THE VEIL
Chapter 14
30th October 1980 – Confrontations and Costumes
"Oof!"
Hermione had been tossed out through the veil rather harshly, landing on her backside waking up. She didn't know that she had even been in the veil. The last thing she remembered was Sirius holding her. The room she was in was pitch black. She felt around her and realised she had left her wand behind.
"Shit." She said to the darkness. Feeling around the space she came to the conclusion she must be in a closet. Whose closet was a mystery, from the feel of the hanging garments that in her way. Finding the door proved difficult. A small bead of panic rose when she tried it and it wouldn't budge. The door to the closet was stuck. Of course it is Hermione, she thought. The only time you arrive wandless and stuck in a closet with a jammed door. She shoved at the door and it wouldn't budge. She didn't hear the footsteps as she put her shoulder against the door as it opened, colliding straight into "Remus!" She said in surprise, Remus was dressed as a cowboy.
Remus looked at her amused. "It's lovely to see you again Hermione." He said, helping her straighten up, tipping his Akubra hat.
"For a second I thought I had a boggart in my closet." Hermione looked at him eyes wide remembering in detail their first Defence Against the Dark Arts class in first year, and burst out laughing, Remus smiled unsure at how funny that his quip really was.
"Hermione care to share with the class?" He asked perplexed. Tears of laughter leaked from her eyes. She was gasping for air; all she could do was shake her head.
The sounds of her laughter brought two familiar faces standing in the doorway. James and Marlene stood in the doorway. James was dressed as a Jedi Knight. Marlene was an Indian to Remus's Cowboy.
"Hey Hermione," James nodded in greeting smiling warmly at her. Marlene squealed and shoved past James, enveloping her in a hug.
"Hermione! Merlin's beard! Sirius is going to be thrilled to see you!" She pulled away, realising how little her friend was in, grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. Hermione blushed to the roots of her hair.
"Alright boys, out! Hermione needs to get changed and she can't do that with you two perving on her! Out!" Marlene ordered.
Remus pouted at her, "It's my bedroom! You're ordering me out my own bedroom?"
James had the grace to blush slightly, stepping in to grab Remus by the arm, who went out with his friend reluctantly, "Mate, I'm dragging you if I have to. Besides, there is a boy that never grew up out there looking for his fairy."
Marlene had her wand out using it to close and lock the door and hugged Hermione again, "Oh I missed you! Lily told me you came by her place just before Harry was born."
Hermione's eyes widened, "They called him Harry!"
"He is the cutest little thing you ever saw!" Marlene grinned at her.
"Now, I'm guessing that all you are wearing is Sirius's favourite band shirt." She chuckled as Hermione's blush went another shade darker. Moving around the bed, Marlene picked up a duffle bag, dumping it on the bed and began rifling through it.
"I couldn't decide what to wear, but I have the perfect costume for you." She explained as she pulled out a very short green dress and wings. Setting them aside she delved back into her bag pulling out all the necessary items Hermione needed to get dressed. Marlene enchanted the blanket from the bed to act as a screen as Hermione got dressed. There was a small knock on the door, "It's Lily, let me in!"
Marlene opened the door with a flick of her want and Lily entered, holding an infant. Hermione, came out from behind the floating blanket and nearly didn't recognise Lily for the blonde wig she had on, dressed as Sandra Dee from her favourite movie. However it was the little black haired infant in her arms that drew most of Hermione's attention.
"Oh Lily, he is perfect!" Hermione smiled at the baby, who was scrunching up his face grumbling.
"He is also hungry. James and Remus said that you both were in here, so I figured I'd feed him while you finish dressing."
"Well she came out of Remus's closet in only a t-shirt. Remy's eyes nearly popped out of his face." Marlene giggled gently combing her fingers through the fine black hair on little Harry's head.
"Ah, that explains James's blush" Said Lily, sitting on the bed to nurse her son.
When Marlene had finished dressing Hermione, who felt like the blonde witches living doll for the amount of attention Marlene put into making Hermione sparkle, literally. She was dressed as Tinkerbell in a very small green dress, the skirt made up of layers of shiny soft green material shaped as leaves. The iridescent wings on her back moved as if real. The strappy stiletto sandals on her feet also glimmered in the same iridescence. Marlene had gathered her curly locks up into a a high messy bun. The makeup that she set with magic to prevent it from streaking was soft and colourful; completely different to the makeup she wore at Lily's wedding, yet it complemented her perfectly.
Lily had finished feeding little Harry, his eyes drooping,heavy with sleep. Lily stood admiring Hermione as she did a little twirl, smirking.
"Hermione, you look the perfect Tinkerbell!" She said softly. Hermione felt reinvigorated by the two witches' presence, they both were so full of life and joy it was contagious. Hermione stepped over to Lily to look again at the baby version of her best friend and smiled at him.
"Do you want to hold him?" Hermione looked up quickly at Lily.
"You're sure?" Lily nodded and gently passed over the baby. Hermione looked down at the baby in her arms, marvelling at how tiny he was, smiled as she remembered him as a teen. It was a slightly bizarre moment for her.
"Hello Harry, you are such a darling little babe." She whispered. Hermione hadn't noticed the door open, so captivated by the babe in her arms, Sirius stood in the entrance watching her with Lily's child, dressed as an actual fairy.
"Princess" He breathed. Hermione looked up, her face glowing with wonder of baby Harry, lit up as she saw Sirius dressed as a pirate.
"Merlins beard! Marly did you have to make her look so hot?" Remus asked openly admiring Hermione, earning him a slap on the back of the head. James standing next to him choked on his drink his face going a deep shade of red.
"Remy, honey sometimes you can be really stupid. He only gets to see her so little, how could I not make her look fabulous?" Marlene gently scolded him, Remus tore his eyes off Hermione's legs; they seemed to go on forever, and looked at the blonde witch smirked at her.
"I can't help but appreciate a talented and great looking witch. Lucky for me there is several in this room, and one of them I happen to get to sleep with." He waggled his eyebrows at her.
"Lucky you." Peter said sullenly as he moved past them to get to the punch bowl for a drink. He was dressed as Mr Smee to Sirius's Captain Hook. And with the sudden arrival of Hermione he was back at feeling like a third wheel, again. He had watched often enough that he would often be left on the outside when his friends had women nearby. However, as Hermione was rarely around, Peter and Sirius had a seemingly mutual partnership of being the only two of the group without a girlfriend. Except for each and every time that Hermione appeared. And this time in a costume that complemented Sirius for the theme. Peter could not believe that Lily and James actually had applauded their spectacle of a dance at their wedding. He couldn't blame his friend. But he felt more and more that Hermione was always around for things she ought not to be. Peter took a glass of punch and topped it up with firewhiskey, glaring at the pair. Glaring at her.
"What's wrong Wormy?" Lily asked, pulling him from his morbid thoughts. She had Harry in her arms, asleep, looking at him with some concern. Peter finished his drink and forced a smile.
"Nothing Lils, just worried." He hedged.
"We all are Wormy, but this stupid war should not be stopping us from making friends or enjoying ourselves. What happened with you and the date with Mary?" Lily asked, shifting Harry in her arms.
"I- I had to cancel. Mother wasn't feeling her best that day." Lily smiled in understanding and sympathy.
"Well at least try again with her Wormy. She was genuinely upset you cancelled." Peter nodded absently and made excuses on needing the bathroom, leaving Lily to watch him walk away concerned for her friend.
"Have I told you how ravishing you look tonight?" Sirius asked. His voice was slightly husky. Hermione smiled into her punch, her eyes sparkling.
"Perhaps, four or five times."
"Oh, I have something of yours." He pulled out her wand, handing it to her.
"Try not to lose that. Never know when you will need it." Hermione chuckled fingering her wand, making sure it was fine. She flicked her wand to the ceiling, and hundreds of little flickering sparkles flashed and danced on the ceiling, shining rainbows on the guests gathered for the party, Many oohed and aahed at the site. "Interesting spell work Princess. How long will it last?" Sirius said in awe looking at the winking lights across the ceiling.
"If I did it right, about 2-3 hours." Sirius turned his gaze back towards her, eyebrow raised, he asked, "If you did it right?"
She grinned, "If I did it wrong it will either be permanent or set the ceiling on fire. Or both."
Sirius laughed and captured her lips, pulling away to growl softly "Vixen"
"Fairy" Hermione corrected. Smirking as she pulled away.
"Bathroom," She explained when she saw his face fall slightly, and slipped through the crowd. Sirius watched her go, ascending the stairs to the bathroom.
"Hermione did that?" James moved up next to Sirius nodding his head at the ceiling, he had taken Harry from his mother to give her a rest and a chance to enjoy herself.
Sirius chuckled, "And I have no idea how she did it. Clever witch."
James snorted, "That seems to be the first time someone has you outclassed Padfoot. Though I would hate to be on the receiving end of her hexes."
"You definitely would Prongs, having had the opportunity not long ago." Remus came and stood on Sirius's other side.
"Moony, you were sneaking up on her. Though I am still wondering at her reflexes." Sirius said as he sipped the punch.
Both Remus and James looked at him quizzically. Sirius explained, "She has a scar across her torso. Thin scar, something or someone had gotten through her guard."
"She hasn't told you who and why?" James asked quietly looking at his son.
Sirius shook his head, "No, though if I ever find the bastard that did it to her, he will find himself in a very discreet grave" He growled softly
Hermione leaned against the wall opposite waiting for her turn for the bathroom. She looked down the hall, towards Remus's room. He was living with Sirius. She smiled at the thought. They would make great housemates together. Hermione looked up as the door opened, and Peter stepped out. He scowled as soon as he saw her, not caring that she saw. Hermione frowned, "Peter, what's the matter?" She asked him kindly, stepping forward to put a hand out towards him. He recoiled from her. His face grew red.
"You. You are the problem. You bitch." He spat. Hermione stepped back, as he let fire everything he had seemed to be bottling.
"Just when everything seems to be going along so well you appear. Everyone is happier when you are not here." He sneered and drew his wand. Hermione's already in her hand, as she had nowhere on her person to hold it had hers raised faster, her concern fell away and she saw the man from her past who had hidden as a rat for 12 years. Her eyes flashed, in warning.
"Peter, I am not your enemy. I have only ever been kind and friendly towards you. I have never been otherwise." She took a step forwards, he stepped back.
"You had saved me once, Peter. You were a man who cared for everyone. Do you care still for your friends Peter?" Peter looked at her in surprise, and a glimmer of fear. He began to cast but Hermione was faster. He was thrown back into the bathroom. Hermione shut the door behind her, locking it.
Peter got up slowly, his face purple in rage. "What do you know? What do you care? Except to fuck my best friend?"
Hermione's wand sparked though that was the only indication for her emotions as her face remained as still as a mask. Peter flinched away, his own reaction towards her sending him into a further rage.
"You are a fucking whore that ruins lives! You ruin Sirius every time you decide to leave!" He tried again to cast a hex but she blocked and followed through with one of her own, his wand shot out of his hand. Catching it with her spare hand she looked upon him, as she had done all those years ago, disgust and pity.
"Oh Peter. So this is how you go, jealousy." She said sadly, "Jealousy for your friend's happiness. Jealous they find friendship and love and you have struggled to find any haven't you?" Peter cowered on the floor, yet his face still wore disgust and rage as he looked upon her.
"You could not just have the love for your friends. You never wanted their friendship to change. But friendships don't work that way Peter." She took a deep breath. There was more at stake than his petty jealousy.
"I am sorry Peter. I wish I could have shown you more kindness. Though I don't think that would ever have helped. But I can't allow you to have your master know me." Peter's eye's widened his face turned pale.
"Oh I know you Peter Pettigrew and I know him. But you will not know me, nor will he me."
She pointed her wand, and whispered "Obliviate." A single tear fell from her cheek.
There was a knock at the door. "Everything OK In there?" Remus was outside the door. She flicked her wand unlocking the door and knelt by Peter, casting an Aguamenti charm soaking the floor.
"No! Peter seems to have slipped on the floor. I can't seem to wake him!" She cried.
Remus opened the door rushing in. The floor was wet. Peter was sprawled on the floor. "Shit. How did this happen?" He looked at Hermione as she backed away for Remus to check on his friend. "Go get Sirius Hermione. I think we need to get him to St Mungo's"
Hermione nodded and dashed out the door. Her tears were now streaming down her face. Sirius was already halfway up the stairs.
"Princess? Whats-"
"Quickly! It's Peter. He- He slipped and fell. I couldn't wake him." Sirius moved past her and she descended the stairs. Lily and Marly rushed over to her and asked what the matter was, trying to calm her, but she could only sob. Peter was taken to St Mungos, by Marly and Remus as the girls could not calm Hermione, Sirius stayed behind to try and calm her down. The party had ended and broken up after the incident. An owl sent a note explaining that Peter had a bad bump on the head which seemed to have addled some of his memories, according to the mediwitch.
Sirius held her, quite surprised at her reaction to Peter. "Princess, it's all right. He only bumped his head a little."
She sobbed into his arms. She couldn't say the truth. The truth was more than she had anticipated. The truth about what she had done was overwhelming. But what hurt worse more than anything else was that she had to lie to everyone that she come to care deeply about. She wished right now that she could obliterate herself for sake to forget the pain. Yet that spell was never intended to be used on oneself unless they wanted to completely wipe every trace of themselves. She could never allow herself to do that. She took a big gulping breath and breathed out slowly. I am brave. I have faced the Jabbawocky. I can be strong. I need to be strong. She stood up, not able to look at him, "I need some air. I – I need to be outside."
Sirius's face was in a frown. He was worried for her. After her last visit, he realised that she was under so much pressure, but for someone so far out of their time, she was completely alone. He felt her back go stiff as she made a decision. She did it every time she was resolved to pick up a burden he did not know and carry it. She was weighed down by so much.
"Do you want to be alone?" He asked quietly, eyes still on her. He saw some of her resolve crumble as she struggled to answer, he came up with a solution for her.
"How about you take Padfoot for a walk. You can be alone without being alone." Hermione turned as he stood and transformed into a large black dog. It wagged its tail and ran in a circle, gave her a meaningful "Woof." Padfoot bounded into the kitchen and ran back with a lead in his mouth. He bowed in front of her with his tail wagging in the air, Hermione could help but giggle at his playfulness.
"I suppose that you want me to say 'sit' and 'who's a good boy?'" As she said the words Sirius sat and put his paw up. She could have sworn he waggled his doggy eyebrows at her as well. She took the lead and collar from him and attached it to him. He sat obediently as she did up the collar, licking her on the face just before she stood up.
"Really? That is just gross!" She wiped her face. Padfoot just "Roofed" and moved to the door, whining.
She let him out of the door and Padfoot took the lead, guiding her by gently pulling on the lead. They had gone about a block, Hermione seemed to be used to the walking with Padfoot steering her to a destination he had in mind, when he lifted his back leg to a tree. Hermione looked at him in shock and disgust, tried to pull him away from what he intended on doing, the dog wouldn't move and peed on the tree.
"OH MY GOD PADFOOT! You can't be serious! I can't believe you just did that!" Padfoot just barked like he was laughing, which Hermione suspected that he was.
"You are such a prat. And don't even think about pooping Padfoot! Not a fetish I'm a fan of!" Padfoot barked low in answer, wagging his tale and continued to lead her on her walk. She began to understand the destination as she saw a park. She let him off the lead and he bounded away into the dark.
She followed the path, absently not paying too much attention to it. The large black shadow came bounding towards her, stopping her walk as he ran circles around her and nudged her knees. She remembered a time previously he did that. Danger. She looked up as three people cloaked and masked appeared out of the darkness. Her eyes widened as she recognised the masks. Death Eaters. She also realised that she was still in her fairy costume, a small part of her brain found this whole situation slightly absurd. She backed slowly away, Padfoot next to her growling. She was outmatched and Padfoot right now was no help like that.
"Well, well. What an interesting night this has been. We found a wee fairy princess." One of them spoke. She didn't know the voice, but it still filled her with dread nevertheless. She scrambled to think of something.
"Indeed, what a lovely little morsel she will be." The second said as the third just laughed malevolently. She had an idea.
"Padfoot. Fetch." She had her wand directed at the one on her right, and shot a red jet at him. Padfoot was quick and followed the beam, it hit the Death Eater, then the dog was on him. Padfoot tore at his hand taking the wand and snapping in its jaws, bounding off into the darkness. The death eater lay on the floor howling at his now mangled hand.
The other two had their wands out now. Her advantage of surprise was gone.
"Seems like we found ourselves one that needs to learn their place." The first Death Eater drawled. They advanced towards her slowly, shooting a spell casually towards her. She blocked and followed immediately with one of hers, and a second at the other Death Eater, almost getting past his advantage. They moved forwards shooting a spell each at the same time. She dodged and blocked, shooting another off. Behind her she saw Sirius approach, but paid him no heed, as the Death Eaters shot spells more and more quickly towards her. The First Death Eater realised there was another person too late as Sirius sent a hex of his own to one, knocking him into an oncoming spell of the other. The Death Eater screamed at his allies spell.
Hermione and Sirius shot a spell at the other death eater at the same time. Yet he apparated away as the spells collided. Sirius ran forwards and grabbed her, apparating with her straight away. He pulled her along, into a club, walking her through the Halloween crowd to a back room, shutting the door and spell locking it. Sirius rounded on her, worry had replaced the cold rage from the fight.
"I- I need a drink." He said after looking at her for a long minute. He pulled out his flask and took a long swallow. Hermione shook her head when he held it out to her, he took another drink and put it back in his coat.
"Are you ok?" He asked. She turned her head on the side, eyes narrowed.
"Are you? Where are we?" she asked, looking around the small room.
"Safe house, couldn't head back home. Not just yet. Someone will be here shortly. If a safe house is used it automatically sends an alert to an Order Member." Sirius explained, he had begun pacing. He stopped at her and a small smile appeared, "Brilliant thinking by the way. Fetch."
Hermione smirked, "I'm glad Remus trained you well. Though I swear if you ever piss again I will hex you. Puppy or not."
There was a knock at the door and Sirius moved to answer it. James was standing there.
"Evans?" Sirius asked his friend.
"St Mungo's. Harry is with her. Remus and Marly will stay with her and Wormy. What happened?" James entered the room and closed and magically sealed it straight away.
"Three Death Eaters, at the park near my place. We won't be able to go back, for a while at least. I broke one of their wands, injured his hand. One was knocked out. Third got away. They only saw Hermione." Sirius reported to his friend.
James nodded and looked to Hermione, concern on his face, "You ok?"
Hermione nodded as Sirius snorted, "She took all three on. She used me as a distraction."
James raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Hermione smirked, and shrugged "I played fetch with Padfoot. It was a walk in the park." Both burst into laughter, Hermione grinned.
"Padfoot, remind me never to be on the receiving end of her hexes." James said as his laughter died down. James stood and moved to the door.
"Head to my place, Lils and I will make sure you have a change of clothes. And Padfoot, you're still wearing your collar." He exited quickly to update the Order. Sirius shut and locked the door, pulling off the collar, pocketing it.
"You were really something out there Princess." He stepped forwards towards her, pulling her into his arms and kissed her forehead gently, inhaling her scent.
"Hermione?" Sirius asked. Hermione looked up. The whispered danced around them. Sirius shut his eyes briefly and move his hands to hold hers, "Hermione, I just want to say, I lo-"
The wind had pulled her from his hands before he could finish. He looked in the space of the empty room. He began chuckling bitterly. There was definitely humour in her appearing as a fairy next time she appeared, He thought.