AN: Yay! Finally chapter 5...or well, 6 according to fanfic...it throws me off a bit! sorry for the wait everyone, work and school...y'know the drill. Anyways, as per usual, ignore the typos I will get to them and thanks for sticking with me on my stories. I appreciate all the reviews and follows/faves :D keep em coming! Oh, and don't worry we will be getting some Fleurmione feels in here soon :)
Chapter 5: Last, but not Least
The salt was heavy in the sea air as Hermione inhaled sharply when they landed on white sand and her knees gave a little to the ground. Jade gently caught her by the elbow and steadied her as the brunette flushed softly with a nod of thanks. It was strange going from the forest to the shore and hearing the roaring waves of the ocean over the rustling of branches on the breeze. It was almost a sensory overload for the girl whose gaze shot up when the call of a gull sounded overhead. The wolf's nose crinkled slightly as she huffed and looked towards the small house in the distance.
"I've only been to the ocean once." Jade muttered as she inhaled slowly and let it out again. "The air is hard to get used to, dries out my fur." Blue eyes glanced down teasingly at Hermione who looked up and smiled when the taller woman gave her a playful nudge with her shoulder. "Come on, I'm sure your friends are eager to see you."
As Jade moved forward, Hermione reached out and gently grasped her hand in both of hers, holding tight enough to stop the wolf from advancing forward. Crystalline eyes looked back curiously to see Hermione with her head down and a slight tremble to her figure. She turned and put her free hand on the young witch's shoulder to try and offer comfort.
"It's silly of me to be scared." Hermione shook her head and scoffed sardonically as she gripped Jade's hand tighter. "They're my friends, I know them…fought with them. I shouldn't be nervous about coming back."
"You've been through a lot, Hermione." The wolf's voice was soothing, gentle on the breeze, yet firm enough to capture the girl's attention. "Your friends won't expect you to be perfectly fine after what's happened. They will give you time. You just need to trust them, all right?" Hermione nodded, finally lifting her head to get reassured by the calm look in the wolf's cobalt orbs. With a soft sigh, the brunette nodded and Jade smiled before turning back towards the cottage.
It was strange for Hermione, to be walking with this, almost stranger, back to her friends whom she hadn't seen or heard from in a few days which felt like months. The warmth emanating from Jade's hand was comforting, grounding, and more than anything, Hermione was afraid to lose that stability. On the outside, she looked much better than when she'd been rescued, though she'd tried to hide the hideous mar on her forearm from Jade as much as possible. Inside, Hermione felt meek. She'd lost something and was afraid it wouldn't come back. Those days of torture with Bellatrix had stolen her resolve, her fire, and she didn't feel like herself.
"Are you ready?" Hermione had been thinking so much she hadn't noticed they were about to ascend the wooden stairs to the front door of the little house. Jade was still holding her calm gaze as the witch inhaled deeply and exhaled faster than she probably should have. "Don't worry, Hermione. It will be all right, I won't leave you here if you're not comfortable." Again, Hermione nodded and Jade gave a single nod back before gently guiding her up the stairs, knocking four times in a quick rhythm.
The door opened and Jade straightened up to see a tall man, ginger hair, and a few scars on his pale face. If he hadn't had the kindest eyes the wolf had ever seen, he would've been slightly intimidating. Hermione cowered only slightly into Jade's side and the grip on her hand strengthened.
"Who calls on this weathered evening?" The man spoke and Jade sighed, remembering what Aberforth had coached her to reply.
"The Harbinger of your salvation." She replied firmly and the man narrowed his eyes at her before waving his wand, Jade tensed and pulled Hermione close as a shimmer of white fell over them, engulfing their figures. A soft hum washed over the wolf's body and she half glared at the man as the glow disappeared.
"Sorry, mate." He said, his eyes returning to their kind demeanor. "Just had to make sure you weren't anyone in disguise or something." The man's gaze then fell on Hermione who smiled gently at the tall red head. "Hullo, 'Mione."
"'Lo, Bill." Hermione's voice was soft and timid as she barely waved at the man. He stepped aside and brown eyes glanced up at Jade before taking a step into the house, dragging the wolf in by the hand. Everyone in the living room froze as Hermione walked in and kept her gaze down. Dean, Luna, Harry, and Ron were all gawking as Jade straightened up and gave Hermione an encouraging squeeze.
It was as if she was seeing her friends for the first time. She recognized them sure, but they looked so different, older, but still too young to be as ragged as they were. There was a rapid shuffling of feet scurrying down the stairs as Hermione tensed and moved closer to Jade. They all turned to see Fleur rushing down, pausing at the bottom to stare at the brunette.
"Hermione." She breathed as she moved forward swiftly, startling the young witch and causing her to inadvertently clutch to Jade. The lycan, on instinct, turned to face the Veela and bared her teeth which stopped the blonde in her tracks. Glowing sapphire eyes glared at her as the raven haired woman barred her way to the brunette.
Fleur was shocked. There in front of her, stood the girl she loved, but in the way was this new obstacle. This other woman, who was standing protectively in front of the seemingly meek, terrified girl. Fleur almost didn't recognize her fiery Gryffindor if not for the signature hair and familiar brown eyes. She took a calming breath to ease her relief and saw the girl with glowing eyes relax.
"Forgive me," Fleur spoke gently as she straightened up and shook her head slightly. "I didn't mean to startle you, mon ami. I am just happy to see you all right." Jade glanced back behind her to see Hermione moving sideways to look around the taller wolf. That's when Fleur's own dark blues connected with the brighter, crystal orbs of this new comer. "My name is Fleur Delacour-Weasley." She extended her hand and Jade glanced at it curiously with a quirked eyebrow. "This is my husband, William."
"Bill, if ya like." The man added with a goofy grin.
"Jade McHale." The wolf answered finally as she grasped Fleur's hand and nodded before shaking Bill's. "Sorry about the teeth, instinct is hard to fight."
"Indeed." Fleur answered a bit stoically as she glanced back at Hermione who was still clutching Jade's arm as if her life depended on it. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to scare you."
"S'ok, Fleur." Hermione answered with the smallest, weakest smile the Veela had ever seen. Fleur snapped out of her thoughts as the boys finally moved towards their friend and embraced her.
Jade maneuvered her arm out of Hermione's hold and stepped back with a smile. She watched as the brunette went rigid for just a moment before relaxing, returning the hug on both of her friends. It was good to see her relaxed, but she knew Hermione still had a lot of recovering to do before she'd be back to her normal self, if she ever got there again.
"Would you all like some tea?" Bill asked finally as Harry and Ron were still fawning over their friend, happiness brimming in their eyes. "I think we could all use a cuppa."
"That sounds great." Jade answered as she turned to face the red headed man and he motioned towards the small kitchen. Fleur swiftly moved first to start the kettle as her husband went after her. Jade folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the doorway, watching Hermione chat softly with her friends after receiving more hugs from a tall, dark boy and a blonde girl with a dreamy look on her face.
"I'm so sorry, 'Mione." Harry said probably for the fiftieth time. "I didn't want to leave you, I even fought with Dobby, but…"
"It's all right, Harry." The brunette's voice was getting stronger as she put a hand on his and squeezed. "I know you wanted to, but you are the priority here. I'm just glad I made it out at all." That's when emerald orbs fell on Jade and the girl looked curiously at the boy who was supposed to be the savior of the magical realm. He looked too young and too green to know what he was doing.
Jade snapped out of her thoughts as the two boys approached her, Harry in front and the red head following with a confused look on his face. She straightened up as they got closer and quirked an eyebrow at them. Hermione was still sitting on the sofa, watching her closely with a small smile on her lips.
"Harry Potter," The dark haired boy said firmly as he held out his hand and Jade shook it. "Thank you, for bringing Hermione back safely, we owe you a lot." He glanced back over his shoulder and nodded towards the red head. "This is Ron, Bill's younger brother." Jade nodded towards the boy and he nodded back.
"Tea is on." Bill called from the kitchen as the boys thanked the wolf again and moved past her into the kitchen, followed by the other two teens. Hermione was the only one left on the couch and Jade moved towards her slowly since her eyes were closed and her head lolled back against the cushions. She looked peaceful, her features relaxed as the wolf laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Do you have to leave?" Jade jumped slightly to find Hermione awake and brown eyes glanced up into bright blue.
"Hermione?"
"I…" The girl sat up and ran her fingers through her hair slowly as if trying to melt away some anxiety. "I feel better when you're around." Jade blinked rapidly as she moved to sit down next to her, gently slipping an arm around her shoulders. The brunette didn't hesitate to lean into the gentle affection and sighed heavily.
"I know it's hard right now," The wolf whispered as she rested her cheek against Hermione's curls. "But it won't be forever, you've got the support of your friends here and I know they'll take care of you." Hermione barely nodded as Jade held her a bit tighter. "I would stay with you if I could, Hermione."
They sat there in silence for a moment, Hermione enjoying the comfort as the wolf rubbed her shoulder slowly. Jade let out a soft sigh as she leaned back against the sofa and felt Hermione move so she was still nestled under her arm. The wolf was a bit torn to let the brunette out of her sight since she'd been taking care of her for the past few days.
"I'll miss you." Hermione whispered and Jade inhaled out of shock before glancing down at the girl resting her head on her shoulder. Something pulled in the wolf's chest as she felt the brunette move closer to her, if that was possible.
There was a clearing of someone's throat as Jade's head shot up and saw Fleur standing in the doorway of the kitchen, a confused expression on her face as Hermione looked up and flushed slightly. Jade felt tension flowing from the blonde and moved her arm from the witch's shoulders before sitting up.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Fleur said firmly and Jade, in the back of her mind, didn't think she was sorry for breaking the silence. "But the tea is getting cold and there is some food prepared before you have to leave, Jade." There was a subtle bite in her tone as Fleur turned and left the two alone once more.
"She's pleasant." Jade teased as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Hermione smiled softly before stretching her arms over her head and wincing. "Are you still sore?"
"Just in my back." Hermione turned towards the wolf with a sheepish grin. "Sleeping on a concrete floor for however many days isn't exactly great for anyone."
"Maybe some hot tea with help." The sofa creaked as the raven haired wolf stood and offered her hand to the young witch. "I think you just need some home comfort."
x—x
They all sat relatively quiet as Harry and Hermione chatted softly along with Ron. Bill was questioning Jade about her heritage and the pack. Hermione continued to try and keep her eyes on Jade as they talked. Just being near the wolf kept her at ease and even though she was back with people she knew and trusted, Jade made her feel safe. It worried her to think that she would be leaving later that night.
"So, there's a whole pack of werewolves like you?" Dean asked as she glanced at the taller boy curiously. "And you all, get along?"
"We're not werewolves, for one." Jade corrected gently as she scratched the back of her head. "And yes, we all get along. Wolves are meant to live in packs."
"Well, if you're not a werewolf," The boy rubbed his chin. "What are you?"
"Lycans." Every pair of eyes moved to fall on Fleur who answered nonchalantly. "There are several packs in France." Jade smirked as she nodded and eyed the woman carefully. There was something about her that the wolf couldn't pinpoint and it was itching at her mind. She had a scent that was familiar to her, but the answer kept eluding her.
"Have you met many?" Jade asked as she folded her arms over her chest and leaned back in her chair. "We aren't always social to outsiders."
"None, personally, besides you." The blonde continued as she sipped her tea and Jade smirked again before glancing at Hermione who was sitting quietly next to her. The sun was sinking below the horizon as the wolf stood and stretched her arms over her head.
"I should get going." She turned towards Fleur and Bill and nodded at them. "Thank you for your hospitality." Blue eyes fell on Hermione and immediately noticed her rigid posture as she kept her brown eyes glued to her tea cup. "It was nice to meet you all and I'm sure I'll be seeing you again soon."
"Thank you for saving Hermione," Harry stood and shook Jade's hand once more as the others smiled, bidding her farewell. "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough."
"Think nothing of it, Harry." Jade smirked as she rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm glad I could help." She turned towards Fleur and Bill with a nod. "Good to meet you two."
"Likewise." Bill offered a large grin as Fleur nodded with a small smile. "Thanks for bringing Hermione back safely." The appreciation was getting a bit tedious, but Jade nodded and smiled either way, turning towards the door and grabbing her cloak which had been removed when she sat down at the table for tea.
As she moved towards the door, she paused slightly, feeling a gentle tug in her chest before placing a gentle hand on Hermione's shoulder. The girl jumped before turning to look up into crystalline blues. Jade smiled softly at the witch, trying to reassure her that everything would be fine after she left.
"Take care of yourself, Hermione." She breathed as the wolf gently squeezed the brunette's shoulder and let it linger as she opened the door. Hermione didn't say anything, Jade wasn't sure if that was due to the fact that she was so tense, or because there wasn't much to say. Either way, the wolf glanced back one more time to see the younger girl staring down into her tea cup, knuckles white and hair shielding her face. Jade chuckled softly. "Have a good night, everyone."
The air was a bit colder as she exited the cottage, the sun far below the horizon, but still setting it on fire. Jade inhaled slowly before exhaling again and enjoying the salt air before she had to get back to the forest. She was about to disapparate when she heard the door to the cottage open and slam shut. The wolf turned to see who was following when something solid slammed into her chest.
"Oomph!" Jade blinked a few times before she felt something warm press against her neck. The familiar smell of fresh linens filling her senses as her arms wrapped around the body pressed against her. "Hermione?"
"Don't leave yet." Hermione's voice was broken and soft as Jade glanced down and felt arms tighten around her waist. "Please, I'm not ready for you to leave. I don't feel safe here." There was a sharp pain in the wolf's heart as her brow furrowed and her arms encircled the brunette. Her mother had been right, Hermione had imprinted on her and a soft sigh escaped the wolf's lips as she rested her cheek on top of the brunette's head to hold her tighter.
"I'll stay as long as you want me to."