AN: Sorry for the late update guys! I've been busy with the holidays and the school...bah, and lets not forget the general laziness :). Anyways, here's chapter 3, and I hope to have other chapters up on Eternal, What Goes Up, Against the Grain, and Always Mine soon :D
Don't mind my typos as per norm...they eventually get fixed. AND THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS EVERYONE! I really do love you all for them :D
Chapter 3: Smile
Hermione stared at the elder woman and smiled as Gemma approached, Jade bowing her head slightly to her mother. Gemma rolled her eyes patted her daughter on the head. The brunette was curious as she watched the interaction, Jade was clearly submissive to her mother in a way that truly resembled wolves in nature and hierarchy.
"I'm glad to see that you're eating, Miss Granger." Gemma said gently as she stood next to her daughter and smiled a smile that gave the teen a strange sense of calm. "I'm glad to see my daughter has been taking satisfactory care of you." Pale blue eyes glanced at Jade who cleared her throat and blushed slightly.
"She has been very accommodating." Hermione said softly as she set her spoon down and folded her hands neatly on her lap. "I never had a chance to thank for her rescuing me, now that I think about it." She glanced up at Jade who had a slightly shocked look on her face. "So, thank you, I don't know what would've happened to me if you hadn't gotten me out of there. And please, call me Hermione."
"Don't think anything of it, Hermione." The alpha smiled as she placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Jade did all the work." The raven haired lycan blinked a couple times before bowing her head slightly to the young witch. Gemma chuckled softly before turning her pale gaze on the brunette. "My daughter, ever polite. Words don't come easy to her, so you'll have to excuse her if she just nods when she receives any form of praise."
"Mother." Jade growled softly as she blushed and rolled her blue orbs. Gemma just smiled as she ruffled ink black locks and Jade huffed. Hermione giggled softly as she watched the elder woman tease her daughter. "Anyway, Hermione, if you'd like, I can show you around outside once you've had enough to eat. If you're up to it, of course."
"That would be lovely." The witch smiled as she rubbed her stomach and sighed. "I don't know if I could eat any more at the moment."
"I'm surprised you ate as much as you did." The young lycan added as she took the bowl from in front of the girl and set it gently in the sink.
"Be sure to stay within the enchantments, Jade." Gemma cautioned as Hermione stood from her chair and followed as the raven haired woman motioned towards the front door. "Jaxyn is sure you weren't followed, but better to be safe than sorry."
"Of course, Mother." The wolf bowed again before offering her hand to Hermione who took it gently as she was led out of the house and into the cool air of Spring. They were in a heavily forested area with only a small clearing around the house and trails leading in every direction. It was beautiful with the sunlight filtering through the trees and for the first time since she'd escaped the manor, Hermione felt calm.
"You look a lot like your mother." Hermione said softly as they walked out towards a random trail. "I'm sure you probably get that a lot." Jade smiled and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.
"I actually don't." The wolf admitted as they walked lazily down the trail and Hermione looked around curiously at how the foliage of the trees seemed to glow a healthy golden yellow. "Most people that know my family say I look a lot like my father. So it's a nice change of pace to hear I look like my mom." Jade smiled at Hermione who tilted her head slightly.
"Will I meet your father?" Jade's demeanor changed for a split second that Hermione almost missed. Her bright blues darkened slightly before returning to their normal hue and the raven haired wolf smiled.
"My father," The girl faltered slightly, looking up, contemplating her next words carefully before speaking again. "Made some poor life choices, he left the pack a few years ago, after I turned eighteen."
"I'm sorry, Jade." The lycan smiled down at the brunette before shaking her head. They paused slightly as they neared a small clearing.
"You didn't know, don't be sorry for asking a question." Hermione felt a little guilty for bringing up what seemed to be a sensitive subject, but seeing Jade's smile put her at ease as they started walking again. "I try not to dwell that my father is gone, but when he left we weren't on the best of standings."
"You said he left a few years ago," Hermione mumbled as she tapped her chin and felt a slight pull in her shoulders that suddenly reminded her that a day ago she was being tortured. "After you turned eighteen, how old are you, if you don't mind me asking." She looked up with curious brown eyes and Jade smirked.
"I'll be twenty-two in December." The wolf answered and Hermione nodded. Jade only looked as old as she was, maybe even younger. There was a very loud, and very sudden, cracking noise in the distance that sounded like a whip. The brunette froze abruptly and the world around her went silent. Jade stopped when she heard the girl's footsteps silence and turned to see Hermione, eyes wide with fear as another crack sounded through the air.
The witch dropped to her knees, her hands over her ears as the memories of Bellatrix came flooding back into her mind. She looked up to see Jade's cobalt eyes full of concern as she crouched down and reached out towards her. Her mouth was moving, but no sound was coming out. The wolf reached out again to try and comfort the young witch, but instead of seeing Jade there, Hermione's eyes saw the deranged witch that her tortured her for days relentlessly.
"Stay back!" Hermione pleaded as she fell back, her body trembling uncontrollably as she tried to skitter away from the lycan. Jade furrowed her brow in confusion as another crack rang through the air and Hermione flinched, ducking her head and wrapping her arms around herself. "Please…don't hurt me." Jade tensed as the pained whimper left Hermione's lips and halted her advance.
The lycan sat down on the ground in front of the brunette, who sat huddled in on herself, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Calmly, Jade inhaled and exhaled before letting her wolf come forth in her eyes, making them glow brightly in the daylight. She didn't know what else to do to make Hermione snap out of her panic. They hadn't known each other long enough for the girl to trust her and Jade didn't have any experience helping anyone deal with such a traumatic tribulation. So, she did what she thought she could to help the brunette see it was her and she was safe.
"Hermione," She breathed calmly as she reached out and very gently (cautiously) laid a hand on the girl's hands. Hermione flinched at the warmth suddenly surrounding her hands, but looked up and gasped when she saw neon blue staring gently back at her. "You're safe here, you're safe with me. I won't hurt you, I swear it." Hermione was still trembling as she stared into bright blue eyes and swallowed hard. Jade's voice was muffled in her ears, but slowly, her surroundings were coming back into clear view. The trees, the golden sunlight, the sky, and Jade, who was sitting patiently in front of her.
"Jade…" Hermione breathed as she grasped the lycan's hand tightly before grasping desperately at Jade's forearm to try and ground herself. "I-I'm sorry…I-" She gasped when she felt Jade's other hand lie on hers gently and she awed at the warmth it was emitting.
"Don't be sorry." Jade whispered softly as she moved a little closer and smiled as her eyes began to dim. "You've been through something horrible, Hermione. You have to work through and you will, I'll help you in any way that I can, all right?" The brunette nodded slowly before relaxing her body and slumping forward, her forehead resting on the back of the lycan's hand. Exhaustion, once again was taking her prisoner as she breathed slow, deep breaths to get her heart rate back to normal.
Jade maneuvered so she was resting her back against a large oak tree. Her legs were stretched out and spread to accommodate Hermione who hadn't moved, and was still grasping Jade's hands. The lycan gently pried her hands free and immediately the brunette looked up, about to say something before Jade pulled the younger girl towards her. Hermione was now sitting sideways against Jade, her head resting against the wolf's left shoulder as her back rested against a slightly bent knee.
The young witch felt her cheeks catch fire as she heard Jade's heart beat steadily and she kept her eyes averted to the ground as the lycan offered her right hand to the witch once again. Brown eyes just stared for a moment before grasping said hand and she wiggled slightly to get more comfortable against the warm body she was resting against. It was strange how holding Jade's hand could calm her, but the heat it exuded brought her back from the memories of the manor. The cold stone floor, the frigid air against her wounds, Jade's warmth brought her back to reality.
The pair spent a good amount of time sitting on the trail, warmed by the sunlight as Hermione rested, her hands still holding firmly onto Jade's. Jade herself, had her head resting back against the trunk of the tree, eyes closed as she took in the sounds of the forest. The cracking noises had stopped and she could only guess at what the noise was, but she knew there were some dead trees in the vicinity and it would only take a buck shedding his velvet to knock them over.
Hermione was still awake, staring down at the hand she held and thinking about the glowing blue orbs she was met with when she finally looked at Jade after her episode. She knew those eyes couldn't belong to Bellatrix. Bellatrix Lestrange had eyes like ink that could swallow you whole in their darkness. Jade's, though glowing and icy blue, still retained their gentle nature and it made the girl smile. She'd never seen eyes like that. Hermione shook her head slightly to rid her head of thought that crossed her mind which, in turn, roused the wolf.
"Are you all right?" Jade muttered softly as she glanced down and Hermione nodded before looking up into the bright blues that were reflecting the sun so perfectly. The wolf smiled gently before letting her head fall back against the tree once more. The brunette sighed, still staring at the lycan and wondering how her friends were doing.
At least they're safe. She thought to herself as she let her head rest back against Jade's shoulder. A gentle breeze wafted around them and the rustling of the leaves calmed Hermione as she let her eyes flutter shut.
x—x
"How are you recovering?" Fleur asked Luna as she sat down in the kitchen with a cup of coffee. It seemed lately she'd become addicted to the drink since she would be up late into the night tending to Mr. Ollivander.
"I think I should be asking you that, Fleur." The younger blonde retorted gently as she smiled at the Veela. "You've been running yourself ragged for days. I think it's time you take a break. We can all take care of ourselves at this point, rest is what everyone needs."
Fleur sighed as she sank back into the plush cushions of the sofa before sipping her coffee languidly. It was hard for her to have down time, whenever her mind wasn't occupied with making sure everyone in her house was cared for and healthy, she was fretting over Hermione still missing and the ominous words of Aberforth Dumbledore.
"You're worried about Hermione." Luna deduced as Fleur flinched slightly and slumped forward. "I understand Fleur's concern, but Hermione is very resourceful and stubborn, she wouldn't let anyone get the better of her." Fleur smiled softly as she set her mug down and shook her head.
"I need to find her, Luna." Fleur breathed, letting her eyes shut and massaging her forehead. "You know the most about Veela culture and mannerisms than anyone I've ever met at such a young age, it is eating me inside just sitting here, waiting to see if she's alive or not."
"If Aberforth said she is safe, then you have to believe him." The younger blonde breathed as she began to fidget with the hem of her shirt. "He's far more capable than we give him credit for, I believe." Fleur nodded, truly wanting to believe what Luna said, but something about the old man's demeanor made her skeptical.
"I just hope she's all right, Luna." The Ravenclaw nodded as she stood and stretched. Fleur turned to look out the window at the surf lapping lazily at the shore and sighed.
I'll tell her the next time I see her. She said to herself as she furrowed her brow in frustration as her worry for the brunette increased. She needs to know how I feel. She needs to know I love her.
"You all right, love?" Fleur turned to see Bill entering the den and smiled at her 'husband'. "You look a bit exhausted."
"That is an understatement." The Veela chuckled sardonically as she stood to face the red head. "Have you heard anything else from the Order?" Bill smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"You mean have I heard anything on Hermione?" The French woman flushed slightly as she lowered her gaze to the ground and wrung her hands together. "I'm sorry, Fleur, all anyone will tell us is that she is perfectly safe." Fleur growled softly and turned away from the man, biting her tongue to control her temper. "Fleur, you just have to trust that Hermione is fine, we need to focus on getting the others mended and help Harry find horcruxes."
"You can't ask me to forget about my mate, William." Fleur hissed as she turned to glare daggers into the red head who held up his hands in defense. Her eyes shimmered gold as she clenched her hands into fists and huffed. "Compared to Hermione, the horcruxes mean nothing to me."
"I know, Fleur, I know and I'm not asking you to forget about her." He walked forward and gently took her hands in his. Fleur narrowed her eyes as she took a deep breath, her eyes returning to their normal azure hue. "I'm asking you to fight for her, make the world safe for you two to live happily ever after. I'd never ask you to abandon, Hermione."
"You're a good man, William." Fleur sighed heavily as she slumped forward and rested her forehead against the tall Weasley's shoulder. "If I wasn't already in love with Hermione, I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life with you." Bill chuckled as he pulled the blonde into a hug.
x—x
Hermione felt her body being lifted as her eyes fluttered open and she looked up to see Jade. The brunette groaned slightly as she looked around and realized she was being carried by the dark haired woman. When she stirred, blue eyes glanced down at her curiously and smiled. Hermione blushed as she averted her gaze and cleared her throat.
"Sorry," The lycan said gently as she smiled and blushed softly. "You fell asleep and I thought maybe you'd enjoy lying in a bed instead of sitting on the ground." Hermione nodded as she saw the house come into view. She wanted to protest and tell Jade it wasn't necessary for her to be carried, but she felt content in the taller girl's arms. Her eyes closed once more as she heard the door open and Jade's footsteps on the wood floor. She was surprised how smooth the ride was as they ascended the stairs and when Hermione opened her eyes again, they were walking into Jade's room.
"You didn't have to carry me." Hermione yawned as Jade gently laid her on the mattress. The wolf smirked before quirking and eyebrow.
"You wait to tell me that after I get you into bed." The brunette blushed at the comment and looked away as Jade chuckled before taking a seat at the edge of the bed. "I'm just joking, Hermione, I didn't mind, it's not like you're heavy." Jade took the blanket that was folded at the foot of the bed and spread it over the brunette. "You just rest, I'll wake you for dinner, ok?" The witch nodded sleepily as she nuzzled into the pillow and let her eyes flutter shut.
Jade sighed softly as she sat down on the floor, her back against the bed and ran her hand over her face. Hermione's steady breathing signaled to the wolf that the younger girl was asleep so she stood, stretching her arms over her head and groaned softly. This was already more than she bargained for as she glanced down at the sleeping brunette. She'd never had anyone imprint on her before in any way and for a moment, she hoped her mother would be wrong. The bruising and scathes on the witch's pale skin were fading slowly, and Jade hoped with more meals and restful sleep, it would speed her recovery. Her inner wolf whimpered slightly when she heard Hermione moan in her sleep and Jade was quick to make sure the younger girl was all right.
"No…" Hermione mumbled as she thrashed her head from side to side. "Please…stop…I didn't take anything…" Blue eyes narrowed as Jade sat on the side of the bed and watched the witch frowned and whimpered.
"Hermione," Jade gently grabbed the brunette's shoulder and shook her. "You're safe, it's just a nightmare." It troubled the wolf how little sleep the girl had gotten before nightmares began to infest her subconscious. The brunette didn't wake and instead began to cry out in pain and Jade panicked before grasping both of Hermione's shoulders to try and steady her. "Hermione, wake up!"
"Get off me!" The witch cried as she scratched at Jade's hands and tried to push the wolf off. "Leave me alone!" Hands gently held Hermione's face as the wolf leaned down close and touched her forehead to hers.
"I hope this works."