AN: Hooray! Been updating pretty steadily, I say that as I have like...12 other stories to update, SORRY! I'm working on them though! Anyway, thank you so much for the reviews and faves/follows! I'm glad that people are reading my stories still :). As usual, ignore my typos. OH and if you want to see a cover image for this story, go to deviant art and search faewolf16 :D that's me :) The image is named Tesselate so it shouldn't be hard to find.
Chapter 6: Tragedy
Fleur was fuming in her room as she sat in front of her vanity and vigorously combed her fingers through her flaxen hair. When Hermione had re-entered the kitchen with Jade's hand firmly grasped between both of hers, her skin began to burn with jealousy. The Veela had wanted to stop her before she had bolted after the wolf in an anxious rush, but it wasn't her place and she had no real reason to stop her other than her own envy. It almost broke her heart to watch the girl she loved run after someone else, that she barely knew, nonetheless.
Instead, she played the good hostess, allowing the beast to stay with Hermione in the spare bedroom she had cleaned up for the brunette. Fleur growled softly as she saw a flash of gold in her dark cerulean irises and quickly turned her head away from her own, angry reflection. This was almost too much.
"Are you all right, Fleur?" Bill asked as he removed his tie and sat down on the bed. He squinted harder and looked closely at his wife. "Your eyes are gold." It was barely there, just a faint tinge of the hue that gave away her Veela heritage. Fleur just shook her head and ignored her husband as he moved closer to her. "You're upset, about Hermione, aren't you?"
Another question Fleur wished to just ignore, a rather obvious answer followed said question in the form of a glare and Bill nodded in understanding, of course she was upset over Hermione. Still, she sighed heavily, allowing him to put a hand on her shoulder and try to comfort her, but there was no comfort for the Veela. Inside, she was furious, hackles raised at the thought of that, wolf, being anywhere near her fiery Gryffindor.
"I shouldn't be so upset." She said finally, defeat underscoring her tone as she slumped further and Bill rubbed her back. "It's not like she's aware of my feelings for her, to her, I'm still your wife and why would she think otherwise?"
"You really should tell her soon, Fleur." The Veela sneered at the idea of telling Hermione how she felt now, when she was just down the hall in the arms of another. "She needs to know."
"But what if I'm wrong?" Fleur was suddenly overwhelmed with panic. What if she was wrong? What if Hermione wasn't her mate and she was just under the spell of a strong crush? "What if Hermione is just a phase?"
"You know, Fleur." Bill tried to reassure her as he turned her so they were face to face. "You felt it, you told me you did, the moment that you laid eyes on her. She is your mate. You told me once, that a Veela's instincts are never wrong." The silvery blonde nodded slowly, eyes still full of confusion as she averted her gaze to the floor and sighed again.
Bill Weasley knew from the beginning of his relationship with Fleur Delacour, that it wasn't meant to be. She was young when they'd first met, but already knew what she'd wanted from the very start, and it wasn't him. Still, he pursued her, was adamant and she had finally decided to go on a date with him. From then on, they had gotten on swimmingly. Sure, she could never love him the way he wanted her to, but he would take what he could get. In some eyes, this was seen as masochistic, but he saw it as optimistic. He would love her until she left him and he would try his damnedest to be supportive when she did.
"She'll come around, love." He tried to encourage his would be wife, but he knew Hermione Granger. She was stubborn and hated being told what to do and he knew she was not going to like the idea of being a destined mate to someone without her consent. "You just need to explain it thoroughly, our Hermione is a scholar and she will take your words to heart. After consideration that is."
He smiled lovingly as a soft chuckle escaped the Veela's throat and she finally looked up into his pale blue eyes. She moved forward and hugged the man tightly as Bill cradled the back of her neck. This wasn't going to be easy. The worst competition Bill ever thought Fleur would have was Ron, or even Harry, but now this lycan was in the picture and Hermione seemed more than attached to her.
x—x
Hermione sighed softly, still awake, still thinking as her mind often didn't shut off until she was completely engulfed in sleep. She was lying in the guest bed that was more than comfortable, and even more so with an infinitely warm lycan at her side. Hermione wasn't sure what had made her run after Jade like that earlier, but when the wolf exited the house, all she felt was an overwhelming blizzard of dread.
After such a short time, she was already so attached to this woman who had taken care of her, rescued her from the clutches of Bellatrix Lestrange and even the dark nightmares of her own mind. How was she supposed to just let comfort and safety like that leave at such a crucial moment? Of course, she felt safe with Bill and Fleur and her friends, but they couldn't offer what Jade did. They hadn't seen her at her worst, most frightened state, not like Jade had and managed to bring her back each time.
"All right, Hermione?" Jade's voice was soothing and silken in the brunette's ears as she glanced up and locked onto bright blues. The only light in the room was a slow burning candle and it was on the night stand, so the only thing it really illuminated was the lycan's profile, the eye glancing down at Hermione was bright on its own already without the need for any reflecting light.
"Mhm." The brunette hummed with a slight nod as she moved closer to the wolf, her arm slung lazily over Jade's stomach and her head resting gently on her chest. This was new to Jade. The woman never having been so close with someone that wasn't her family, but she enjoyed the comfort it offered Hermione, so she never protested. Not that she ever would. "Just thinking."
"It's hard to turn that mind of yours off, isn't it?" The lycan teased gently as she draped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and she felt the younger girl bridge any distance that was between their bodies. A soft sigh escaped her throat as the brunette nodded. "What are you thinking about?"
"The war," She mumbled before propping herself up on her elbow and looked into bright, ocean blue eyes. "If I'll ever fully recover from…everything. I feel helpless, I can't even manage without you with me." Jade's brow furrowed slightly as Hermione turned away, frustration evident in her voice as her dark eyes narrowed. She was upset by her ever present anxiety and fear that was holding her back from fully contributing, but more than anything, she felt like a burden to the lycan. "I don't like depending on others."
"Hermione," Jade sat up, leaning her back against the headboard and the brunette sat up to look at the wolf with a bit of confusion gracing her eyes. "You have to be patient."
"I hate being patient." The wolf smiled as she opened her arm and gestured for the brunette to move towards her. Hermione sighed softly before scuttling over towards the warmth and settling against Jade in the same position they'd been in earlier. She could hear a soft thrum in her ears as the lycan's heart beat softly, lulling her nerves. "I just wish I was back to normal."
"Don't rush it." The lycan's voice had lowered slightly and Hermione knew she was getting tired. "It takes time and if you try too hard to tolerate what triggers your anxiety, you'll never heal."
"I suppose." Jade chuckled before folding her right arm behind her head and sighing. "You're tired."
"A bit." She answered softly with a chuckle as she let her eyes close and Hermione sighed before sitting up and blowing out the candle on the night stand. "Good night, Jade."
"Sleep well, Hermione." The wolf felt Hermione settle comfortably against her. It took a few moments before the brunette drifted off to sleep and Jade sighed again before letting her eyes stare out the window. The moon was shielded by a thin shroud of clouds and the lycan sighed softly.
Jade's wolf was anxious being away from the pack. Being beta, she was naturally second in command to her mother and for her to be away on her own was different. As much as she wanted to make sure Hermione was all right, a part of her, her pack mentality, was fighting with her to leave. To go back to the pack and make sure everything was going all right.
Bright blue eyes fell back on the slumbering brunette curled into her side. A small smile tugged at the wolf's lips as she sighed again, trying to forget about her instinct to return home. Her arm involuntarily tightened around Hermione and her mind suddenly flashed with the glares she had received from Fleur. She knew there was something different about the blonde, she could smell it on her. The heady, musty scent had attacked her nose the moment she'd arrived and it made her uneasy.
There was a possessive look in her dark blue eyes when they fell on Hermione and a damning glare when they watched the lycan. There was a sudden, hungry vibration in her chest that caused her brow to furrow when she thought of the woman looking at the brunette in such a way. It was a surprising feeling. She hadn't known Hermione for long and her mother had suspecting right when she predicted that the girl would imprint on her, but Jade never expected to return the attachment.
Her body shifted slightly, a bit uncomfortable with the thought. She'd never taken to someone so quickly or felt the need to protect an outsider before, but seeing Hermione in her most vulnerable state tugged at the wolf's heart. Jade shook her head softly, trying to rid her mind of the thoughts that were confusing her and making her feel something she couldn't explain, even to herself.
"Tch." She scoffed as her she squeezed her eyes shut and froze when she heard the brunette whimper softly in her sleep, adjusting slightly to nuzzle closer (if that was possible) into the wolf's side. When the rustling ceased, Jade sighed before staring up to the ceiling. It was going to be a long night.
x—x
The morning was rather tense as Fleur found herself in the kitchen preparing breakfast with Bill for their guests before her husband went off to work. She'd barely slept any, her inner Veela itching at her to confront the wolf in her home that was sleeping in the same bed as her Hermione.
"Maybe it's just platonic." Bill suggest gently, as if being able to read his best friend's mind. Fleur scoffed sardonically and continued on with cooking breakfast as Bill buttered toast. "I mean, Jade didn't seem like anything romantic was going on."
"You didn't see them in the den yesterday." Fleur replied coldly as she flipped the bacon that was in the pan and practically growled. "They seemed very close to me." Her mind flashed to the memory of seeing Jade's arm draped over Hermione's shoulder and her body tensed. She didn't even notice the boiling grease that was landing on her hands like rain.
"Fleur," The red head sighed as he gently coaxed her away from the stove and the blonde looked down at her hands as if it was her first seeing them. Bill waved his wand and the burns disappeared, leaving porcelain skin flawless once more. "Try not to think about it so much, love. At least not until you speak with Hermione yourself." Fleur just nodded as she returned to her task while Bill pecked her on the cheek and began setting the table. "I have to get going, Fleur." The man muttered as he checked his watch and finished his task.
"Have a good day, Bill." The blonde sighed as he embraced her from behind and she slightly relaxed from her thoughts, enjoying the comfort of her best friend. There was a gentle clearing of someone's throat as the two both looked towards the doorway to see Hermione and Jade standing there. The wolf had a smug smirk on her face and arms folded across her chest as Hermione was blushing a bit and rubbing her arm with a shy gaze.
Fleur cursed inwardly, what a horrible position for them to be seen in. She cleared her throat and Bill pulled away, rubbing the back of his neck with a boyish grin. The last thing the Veela had wanted to do was give Hermione another reason to become closer with this new woman.
"'Morning, you two." Jade greeted nonchalantly as Hermione smiled at the both of them before following the wolf to the kitchen table. "Hope we're not interrupting anything."
"Naw," Bill smiled as he grabbed his cloak and shook his head. "Just heading out for the day. How did you two sleep?"
"Like a pup." Fleur frowned at the lycan's analogy and waited for Hermione's answer as she finished placing the bacon on a platter. The aroma was soon to rouse Ron from his sleep.
"I slept well, thank you." Hermione muttered softly as she glanced at Bill who smiled warmly before walking over to pat her shoulder. "Will you be meeting with the other Order members, Bill?"
"I will." He smiled kindly at her as he put his hand on the doorknob. "Mum and Dad will be happy to hear that you're right as rain." Hermione returned his smile with a nod as he bid them good bye once more before disappearing out the door. There was a resounding crack as he disapparated a few seconds later and as if on cue, the boys and Luna came wandering into the kitchen.
"Good morning." They all greeted groggily as Jade smirked and watched the red head, half asleep, flop down in a chair with a grunt. Fleur sighed as she finished with breakfast and with a wave of her wand, she levitated the platters of food to the table. If she didn't know any better, she'd think she was at the Burrow the way she was cooking for more than just her and Bill.
Jade eyed Fleur curiously as she finally came and sat down at the breakfast bar to watch the younger habitants eat and converse. Her icy orbs flitted to Jade once or twice and the wolf played off as if she didn't notice, content with conversing quietly with Hermione who was sitting rather close. Hermione must've noticed her tension as a hand fell gently on the wolf's arm and snapped Jade out of her glaring.
"Are you ok?" Jade's eyes widened in shock as she glanced down at the brunette and blinked a few times, realizing she must've been scowling. Her features softened as she smiled softly at Hermione and nodded.
"Sorry, just thinking." She placed her hand over Hermione's and the brunette nodded before continuing to nibble on a piece of toast.
"So," Harry said finally as the others looked at him expectantly and he cleared his throat before running a hand through his scruffy mop. "I don't mean to, uh, seem rushed or anything, but we should really plan our next move." He turned to look at Fleur and swallowed. "How is Mr. Ollivander doing?"
"He's still weak." The woman answered as she leaned back against the small island and sighed. "I know you're eager to speak to him, but he can barely stand as it is. He needs more rest, Harry. At least another full day of good food and sleep." The boy nodded, frustrated, but nodded nonetheless. Hermione let out a slow breath as she turned towards her best friend.
"We should talk to Griphook." Her voice was a little shaky, but firm as she straightened up and Jade glanced sideways at her in curiosity. "Bellatrix Lestrange, she was very convinced that we had been in her vault, she was worried."
"You think she could have a horcrux?" Ron asked as he shoveled some more eggs into his mouth. "I mean, it would make sense, she is supposed to be his most trusted."
"And she thinks the sword we have is a fake." Harry added as he rubbed his chin and sighed. He glanced up at his friend and saw that she was staring hard down at her plate and her skin had paled slightly. "Sorry, 'Mione, I don't mean to make you think about her."
"No, I…" She paused before exhaling slowly and shaking her head. "I need to face it, it's over and I'm alive. It could've been much worse." Jade furrowed her brow as she stared at Hermione. Their talk the previous night must not have sunk in as she watched the brunette try and steel herself as they continued their conversation. There was a sudden rapping at the window and everyone at the table, including the wolf turned to see a large raven with an envelope in its beak.
"That's Aberforth's bird." Fleur's eyes narrowed slightly as she opened the window and the black bird hopped through, right onto the kitchen table in front of Jade. The lycan raised an eyebrow as the mighty bird cawed and dropped the envelope in front of her. Bright sapphires narrowed as she opened the letter and scanned the contents quickly.
"I have to go." Jade murmured abruptly as she pushed away from the table and stood before grabbing her cloak. Hermione followed immediately, seeing the worry in the wolf's eyes and she reached out to grab her hand as it landed on the door handle.
"What's wrong?" The brunette asked softly as she saw Jade's jaw clench and the wolf swallowed hard as her gaze fell on dark brown eyes. "Jade?"
"Hermione, I have to go." She repeated as she opened the door and went to step out, but Hermione had a firm, two handed grasp on her arm. "Hermione."
"No, I can't let you leave." Hermione argued as she tugged a little harder. "You're mad." Jade scoffed softly as she turned her eyes away and sighed. "Tell me what's happened."
"Someone's attacked my home." Jade's voice was cold and Hermione thought she heard a faint snarl as the taller woman gritted her teeth. "I need to get back and help."
"I'm coming with you." The Gryffindor said as she summoned her wand and slipped it in her forearm holster.
"No." The wolf shook her head as she finally turned and put both hands on the witch's shoulders. "No, you'll be safe here. This isn't your fight."
"You helped me!" Hermione fought as she remembered they had an audience and glanced around sheepishly before lowering her voice. "Please, I owe you so much."
"Hermione," Jade ran a hand through her hair and rubbed the back of her neck as she closed her eyes and shook her head.
"We'll come." Blue eyes blinked as Jade looked up to see Harry standing, wand in hand and a determined look on his face. "I owe you too, think of this as returning a favor." Ron stood up too and nodded before the two other teens stood."
"No," Fleur intervened as she put her hand on Luna and Dean's shoulders gently. "You two stay here, I'll go. I think Bill would kill me if I let his brother go off without supervision." Ron huffed as a small grin grew on Fleur's lips at his displeasure. "Luna, please write Bill and let him know what's happened. One Order member is better than none."
"None of you have to do this." Jade narrowed her eyes as they landed on Fleur and the blonde and frowned. "You don't owe me anything and this isn't a battle that is yours. You all have bigger things to worry about."
"We're coming." Hermione said firmly as she gripped Jade's hand and the lycan was a bit surprised at the finality in her voice, seeing a bit of the way Hermione was before her capture. "That's all there is, Jade." The lycan sighed as she nodded and held out her arm.
"Hang on tight then."
x—x
The air was hot and stifling as Hermione inhaled and coughed immediately as they all landed in the forest the brunette had enjoyed so, but when her eyes opened, a choked cry of despair rang through the air. She forgot that Jade was next to her, she forgot of the others that were standing around, slack jawed and choking on the smoke heavy in the air. Her eyes blinked rapidly to stop the stinging as she watched the orange flame lick at the wood of the large house in front of her.
"No." Jade grunted as her hands clenched into fists and her eyes began to burn from lack of blinking. "No!" Her house, her home, was in flames. The trees that surround the homestead were shriveling and catching fire as black smoke billowed up into the cloudless blue sky. Without hesitation, the wolf lunged forward and sprinted towards her home.
"Jade, wait!" Hermione tried calling after her as she watched the raven haired woman bolt from the group towards the inferno in front of them. She made to follow the wolf, but was caught by hands on her shoulders and she turned to see Harry and Ron holding her back. "Let go! She needs help!"
"I'll go." The brunette looked over to see Fleur brandishing her wand, already working on dousing the flames that were running up the trees around the house. "You all keep an eye on each other. Whoever did this could still be around." The teens nodded as they huddled around each other, wands drawn and Hermione watched as Fleur jogged after the wolf.
It didn't take long for Fleur to catch up with Jade as she reached the destroyed front door, charred from the fire, but broken into planks by the wolf, no doubt. She grimaced at the heat and cast a shield charm to protect her from the scorching flames. Fleur's ears picked up the sounds Jade calling out into the house and followed.
"Jade, we need to get out of here!" Fleur called as a beam from the ceiling fell and she levitated it out of the way, trying to quell the burning on the walls. The fire seemed to fight back as it flicked out towards her wand and Fleur tried to manipulate it unsuccessfully. "Conjured fire," She whispered to herself. "Jade! We need to leave!" There was a loud groaning coming from the ceiling above her as Fleur scoffed, torn between leaving the wolf and saving her life. "Damnit!" She cursed as she felt her shield failing and sprinted back towards the door.
The fresh air filled her lungs as she ran a good distance away and she gulped at the cool air as she bent over, brushing the sweat from her brow. She looked back towards the house to see the second story collapse and she watched the flames swirl and form into a giant serpent that hissed viciously as it curled into the sky. Fleur tensed as she stood and flourished her wand, conjuring her patronus to fend off the nearing flames.
"Fiendfyre." She hissed as she watched her large Osprey distracting the flames. She turned when she heard Hermione calling and she saw the concern and fear in brown eyes as she looked at Fleur, then to the destroyed house.
"Fleur!" Hermione stood next to her and her eyes widened when she saw the serpent trying to catch the wispy bird of prey. "Where's Jade?" Fleur's eyes narrowed as she shook her head and Hermione gasped, looking back towards the fire. "Jade!" She cried as she lunged forward and the part-Veela caught her by the arm.
"Hermione, don't!" The blonde grunted as she fought to keep the young witch back. She was surprisingly strong for how weak she seemed recently and Fleur yanked her back and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "She might've gotten out, you can't run into those flames! They're almost impossible to extinguish without the incapacitating its conjurer."
"But who conjured it!?" The brunette asked frantically as she watched the serpent and shook her head. Jade couldn't be dead, she was strong, resourceful. She had to have gotten out, through a window or something.
"And here I thought I'd only get that meddling wolf to come back." Hermione froze when she heard the all too familiar voice and spun to see Bellatrix Lestrange with a crooked grin, lazily twirling her wand in her fingers. "But look at you, all of you, even the Potter boy. Like moths to a," She glanced at the fire and cackled. "Literal fire."
"No." The witch breathed as Fleur stood straight and moved in front of the brunette, wand trained on the dark woman's figure. "How? Why?"
"Why?" Bellatrix mocked with a sickeningly sweet tone to her voice as she tapped her wand to her chin thoughtfully. "That wolf took something from me and I wanted it back, and here you are. Who knew it would take a small distraction to draw you out. As to how," The deranged woman paused and smirked. "Why don't you thank one of your Order members for being a babbling buffoon."
There was a violent, and sudden shuddering as every pair of eyes moved to watch the flaming serpent. Fleur's Patronus was snuffed as the snake clamped down its jaws and the gird cried out in despair. The serpent lifted its head in triumph as a blue flame began to grow beneath it, swirling and climbing its way around the snake. It began to writhe back and forth as if it were in pain and hissed angrily.
"What's going on?!" Bellatrix snapped and the others flinched at the ferocity in her voice as she aimed her wand at Fleur who pushed the younger wizards back, although Harry already had his wand pointed at Lestrange.
Another violent tremor vibrated the air as the snake tried to climb towards the sky to escape the blue fire that was beginning to engulf it. The remains of the house were suddenly flooded with blue light and a pile of debris exploded. Arms flew up to protect faces as Hermione and Fleur turned to see a great white wolf standing on all fours in the middle of the inferno. Brown eyes widened as she saw the blue fire emanating from the beast as it raised its hackles and tail before baring its teeth to let out a vicious snarl.
"So she survived." The Death Eater spat as she stared at the wolf and grimaced. She was engulfed by thick black smoke as the witch flew into the air and then landed in front of the serpent that was still writhing in agony. The wolf growled as it lifted its head high and let out a deep howl, the fire spread up and overtaking the fiend until it burst into ash. "You're something else, wolf."
"I-is that…" Harry muttered as he moved to stand next to Hermione and Fleur. "Is that Jade?" They all watched as the wolf lowered its head, curled its lips back and snarled at Bellatrix who put her arm up to protect her face. Without warning, the wolf threw its head back and Hermione winced as she heard bones crack and the wolf lifted its front half, standing back on two legs. This form was more of a half wolf, half man that the brunette was so sure the lycan resembled in their shifted form.
"I…" Hermione shook her head and tried to look closer. Glowing cobalt orbs were narrowed and glaring down at Bellatrix as the witch fired a curse the lycan easily blocked. "I think so. Her eyes, those look like her eyes." Fleur clenched her jaw as the watched the scene unfold before her. Jade, or so they all thought, lunged forward and with a massive swipe of her paw, launched the Death Eater back off of her feet.
The woman cackled as she was surrounded by thick smoke once more and flew through the air around the lycan while casting random jinxes and hexes. The wolf brought its arms up to block the attack before trying to snap her jaws at the plume of smoke. Bellatrix's cackling echoed eerily in the air as a cutting curse whizzed through the air and slashed at Jade's body.
Blood began to seep from her wounds as she let out a mighty roar and extended her arm. A bright, icy blue glow traveled up the lycan's arm and shot out from her palm, bursting in the air like a bomb. The light spread and flew after Bellatrix until it wrapped around her through the smoke and bound her tightly.
"She's strong." Ron muttered as the others nodded, even Fleur as she watched, wide eyed at the lycan who stalked towards the fallen form of the Death Eater. Hermione watched as Jade reached down with a clawed hand, grasping the witch by the throat and hoisting her up into the air.
"Where is my mother?" The brunette was surprised to hear Jade's voice as the lycan bared her teeth and growled while Bellatrix huffed and smirked, glaring down with unamused dark orbs.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Jade snarled before slamming the witch down into the dirt and pinning her there.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" She roared again and Hermione winced at the cloud of dust that flew up from the impact where the Death Eater fell. "I swear to you witch, I will tear every limb off of your body one by one if you don't tell me where she is."
"Vicious." Bellatrix coughed as she continued to mock. "I like that, why not join me, wofly, you could be a great asset." Suddenly, a large explosion ripped through the earth where Jade stood and Hermione, along with the others, were tossed back by the force. Jade rolled gracefully until she was on all fours and watched as three other Death Eaters landed where Bellatrix was and help her up. "Sorry to burn and leave, but I'm a busy woman. Ta-ta."
"BELLATRIX!" Jade growled as she stood up and bounded towards the witch just as she disapparated. The lycan's claws found dirt as she stared at the empty space before roaring and slamming her fist into the ground. She sat back on her haunches and clawed at the ground ferociously until huffed loudly, lowering her head and breathing heavily.
Hermione watched, torn between approaching the enraged lycan and collapsing herself after the whole ordeal. The glowing blue orbs closed as she saw Jade lift her head and let out an eerie, sorrowful howl into the sky. It vibrated her bones and her heart sank as it engulfed her in the despair of her friend. The wind picked up around them and seemed to howl with Jade's call. It wrapped around the wolf and the brunette awed as white fur began to shed from the shrinking body as dark locks began growing from the wolf's head.
Within a few moments, nothing was left of the white beast except the smaller, toned, nude figure of the girl it resided in. Hermione moved forward quickly, stripping off her jacket as she neared the fallen lycan. Jade's sapphire eyes were still glowing when they half opened, tears flowing silently from them as she looked down at her bleeding fingertips. Her mother was gone, her pack was gone.
The lycan turned when she heard footsteps nearing and through her bleary gaze, saw the young brunette jogging towards her. Jade moved her arms up and folded them over her chest, barely having enough modesty to cover herself in her current state of anguish. Something light and warm wrapped around her shoulders as Hermione laid the garment over her. The wolf absentmindedly grabbed the sleeves and wrapped the jacket, which she recognized as her own that she'd lent the witch a few days ago, tighter around her.
"They're gone." She whispered as she closed her eyes again and shook her head. "All of them, I don't…" Her brow furrowed as she scoffed. "They might all be dead." Jade gasped softly as lithe arms wrapped tightly around her neck and she felt Hermione's face bury itself into her neck. She fell apart then, turning to wrap her arms around the witch's waist and clutching to her as if her life depended on it.