Hello again! I hope you all enjoyed the last - though small - chapter. The last one marked the beginning of Phase 2 of Crimson. I am in the process of writing more chapters, but it's slow going due to real life - as usual.

So enjoy!

Falling. That was what she felt. Arms dragging her down through darkness and light green mists, finally a voice snarled all around her; "you will never be happy again!"

"AH!" a seventeen-year-old girl awoke with a start.

"Whoa there, you're alright." Looking around wildly, she found the owner of the voice to be a young man no older than her. Then she remembered.

She was in the back of a truck with one other new recruit, his partner and hers. They all wore black business suits of the Turks. "That must have been quite the nightmare, Ghost."

Ghost… that's right, that's what she went by now. Looking at her hands, she saw black leather gloves and the same suit. "Y-yeah. Sorry everyone."

"Eh, no big deal. Hey, driver, how much longer 'till we get there, I'm bored!"

"Go back to sleep, Ghost," Tseng pulled her against him. "I'll wake you once we're there."

She didn't sleep.

That was no dream.

For a month, now, Hermione Granger's nights had been plagued by dreams of a life she could no longer have.

Being stranded on Gaia had given her a deeper connection with her memories; meditation exercises unlocked buried memories from her childhood, those same exercises made crystal clear memories of recent years.

She had spent a long week crying over what had been lost… well almost everything.

Some parts of the last seven years were a batch of memories she had locked away, otherwise she would never have stopped crying.

It had been a cruel couple of months; she had been forced to live with other recruits for the Turks instead of living with Sephiroth, who had wanted her close by without actively protecting her and, at the start of month two, each recruit had been given a more experienced partner to move in with.

Hers had been Tseng.

Whilst they had got along before she became a permanent resident, neither of them had been thrilled with the prospect of actually living together.

They had each found the other to be very private, and with Hermione's frequent temper tantrums – yes she'd had a fair few of those as well – Tseng had been hostile with her until they had been given this mission.

After this mission there was one last initiation that all Turk recruits had to do in order to pass, Hermione had blown the electrics in her computer when she had heard what they were asking her to do.

Tseng had been the only one to calm her down enough to convince their director – Veld – that she was his partner, therefore he would be the one to break her in.

They had returned home that evening for Hermione to tell him that she'd rather it had been with Genesis.

Tseng, himself, reluctantly agreed, giving her until the end of the mission to find him. The only condition was that she allowed him to still complete the task Veld had given him.

Champ? As she found herself dozing, Other – her long-time and long-suffering companion spoke to her. He's nearby, find a way to get away.

They were staying at the Icicle Inn in the Northern Regions, apparently there was a rumour of Genesis copies that need eradicating – another of the Turk Initiations was to have blood on your hands to see if you could handle the stress of killing another person.

Deciding to be honest with her partner, she nuzzled into his chest and whispered in his native Wutaian, "I need a chance to slip away. She's found him."

He squeezed her waist to indicate he'd heard her.

Introducing Tseng to Other had been hilarious.

Hermione had been humming away to herself as she made dinner for the guards on the night shift when she felt Other return from wherever she had come from.

Tseng – who had been coming out of the bathroom – swore very colourfully as Other just materialised in front of him.

This prompted telling Tseng how everything came about. How she met Other, how she had come to know Genesis without even meeting him until the beginning of that year.

She was surprised when Tseng corroborated some of her story with what Genesis went through after leaving her.

"Lieutenant Bazooka, Lieutenant Tseng, we've arrived at our first destination, I'll get the chopper ready and we'll head the rest of the way by air."

The driver announced, Hermione let out a simultaneous groan with Tseng; neither of them were fans of flying.

She still had her flight training to come, as well as driving. As a Turk she was required to be able to control all types of vehicles, weaponry and computers. It was a lot to take in, but she had already shown a penchant for absorbing new information as she had – naturally – come top of the class in everything.

It helped that Tseng was a task master when it came to the physical side of her training. He was the reason she always went home with bruises. He had allowed her to "copy and paste" his knowledge of physical fighting; hand to hand combat, gunnery and sword fighting, but had been gruelling with making sure she could perform at his level, combining their sparring matches with general knowledge questions.

Sephiroth, too, had trained her on how to use a sword and materia in both ranged and close combat, his methods had been more difficult to follow, but Sephiroth was a patient teacher.

In just this last month, the two of them had turned her in a killing machine in all aspects except one; she had stubbornly refused to actually kill someone.

The helicopter ride was quiet and uneventful, they landed at midday, though you couldn't tell from the storm.

"Holy shit, it's freezing!" Exclaimed Rodney – or Tomahawk as his Turk name now was.

Oh, that was an understatement, to be sure. Their water rations had frozen before they had finished unloading the chopper.

"This isn't right, Tseng," she heard Bazooka shout over the roar of the helicopter as it took off back to a slightly warmer climate. "It's meant to be cold up here, but not this cold."

"Agreed, let's get indoors." He led the way inside the deserted inn; no one lived up here, they were rented out by a company back where they had met the chopper.

Mistress. Hermione stopped as she entered the cabin. The Ice Goddess rests here. She will challenge you before she bends, to see if you are worthy of us all. Beware of her temper, Mistress. For we will not assist you against one of our own. The voice of Bahamut echoed in her mind, Hermione understood what he said and steeled herself for the battle to come.

"Ten to one, this is climate change." Tomahawk joked.

Hermione smirked, "five-hundred Gil says it's a Summon."

She had been living with him and other rookies – who were on a different mission – long enough to know he would take that bet.

"Ha! You're on!" they shook on it. Tseng held out his hand to Bazooka, a smirk on his face.

"You'd better win that bet, Tomahawk, or you're paying for both of us when we get home." Bazooka joked. Hermione gave Tseng a knowing look.

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That night, Hermione made sure to give everyone except Tseng a simple sleeping draught that would last until the morning.

"Be careful out there, Aibō, Shiva won't go down without a fight." He warned as she slipped out the door and into the dark.

She trudged through the snow towards the foot of the Northern Crater. Finding a cave, she could feel Shiva inside.

"Lumos maxima," she breathed, sending up an orb of light before returning her wand to its sheath against her arm. "Okay, Shiva. Where are you?"

Wandering further into the cave, she noted boxes with the ShinRa logo on them; these were what they were looking for. Now that was a stroke of luck!

So, you are the one that tamed my brother, Bahamut? a voice sounded right behind her, across from a lake of ice was a beautiful female figure, various shades of blue and off-colour whites made up her features.

"I am." She stood tall, her chattering teeth the only sign that she was cold.

I am not yet swayed. You must force me to yield.

Hermione checked her bracers, "that is why I am here, Shiva."

Then ready yourself for the bitter cold of my wrath!

Hermione threw up a Barrier, apparating behind the Summon. She shot off fireballs in quick succession, apparated again and waited for the reaction.

It had the desired effect.

Shiva had turned, snarling angrily. Hermione knew that if she carried on like this, the Ice Goddess would get wise and predict where she would go next; she had to be smart about this.

Realising, too late, that Shiva had already begun an attack, Hermione felt an unbearable cold.

She made to move, but found ice climbing up her shins towards her knees.

I have you now! Shiva snarled.

Raising her arms, Hermione gave a scream as Shiva flicked her wrist and sent ice cascading around her, impaling her left shoulder.

Then, all was quiet.

Hermione couldn't tell if she was dead or just unconscious, she didn't even know that she was unconscious, just that everything was black. Through the cold, Hermione could feel the pain in her shoulder, there was a pain in her right wrist, too.

I'm a fool, she thought, what the hell made me think I could do this on my own? I'm not strong enough without help! In her internal panic she saw crimson behind the ice – or was that her blood? – she remembered Genesis, images of how they met flashed in the red… red – ginger hair, the Weasleys. Now images of her friends and family appeared in the ice. Last to appear, were Harry and Ron.

"Are you a witch or not?!" A familiar voice echoed through her mind. Giving a smile, she chastised herself for not remembering. She had other magic at her disposal.

"Incendio Maxima!" she cried.

Hearing a shrill shriek, fiery wings erupted from her back, her witch fire and the Firaga materia all combined to create a tornedo of flames, engulfing the Ice Goddess, who crashed to the ground.

Hermione followed, her aching body convulsing from the cold. Blood trickled down her arm, her right wrist – her wand arm – was broken, her wand was fine.

Shaking knees lifted her as she approached the Ice Goddess, who tried to move away, like a wounded animal.

Hermione smiled, softly, "easy, Shiva. Let me undo the damage I've done."

As the green light of healing magic coupled with healing materia lit the cave, Shiva spoke. Why? I will only try to kill you again.

Hermione continued to smile, "no you won't. Because, if you truly don't want to join your brethren and help me in the tasks to come, I will leave this place and you can stay here."

You would let me go free?

"Yes. There's no point in me keeping you against your will, you won't work for me otherwise."

The healing done, Hermione stood, turning to leave. An icy hand gently wrapped around the left wrist, where the bracer that held the other Summon stones rested. There was a flash of light and Hermione heard the voice of Shiva in her head, I will assist you, Mistress, for as cold as I am, you are the first to have shown me kindness, when others would have broken me.

Hermione turned back, seeing snowflakes fluttering where Shiva had been only moments ago. "Will you never cease to amaze me, my Golden Flower?"

Genesis was stood at the entrance to the cave, Hermione gave a tired laugh. She was going to apparate to his side, but the fatigue had her knees finally give way.

She was in his warm embrace before she hit the floor.

"Steady, my love, I have you.

She tried to talk, but her vision was swimming, "sshhh," he soothed, stroking her hair, "rest for a while, you're safe."

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She awoke in a warm makeshift bed, black feathers all around her. "Genesis?"

"I'm here, beloved." She saw him stood in a large open space, his Rapier in hand. "How are you feeling?"

She sat up, her muscles screaming in protest. "Oooh, I feel like I've been bowled over by a Behemoth!" the two of them shared a chuckle.

She got up at joined him, drawing her own sword, noting that her shoulder and wand wrist were healed. "May I join you?"

"You've been learning?"

"Yes, Sephiroth and Tseng have been teaching me." She took her stance opposite him, "it's been a looong two months."

Genesis rushed her and the dance began.

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Genesis pinned her to the ground one last time, his lithe form pinning her firmly. "Do you yield, my love?"

Hermione smirked, coiled her arm around his neck and kissed him. Pulling out her boot knife, she held it against his side. "Do you?"

Genesis looked down at her left hand, back up at her and smirked. "Clever girl." He purred, returning the kiss. She dropped the knife and ran her hands over his muscular body.

"Hmm, got you." He breathed between kisses.

Tilting her head to the side, she invited Genesis's tongue to explore the new expanse of flesh. Her soft moan had him sinking his teeth into the shoulder of her blazer, "hold tight." He whispered.

Scooping her up her carried her to the alcove that had become his sleeping quarters.

Placing her down on the blankets, Hermione sat up, her hand on his chest. "Wait." She pulled out her wand and gave it a flick, creating a curtain at the mouth of the alcove, "Muffliato," she mumbled, letting her wand arm fall.

She looked at Genesis, pleading eyes trying to make him understand the gravity of what she was about to give up.

A gentle smile graced his face, "I'll be gentle." He moved in on her, his mouth catching hers as they fell to the bed.

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Hermione opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in silken, jet-black feathers. Shifting onto her back, she ran her fingers through the longer feathers, one came off in her hand.

"So beautiful." She breathed.

"You are, yes." She jumped, having not expected Genesis to be awake.

The feathers shifted as he moved to lean over her, his pale skin enhancing the glow of his crystal eyes. He leant down and kissed her, wrapping her in his arms.

Genesis? Where are you?

Gasping, Hermione pushed him off. "What is it?!" he sounded alarmed.

"Hollander… I think he's here…" that can't be right. Hollander was meant to be inside the crater and she had found last night that was not where they were.

Genesis gave a growl. "I told him to wait until the Turks had left! Goddess give me strength…" he swooped down for a deep, passionate kiss, "forgive me, my Golden Flower, stay here. I'll get rid of him."

Hermione had an idea. "No." she got up and searched for her wand, giving it a flick, she dressed. "No, I am actually here for something Hollander is doing. It apparently has nothing to do with you, but I want to see his face when he finds me here."

Genesis dressed and held her close, "I do not like you as a Turk, however I understand why you were left in their care."

They could both hear the scientist as he moved through the area. "I'll be up above. He never looks up there."

With Genesis hidden above her, Hermione took a breath and let her Turk mask fall over her face. "Genesis, where the hell are you?!" she heard him growl.

He turned the corner to see her stood casually, "wha-!?"

"Hello, Professor Hollander." She purred.

Hollander turned and tried to run, Hermione flicked her wand and he froze in a full body-binding spell. "Now, now. You've only just arrived, why would you want to leave?"

He grunted loudly; the syllables made it clear he was calling for Genesis. She chuckled. "When you turned tail and ran from ShinRa, you took something from Hojo. Tell me where you put it and I'll let him move." Another, questioning grunt, "oh Genesis is in the back, I gave him a sleeping draft. You would not believe how easy it was to fool him." She said matter-of-factly, "now! You were going to tell me where you hid what you stole."

Patting Hollander's head, she allowed him to talk. The first thing he did, was laugh. "You don't know what I stole, do you Turk?"

"That's why I'm asking."

He spat in her face. "Fuck you!" he snarled.

She felt Genesis make to move and flicked her hand to keep him still. Dark eyes levelled on Hollander. "I see this is going to take a bit more force," steeling herself, she drew her wand. "Okay. Crucio."

Hollander screamed, "okay, okay! It's in a cave! Guarded by Shiva, you'll have to defeat it before you can find it! Please, stop!"

"What about the rest of it?" she growled, "you stole more than just a few boxes!" she increased the level of power in the curse.

"AAHHH! It's back in the crater! I have specimen pods stashed there! Th-they contain members of SOLDIER, infantry and Turks that were sent before you! Please, that's all I know!"

Hermione frowned; Turks had been sent in beforehand? She recalled the briefing before they had left, apparently she was part of the second group that had been sent to the Northern Cave. "So, you killed my comrades, did you?"

Hollander didn't hear these words over the sounds of his own screaming. Hermione lowered her wand and advanced on Hollander, her anger summoning ice to her palms. She shot out at him, the spears of ice deliberately grazing his face and arms, legs and side.

She aimed one for his throat, shot it out –

It hit a Shadow. "You again?!" she hissed; she had not seen these things since her arrival here. Now, on the cusp of stopping things from getting any worse, they appeared?! "Get out of my way!" Hollander was quiet, having fainted from shock.

The Shadow shot forward, it wrapped itself around her middle and carried her off. She called out to Genesis, undoing the spell. He sprung from his perch and shot after her, grabbing her round the middle and carrying her out into the cold, to the crater.

Letting him place her to her feet, Hermione turned back to him, hugging him tightly, "I am so sorry!"

She felt him wrap his arms around her for a moment, before he pulled her off. "What happened to you back there?" his eyes searched hers, "I hardly recognised you."

Hermione took a step back, hurt. "It's how I've been trained…" she trailed off, even she didn't sound convinced by that, so there was no way he would be. "Oh, come on, it's not the first time I've done that."

"Hermione." He scolded. "That's not the point and you know it."

"What else were you expecting, Genesis?" she argued, "Since the day I moved here, I have been beaten, battered, bruised and drilled into something that even I'm not sure I want to be. The fact that Hollander clearly has no interest in saving you or Angeal, he's got to either be put in his place, or put down."

"You sound like a Turk."

"I AM A TURK!" she screamed. Something went bang a little way off to her right. "I am a Turk, Genesis. So, get used to it." Turning on her heel, she apparated back to the inn.

"Ghost?" Tseng was waiting for her when she got back in. He saw the look on her face as she threw up a wall of magic to keep everyone asleep, that way she could talk to Tseng.

She quickly filled him in on the important stuff before telling him what had happened between her and Genesis. "Oh." He looked over at the others, "this spell can last until you get back, right?"

"Yes. Why?" she narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

He leant over and squeezed her hand. "Go and make things right with him. You never know when you will see him again, if ever."

Hermione, knowing he was right, heaved a sigh, got up and went back. She hung back a moment to check if he was still here, or if he had returned to the cavern from before.

"I don't want you to stay away from me, Genesis." She breathed. "I-"

BANG!

Hermione hit the floor and curled up. A sharp, white-hot pain shot through her left side. Gargled laughter could be heard from further in. "Got you, Turk." Hollander.

"NO!" she heard another voice, a Crimson coat appeared in her blurring line of sight. "Hollander, what have you done?!"

"Rid you of a weakness you can't afford to have."

Her vision faded as she saw crystal blue eyes turn to her, I'm sorry.

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Genesis saw his Golden Flower's head slump to the ground; panic rose and he rounded on Hollander. "She is not a weakness; she is my honour!"

"You sound like Angeal." He mocked, "she would only have you rot and die; you'd never live long if you listen to her."

Genesis growled. "Genesis, she needs medical attention, now, if she is to survive this wound!" Brother's voice – ever the voice he would listen to – sounded scared. "It's gone in deep, she's losing blood, fast."

He turned away from Hollander and scooped her up, "fly with me, we'll take her to the other Turks."

"What if they fire at us?"

"That's why you're going to go down and tell them I'm following with her. I'm sure Tseng will already know as your sister will no doubt have gone down too."

"Okay."

The two flew fast to their destination, with Genesis hovering over the roof as Brother went down to explain the situation.

Within minutes, he heard Tseng call up to him, "bring her down, Genesis, you won't be harmed."

Landing he wasn't surprised to see two others with him.

"Shit." The Turk breathed, taking his Golden Flower from him and putting her on the stretcher.

"I've sent for the chopper; we'll have to get her home." He remembered this one, this Turk was called Bazooka.

Hearing something from behind him, he smirked. After Hermione had left, he had decided to be nice and give her what they had come here for, so he had sent the copies to collect the boxes and containment pods.

"I have a parting gift for you, lapdog."

The copies dropped the boxes around them. "Everything you were here for. Minus Hollander, of course, I'm afraid I still have need of him."

He levelled his eyes on Tseng, "take very good care of her, Tseng, Other too." Stretching his wing, he shot up into the air, Brother seconds behind him and returned to Hollander.

"Genesis." Angeal appeared the other end of the cavern, "I saw you take Hermione; I take it she's still alive?"

Turning to face Hollander, he sucker punched him back to unconsciousness before replying, "he would be dead otherwise."