Hope everyone had a great holiday! This short chapter technically is the second half of the one before, but I wasn't entirely satisfied. The following could possibly be classified as filler, but it's important nonetheless. Things are about to reach a boiling point for our heroine!
Help me.
The two words were like dynamite under Hermione's feet. Adrenaline surged through the young witch's body as she sprinted out of the Great Hall, leaving her books and things behind. She barely registered there was a person in pursuit, chasing her with huge strides.
Harry.
"Hermione! Stop! Where are you going! Just stop!"
"Sod off Harry. Leave me alone!" Hermione shouted over her shoulders, her legs pumping harder as she tried to pick up speed. She managed to cut a sharp turn around a corner, before she was struck in the back by an incarcerous curse, she stumbled forward, falling on to the ground. Her chin slammed painfully on the ground, and one of her canines clipped the end of her tongue. Rivulets of blood began to dribble out of her mouth. Struggling against the ropes, they only grew tighter, the itchy twine cutting into her skin. She cursed herself inwardly for forgetting the counter-spell.
"No." Harry stood over her, arms crossed against his chest. "Not 'til you tell me where it is you're headed."
"Why does it matter?" She grunted against her magical bindings.
"You've been acting so strange lately 'Mione. You look physically ill. And Remus told me what you said at the Order meeting that night, is it true that you're abandoning us? Since when would you consider such a thing?"
She stopped moving. "I don't care."
"What?"
Finding her struggling useless, the brunette stumbled back onto her haunches and eventually stood. "You heard me Harry. I just don't care anymore. War is coming, and the Order doesn't seem to be doing anything. Hasn't it occurred to you that Dark Lord likely knows you're here at school? Why haven't your bodyguards done anything to ensure your safety? Not once have I seen a member of the Order enter this castle! This feels like a losing battle Harry!"
"'Mione…you know Hogwarts is the safest place for me to be right now…"
"Is it? Or have we forgotten that the Death Eaters have already attacked twice. What's to stop them the next time from bursting through those doors? Right now I'd like to burst through them myself. There is somewhere I am needed right now. Every minute I waste upon this floor is another moment of uncertainty slipping by."
Harry frowned. "It's Fleur isn't it? That's where you're rushing off to." With a quick swish of his wand, the ropes disintegrated from Hermione's body. "Ron and the others have a theory…"
Hermione cracked her neck and knuckles, the simple mention of the redheads name burning up her insides. "Theory?"
"That night you disappeared…during the attack…they think you were imperioused. That Voldemort is somehow training you, turning you into some sort of soldier…you're telekinetic, aren't you?"
Hermione blanched, and then sighed. "I am unsure how to prove it to you, but I assure you I am not imperioused. I am in love. And Fleur…she needs me. I was hoping to slip out undetected, as I am still being punished for the fight…"
"A fight during which you not only managed to nearly cripple a girl; you repelled jinxes all throughout without using a wand. You are telekinetic! Remus and Moody are convinced that you're hiding something. They're not sure if they can trust you…though Remus thinks that your abilities will be of great use to the Order in bringing down Voldemort."
His words were like a punch in the gut. "Great use? Harry you speak of me as if I were a tool! I am a person! Remus is just as bad as you are! He and the Order don't see me for me…they see me in terms of keeping you alive. It isn't fair Harry, and whether you understand that or not, it's torn me apart. No longer do I want any part of this war. No longer do I want to feel the weight of the world on my shoulders…it isn't fair."
"You think I want this?"
"So just walk away! No one is forcing this upon you either!" She screamed.
"'Mione…we can't hope to succeed without you…"
Hermione shook her head violently. "No. I refuse to listen to this rubbish argument again." Harry began to suck in air for a retort but Hermione silenced him with a raised hand. "You need to…how do the Americans put it? Grow a set Harry." With that she did an about-face.
A rough hand grabbed at her upper arm halting her exit. Try as she might, Harry's grip was showing no sign of relenting. "Why are you acting like this? Why are you so damn angry lately?" The words were spoken through clenched teeth.
"Honestly Harry? How many times are we going to have this conversation? You still have to ask why I'm so angry?" She turned her head with a huff before facing him once more. "Please…just let me go. Fleur needs me…I have to get out of here." She weakly pleaded. After a tense minute, Harry released his grip on Hermione's arm. Shaking his head he slowly turned and trudged back toward the great hall.
Barreling down the hallways she pushed and shoved her way through students making their way to dinner. Slipping through a window in a first floor class room, she ran across the grounds until she made it to the Whomping Willow, and once more, to the shrieking shack. She cared little if the Aurors saw her. Recalling the image of Fleur's living room, she apparated away with a faint pop.
Soft weeping came from Fleur's slightly ajar bedroom door as Hermione bounded across the living room. All around the apartment were boxes stacked one on top of the other, and the sight left Hermione with a terrible feeling inside. With her head cradled in her hands, Fleur sat hunched over on top of her bed, crying softly; several letters and rolls of parchment lay in her lap. Gathering the French woman in her arms, Hermione cradled her close, kissing her flaxen hair over and over.
"What's going on Fleur?" Hermione breathed. "I came as soon as I got your letter. I've never been so worried in my life!"
Fleur's lachrymose eyes gazed deeply into Hermione's. "So many 'orrible 'zings…I do not know where to begin…" She reached over toward the stack of papers and produced the previous day's Daily Prophet. "'Ave you seen 'zee news?" Hermione shook her head as one of Fleur's fingers pointed to an article hidden on the front page.
THREE DEAD AND FIVE WOUNDED IN VEELA MAULING
15 December 1998. Soho, London.
Three muggle men have been found dead this morning after an apparent mauling at a burlesque bar in Soho. Aurors say the main suspect in this crime is 23-year-old Arianna Gambiller, a recent French immigrant who was employed as a dancer at the club where the victims frequented. Five others are in critical condition and are currently undergoing extensive memory modification by Ministry Officials. The scene has been described as an "utter bloodbath" as the attack occurred in a very confined space.
Miss Gambiller, a known Veela, is currently enrolled in the Ministry's Partial-Human Security Program. The assault had occurred late in the evening, as Miss Gambiller was getting ready to leave for the night. Witnesses describe that the victims had approached Miss Gambiller near the door of her dressing room, and shortly after there was a scuffle. No sooner had the young dancer attempted to leave, an entirely new being stood in her place. One eyewitness described 'a rather large winged creature, with a mutated feline-like face complete with bright red eyes, a set of pointed teeth and razor sharp claws. It was clearly out for blood.' A melee ensued, the frightened muggles completely dumbstruck at the sight of a fully transformed Veela. Two of the three casualties were described as being mauled beyond recognition, while the third had been 'filleted'.
Ministry Law Enforcement Agents arrived on the scene shortly after and located the suspect, who had transformed back to a human, standing over the dead. They have found no clear motive in the killings so far. Officers encountered a frantic Gambiller, screaming that the men had tried to sexually assault her and she was only trying to defend herself. No evidence has been found to prove her claim just yet. During this investigation, Azkaban Aurors are holding Miss Gambiller as a person of interest in the war, believing that she is a sleeper agent of You-Know-Who. She faces multiple charges for murder, and assault against muggles, each of which carries a life sentence in Azkaban Prison.
Ministry Officials encourage citizens to recognize when they are in the presence of Veela, and how not to provoke them. They are volatile creatures known to entice men via the use of their 'thrall'; likened to the physical manifestation of human pheromones. Victims are then seduced and killed shortly thereafter. Please turn to Page 10 for a full report about the Veela and how to properly deal with one.
The paper burned to a crisp in Hermione's pulsating fists.
Fleur despairingly ran a hand through her hair. "Arianna, I knew 'er well…she attended Beauxbatons wiz moi. 'Zis 'eez very bad. Veela do not attack unless 'zey are provoked! Arianna 'eez even less Veela 'zan moi! 'Zee danger she was 'een must 'ave been so great…my 'eart, 'eet aches for 'er! 'Eef she 'eez sent to Azkaban…mon dieu, she will die 'zere! 'Er 'eart cannot 'andle 'eet!"
"This is atrocious! The Ministry has completely dismissed her! There already seems to be great bias against her. She'd be lucky to be given an even remotely fair trial!"
"Never would someone as loving as Arianna kill muggles wizout conscious! She even 'ad a muggle boyfriend! I would not be surprised 'eef she 'eez still wiz 'im to 'zis day!"
The brunette stroked the top of Fleur's head, placing a kiss on her scalp. "Is this what has you so distressed love? Is this why you sent that letter?"
"Well yes in part but…'zanks to 'zee furor 'zis 'as all caused…I…'ave lost my job at Gringott's." Fleur's head hung low, her golden hair veiling her tear stained face. Hermione was taken aback.
"Why! All because of an article?"
Fleur nodded weakly. "I showed up 'zis morning only to find 'zat my desk 'ad been cleared out for me. 'Zee manager said 'zat my clients called in droves demanding to know 'eef 'zey 'ad been duped by my 'zrall. I 'ad no way to defend myself, and 'zee management agreed 'zat terminating my contract was 'zee best way to 'old on to 'zee clients." Fleur choked on a sob, her lips quivering. "'Eetz incredible. More people are killed by Werewolves every year…but Bill still 'as 'is job. One attack by a Veela sensationalized by 'zee media? Suddenly I am, how you say, sacked!"
Blood boiled like lava in Hermione's veins as the French woman continued.
"And 'zat 'eez only a part of what 'as 'appened to me today. 'Eet gets even better. I return 'ome only to find an eviction notice taped to my door. 'Zee landlord does not wish to risk an incident by allowing a Veela to live 'ere. I 'ave to be out 'een two days." Fleur's body convulsed with sobs. "I 'ave nowhere to go 'Ermione. Nowhere!" Fleur wailed, the sound slicing through Hermione's chest.
Hermione's heart thrummed painfully against her ribs, it's heaving beating echoing loudly in her ears. All she could think to do is hold the crying woman close, stroking her back every so often, as if holding the French witch could quell the tornado of emotion contained inside her. "C-c-could you go back to France?" The question was vomited from her mouth, the thought of Fleur leaving sickened her.
"'Zee Ministry no longer permits international travel while we are at war, nor do I believe I would be welcome back wiz my family in France. 'Zanks to my phylactery 'zey can track me 'eef I try to use muggle transportation out of 'zee country too! I 'zought to try and go back to Shell Cottage wiz Bill but 'e 'as told me Molly 'as intervened. She 'as literally jinxed 'zee house so I cannot even enter 'zee front door. 'E 'as tried to reason wiz 'er…but she does not believe a word 'e says."
"That bitch!"
"You cannot blame 'er. She 'eez acting in 'zee best interests of 'er married son 'Ermy. Molly does not understand our unique situation and you know 'zat she 'eez quick to anger. I cannot argue wiz 'er."
Hermione became frustrated, every option shot down mid-flight. "Do you at least have enough to sustain yourself until you can find another job?"
Fleur nodded her head weakly. "I must admit I do not 'ave much. I was only part-time and could barely pay 'zee rent on 'zis apartment. 'Eef I could locate an Inn 'zat will allow me to stay, I might 'ave enough to live on for a month or so. 'Zough I 'ave a foreboding feeling 'zat I will not 'ave an easy time finding work. 'Zee article about Veela in 'zee Prophet 'eez pretty scazing. People will believe anyzing 'zey read."
"OK let's not panic…we can figure something out. Perhaps you can come to Hogwarts with me! You can live in the dorms while I go to class!"
"Appreciative 'zough I am of your gesture mon ange…'zee 'eadmistress would never agree to allow a Veela on 'zee campus. 'Zee parents would be outraged!"
"Have you talked to Bill? Or Kara?"
Fleur heaved a sigh. "And 'zat 'eez anuzzer 'zing I wished to tell you…" Hermione's eyes went wide, and she mouthed the words: Are you kidding me? "…during 'zose two weeks 'zat you were serving detention…Bill 'as asked to divorce me. 'E wishes to propose to Kara. And to a lesser extent, Molly will not leave 'im alone about us...she 'ees pressuring 'im to leave me. 'E apologized to moi left and right, but I told 'im 'zat I knew 'zis day was coming. Kara 'eez wonderful for 'im. 'Zey will be very 'appy."
"This is…too much. So, so much. I am overwhelmed just hearing you talk about it all! Baby…I won't allow you to be homeless! I won't!"
"What can I do? You won't leave me will you!"
A searing kiss was Fleur's response. Hermione clung tightly to the blonde witch, emotions coursing like electricity across her lips. "Never. Never for once think that I would ever dream of abandoning you in your time of need. We will get through this. I promise." Hermione paused for a moment and swallowed hard before beginning once more. "I…I have an idea…but I don't think that you will be very fond of it."
"At 'zis point I am desperate for anyzing."
Fleur watched with perplexity as Hermione slid the silver band from her ring finger and clenched it tightly in her hands. The eerie voice of Bellatrix invaded the brunette's mind.
You rang?
"I need your help once more…well that is to say…Fleur and I need your help…"
A/N: If you click on the homepage link on my profile, you can see some of the official photos they took of me at the race! I'm a muddy mess! (And for some reason they included a picture of some random guy too) Sorry for such a short chapter but I promise you...the next one is GOOD. XD