AN: Here's chapter 2/3...this is a bit confusing because of the prologue...but, oh well. Thanks monkgirl and other for reviewing and ignore my typos until I can fix them XD.
Chapter 2: The Pack
Hermione was in darkness. All she could hear was her own rapid breaths and her eyes tried to focus on something, anything in the black that surrounded her. Her heart beat was uneven as she pulled her knees up to her chest and felt the cold closing in on her. The brunette's body began to ache as she heart footsteps resonating in the darkness. Her body tensed as the laugh echoed in her ears.
"This isn't real." Hermione muttered to herself as she squeezed her eyes shut and heard the footsteps get louder. "This…" When she opened her eyes again, she was back in the manor. The rusty chains bound on her wrists as a black fire burning in the grate. Suddenly, there was arm around her neck and a want pressed against her neck.
"You thought you could get away, mudblood?" Bellatrix's voice was a whisper in her ear as she felt nails dig into her cheek. "I've got my claws in you, girl, and you can't escape so easily."
"You're not real." The brunette whimpered as she heard the witch chuckle at then her body was wracked with pain. Her nerves were burning as a scream scratched at her throat and Bellatrix's laughing echoing all around her. "STOP! Leave me alone!" She felt hands grab at her shoulders and push her to the ground.
"Hermione!" Jade had the flailing brunette gently by the shoulders trying to wake her. "Hermione, it's just a dream!" The expression on Hermione's face was pure terror as the wolf tried to keep her from thrashing. "Hermione!" Brown eyes suddenly snapped open as Hermione looked around the room, not remembering where she was before pushing Jade away and huddling herself back into the corner of the bed. Her knees were huddled up to her chest and her eyes were wide with fear.
"S-stay back!" The witch cried as she kept her eyes trained on the raven haired girl. "Y-you're eyes…why are they glowing?" Jade blinked her blue orbs a couple times before leaning forward and flipping on the bedside lamp.
"Hermione, it's me, Jade." The wolf said gently as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you remember? You were having a nightmare." Jade gently reached out her hand and offered it to the brunette. "I'm not going to hurt you." Hermione was shaking uncontrollably as backed herself into the wall and shook her head. "I promise, Hermione, you're safe."
The brunette continued to stare at the blue eyed woman and then down at the hand that was still outstretched towards her. Jade had a calm, comforting look on her face as she locked eyes with Hermione and the witch stopped shaking. Slowly, reluctantly, Hermione reached out and placed her hand on the wolf's. She gasped softly at the warmth that emitted from the taller girl's skin and slowly began to unfurl herself.
"I-I'm sorry." Hermione whispered as she felt the anxiety begin to wash away from her body. "It was so vivid. I really thought…I thought I was back there."
"It's ok, Hermione." Jade sighed as she gently squeezed the brunette's hand. "We just got you out of that place recently, it will take time to recover." Hermione nodded slowly as she ran a hand through her hair and exhaustion to place of her fear. "You should get back to sleep." The brunette nodded as she slipped back down underneath the blankets and Jade went to move back to the spare room. She was stopped suddenly when she felt the grip on her hand get tighter. Jade looked back and saw Hermione clutching to her hand.
"Can…can you stay?" Her voice was barely a whisper as she averted her eyes down and a gentle blush filled her cheeks. "Just until I fall asleep?"
A small smile spread on the wolf's face as she nodded and sat down on the floor, her back against bed as she waved her hand, dousing the light. Jade felt Hermione stir slightly, the blankets rustling as the girl turned over onto her side so Jade's hand wasn't stuck at an odd angle. The wolf sighed softly as she let her head fall back against the mattress. The moon lighting patterns on the wall through the trees that surrounded the house and fell across the wolf's eyes, illuminating them brightly as she stared out the window.
"Sleep well, Hermione."
x—x
Fleur was staring at the old man that so resembled Albus Dumbledore as they sat in the dining room of Grimmauld Place. She'd left Shell Cottage early in the morning to meet with the old man after Dobby had informed them that he was, indeed, sent by the old croon. He was sipping on a mug of coffee across from her, eyes closed as if enjoying a warm summer day.
"Dobby tells me you're worried about the Granger girl." Fleur bristled at the way his rough voice mentioned the brunette so indignantly and it made her temper flare. "So why did you want to talk to me?"
"You sent that elf to rescue Harry, but not the others?" The blonde was trying to keep her anger in check as the man grunted and took another drink from his mug.
"Harry is priority." Aberforth muttered as she set the mug down and his grey eyes fell on Fleur's shining sapphires. "He is the one that is going to defeat Him, and he must be kept safe."
"So your plan was to just retrieve Harry and leave the others to suffer?" The Veela pushed, gritting her teeth as she sighed heavily and shook her head. "How could you not worry about the others there? Ronald, Ollivander, Hermione?"
"You act as if I'm just a cold hearted fool." The younger Dumbledore chuckled which made the Veela's anger rise. How dare he find this situation laughable while Hermione was still unaccounted for. "I had others keeping track of your little Trio. They were supposed to follow at a distance and only intervene if they needed assistance."
"Being trapped by Death Eaters isn't a need for 'assistance'?" There was a thick silence as Aberforth ran his hand over his beard and narrowed his eyes at the Veela.
"Once I found out that they were stuck with the Death Eaters, I sent Dobby right away." He answered quietly before resting his chin on his folded hands. "The pack I had following the kids was to keep their distance. They would not have had the force or time to retrieve everyone from the manner. Lucky Miss Granger was the only one left to rescue."
"So she's been rescued?!" Aberforth held up his hand as both of Fleur's palms slammed on the table. "Where is she?"
"I never said she was rescued." He said calmly as he sipped his coffee and Fleur growled as she sat back down. "But if she has been, I assure you, Mrs. Weasley, she is safer than Harry Potter." Fleur was becoming agitated with the old man as she folded her arms over her chest and huffed.
"She'd be safer with us." The Veela hissed as she raised her nose and shook her head. "With her friends, her family." Aberforth chuckled as he stroked his beard and glared right into the Veela's blue eyes.
"Where Death Eaters are pursuing you and your ranks are shrinking more and more?" The wizard finished his coffee and Fleur had to stop herself from lashing out at him. They were doing the best that they could in the Order. It wasn't their fault that people were cowards and fleeing the country to save their own hides. "Please, Delacour, if Miss Granger has been rescued, and I'm not saying she has, she's much safer where she is than with the Order or the Potter boy."
Fleur growled and without a word, stood from the table before heading towards the grate where she'd entered. Aberforth just laughed at the enraged part-Veela as she wrapped her cloak around her shoulders and grabbed a handful of floo powder. She couldn't handle his cryptic ramblings anymore, she just wanted to know where Hermione was and the Veela in her was ready to fight to find her. Once she stepped in the grate, the green flames engulfed her as she spoke the words to go home.
"Did you learn anything?" Ron asked anxiously as Fleur appeared back in the den of Shell Cottage where Harry and Ron were waiting for her. "Where's Hermione? Is she ok?" Fleur just shook her head and sighed before running her hands through her hair.
"Aberforth doesn't know if she's all right." The blonde answered as she sat down on the sofa and groaned. "But, he says if she has been rescued, she's safe. I don't know how that is supposed to make us feel any better."
"This is bloody ridiculous." Ron huffed as he stomped on the ground and ruffled his hair. "We need to go look for her?"
"And where exactly do you think we should start?" Fleur challenged as she glared at the young red head. "We have no idea if she's even at Malfoy Manor or even with the Death Eaters anymore. And even if she was," Fleur stood and looked down at Ron. "Do you just propose we storm in there, wands drawn and caution to the wind? That is a sure way to get her killed."
Ron just ducked his head and turned red, narrowing his eyes from the enraged Veela and shaking his head. Fleur sighed as she closed her eyes and tried to regain her temper. She knew Ronald had feelings for the young brunette and that didn't help curb her frustration with the whole situation. She sighed as she fell back on the sofa and massaged her forehead. This wasn't going to be an easy circumstance to handle as the Veela clawed at her barriers. She wanted Hermione near, she needed to know she was safe.
x—x
Hermione woke to the sun dancing across her eyelids. Thankfully, the rest of her slumber had been nightmare free and she rubbed her eyes before noticing a warmth in her right hand. She looked down to see a hand still grasping hers. She followed the arm down and peeked over the side of the bed to see Jade lying on her left side, facing the bed on the ground. The brunette blushed slightly as she felt the other girl's hand twitch slightly and Hermione laid back down with a soft sigh.
She was oddly comforted by this woman who had agreed to hold her hand until she fell asleep and ended up staying the entire time she had fallen asleep. Her body was still achy as she rolled onto her back and looked up at the ceiling. She wondered if the others were looking for her or even believed she was alive. Thoughts of Harry floated into her head and she hoped they were getting along well without her. There was a soft groan that floated through the air as Hermione rolled back onto her right side and glanced down at Jade. Sapphire eyes fluttered open and the raven haired woman brought her hand up to rub the sleep from her eyes.
"Is it morning?" The girl mumbled as she sat up and yawned. Hermione just nodded as she tried to bury her face in the pillow as sleepy cerulean orbs fell on her. "I don't even remember falling asleep. How did you sleep, Hermione?"
"Better than last time." Hermione answered softly as Jade leaned against the bed and released the brunette's hand. She felt a bit lost without the warmth and solidity of having Jade's hand in hers, but Hermione just tucked it under the blankets and sighed. "I feel a bit better."
"Good enough to try eating?" The brunette's stomach answered for her as it grumbled loudly and Hermione blushed even more as Jade smirked. "I'll take that as a yes." Jade yawned again as she combed her fingers through her long hair and rubbed the back of her neck. She stood up and turned towards the brunette before offering her hand to the witch. "I'll take you down to the kitchen."
Hermione glanced at the hand and gently placed hers in it again. Jade pulled her up easily and the brunette stumbled, her legs still not strong enough from lack of food and energy. She crashed gently into the taller girl's chest and froze as an arm wrapped loosely around her waist. A soft gasp escaped her lungs as her body was wrapped in warmth and rain as she inhaled deeply. She kept her gaze to the ground, or at least her hands that were braced against the taller girl's shoulders.
"Are you all right?" Jade ask as she steadied the girl and chuckled when she heard Hermione clear her throat and nod. The brunette pushed herself arm's length, her face burning as she glanced up into bright blue eyes and Jade gently took her hand again before leading her to the door. "We really need to get some food in you."
"I don't remember the last time I had a decent meal." Hermione said softly as they descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen. The house, Hermione found out, was a very decent size. The kitchen housed a large dining table that could seat at least ten people and an island between the table and appliances. Jade pulled out a stool for the brunette at the island and stood in front of the stove.
"So what are you in the mood to eat?" The brunette watched Jade curiously as she turned and leaned on the counter towards the witch. "Probably not anything too heavy or strong since you haven't eaten in a while."
"Soup seems logical." The shorter girl answered quietly as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Chicken, if you have it." The raven haired woman nodded as she turned to the cupboard and pulled out some noodles along with chicken stock.
"Do you like a lot of chicken?" The wolf asked as she pulled out a pot and then went to fridge and pulled out an already cooked, whole chicken. Hermione just nodded as she sat silently, her eyes wandering the kitchen curiously. There was dark wood that matched the molding around the archway and floor that complemented the light, sandstone tile of the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of chicken was filling the room as Hermione sighed and turned back towards the stove to see Jade boiling the noodles in the broth.
"Do you cook often?" The witch asked softly as the wolf stirred the soup. Jade just chuckled as she looked over her shoulder and smiled.
"I wouldn't say often." She answered as she dipped the ladle in the soup and tasted it. "But, on occasion I make a decent meal for myself. Usually my family and I eat together for meals, minus breakfast."
"You're not the only one here?" Jade shook her head as she retrieved a bowl from the cupboard to her left and poured some soup into it before handing it to Hermione with a spoon.
"I live here with my mother and the rest of my pack." Jade tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she sat across from the brunette. "Of course, they don't all stay in this house. There are others in our village, but we all live as an extended family." That was the second time Hermione recalled Jade mentioning a 'pack' and her curiosity got the best of her.
"Pack?" Hermione queried as she blew on the food and glanced up at the raven haired woman. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'm a lycan, Hermione, and we live and travel in packs," The wolf answered nonchalantly as she leaned back and turned the stove off. "Like wolves."
"I thought lycans were extinct." Jade chuckled as she ran her fingers through her hair and smiled at the girl. "Are you pure blooded?"
"Three quarters." The brunette sighed contentedly as she savored the taste of the soup in her mouth. It had been a long time she had a good, homemade meal and it was very comforting. "How's the soup?"
"Fantastic." A smile spread on Jade's lips as she folded her arms on the island and tussled her hair. "After eating only scraps of bread while I was at that manor, this is like heaven."
"I'm glad, you really needed to eat." Hermione nodded as she fervently ate and cleaned out the bowl in a short amount of time. There was a loud sound of a door opening and Jade perked up as her eyes turned towards the foyer. The brunette turned and saw a woman who very much resembled the girl across from her.
"Good morning, ladies." The woman greeted. She had dark brown hair and paler blue eyes stared kindly back at the young witch. "It's good to see that you're up and eating, Miss Granger."
"Hermione," Jade stood and motioned towards the other woman. "This is my mother, Gemma McHale, she is the alpha of our pack."