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Chapter 4: Imprinted
Jade closed her eyes as their foreheads touched and focused on delving into Hermione's mind as she slept. Legilimency wasn't something she was adept in, but she had infiltrated her brother's mind once to figure out who he had fancied a while back. Her Grandfather making sure she knew the basics of the mental talent of navigating through one's mind. There was a sudden rush of cold that enveloped her as she broke through Hermione's barriers and found herself in a large thorn infested hedge maze. It was dark as her wolf growled in suspicion. There was crying echoing in the air and her ears perked when she turned a corner to see Hermione, sitting by a broken well.
"Hermione?" The brunette's breath hitched as she glanced up with fear radiating from her eyes. "Hermione, it's me, Jade. Do you recognize me?" Hermione huddled deeper into herself as Jade approached and knelt down, a good distance from her.
"P-please, don't…" Her voice was broken as she cowered away and Jade's eyes narrowed when brown, frightened eyes focused on something behind her. "Stay back!" Jade looked over her shoulder and saw a dark shade hovering behind her.
"Hermione, you're safe." Jade pressed as she moved a little closer and saw the hedges begin to wilt. Hermione's strength was waning and her barriers were failing. "I promise, look at me." The brunette finally averted her gaze to the lycan before they flitted back behind her. The shade was growing larger behind her and Jade whipped around to face it.
A low growl vibrated through the air as Jade's eyes began to glow brightly and she crouched in defense. The shadow raised up and towered over the wolf as she felt her claws extend from her finger tips as another ferocious snarl escaped her lips. Hair on the back of her neck bristled as the shade manifested into the form of a woman. No features were discernable, but Hermione's whimper made it clear that she recognized the shadow either way. The hedges began to wilt more as Jade glanced back and saw Hermione curling in on herself more against the stone well.
"You don't belong here, Shade." The wolf growled as her eyes narrowed as the shadow smirked and waltzed towards her. Jade tensed as felt her body begin to shift on its own. Without there being an actual physical change, it came swiftly and soon, a large white wolf was challenging the large clouded figure. Her fur seemed to shine in the shade's presence and she lowered her head, baring her teeth at the shadow. "Leave now, you've done enough damage here."
"I just want her." The shadow hissed as it moved towards Hermione and Jade was quick to cut it off with a snap of her maw. A blue fire erupted at Jade's massive paws and she leapt forward, swiping swiftly at the shadow. It hissed and screeched as the fire ate away at the darkness and dissipated. Jade growled before shaking her massive body, fur began to shed from her skin and her form shrank significantly until she was back to her human self.
"Hermione?" The brunette flinched at the sound of her name and peeked up over her arms, eyes darting back and forth, searching for the shadow. "It's all right, it's gone. You're safe." At that moment, Hermione sighed softly, the hedges beginning to bloom again and the fog lifting slightly. Jade closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. When they opened again, she was back in the bedroom, her head pounding steadily and painfully. "Probably shouldn't have been in there so long."
Hermione groaned softly as she sat up in bed, her palm pressed against her forehead and a grimace on her face. Jade shook her head slightly and felt something warm and wet dripping from her nose. She touched a finger to her upper lip and groaned when she saw blood. The back of her hand brushed against her lip to wipe the stream of blood away before turning and looking up at the brunette.
"Are you ok?" Jade asked softly as she moved so she was sitting on the side of the bed. "Hermione?" The brunette peeked through her fingers at the raven haired girl who smiled softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Jade," Hermione sighed as she put her hands down, eyes brimming with tears. She lurched forward and wrapped her arms around the wolf's neck before clinging to her tightly. "Thank you."
Jade blinked her sapphire eyes as she felt the girl's grip around her neck clench before she gently wrapped her arms around the younger girl's waist. Hermione was still trembling from the nightmare and the wolf was still on guard. The shade in her mind must've been what was causing Hermione's nightmares and lowering her defenses in her mind.
"It can't hurt you, Hermione." The wolf sighed as she pulled the brunette closer. "Don't let it back in, it's just a shadow." Hermione merely nodded against Jade's shoulder and sighed, shuddering slightly as she tried to relax. "I think it's time we get you back to your friends."
x—x
It had been two weeks since Fleur had visited Aberforth and he sighed as he went through the post that had just been delivered a few moments ago. He groaned as another letter from the woman sat in front of him and he popped the seal open as his eyes scanned over the writing. She was giving him and update on the boys and Luna who were staying with her and Bill, as well as asking about Hermione, again.
"That woman, I swear." He muttered as he set the letter aside, making a mental note to reply sometime that day. Another envelope with a crescent moon wax seal sat on his table and he quirked an eyebrow before picking it up. His eyes moved swiftly over the writing and he blinked a few times at what it read. Aberforth chuckled softly as he set the letter down and stroked his beard. "This will please Delacour. I guess I could reply sooner than later."
x—x
Fleur burst through the door to the shed in the back yard of Shell Cottage where William was practicing his blood wards with a crumpled piece of paper in her hand. Bill jerked up from his work, eyebrows raised as he stared at his 'wife'.
"Fleur," He said gently as she tried to catch her breath. "What's in your hand?"
"Aberforth…letter-" She huffed as she handed the letter to her friend and sighed. Bill quirked an eyebrow and took the paper from the blonde, smoothing it out before reading it slowly.
"The people who have Hermione are bringing her here?" Bill asked softly as he furrowed his brow in confusion and looked up at the part-Veela. "Tomorrow? How?"
"Aberforth send an encrypted message with the coordinates of the house." Fleur exhaled slowly and shook her head. "Someone is going to be apparating here tomorrow afternoon." Bill noticed his wife's apprehension and tensed posture.
"Aren't you happy, love?" He asked softly as he stepped forward and handed the letter back to the French woman. "Hermione is coming back, safe. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I'm scared, Bill." Fleur admitted as she pressed the letter to her chest. "She's been through so much, what if the damage is too much? What if she-" Bill stepped forward and pulled Fleur into a gentle embrace.
"She's strong, Fleur." The Weasley said softly as he hugged his best friend. "Hermione will make it through, even if she does have some post traumatic disorder, we're here for her. You're here for her." Fleur nodded silently as she stepped out of his arms and sighed heavily.
"I'm going to go prepare the spare room for her and…" She straightened up and grinned. "And tell the boys what's going on." Bill nodded with a smile as the woman hugged him one last time and walked back towards the house. The man sighed as he went back to the runes table and placed his palms on it before letting his shoulders slump. Bill Weasley knew that Fleur wasn't in love with him like he would've liked, and even though he supported her happiness, that didn't mean it didn't hurt for her to love someone else.
"Get it together, Weasley." He ran a hand through his shaggy red hair and rubbed his hand down the back of his neck. "She's your best friend, you have to get over it. At least she'll still be in your life."
x—x
Hermione was sitting on the bed, hands folded in her lap, leg bouncing slightly as she waited for Jade to return. It had been a while since she'd had a nightmare that crippled her, with Jade holding her hand every night when she fell asleep she felt much safer. But now she was going back out into the real world. The reality that held so much darkness and it made her anxious as she thought about leaving the safety of this place that had protected her for the past two weeks. There was a soft knock on her door and Hermione jumped when she heard Jade's muffled voice.
"Hermione?"
"Come in." Hermione called with a shaky voice and the door squeaked open, Jade walking in with a small smile on her face. "Hey."
"Are you ready?" The wolf asked as she went and sat down next to the teen who exhaled slowly. Her eyes narrowed softly as she noticed the brunette's rigid posture and fidgeting. "Hey," She gently placed her hand Hermione's and gained the girl's attention. "What's wrong?"
"I'm scared." The brunette admitted as she squeezed the taller girl's hand and sighed. "I don't know if I'll feel safe after I leave. I…I feel safe here." Her brown eyes found bright blue and Jade could see the anxiety swimming behind them.
"Your friends care about your, Hermione." Jade enforced gently as she moved a little closer. "They will keep you safe and I'm sure they wouldn't go through with anything that you weren't ready for." The brunette just nodded as she looked down again at their hands. "Everything will be fine. Are you ready to go?"
Hermione nodded slowly after a soft sigh. Jade stood and gently pulled the brunette to her feet. She made her way towards the door and they ambled down the stairs where Gemma was waiting with a smile on her face. Hermione tried to smile at the alpha as the approached and the elder McHale held out a neatly folded, dark blue hooded cloak with silver filigree around the edges of the hood.
"This is a keepsake for you." Gemma said gently as she unraveled it and handed it to the brunette who took it with shock in her eyes. "It's infused with protective runes that were woven into the underside of the hood." She flipped the hood inside out and Hermione could barely make out the runes that were sewn into the fabric in a slightly lighter shade of blue.
"Thank you." Hermione whispered as she took the extremely soft cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. "For everything. I really do appreciate all the care you gave me." The alpha smiled as she gently placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders and smiled kindly.
"You'll always be welcome here, Hermione." The woman leaned forward and embraced the brunette. Hermione tensed slightly before returning the hug and smiling a little more as Gemma stepped away. "I hope your journey stays…semi safe." The young witch couldn't help but chuckle at the statement and nodded.
"I would love to come back once the war is over." The girl said softly as she rubbed the back of her neck. "It's very peaceful here." Jade cleared softly that gained the attention of both Hermione and Gemma.
"I'm sorry, Mother." Jade mumbled softly as she straightened up slightly. "But we must be going, I was very specific with the time and I'm afraid if we don't arrive then the ones waiting for Hermione will be…suspicious of my intentions."
"Of course." The elder woman smiled again at Hermione. "Be safe, Hermione, and pass our blessings on to Mr. Potter."
"I will." The girl nodded and blushed slightly when she felt Jade's hand slip into hers. "Thank you again and I hope to see you in the future."
"As do I." Gemma glanced at her daughter, who bowed her head before gently pulling Hermione towards the front door. "Good bye, Miss Granger." The brunette waved as Jade opened the door for her and they both stepped outside.
"Are you ready, Hermione?" The raven haired girl asked softly as she gently squeezed her hand.
"Do you know where you're going?" The witch asked gently as she glanced up to see Jade smiling.
"Aberforth sent me an image," Jade answered as she tucked a stray lock behind her ear. "And then I burned it."
"You can apparate by image?"
"Special skill." The wolf smiled before sighing. "Take a deep breath." Hermione complied as she inhaled deeply and held her breath when she felt the familiar pull in her stomach as they disapparated with a soft crack of thunder.