Brand New Colony
Hermione sat at the foot of her Queen size bed, eyes wide with horror as she gazed at the
shopping bags Thorn had accumulated over their 30 minute quickie at Diagon. Thorn had been kind to her and didn't linger in any of the stores, instead he waltzed in, pockets full of cash and hurriedly ordered around all the wizards. Smiling at what he liked and sneering at what he thought was distasteful. The wizard clerks practically kissed his feet, even Hermione was surprised at the amount of money Thorn decided to exchange at Gringotts. She'd never spent five thousand pounds in one sitting before and all she really needed was a new Uniform. The man was carelessly dropping 100's of coins all over the floor for no reason, and hadn't even bothered to pick them up.
"What a diva . . . "
She breathed out in a whisper. A tress of her black hair fell in her face, somewhat hindering her vision. She didn't bother with it though, she had better things to obsess about.
How on earth will I pay him back?
She looked around the room in dismay, with a stern frown on her pretty features. She stood up and placed her small hands on her hips, rubbing the silk of her summer dress. She slipped off her flats, and wiggled her toes, looking down at them with a small smile. Memories flitted through her brain of her mother and her own unusual habits. A brief picture of her mothers plain face appeared before Hermione, setting the frown in even deeper. Her mother was smiling at her, eyes squinting unflatteringly as she ran to embrace her daughter. Hermione could almost feel her short arms incase her in an overdrawn demonstration of affection.
She threw her head back and opened her eyes, glaring up at the ceiling in consternation.
What on earth was that?
She scrutinized every crack and crevice she saw, trying to forget all the visions she thought she had forgotten.
"Linn?"
She bounced back into reality as quickly as she had left it, tearing her gaze from the roof she gave her guardian a warm smile . He gave her an odd look, worry momentarily flashing in his eyes as he walked toward her.
"You ok?"
He asked, looking through one of the bags idly. She nodded, then playfully poked him in the side. Letting out a small giggle when he shrieked and jumped back. Thorn was horribly ticklish, and she of course knew where. It served as a very useful weapon when she needed it.
Ignoring her offensive action he grabbed about five out of the million bags and threw them on the bed with a grunt. Sighing, he let out.
"I can't believe we have to leave tomorrow"
After they had come back from the shopping trip, they were greeted by an owl who was trying desperately to break into the apartment. Thorn was immediately alarmed and just about ran off when the owl came at them. But Hermione had already noticed the professional Hogwarts tag hanging off of one of its talons and held at her hand in expectation. It did its job and delivered the letter, and flew off without a glance back.
The letter was from Dumbledore, and it told them to pack their things early, he had moved their arrival dates to the next day. Thorn was not happy, and spent a good hour on the phone throwing a fit while Hermione was left alone to lug the bags upstairs one by one.
She remained quiet and began to wiggle her toes again, relishing the feel of them on the soft carpet.
I wish it was grass...
Thorn sighed and walked over to the night stand, picking up the cordless black phone he dialed Ronny's number. He sat on the bed, patiently waiting for the answering machine, he didn't expect her to pick up. After the countless days spent trying to locate his friend and brother he had given up and resorted to texting/emails/and forwarded messages.
"Hello?"
A voice crackled over the phone. He screeched in surprise, nearly dropping it, but soon gained his composure and screamed.
"RONNY? WHERE THE BLOODY HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Hermione looked up at the shocked man with eyes wide. She sprawled across the bed and perched next to Thorn, excitement creeping up her spine, her eyes sparkled with excitement. . Thorn quickly looked over at her, listening to the phone intently.
"You what?"
He asked carefully, wrapping his fingers around Hermione's hair, trying his best not to shout. She leaned in closer, and placed her small head on his shoulder, her large eyes closing in peace. The thought that she had to be at Hogwarts the next day didn't seem to faze her at all. After all the fuss, and tears she had created over the whole situation, it appeared as if the young girl didn't even care.
"So you are coming back right?"
Hermione looked up at her Idol with a dreamy look on her face, she had been getting more and more starry eyed as of late and quite frankly it was worrying him. They were so much closer to her reality, and at any other time Hermione would be frantic, crying, screaming, shaking in fear. But that wasn't the case. After the letter had arrived, she glided with ease through the hallways with a whimsical smile and dazed eyes, singing silly songs with absolutely nothing on her mind.
Thorn wasn't used to this. He wasn't used to things suddenly becoming perfect. He had become well adapted to the hard work and effort he had to put into to everything to make things all right. An overnight fix would never satisfy. It was far too good to be true. He peered down at the day dreaming doll resting on his shoulder and thought.
We'll just have to wait until tomorrow.
"Honey, we're leaving tomorrow . . . I know I know, short notice. But of course you'd would be a tad bit more prepared if you, oh I don't know, decided to come home?...Yes, I've got everything we need, we went shopping this morning . . . Blah, blah, have you heard from my brother lately?...Oh. Right . . . A Hotel?...Which one?...Hilton? Classy. "
A broad smile beamed off of his face, it was just one good thing after another. He nudged Hermione back into reality with a hard jab in the ribs. She jumped up in surprise, hand quickly massaging her side, she was sure a bruise would make itself known. She scowled at Thorn, her other hand combing her long hair in an attempt to ease the sudden frustration.
"What?"
She asked in annoyance, blowing a tress off her nose. He laughed and shook his head, turning the other way as the phone molded into his cheek bone. She rolled her eyes and got off the bed, stepping over the bags she exited the room and headed off to the kitchen. She pulled out a kettle when she arrived at her destination and began to make herself some tea.
"I do believe it'll be French Vanilla today"
She inhaled the wonderful scent as she opened the tea box, sighing as she closed her eyes and took all of it in.
"Mmm . . . "
---
Thorn put the phone down with a flattering giggle.
"Well isn't that lovely!"
He surveyed the room with a smile, noting the absence of his little darling. Sighing he stretched his arms out and fell back on the king-sized bed, relishing the feel of expensive linen as he flailed about carelessly.
Hermione carefully made her way up the stairs, two hot cups of French Vanilla tea practically jumping out of her small hands.
Thorn jumped up and quickly grabbed a cup from her, sipping it in delight. He offered a warm smile in thanks. She sat down in the small arm chair next to the varnished antique dresser and tasted her own cup.
"Trey and Ronny are currently enjoying a nice continental brunch at the Hilton Hotel."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked.
"Together?"
He laughed and put his cup down on the bed side table, fidgeting like a 4-year-old with an exciting story to tell. His hair fell out of his careless bun and fell in his face, and he quickly pulled it back.
"Why of course dear! Isn't it wonderful? They've been shagging straight since Wednesday!"
Hermione blushed at the vivid image and shamefully continued to drink her tea.
He continued to blabber on in excitement, taking two large suitcases from underneath the bed, he opened them up and began to pack.
He was still talking when Hermione finally finished her tea and got up to help. She "Mmm"-ed and "Uh-huh"-ed her way through all of the bags.
The clock was just striking seven as they finished, three huge suitcases covered the bed and six decorated the floor, leaving no room for a young girl to lie down.
"Fancy some Chinese? With been at this all day, I think we deserve a nice greasy treat"
She nodded happily, plopping herself on the nearest designer bag, watching his swift legs as they departed, a pang of annoyance shot through her.
Bastard just has to show of those long ass legs...
She looked up hopelessly at the bed, and seeing no available spot, she had no choice but to settle for the floor. Hermione was soon uncomfortably asleep, and was long gone when Thorn came back. He chuckled at the little girl, took a fur blanket out of the cupboard and spilled it over her.
"Silly child could've used the guest room"
He laughed again and went back down the stairs. Settling on the couch, he snuggled into the sheer silk pillows and began to consume his Chow Mein Noodle dish.
"So tomorrow is the day . . . "
He sighed, remembering all the times Hermione had freaked at the thought of going back to school, but now she seemed perfectly fine, she was basically acting like tomorrow would be any other day.
But it wasn't any other day, it was a big step for all of them. Bigger for Hermione of course, but it was still pretty damned intimidating to Thorn. Looking around the apartment, he realized that this would basically be the last time he'd see his home until Christmas.
He'd be thrown into another world, all for a girl he hadn't even known for 4 months.
But it was worth it, he decided. Anything for his darling.
"Ronny and Trey may not see it that way . . . "
All he could do was wait until tomorrow for the results.
"Christ it's like Doomsday . . . "
---
Her hands were beautiful.
She lifted them up toward the sunlight, smiling at the shadows from the illumination. It looked like she was reaching out toward the sun, she smiled at the thought and put her hands down, resting them both on her stomach. She kicked off the blanket and looked up at the window. Savoring the warmth of the sun on her pretty face.
Sitting up for a moment, she took in her surroundings. Noting the large bags were gone and the room was practically empty. The only thing out of place was a pale blue cotton dress on the bed accompanied by a pair of white flats. She smiled at the simplicity.
Of course Thorn wouldn't go overboard on her big day.
She picked up the dress and held it up against her, noting the extremely short length and the intricate embroidery lining its chest.. She didn't complain though, at least he didn't have her dressed up like the Mad Hatter again.
She carefully put the dress back in place, and drifted off into the bathroom.
---
He looked up at the ceiling in apprehension, he had heard her movements and perceived the sound of pipes as she got into the shower. Ronny and Trey sat opposite of him, hands intertwined as the followed his gaze. All three of them were dressed and ready, they're bags in a cab waiting patiently in the street.
Thorn returned his eyes to his friends and sighed, gulping down the rest of his cold coffee.
"No sign of insanity so far . . . "
Ronny whispered, almost as agitated as her friend.
"She can do this . . . "
Thorn claimed with confidence that quickly crumbled when he noticed the rest of his coffee was gone. Trey grabbed the cup before Thorn could get up to get more.
"You've had nine cups so far Thorn"
"I need to make it an even number Trey, and I do have other mugs"
Trey immediately stood up in a motion to threaten his own brother who only turned around in response.
"I'm pretty sure you've had enough Thorn"
Trey stated calmly, placing the mug on the table next to Ronny. Ronny looked up at the two men with a bored sigh.
"Oh come off it the both of you, sit down and act civilly"
Thorn scoffed at these words but sat down at her bidding.
"Isn't that righteous coming from you?"
"Don't take out your nervousness on me, we have better things to worry about don't we?"
Thorn looked up to the ceiling once more and nodded.
"And isn't it just horrid..."
---
Hermione stood at the threshold of the kitchen door, a calm smile on her face as she gazed upon her older roommates. They all had her back towards her and all had their necks craned upwards.
"I'm ready"
She practically sang, hands gripping a small white backpack that she had obviously over packed with books. She fiddled with it for a moment, taking out at least 4 of the novels. Then looked back up at her audience with a triumphant smile.
All head snapped around in her direction, immediate fear on all of their faces. She mistook their obvious fright for disgust and blushed becomingly.
"What? Is the dress not alright?"
Thorn seeing a shining opening, claimed.
"No! It's horrendous, come along. I'll find you a new one. You'll meet us downstairs won't you Trey? Ronny?"
The nodded, cautiously shuffling out of the flat.
Thorn turned back to her and smiled.
"Well come along then, let's go find something more becoming"
He hurried her upstairs, and rushed for the closet.
She sat at the foot of the bed and peered over at him, quietly wondering what was causing him so much agitation, she voiced her thoughts and asked.
"Thorn? Is something wrong?"
He screeched, clutching at his heart he replied.
"Oh no...nothing dear..."
She seemed satisfied with this answer and kept quiet.
"Oh! I've changed my mind, the dress looks fantastic...as everything does on you"
He sat down next to her with a warm smile and began to play with her hair.
"Shouldn't we be getting downstairs then?"
She asked with a confused look on her delicate face.
He forced a laugh and replied excitedly.
"Oh no...I just want to sit here a bit and...talk"
"Talk?"
"Yes darling, I feel like we haven't chatted enough lately, a safe and secure family communicates and conveys their feelings often you know. I saw that on Teli yesterday and thought 'Oh what a wonderful idea'...don't you think?"
"Thorn, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing...just wondering darling, is there anything you want to talk to me about? Anything important? That you may need to get out before we arrive at Hogwarts? Any worries? Thoughts? Run away ideas?"
She looked a bit disoriented by his strange questions and replied.
"No Thorn, I think we've covered everything..."
He looked unbelievably disappointed and stood up with a frown, he didn't know what to expect now, here she was completely calm. She seemed almost normal. Things were just going a bit to easily for him.
Maybe it's a robot...
"Right then, we're off"
---
The taxi was uncommonly silent, and Hermione felt the blood rush to her face as she noted that all eyes were on her.
She remained silent, and continued to focus on the happening outside, trying her best not to notice her companions strange behavior.
They're waiting for a show Hermione...and so am I.
Well that's too bad because you're not getting one, this isn't going to be as bad as you say it will be. I will have a happy ending. And nothing you say will change that.
Lovely just lovely, not only are we about to enter our own personal hell mouth, but my once deemed sane alter ego has lost it. Fan-fucking-tastic.
"We're here..."
The cab driver called out, he got out of his car and emptied the trunk out. They had only decided to carry the most important items with them, Thorn had already shipped the others to Hogwarts the night before.
Thorn was the first to step out of the cab, and the other three followed.
Hermione took inhaled, breathing in the fresh air with a happy smile. Thorn and Ronny stood behind her, half-expecting some green monster to crawl out of her ears.
Thorn payed the Cab driver, and picked up his LV bag, slinging it over his shoulder he looked back at his ward making sure she was still present.
They merged into the crowd with ease, the strange group molding into the muggles trying to take in as much of their home as they could, hoping they would never forget.
Hermione walked on with confidence and beauty.
She would no longer be afraid.
The battle begins.
Authors Note: The next chapter should be out next week, it all depends on my school work and such. I'm sorry I took so long to update, I had finished the chapter and all but I never uploaded it I suppose.
I'm sorry for such an abrupt ending, but the next chapter is expected to be a excruciatingly long one, so I promise to make up for it.
Thank you for being patient.
Please review and no flames.
Griffen.