you?" Malfoy asked annoyed at her comments.
"No, I'm more of a 'rough around the edges' kind of girl, in case you haven't noticed." Asta replied in a bored tone as she dumped her eggs onto a plate.
"Are you always this rough? This closed off? This unemotional?" Malfoy asked with his trademark sneer on his face.
"Yes." Asta replied matter of factly, shrugging her shoulders as she took a fork-full of egg into her mouth. "By the way," she began, swallowing before she continued, "how did you not hear the commotion down here when Hermione first arrived? Brynjar threw the coffee table into the wall, Hermione screamed, and Brynjar was barreling down the stairs. How did you sleep through that?"
"When you live in a house filled with terror filled screams and random loud noises for two years, you learn how to sleep through the noise." Malfoy said solemnly as he stared at his hands.
"Right." Asta replied feeling like a completely insensitive jerk.
"She was staring at me though." Malfoy said softly, changing the topic.
Asta couldn't help but chuckle at him for his wonderment at her admiration of him.
"Yes, she was." Asta confirmed as she made an unsubtle assessment of Malfoy from head to toe. "You're too scrawny for my taste personally, but you're not unattractive." Asta said as though she was judging a beauty contest. "I can see why she would stare, somewhat that is."
Malfoy turned red, unsure of how to respond to her half insult-half compliment she just gave him.
"What kind of man do you find attractive?" Malfoy asked, causing Asta to whip her head around and glare at him dangerously. "I mean hair color, height, weight, build, occupation, personality, shit like that."
Asta stopped and seriously considered his question, which was something she never gave much thought about before. She closed her eyes and began to imagine all the qualities that she was attracted to, Brynjar popped into her mind and she smiled.
"I guess I like tall guys, probably six foot five or so, not too tall. Strong as well, if I am stronger than the man there is something wrong, and no offense but I don't like string-beans either. He would have to be big, like arms the size of my head big. I'm not picky about body types, I don't mind a belly so long as he is agile and can fight." Asta paused, unable to get the image of Brynjar out of her head. "Not that I can tell a guy what he will do for a living, but I would like him to have a manual labor job. You know; blacksmith, auror, dragon taimer, something like that."
"What about hair color? Personality?" Malfoy pressed, knowing that at any moment she could realized what he was doing and kill him.
"Hmm." Asta said, appearing to be deep in thought. "Not dark like mine, I don't like my hair color. Probably blonde, not your blonde, but a darker blonde or light brown color. To me, the most attractive personality there is, is a fierce personality, an 'I dare you' personality."
To Malfoy, the description she gave sounds a lot like the big guy. He knows she wants him, a blind man could see that, but he wanted to see if she realized what she just admitted to him. Unluckily for him, she did realize what game he just played and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"You think you're so clever, don't you?" Asta snarled through gritted teeth as she backed him into the corner of the counter. "You think you caught me, got me to admit I have feelings for him, eh?"
"I just was trying to-" Malfoy started but was cut off, realizing he made a big mistake in tricking her as she trapped him in the corner.
"Meddle in something that is none of your business? I have been best friends with him since we were newborns, if he had ANY feelings for me I think I would know it." Asta said dangerously, her eyes darkening along with her mood.
Malfoy could feel a tingling sensation around his body, like he had a lot of static in his clothes and was about to get…. Shocked. Asta looked as though she was growing angrier and angrier with every breath. She had Draco trapped between her and the counter, and the energy around them was becoming more and more tense. Just as Asta was about the lose control, Brynjar came barreling in and snatched her in his arms.
"ASTA NO!" He shouted as he picked her up and struggled to carry her out of the kitchen.
She was screaming at the top of her lungs for Brynjar to put her down, flailing her arms and legs, trying to pry Brynjar's arms from around her to get at Malfoy. She had lost all control of her magic, every lightbulb on the first floor burst from to high of an electrical current running through them, and she was shocking Brynjar fiercely as he carried her up the stairs away from Malfoy and Hermione.
As soon as Brynjar snatched Asta, Hermione threw herself in front of Malfoy to protect him in case Asta broke free. She knew, well according to Brynjar, neither she or Malfoy would stand a chance against Asta if Asta went after them. But she was willing to try her luck, even if she was protecting the tormentor from her childhood.
Brynjar had been shocked pretty severely by Asta before when she has been murderous back home, but this was an all new level of intensity for her. She had never thoroughly lost control like this before. The only reason he was still standing and restraining her, was because of them being trained to withstand torture from a young age, otherwise he would be on the floor. He kicked open the bedroom door, walked over to the bed, and threw the still struggling Asta down onto the bed and climbed on top of her.
"ASTA! ASTA! CALM THE FUCK DOWN!" Brynjar shouted as he pinned her arms down with his hands and her legs with his ankles. "ASTA!"
Brynjar kept calling her name, hoping the sound of him calling for her would break her out of whatever the fuck state she was in, but it was to no avail. He tried to use happy memories, nicknames, even threatening to send for Abraxus, but nothing worked. She was still acting as though she was a rabid timber wolf, hungry for blood. So he decided to get rough with her.
Brynjar let go of her wrists, grabbed a handful of her hair, and yanked her head back into the pillow. Once he did that she let out, what sounded to him like, a small moan and slowed her thrashing slightly but continued to try and break free of his grasp. Brynjar groaned inwardly at hearing what he thought was her moan, but shook his head to remain focused. Something in him told him to put his hand around her throat, he wasn't sure what it was or why, but he decided to listen to it.
He took his other hand and wrapped it around the top of her throat, putting just enough pressure on her windpipe that she would hopefully snap out of it, and try and pry is hand off her throat. When he applied pressure to her throat, he heard another small moan, and she began to calm down not even trying to remove his hand. Brynjar cursed internally as he watched her eyes become wide and the air around them return to normal. 'Fucking great! I owe Balder five galleons, he was right she WILL like it rough in the sack.' Brynjar thought to himself as he saw his friend return to normal.
She did not remember how Brynjar and her got here, she did not care how they got here, she just was glad she was not a male. Otherwise Brynjar would prominently see just what he was doing to her.
She slowly reached down to pull her shirt back down, so it was covering her scar when her hand accidently brushed against the erection Brynjar had from hearing her moan. Brynjar groaned with pleasure. After wanting to be in this situation with her for so long, her hand lightly brushing against it felt as amazing as if she had fully grasped it in her hand. He closed his eyes as soon as he felt her touch, in effort to maintain control of his urges.
Asta's breath hitched and her heart began to hammer in her chest upon feeling his excitement with her own hand, and seeing his reaction. Before she could think properly, she readjusted herself under him making the pressure he had on her throat to increase slightly, causing her to moan again. As soon as the sound escaped her lips, they both looked at each other, their eyes dark with lust. The intensity between their eyes, all the words unsaid, was overwhelming.
"What… What hap-pend?" Asta asked hoarsely, gesturing at the two of them, trying to break the tension between them.
Brynjar immediately snapped out of his lust filled trance and shook his head rapidly, before climbing off of Asta.
As the pressure was taken off of her throat, and he let her hair out of his vice-like grip, she resisted the urge to whimper at the loss of restraints on her.
"I uhh, I don't know what caused it. But you uhh, had Malfoy backed into the corner of the kitchen, and were about to shock him to death." Brynjar paused as he watched Asta's anger flare slightly, moving as though he were ready to pin her down again. "Right before you could, I snatched you up and brought you up here, away from him. You were kicking and punching me, telling me to let you go, you fought me the whole way up here." Brynjar continued as he lifted his shirt to show her the bruises she gave him on his chest and back. "I tried calling your name, I tried nicknames, I tried telling you to think of happy memories, I even threatened you with your father. But you wouldn't snap out of it, you had completely lost control of your magic."
"I'm sorry I hurt you." Asta said as she moved to the edge of the bed, feeling terrible for what she had done to him because of Malfoy.
"It's alright." Brynjar said plopping down next to her, shoving her shoulder lightly. "I've endured worse from you before."
"That doesn't make it right. Idiot." Asta chuckled as she twiddled with her hem. "So how did you wind up half choking me and pulling my hair?" Asta asked, slightly nervous yet slightly excited to know.
Brynjar turned red as he thought about the look in her eye, only moments ago, when he had her restrained in such an erotic way.
"Well uhhh, when reason wouldn't work, I got annoyed that you weren't snapping out of it and decided to get rough." Brynjar admitted, avoiding eye contact with her.
"Right." Asta said, feeling the heat on her face. "Good decision."
"Yeah, it was." Brynjar said huskily as all the sounds and movements she made came flooding back before his eyes.
"Well we should uh, get back down to them, don't you think?" Asta asked quickly, unsure of how to handle or what to make of the situation.
"Are you going to be alright seeing Malfoy?" Brynjar asked slowly, eyeing her carefully.
"Yes, I'll be fine." Asta said rolling her eyes as she pushed herself up. "Come on."
"Alright." Brynjar replied as he pushed himself up, and asked, "Will you take this off me now? I'm sure my hand is healed by now."
Asta turned around and walked back towards Brynjar, and grabbed his hand in her own and inspected it.
"Does this hurt?" She asked tapping on the top of his hand.
"No." Brynjar replied.
"Does this hurt?" She repeated, tapping on the palm of his hand.
"No."
"Alright, hang on." Asta said flatly as she began to unravel the bandage around his hand.
Once the bandage was off his hand, Brynjar started flexing his hand and moving all of his fingers to make sure they still worked properly. He was happy to find that they all worked just fine.
"Thank you Queen Bint." Brynjar mock bowed to Asta who started laughing and shoved him out of the bedroom door.
"You're welcome peasant." Asta replied chuckling at her friends goofiness.
They walked down the stairs and right into the sittingroom, where Hermione and Malfoy were sitting chatting lightly. Hermione jumped up when she saw Asta coming towards them, causing Malfoy to jump up as well, and backed himself up against the wall .
"Relax! I'm better now." Asta said looking annoyed. "I apologize for my huge outburst. I don't know what caused me to act like that, that has never happened before."
Hermione nodded stiffly, still terrified she might go berserk. Malfoy nodded towards her as well. He slowly moved away from the wall, towards Asta, and outstretched his hand to her.
"I apologize for sending you over the edge, I shouldn't have brought that up, I'm sorry." Malfoy apologized, holding his hand out for her to shake.
"It's fine. I've been told I have a temper problem, I just overreacted. I'm sorry." Asta replied taking his hand firmly and shaking it.
"Well good." Brynjar said loudly clapping his hands together. "Now that everything is back to the usual fucked up norm around here, Malfoy you're up, Asta and I will be in the kitchen."
Brynjar made his way out of the kitchen with Asta following in his wake, and once they were out of the silenced sittingroom, Malfoy began to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Hermione asked him curiously, noticing he was still looking in Brynjar and Asta's direction.
"This was her second outburst that Brynjar calmed her down from up in that bedroom." Malfoy said hoping Hermione would understand where he was going with this.
"Yeah, so?" Hermione replied completely confused as to what he was getting at.
"SO." Malfoy said in perfect mimicry of Hermione, stepping close to her so that his mouth was right next to her ear, "What can you think of that he could do, in a bedroom, to calm her down?"
Hermione blushed and turned her head to look at Malfoy who was smirking devilishy at Hermione.
"I highly doubt they have sex to calm her down you pig!" Hermione scolded as she gestured for him to sit in the chair in the middle of the room. "They have been best friends forever, he can probably lull her out of any anger induced tantrum by talking to her. Take a drink, then tell me when you feel the potion working." Hermione instructed as she handed the potion bottle to Malfoy.
"Sure, they are only in love with each other, so you're probably right, they probably just talk." Malfoy responded sarcastically as he took a swig from the bottle and replaced the stopper. Not a minute later her felt the potion start to take effect, and nodded his head for her to start asking questions.
"What is your name?"
"Draco Malfoy."
"Who are your parents?"
"Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy."
"What house were you sorted into at Hogwarts?"
"Slytherin."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
Malfoy cringed at that question.
"Yes."
Hermione cringed at his reply.
"Do you have the Mark?"
"Yes."
"Did you want to take the Mark?"
"No."
"Why did you?"
"My father threatened to kill me."
"Do you prefer being a hostage as opposed to living under You-Know-Who's thumb?"
"Yes, very much so."
"If I agree to let Asta and Brynjar accompany Harry, Ron, and I on our travels; will you try to sabotage us?"
Malfoy paused momentarily, unsure of what she classifies as sabotage. But his pause made Hermione think he was trying to fight the potion to try and lie to her.
"Clarify what you mean by sabotage, please."
Hermione eyed him warily, but did as he requested.
"Will you attempt to call your fellow Death Eaters?"
"No."
"Will you attempt to send the Death Eaters any important information on Harry, Ron, myself, Asta, or Brynjar?"
"No. Anything to do with contacting the other Death Eaters, and therefore giving away YOUR location, I will not do. I am safer here with them, and later on you, Potter, and Weasel; than I would be with the Dark Lords followers."
"Will you attempt to kill, maim, or injure any of the five of us?"
"No, and couldn't if I wanted to."
"Come again?"
"The crazy raven-haired bitch has my wand."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the way he explained himself. He reminded her of the emperor from the muggle movie Mulan when he said to Shang, "You don't meet a girl like that every dynasty."
"What did I say that was funny?"
"It was the way you explained why you wouldn't be able to harm one of us that was funny."
"Ahh, I see."
"Right, moving on. How long?"
Malfoy was confused and intrigued by her question, mainly because he didn't know what she was asking about.
"Elaborate please?"
"You know what I'm talking about Draco."
"Alright." Malfoy replied as he stood up and began to undo his pant drawstring.
"WOAH! WOAH! WOAH! NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Hermione exclaimed as she partially shielded her eyes.
"Well what the bloody hell were you talking about then?" Malfoy asked harshly as he hurriedly retied his pants.
"How long have you been in love with me you tosspot!" Hermione shouted back, turning slightly pink.
"Oh. Since the Yule Ball." Draco replied unemotionally. 'Damn this potion.' He thought to himself.
"Ss… sin… since the… the Yule Ball?"
"Yes."
"Wha… What umm… What happened that made you… change your mind about me?"
"You came down the stairs in that beautiful blue dress, with your hair tamed. You looked absolutely breathtaking. Pansy was mad at me the whole night because I couldn't take my eyes off you."
Hermione couldn't form words, or sentences, or even think for that matter. That was positively the nicest thing Draco Malfoy, or anyone else that wasn't family, has ever said to her.
"I… I don't… Thank you."
"No, thank you for changing my heart and mind for the better. Even if you do end up marrying Weasel, at least I will be able to see the true good and bad women for myself, and not just pureblood and muggleborn."
Hermione was tearing up at his kind words, words that she never thought she would ever hear him say to her. When she started tearing up and wiping her eyes on her sleeve, Malfoy began to worry that he had upset her because of the stupid potion, so he quickly spoke up.
"I'm sorry if what I said offended you, or upset you, or disgusted you. I don't really have a choice in the matter, thanks to the potion. If I have, once this test is over I will steer clear of you to give you your space if that is what you want." Malfoy paused, happy that he had gotten the chance to tell her all this, and to be able to admit it to himself. "I'm tired of hurting you Hermione."
"You have not upset or offended me Draco, I just am not used to hearing such kind things about me from you. Thank you, I appreciate your words. It's nice to hear that your femininity is recognized by someone, when others just see you as one of the guys."
Unbeknown to them that Brynjar heard all of what Hermione just said.
"Weasel's an idiot."
"He is not, he's just simple."
"Same thing."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Do you have any pertinent information about You-Know-Who and his plans?"
"Yes."
"Can you share it with me, and the other Order members?"
"Yes."
"Do you trust in the Order to keep you safe from You-Know-Who?"
"No."
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Then you can trust that the Order will keep you safe, I promise."
"Ok."
"Is there anything candid you wish to tell or ask me before the potion wears off in," Hermione paused to check the wall clock. "One minute?"
"Yes. Let me try and make up for all the hurtful things I have said and done to you when we were in school, please. If nothing more than, I would like us to at least be friends during, and when this is all over."
Hermione was taken aback. She wasn't expecting any of this to happen when Mad-eye warned her Malfoy was being held hostage before her first visit to Asta and Brynjar.
"I would like that very much Draco, thank you."
"The pleasure is mine." Malfoy said charmingly as he bowed slightly towards her, walked out into the foyer, and announced that he was going back to bed.
Hermione chuckled as he walked back up the stairs throwing a wink her way before vanishing from view completely. Hermione blushed and turned to make her way into the kitchen where her last victim was waiting for her. She looked at Asta who was smiling kindly at her as she rose to her feet.
"Ready for me?" Asta asked playfully.
"Yes I am." Hermione responded with the same playful attitude, gesturing for Asta to go first.
As they settled in their respective chairs, Hermione handed Asta the bottle of Veritaserum and repeated her instructions for a third time.
"Take a drink, and nod when you start to feel the effects of the potion." Hermione ordered.
Asta took a swig from the bottle, replaced the stopper, and handed the bottle back to Hermione to replace in her bag before nodding that the potion had kicked in.
"What is your name?"
"Asta Akeldama."
"What are you?"
"A bitch."
"Not what I meant."
"I am a Viking descendant."
"Who is your father?"
"Abraxus Akeldama the Eleventh."
"What is your nine times Great Grandfather known for?"
"Being a major douche-bag."
"Textbook version?" Hermione chuckled.
"The annihilation of almost all the muggleborns in the western hemisphere." Asta replied, looking as though she was about to explode.
"Where did you and Brynjar come from?"
"Our hidden village in England."
"Where is you hidden village located?"
"Can't tell you that."
"Why not?"
"Not the secret keeper."
"Will you require Harry, Ron, and I to divulge what we are going to be doing while on the run, should I decide that you and Brynjar are trustworthy?"
"No."
"You will just blindly do as we ask of you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Two reasons. One; it is none of our business what you three are doing, all we care about is helping you three end Snakeman and his ideals. Two; we are Vikings. We follow orders from our superiors without question, it is how we are raised."
Hermione was floored, that was the exact same response Brynjar gave her earlier.
"Would you LIKE to know what Harry, Ron, and I are going to be doing so you can feel more helpful?"
"Of course."
"Brynjar told me that your people are taught everything about Dark Magic, is that true?"
"Yes."
"Your father doesn't fear that his people will use that knowledge against him in an uprising, and attempt to de-thrown him?"
Asta laughed at that question like it was a hilarious joke.
"Not in the least."
"Why?"
"If I could take you to my village I would have him show you why."
"That's what Brynjar said as well."
"My father's people respect him like he is the Great Odin himself."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Do have books on Dark Magic?"
"A library full of them."
"Could I borrow a few books?"
"Anything you need to succeed in bringing Snakeman down, that we have, is at your disposal."
"How soon can you get them?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"I can take you as soon as you are done questioning me, seeing as the floo is still open."
"Don't you need to ask your fathers permission first?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I can't lie. Remember?"
"Right." Hermione said, feeling like an idiot.
"How will you keep Malfoy from being a hindrance if I allow you to help us?"
"Fear."
"Can you elaborate on that?"
"Fear bends people to your will. Give them a reason to fear for their lives, or a loved one's life, and they will be at your mercy."
"Brynjar gave the same answer. You know, some of your answers, and your demeanor is very violent. How can I be sure you aren't just an experienced manipulator?"
"I suppose there is no way you can know for sure. However, like I said earlier, Vikings are fiercely loyal and they always follow orders from their superiors, in this case that is you, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and the members of the Order."
"Do you believe that a pureblood life, is worth more than a muggleborn life?"
"No. It does not matter what your blood status is, we all bleed red, and we are all mortal. Blood status doesn't mean shit to me or any of the other people in my village, not anymore."
"Thank you for that."
"I'm simply telling the truth."
"Right." Hermione said flatly as she check the wall clock, finding she has three more minutes to ask her questions before the potion wears off. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Asta's eyes grew wide and nervous at the question, knowing where this was going she sighed in defeat.
"No."
"Do you have feelings for anyone?"
"Yes." Asta replied through gritted teeth.
"Do you trust that I won't use knowledge about the boy you like as blackmail against you?"
"Oddly yes."
"Who is the boy you have feelings for?"
"Brynjar."
"How long have you had feelings for him?" Hermione asked sweetly, expecting the same answer Brynjar gave her.
"Seven years."
"Seven years?! And you haven't tried to tell him?"
"Yes, seven years. And no."
"Why!" Hermione exclaimed, unable to believe what she is hearing.
"Because if he doesn't feel the same way, I will lose my best and only friend, and then I will have no one. I will forever be alone, just like my mother always said." Asta whispered as tears formed in her eyes at the thought of her mother being right about Brynjar.
"Asta, that will never happen." Hermione consoled her. "Surely you must-" Hermione tried to continue but was cut off by Brynjar.
"What did you ask her?!" Brynjar shouted having stormed in as soon as he saw Asta swipe at her eyes with her hands. "What did you say to make her cry?" Brynjar shouted as Asta tried to rid her eyes of any evidence of her crying.
"Brynjar it's fine." Asta said in a tired voice as she spun him by his shoulder so he would look at her. "It was nothing. I'm just emotionally burnt out is all, honestly I'm fine."
Brynjar knew she was lying to him but he let it go, for now at least.
"Alright, if you say so." Brynjar conceded as he removed the silencing charm from around the room.
"I do. Also I'm taking Hermione to the village so she can borrow some of my father's books, so it's just going to be-" Asta began but was cut off by Brynjar.
"I'm going too! I want see my mum, let her know I'm still alive and what not." Brynjar said excitedly, and somewhat guiltily.
"You think this is my first day meeting you?" Asta asked with s smirk on her face. "You want to go rough house with the guys, I'm not stupid."
"Alright yeah, but I do want to see my mum too. You know how she is now about me." Brynjar said as he rubbed the back of his neck, while Asta turned red, but quickly shook the anger away.
"Yes, I do know. But I need you to stay here with Malfoy, to make sure he doesn't use the floo to escape, or something." Asta explained as she began to walk towards the stairs to change.
"We'll take him with us, and tie him to the flagpole. He can't magic the ropes off, we got his wand." Brynjar offered up, looking hopeful. Pleaseeeee Asta! I'm bored, and I haven't blown anything up in days! Please!"
"Oh alright. Go get blondie out of bed and get changed, we are leaving in five minutes!" Asta shouted after Brynjar as he bounded up the stairs to wake Malfoy up. Asta chuckled at his excitement. "Be back down in a few minutes." Asta said to Hermione who was smiling at her.
Hermione was excited and relieved. She was finally getting more books on horcruxes! The more information she has on them, the easier the search and destruction should be! The war shouldn't take very long if they have all this knowledge and extra help at their disposal now!
"But I want to sleep! Why are you people always up early!" Malfoy grumbled from above Hermione.
"Get up blondie, or I'm sending Asta in next." Brynjar threatened. Then suddenly there was a scrambling noise from above where she stood, telling her that Malfoy preferred life and got up.
Then just as quickly as he got up, he came strutting down the stairs, and came to stand next to Hermione.
"Why the hell did they get me up again? Where are we going?" Malfoy asked grumpily as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Not a morning person are you Malfoy?" Hermione laughed as he made a face at her.
"No. Where are we going?" Malfoy asked again stomping his foot like a child.
"We are taking a little trip to our village so Hermione can collect a few books she needs from my father's library." Asta explained as she strapped her pouch onto her leg.
"Wait. We are going into a village of Vikings? For books?" Malfoy asked in disbelief, before turning to Hermione. "I know you love your books Granger, but why are you trying to get me killed?"
"Oh stop! Our people won't hurt you!" Asta exclaimed rolling her eyes as she passed the jar of floo powder to Brynjar. "Right, Malfoy you go with Brynjar and Hermione you will come with me. Seeing as we need to keep our village a secret, I cannot tell you what to say into the floo."
"Won't we hear you two call it out?" Malfoy asked with a sneer.
"No fuck-stick you won't." Asta snapped back at him.
"Oh really? I'm not deaf you know, and neither is Granger." Malfoy retorted angrily.
"No you're not. However you both will be unconscious." Asta said condescendingly before snapping her fingers, knocking them out.
Brynjar barely caught Malfoy before he hit the floor, and grumbled yet again about warning him first.
"Again, a little warning would be nice!" He grunted as he flung Malfoy over his shoulder.
"When you're going to be carrying someone other than Malfoy I'll give you warning." Asta replied with a smirk as she draped Hermione over her own shoulder, placing Hermione's bag over her other shoulder. "Now, let's go home."