Chapter 17:
Hermione worked her way through a skill set, her sword cutting the dewy, morning air of the garden. Her muscles gleamed with sweat and use. Her body was in full fight mode; her mind, however, was many worlds away.
Her thoughts were placed on the events of the past week: the torture, the meeting, the attack on Alastor, her talk with Harry, and subsequent talks on the sidelines with Order members had her wound up so tightly, she thought she might combust. Hence, she conjured up a dummy and went outside to work off her frustration, Even if it is bloody 4 in the morning.
As she entered into the new skill set, her mind drifted back to her delivery of Moody's warning…
Flashback
She had landed on his windowsill, being an Order member meant she knew his location, and pecked the glass with her beak. She had disabled the wards before she even attempted to lay a talon down.
The old man had limped to the window, looking rather shocked at the phoenix outside his normally unapproachable window. His wand at the ready, he opened it thinking, Well if the bloody bird can get this close, I doubt a window will stop it if it wants to get me.
He snatched the parchment off her leg quickly and shut the window with a snap, effectively blocking her out. Huffing, she merely popped into his sitting room and perched on his mantle.
He glared warily up at the bird but continued opening his letter. He had a protection spell on himself, and there was a dampening ward on his home that prevented an animagus from transforming, so he knew he would just need to stay vigilant. He glanced at the letter, reread it and then looked up with his one good eye opened wider than Hermione had ever seen.
"Damn Scrimgeour! Bloody … good for nothing … fucking … waste of my time ..." Alastor was cursing under his breath as he moved around his room casting charms willy-nilly and making sure that he was well protected for the full blast he knew would come.
Once his protection charms were in place and his security wards on high alert, he rounded back onto the black phoenix sitting on the mantle. "And what or who are ye blackie," he growled. "It would be jest like Voldemort to have a black phoenix at his command," huffed the wary ex-Auror.
He snorted as the phoenix puffed its chest out and shot a fiery gaze his way after the last comment. "Perhaps not. Well then who doya belong ta that can give me this sort of information?" But he was not to receive that answer for a little while.
His alarm wards suddenly began chiming and the house went into a flurry of activity. It seemed that everything was disappearing or blending into the walls. Hermione activated her own charm and flew up to the rafters of his vaulted ceiling to keep out of sight.
Four black robed figures suddenly burst through the doorway. Moody took one down with a quick "Stupefy" and blocked a curse from one of the others. The latter two were a bit more wary and came in with their Protego shields up. Hermione could see that Rodolphus was one of the figures and she also sensed Draco which surprised her, I wonder what he did with Ginny.
She glanced down at the third figure that had shot the curse at Moody and recognized Dolohov. Her father and Draco were shooting off spells left and right, consistently missing Moody while Dolohov was attempting to disarm Moody.
Moody finally managed to stun Dolohov and he flopped down next to the other unconscious figure on the floor. He then turned his full force on the other two Death Eaters in the room and Hermione knew it was probably time to intervene.
She flew down and landed on her father's shoulder. He looked at her, slightly surprised, since he had only been told about this animagus form. Moody immediately stopped his firing, recognizing that the two had simply been deflecting the spells, but not returning them. Add in the fact that the bird, which had basically saved his life, had just flown down to one of their shoulders, and Moody was rather confused. He said gruffly, "I take it that no' all is as it seems?"
"Indeed," was the muffled reply from one of the two hooded figures. "I trust that you will not speak of this to anyone Mr. Moody. I shall be sending my phoenix back to you in communication should the need arise. You understand what I am saying?"
"Blow me down with a feather. I've gotcher meanin'. Jest let me know if I need ta do anything. I don't suppose I'll be getting' an explanation?" He questioned, his mind whirling from the odd scene in front of him.
The other figure stepped forward, "All shall be revealed in time." The bird on the person's shoulder seemed to nod at him and Alastor firmly believed that one of the curses must have hit him on the head.
The two Death Eaters walked over to the unconscious figures on the floor, grasped their arms and apparated away. He gaped at the obvious red hair falling out of the first, fallen figure's robes.
So that's where she was, thought Hermione. She flew back to the rafters unnoticed by Moody, and isn't that a first, who was slowly putting his home to rights. After about 5 minutes the floo was activated and he turned away from his attempt to uncover his furniture to let the figure in the fireplace in.
Hermione spotted Minerva McGonagall immediately and grinned to herself. Minerva straightened up, looked around and then stared straight back at Alastor. "What in Merlin's name happened? We got a report from your wards that Death Eaters were here!"
Alastor rubbed his forehead and sat down on his still invisible chair. "Honestly Minerva? I'm not sure a'tall. If I didna know any better I'd say I was goin' nutters. Bah. This war is getting' ta me."
Minerva gaped at the old Auror. He was always in control of a situation! Clearly something was not quite right in the world anymore.
Hermione refrained from making a giggle-like sound and quietly popped back to her home where she knew she would be confronted by father and her… what the hell are Draco and I anyways? … oh fabulous, another thing to think of …
End Flashback
Her father and Draco had been anything but pleased that she had gone along. Draco was unable to make his displeasure known to her, since he was reporting their 'successful' overpowering of Moody to the Dark Lord. Her father had given her a strong talking to. Hermione slashed her sword against the dummy once again in frustration.
Who are they to tell me what I can and cannot do?! I'm more powerful than either of them. I'm the one who made Moody trust them! Bah, stupid arrogant purebloods.
She did a few flips and intricate defensive turns with the sword and then threw it straight at the dummy – it pierced it through the breast. She stood in the middle of the grass panting.
She then straightened up and began to work through some of her tai chi routines. She let her mind drift back to the meeting that had happened the night after the attack…
Flashback
All of the potential rebels had joined in the Lestrange sitting room. The senior Malfoy and Lestrange stood at the front of the group, implying that they were the instigators; Hermione had cloaked herself and hid towards the back of the room, hidden in plain sight as most would say. They had decided that should rumbles get out, she needed to be kept away from gossip due to her relationship with the Dark Lord. Therefore she would be the silent leader of the group, her father and Malfoy, Sr. otherwise taking the roles.
She watched the group carefully, marking their reactions and every emotional face twitch. She felt that most were as trustworthy as she was going to get, but she was still unsure about Millicent, And no its not because of that bloody cat episode … well maybe … but the girl is bloodthirsty! Bulstrode had been acting rather twitchy and Hermione didn't like the feel of her aura.
The twins were seated on a couch to the side, watching the others talk amongst themselves. Hermione mused on how sedated they were these days and then thought on how they would take their sister's betrayal. She glanced at her father who was simply standing quietly with Lucius, watching the group get more and more agitated.
At Hermione's signal, he straightened and addressed the group, "If you will sit down? Thank you. We have called you individuals to this meeting to discuss something of a rather delicate nature. As much as I would like for Our Lord's ideals to pass and become law, this second war alone has been going on for almost 8 years. I feel that something needs to be done. Potter is only getting stronger; the more time we give him, the more time he can train. I for one, am a Slytherin, and do not want to be massacred for a simple belief that I can hold in my heart just as easily. I would prefer to live. Dead, I will have no impact on the society that shall form once this war is over. Alive, I can help." He stopped at the uneasy shifting of the group and glanced around.
Lucius took over and drawled, "We are hardly saying abandon the Dark Lord and take up with St. Potter, we do have pride. However, we feel that perhaps an attempt at mending some bridges with their side would not go amiss." He eyed the group, "My first instinct is survival, having a finger in each pot will hopefully provide that instinct. My second is power, and by surviving and helping we will gain that as well."
The twins stood up and began speaking, "As you all know, the society that forms after this war, should it end within our life times, will not be cut and dry Pureblood or Mudblood. Just because the Dark Lord will win, does not mean that Mudbloods will stop being born."
George picked up after his brother, "Indeed, and should Potter win, we know that Purebloods will not stop being present within society. Magical society itself will not transform into a Muggle one."
Rodolphus took over the last stage, "What we are attempting to do is to ensure that this war ends soon and that afterwards, we have some say in how this world will run. We have chosen you, because we felt that you would be with us on these beliefs, if you are not I would advise you to speak up now."
Hermione had been eyeing the group quietly. Most had been nodding their heads lightly as though agreeing, a few had simply let their eyes flicker in agreement. The one that worried her, was surprise, surprise Millicent. The girl had clearly been agitated through the meeting and was committing each word to memory it seemed. Hermione disliked that. At the end of the speech, Millicent had merely shifted her eyes around the room when Rodolphus had told anyone to step forward. Hermione grinned to herself and transformed into her fox animagus.
Like her dragon and phoenix forms, her pelt was a glistening black that could in certain lights be different colors. She prowled over to the couch where Millicent was sitting and began to growl at the young woman.
Everyone in the room looked at the animal in shock, Where the hell had she come from?!
Draco smirked and finally understood her old appellation; apparently she's far more talented than she let on. He nodded to his father and uncle. They quickly stalked towards Millicent, stunned her, and then dragged her towards the front of the room. They tied her to a chair, slipped a few drops of Veritaserum on her tongue, and enervated her.
Lucius said harshly, "Why are you here girl?"
She said in a monotone, "To keep the Dark Lord informed on his troops' actions. Also to find out for Pansy where Draco has been going."
Lucius grinned and looked over at his son, eyebrow raised. Draco rolled his eyes and resolved to go set Pansy in her place after the meeting was over.
Rodolphus glared at the witch on the chair, "Does the Dark Lord suspect us?"
"No, He simply wants reports and thought I was unimportant enough to give them."
"Do you have a relationship with Him?"
"Not a relationship, he simply uses me when he needs to." The fox began growling at that point.
Hermione thought to herself, Well this is an interesting development, perhaps I can play scorned lover? Ohhh that would keep His filthy hands off me for a bit!
Lucius bit out, "Are there any others like you?"
"Not that I know of, but most likely. He generally seems to know what I'm going to say."
"Well you have been most informative Miss Bulstrode. Excuse us if you don't remember this tomorrow." With that Lucius cast a memory charm over her and then stupefied the girl once more.
She was eventually sent back to her home and enervated to remember that she had simply gotten tired and went to sleep.
The rest of the members were looking at each other and the leaders in slight apprehension. They had just been treated to the sight of a punishment for betrayal, and that was merely the introduction to the group.
They had all filed out of the room silently, nodding to the Malfoys and older Lestrange as they left. The Weasleys shook hands with Rodolphus and then disapparated away to do their own spying for the Dark Lord.
The two Malfoys and male Lestrange turned back to the room and the sole occupant, the fox. The fox suddenly began to change, and then V stood before them tapping her foot. "Well that was informative," she said sarcastically.
Rodolphus began, "Now V …"
"Don't now V me, Father! I find this rather amusing in all honesty. The insane, shell of a man called the Dark Lord has the sexual needs of a rabbit. He has practically no emotion and the only thing that hasn't recognized his repulsiveness and insanity is himself. I'm going to enjoy this game far more than I though I would."
Lucius stepped forward, "V, don't play with Him too much. You can easily get in over your head."
She huffed and waved her hand, causing a few of the torches to flicker, "I know, I know. But I think I can play this to my advantage. But that's my job, not any of yours." She glanced around at the group. "Now I need to pull some Order members. The strike is going to need to be soon. I have a potential plan, if all goes well with my ideas for Him, but it will need to happen in the next month or so for it to work. Which would also mean that I need to get Harry up to speed."
Lucius picked up on her train of thought, "Which means you'll need to be talking to him in the next day or so."
"Exactly."
Rodolphus rolled his eyes at her, "I don't understand why you still care for that boy. He's an idiot. But I'll accept what you say. Lucius and Draco, would you care to join me for some firewhiskey? I believe my daughter has someplace to be."
"Gladly Lestrange." The three men walked out debating the differences between firewhiskey and muggle whiskey and the methods used to brew them.
Hermione watched Draco leave the room without so much as a glance her way. She felt hurt and betrayed, even though she knew he had most likely been acting in front of their parents.
I miss him … Gods now that's a thought that will get me killed. Best put it out of your head old girl. You need to go visit Harry and get him off this Ginny kick of his.
She stood up and scribbled out a few notes. She transformed into her phoenix form and popped away to the Burrow. She handed one to Fred and George, the contents basically telling them to approach their mum and brothers about potentially ending the war. They nodded at her after reading it and she popped away once again to Moody's residence.
She had written down the ideas that her little group was espousing and had basically asked his interest. He looked down and sighed at the parchment. Without looking up he muttered, "Blackie, come by tomorrow and I'll let ya know. This ole fool needs to let 'is mind acclimate." She chirped a few notes of an uplifting tune and popped away once again.
She arrived at Lupin and Tonk's place next, leaving the parchment on their kitchen table for them to read the next morning. It merely mentioned a new potential lead in the war, and if they would perhaps be interested in joining along with other Order members.
Hermione had chosen her potentials very carefully. Many of the old guard was either dead or very hostile to the Death Eaters, but they at least were more than willing for the war to end. The new Order members had brought a different feel to the society. They were far more militant and harsh. They felt that it was only fair to fight the Death Eaters with their own tactics. She felt they were purely hypocrites and wanted nothing to do with them.
Hence, she approached those she knew would listen. Moody was older now and had lost everything in the war, she knew he would want it to finally finish. Remus had a dark side that he tried to hide, but she knew that he would be more than willing for a society that did not scorn magical creatures, but accepted them as part of a magical society. Tonks too had connections to the dark side through her family, even if she chose to shut them off. The Weasleys, well, the Weasley's would be the biggest proponents if she could convince them. Molly clearly held the respect of most of society, now that her husband was dead and she still managed to continue on.
Hermione popped once more to Grimmauld Place, the one place she had hoped to avoid for the rest of her life. She took down the wards quickly and silently, slipped through the door and replaced all of the wards within moments. She quickly made her way up to Harry's bedroom, ensuring that she kept out of the way and made no noise in the old house.
After listening at the door for a few moments, she slipped in quietly and looked around. The layout was the same as it had been when she left. The comforter had changed to an ugly shade of green and the chairs had been recovered in some strange fabric. Hermione waved a hand at one of the chairs and changed it back to the way it had been. She then placed it in the corner behind the door and sat, waiting for Harry to come to bed. She kept her cloak and hood on, resolving to show him her real looks for the first time. She sat quietly, waiting for the hustle and bustle downstairs to stop, and mulled over what she would say to her ex-husband.
Hermione was broken out of her daze when she heard Harry's footsteps coming up the hall. She stilled herself as he opened the door and walked in slowly. She took the time to really study him. His shoulders were drooped as though weighted down and he walked as though there was no point in walking. He seemed almost defeated. His face was much sharper than before and she noticed now that his eyes were slightly sunken in and almost hollow.
She sighed to herself, If I'd known this was how he'd react, Gods. The last thing he needs is pity though. She watched quietly as he replaced his clothing with a t-shirt and silken sleep pants. After he had padded in and out of the bathroom, he stood in front of the mirror and simply looked himself in the eye.
She spoke quietly out of the shadow, "See anything useful in there?"
He swung around, wand at the ready, "Who's there?"
Well at least he knows to hide his wand, even in privacy; I certainly didn't see it before, she mused. "A friend," she opened her palm and curled her fingers to her; Harry's wand came through the air.
"A friend that sees a need to disarm me is no friend of mine," he stated back coldly, his eyes shifting around the room trying to locate another weapon. All he could see was a dark-robed figure in the far corner, seated on one of the lounge chairs … wait isn't that the fabric that Hermione had? "Hermione?"
She grinned, "Very good Potter! Although it's 'Mi now. Much easier when you don't have any time left, don't you think?" She stood up and walked towards him.
He sat down on the bed heavily, "What are you doing here? You know if Ginny gets back …"
She interrupted, "Oh Harry, we both know she won't be back for a while, and even if she was, she wouldn't come here." She looked him right in the eye.
He sighed, "How is it that you always have situations pegged? You knew she and I wouldn't make it before I even thought about trying. What the hell has my life come too, 'Mione? I'm a complete screw up. Can't keep my best friends, can't even father a baby, and can't get the girl to marry me."
She glared at him, "Oh fuck your little pity party Potter. You're better than this! Don't you see where she has you?! You've bloody given up." She waved her arms at him. "The minute I walked out that door and out of you life, you gave up. I didn't walk out of that bloody marriage for you to become a pathetic little man. I did it because I thought that maybe she was what you needed. You were so bleedin' self-righteous after Ron died. Gods!"
She growled in frustration and pointed at him, "Will you stop being so selfish for once? You aren't the only one who lost their family, you aren't the only one who misses Ron, you aren't the only one that others depend on. Bloody hell Potter! No one depends on you anymore! Everyone is doing it for you!"
He made to interrupt and she held her hand up, "Yes, yes the prophecy. Prophecy, shmophecy. You used to say you wanted to be known as something other than the Boy-Who-Lived or the Boy-Who-Killed-Voldemort. How about the Man-Who-Fought or the Man-Who-Was-Fearless? Fucking eh! Right now you're the Prat-Who-Gave-Up. Everyone in the Order is fighting a losing battle and they know it. You should have the upper hand by now! You're in your prime, you've had plenty of time to train your magic. You shouldn't still be waiting for Him to attack! Attack Him! Get this goddamn war over with!" She was pacing in her frustration.
Harry sat back on his bed stunned. No one had talked to him like that since she had left five years ago. Man I fucked up.
She grumbled, "You can think that again."
He looked at her in shock.
"You were broadcasting that one Potter, I'm not an idiot anymore."
"'Mione, you were hardly ever an idiot before."
"I was enough of one to get married to you; but that's water under the bridge now. Now you need to get on with your life. Get over Ginny or at least ignore her. I don't give a damn. I'm tired of my family being threatened at all sides. I want peace."
"So you went back to them then? Are you one of them?" He said harshy.
"Of course I'm a bloody Death Eater Harry. I'd be dead if I weren't and my parents with me. That doesn't mean that I'm not on your side though. Don't forget what you did to Snape. All is not what it seems and you should know that by now."
Harry was looking at her with a mixture of confusion and disgust. "How can you even say that? Your mother killed Sirius!"
"Yes she did. She has berated herself for that every day since. She certainly didn't mean to kill him, hell she shot a simple spell at him! He's the one that moved towards the veil." She had stopped pacing and was talking to him in a calming voice.
"Tell me, Hermione, please tell me that you aren't defending his murderess. Sirius was the last thing I had!" He had tears rolling down his cheeks and his voice had broken at the plea.
"I do not defend her actions, I merely cite that there is more than what you can imagine happening." She looked at his destroyed face closely. She took of her hood and cloak carefully and tossed them away. "Meet Veronique Lestrange, Harry."
He looked up and saw someone very different than what Hermione had used to look like. "Bloody Hell." This woman had dark straight hair with various colors that shone but resembled Hermione's old hair in its volume. She was tall, close to his height and her body was rather thick. She wasn't fat though, just muscled. The leather outfit she wore, Harry would happily admit, was very arousing.
She raised an eyebrow at his obvious examination. "Harry," he looked back up and she continued once his attention was reassured, "the Death Eaters aren't the only ones who want others dead. When we were babies, the Order was attempting to pass legislation that the children of Death Eaters or even suspected Dark couples be killed on the spot. Other legislation was passed against various associations and even Dark creatures. When do you think it was declared illegal for werewolves to breed?"
She paused at his confused look, "Even though Remus was in the Order, they were mistrusting of others. The Order was almost as bloodthirsty as the Death Eaters back then. Raids were done on suspected homes; the homes were burnt down to the ground – often with people still in them."
She began to pace, "My parents took it into their own hands after Voldemort was gone to stop the laws from being passed. They attacked the Longbottoms, not because they cared about where the Dark Lord had gone, but to stop them from possibly killing me. The Longbottoms were an extremely powerful couple in the Ministry and they were some of the most ruthless Aurors out there; you've seen Neville's Gran. Hell most of the Death Eaters were pleased the Dark Lord was gone, they simply didn't believe it was forever, so they knew they had to keep up appearances." She took a deep breath and sat down on the bed next to Harry.
He looked over at her teary eyes and said simply, "I guess that everyone has a bit of the Dark in them."
"Oh Harry," she knew that was as close as she would get to comfort. She took his hand in one of her own and looked him in the eye, "there is a group forming that wants the Dark Lord dead. They really want the war to just be over, but feel that they would have more power if He died. We … I … want you to join. The goal is to simply finish this war and put the discussions back to the places they belong, in politics. The only thing that some request is after the war, they be excused for earlier crimes. They don't ask for anything else but pardon. They accept that they will need to work their way through society again and that no one will like them, but they are willing to help you. Right now it's mostly made up of Death Eaters, but I have a few Order members lined up."
Harry was slightly in shock; here was Hermione Granger now Veronique Lestrange, formerly Muggleborn poster-girl and walking rulebook, willing to break all lines of light and dark to settle in a field of compromise? He had to wonder if he ever really knew her. "Look 'Mione, I need to think about this. I'm not going to put it off, but I need time to accept what you're saying. You're welcome to stay here tonight if you need, but I can't give you a response tonight. You've given me way too much to think about for that." He half-smiled at her, "Although you always did that at school too. Never anything simple from you, is it?"
She grinned and yawned. She waved her hand and she was in one of Draco's t-shirts that she had stolen and a pair of his favorite boxers, by the warmth, she guessed that he had just had them on. She giggled to herself and curled up in her old bed. Harry a little surprised merely shrugged his shoulders and got in on his own side. He stayed awake almost half the night, watching her sleep and thinking about everything she had said.
(End Flashback)
Hermione was still giggling about that event with Draco. He had apparently still been with their fathers when she had literally taken the pants off of him. The moment she had stepped back into her manor the next day, he had literally growled at her. Hermione smirked, Of course then I got rather aroused and we made love like a pair of beasts in heat, but it was so worth it! Especially when Harry noticed that it was a guy's shirt and shorts that I had on. Haha!
She brought her body to the end of her tai chi exercises and began to lightly stretch her muscles. She danced and spun around on the grass for a little while, just enjoying the sounds of the morning. She turned back to her spot and sat down with her legs crossed.
She controlled her breathing and did a few cycles of that in preparation for her yoga. She summoned her mat and stood. As she folded her hands through the motions, she let her mind wander and as she arched into Upward Dog, she drifted back off into consideration of the Order members she had been approaching that week.
Both Moody and Harry were extremely tentative about the whole thing, but were willing to give it due consideration once they had met with the other Death Eaters. Remus had seemed almost pleased about the idea, and while Tonks was a bit more reserved, she picked up some of her old enthusiasm and accepted the idea too. The Weasleys were by far the hardest to speak with. Obviously Ginny was excluded and Percy was so wrapped up in the Ministry that they felt it wouldn't be a good idea to tell him either. That still left Bill, Charlie and Molly as potential naysayers, and Hermione had been very tentative.
She knew that due to Arthur's death they would all be very wary and vengeful towards the Death Eaters, but she hoped that the promise of later retribution would be helpful.
Also she knew that Bill's condition had rendered him subject to a lot of controversy. He had been able to keep his job, but was placed under many of the same restrictions as werewolves. He and Fleur couldn't have children and he was placed under lock and key, each full moon. Hermione knew that he was considerably bitter about those results in particular.
Charlie was also a decent possibility, simply because he worked with such dangerous and Dark animals on a daily basis. He obviously had a taste for adventure and the Dark, even though he would never fully give into it.
It was Molly that Hermione was nervous about. Molly had always seemed to see things as black or white, 5th year anyone? Hermione just hoped that after the past few years of non-stop war and betrayal, perhaps Molly would be a bit more understanding.
The twins had taken Remus with them to talk to Bill and Hermione had gone in her Dragon form to talk to Charlie. She had gotten out of it much better than the twins and Remus.
When Bill had found out about the twins being Death Eaters, he had flung curses at them, hollering about Arthur and their betrayal of their own family. Once Remus had been able to calm him down, the twins had explained the situation they had been in at the time. Bill was slightly mollified by their explanations, but was still considerably upset about the whole situation. At Remus' urging he had agreed to consider the group, but had promised nothing. Both twins were glad for Hermione's suggestion that they bring Remus along. She knew he had become something of a mentor to the curse-breaker and that he would listen to him out of anyone.
Charlie had been rather bedazzled by her animagus at first and hadn't paid much attention to her attempts to mentally speak with him. She was a little fidgety about being at the Dragon camp, simply because in the Dragon world, males far out numbered the females, and she was being eyed by a number of them. Plus, she had a feeling that she may have been in heat at the time, which made it all so much better!
She smirked to herself as she moved from Downward Dog into her start position and commenced her sequence again.
Charlie, once she had made mental contact, had been rather hostile; but she had chosen her dragon form for a reason and practically forced him to listen by wrapping her tail around him and looking him in the eye. Even he was smart enough not to mess with a pissed-off dragon animagi. She had discussed the ideals of the group and stressed that there would be ultimate retribution on most Death Eaters in the end. Its not as though we want them all walking away again either, she had thought to him. He had agreed to come to a meeting and also agreed to help her broach it with his mum.
She groaned as she arched backwards, her back popping and abs stretching out.
That was such a fun meeting, she thought to herself sarcastically.
Molly, confronted by the twins, her eldest sons, and Hermione, had not been docile. She had chucked pots, pans, even knives at them as they hid behind the couch. The entire time she had wailed about Ron and Arthur and their dedication to the cause. Hermione had finally stood up, placed a shield around herself and spoke to the matriarch calmly. "Molly, Arthur would have wanted this war to be over by now. You know that he would have done anything to save you and your family, just as Fred and George have, just as Bill and Charlie are willing to do, just as I am willing to do."
Molly stopped throwing things and looked at Hermione through her tears, "Oh, I know dear. It's just so hard sometimes." She walked towards Hermione and pulled her into a hug, still sobbing, "This war has turned us all topsy-turvy and I just don't know what to do anymore. If this means that it will end and I won't have to lose more of my babies in the coming years, then so be it."
The boys had slowly come out from hiding and hugged their mother from behind, each grinning sheepishly as Hermione mouthed the word, "Cowards" at them.
That was one hell of a long day, yesterday was. Gods, I'm so bloody sore! Damn Draco and his endurance. Darned horny male, she grumbled as she finished her yoga sets and flopped onto the now dry grass, the sun's full beams having dried it during her sessions.
Horny male? I think my ears are burning. What were you thinking of my dear?
Hermione grinned to herself as she felt a shadow come over her prone body and sensed Draco standing above her. Oh not much, just thinking about how sore I am. She could even feel his proud smirk from the ground. Draco?
Yes Miss Lestrange?
She cracked an eye open to look at his handsome face. What are we?
He thought for a moment, Well, most would say that we are human, but I like to think that I'm much more than a mere human … He was grinning at her.
She glared at him and took his legs out from under him. He fell to the ground with an 'oomph.' That's not what I meant and you know it. I meant 'what are we?' as in a relationship.
Well, V, I'm as lost as you are on that one. We aren't a couple – that's just too trite for either of us. 'Bonded' sounds too clinical and 'soul mates' doesn't seem to cover it does it? He glanced at her with a serious expression on his face.
She shook her head in response and sighed, I guess we just, are. As odd a description as that seems.
He nodded, No, I think it works. We can't think of other things right now, we simply have to be.
Unbeknownst to the pair on the grass, two figures stood at the window in a similar position. The female muttered quietly, "I guess now I'm glad that she wasn't my true daughter, otherwise she wouldn't even consider him."
The male laughed, "My dear, she is more like you than any natural daughter could be. I just hope they know what they're doing."
The female turned to him and said, "Rudy, did we even know what we were doing at that age?"
He smirked and picked her up, "I remember a few things I knew how to do back then, and I think I'm more than capable of reminding you."
She giggled and swatted at his arm, "Remind me then Rudy-mine, remind me what it means to be loved."
The older couple disappeared back into their own room, as the girl on the grass laid her head on the man's shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her; the pair sat for the rest of the morning talking about their plans for Voldemort and watching the birds play on the horizon.