The Pawns, the Rooks, the Knights, and the Queen and King
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, and this goes for all of my chapters, just incase I forget. :p
Summary: "We are all but pieces in his game; no one knows their true role. But whether I'm a pawn, a rook, a knight, or even a queen, I will always be sacrificed for the King. Now tell me why I should return to a game in which I will have to sacrifice myself for another, with no gain of my own?" "Simple." He smirked. "Just because he set up the game, doesn't mean the players always follow."
Chapter 2: Vacation
Slowly making her way back to the Hospital Wing, Hermione thought about the conversation she just had. As much as she hated the old man, he did have a point there; the magical community is indeed an untapped possible consumer. With the way things were going, she had more than enough money to promote her company throughout the community, and with Fudge as Minister of Magic, she can easily force the government to support her as well. Fudge, after all, is still the wimpy wizard he is, a few threats here and there and the man would be begging on his knees.
While she was walking, deep in thought, she didn't notice how the students and few refugees were staring at her profusely. Out of no where, she sensed something thrown near her head and immediately dodged it. Looking back, she saw that none other than a twelve year old boy, with raven hair and fierce blue eyes glaring at her. He picked
up another rock, and was about to throw it when a voice called out.
"Read!" an old voice said sternly. "This may be the Summer Vacation, and I may not be your teacher at the moment, but I know you did not attempt to attack Granger with a rock."
Turning around, she saw none other than an older version of Severus Snape staring at her and the boy. He still had the same oily black hair, and black robes he always wore. The two watched as the boy trudged away, and looked at each other. He nodded briefly at her, and without a word, left her.
Okay, she thought. Never thought I'd see the day Snape defending me. As she walked, she remembered the single thing that was in her way: her reputation as a traitorous witch.
Not twenty feet away from the Ward, she heard voices of people yelling and the occasional scream of sheer terror. Running, she came into a disorderly Ward, with Harry being held back by a straining Malfoy, and Madam Promfrey standing between Harry and Leila who sneered.
"What's wrong Potter?" Leila sneered. "Can't handle the hero status any longer? Fame comes with a price you know. Friends and family are but two things from the list."
"You fucken bitch!" Harry yelled, as he struggled in Malfoy's grip. "Give me back my wand Malfoy! I'm obliterating her!"
"Get a grip Potter!" groaned Malfoy as he continued to fight against Harry.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked hesitantly as she came into the room.
"Miss Granger, finally," Madam Promfrey rushed over to her. "Please, you must do something about your two friends! They're disrupting my patients, and I don't want to throw your friend out right now because she needs rest. I'm doing this as a favor to you, but I will not let this hurt my other patients!" she shrieked.
"Thank you for treating her," Hermione nodded in appreciation. "I'll take care of them, don't worry." Walking over to them, she saw that Leila had her hands on her hips and with each sentence she finished, Harry seemed to fight out of Malfoy's grip harder.
"Stop it Leila," Hermione said sternly. "Now isn't the time to pick a fight."
"Isn't it?" Leila replied. "He accused me of being a Death Eater, and he said that my kind had killed too many of his family and friends. He said that he knows who my kind is, and what they can do. I'm merely measuring up to his expectations." She smirked, nonetheless going back to her bed and sitting on it.
"Harry," Hermione said calmly, as he continued to struggle against Malfoy's grip.
"Do something Granger before I lose my gr-" before Malfoy could even finish his sentence, Harry had broke free, took the wand from Malfoy's hand.
"Stupefy!" he yelled, angrily.
"Protego," Leila said almost lazily as she had her wand in her hand already, expecting it. "Honestly, have you no imagination? Is Stupefy all you learned before your Mummy died?"
"Crucio!" Harry tried again, but in his anger, his aim was completely off by a foot.
"Pathetic," she snickered. "And just earlier, you were talking about how righteous you are. Since when is it legal to use one of the Unforgivable Curses?"
"You!" Harry roared.
"Harry! Stop it! Stop it now!" Hermione shrieked, coming between Harry and Leila's bed. "What's got into you? You just used the Cruciatus Curse!"
"I…I" Not saying another word, he glared at Leila, turned around, and left.
"I'll be outside should you need help in dealing with her," Malfoy told Hermione before he turned around and leave as well. Before he was completely out of sight, he added, "Not bad. In all the years I've taunted him, he's never once actually aimed to kill me. Not bad, not bad at all."
Once he was gone, Hermione looked at Leila and narrowed her eyes. "Did you really have to talk about the death of his family like that? You'd be hurt too if you're the cause of your parents' death. It's a touchy subject for anyone, and that was just low."
"It is better he learn how to control himself now and deal with it," Leila shrugged, "what would happen to us if Voldemort plays that card?" she sighed, and smiled sweetly at Hermione. "So, when are we going home?"
"I'm not done with you yet," Hermione rolled her eyes, as she pulled the curtains around her bed to give them privacy. "Since when were you a witch?" she grilled, as she sat down in a chair next to her bed.
"Since I was born, duh," Leila rolled her eyes at the question.
"You know what I mean. Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't tell me either."
"You knew who I am, the traitor witch who freed Voldemort. You should have heard of me shouldn't you?"
"Of course," Leila sighed, "and to be honest I was shocked. I found out after I met you. You should know information takes a while to travel across an ocean."
"…why didn't you shun me? Are you his supporter, is that why?" Hermione asked softly, her heart faltering at the thought of Leila being a Death Eater.
"Meia," Leila smiled, as she used the shorter version she made of her name. "Do I look like I'd be a death eater? Look at my arm," she showed her. "Cast any revealing spell you want, there is no mark on my skin."
"Why didn't you hate me? Why were you at a muggle university?"
"Same reason as yours. I don't want to be restricted in a wizarding community. As you know, my foster parents are Muggles, and I would much rather live with them than have them live uncomfortably in the magical community. Don't tell me you don't see how downgraded muggle-borns are?"
"Of course," Hermione sighed. "Why do you think I worked so hard in school? If I didn't I would have no standings in this society, nothing matters more than blood but results. So I hardened myself and made sure I was second to no one. But again, why didn't you hate me? Why continue to befriend me?"
"Because you're not a bad person," Leila smiled. "Besides, I didn't know the full story, only Dumbledore's word that you were a traitor. You didn't seem like it to me, and I'm sure that there's your side to the story as well." Hermione smiled brightly at this and hugged the girl, who patted her back. "And now, I know that I was right. Why else would Boy Wonder over there and the old man ask you back if there weren't more to the story?"
"I'm sorry," Hermione smiled sadly at her, "but I can't tell you about it now. I promised not to breathe a word of it to anyone. But you're right, I am asked back. Whether I'm staying or not is another thing."
"So what's your plan?" Leila asked, curious. "If you want, I can take care of the company while you do what you got to do."
"I was thinking," Hermione said, putting a hand to her chin.
"And we all know how dangerous that could be," Leila muttered, earning a punch from Hermione. "I'm a patient here!"
"Anyway, the old man pitched an idea to me. He said that he would promote our company to the Magical Community."
"Hmmm," Leila closed her eyes and leaned back, which was a sign of her thinking. "Not a bad idea, especially with them not knowing much of it, and we can overprice them slightly. No competitors for these consumers, a win-win situation."
"I thought so," Hermione grinned.
"No legalities that I can think of at the moment," Leila nodded, "only problem is promoting it. We have the money, but money doesn't mean support. One, they say they're open-minded but only few are actually going to buy it, two, they hate you, and three, this will cost us a lot of money if we lose this campaign. Last but not least, four. What's the price? Nothing comes for free."
"He wants me to be a teacher for him in exchange of the company's promotion and protection," Hermione sighed.
"Does he think that we're dense?" Leila scoffed. "We may be out of it, but I know that you still keep things up to date with this world right? I know I did."
"Of course," Hermione laughed. "Did you ever doubt? Knowledge is power after all. You don't think that after our gang days, I haven't learned that lesson."
"Too true," Leila laughed. Remembering the times where the two had gone into a fight without any knowledge of the enemy's forces and weaponry. She sighed of the good old memories of those little prank wars between gangs, and the two playing the gangs off against each other during college.
"Hogwarts will probably be the next battleground, and honestly, Voldemort been looking for me for a while now, and I can protect myself easily. I don't run, I fight."
"Explains the deaths of a few death eaters in our area," Leila nodded.
"Yes, a friend is helping me by taking up the kills himself, so Voldemort doesn't actually know it's me. He thinks it's the Order killing off his spies."
"So his offer leaves only the promotion."
"I don't know," Hermione shrugged. "We have enough money as it is, and to be honest, I'm not too sure with this. Sure there is no competition, but when it comes down to it, I don't want to be working for him. Besides, we'll have to hire wizards and witches, and then there's no guarantee of it actually working. We'll lose so much money, and the profits aren't that great. After all, there are only a few hundred thousands of wizards and witches."
"How was he planning on promoting a traitor's company?" Leila asked curiously.
"I think he was planning on clearing my name," Hermione shrugged. "I can care less though."
After a few moments of silence, Leila said fiercely, "We'll do it!"
"What?!" Hermione yelled, getting hushes from Madam Promfrey from across the room.
"Your name is priceless," Leila explained. "Don't you want to walk down the street without having people throw stuff at you?"
This reminded her of the little rock incident, however, she still could care less.
"Think about it," Leila said fiercely. "I'm a lawyer, I know. A name could easily be tarnished, but restored? That's a different story. Think of how many roads will open up to you should your name be restored? People will pity you for being misunderstood so many years! I could make a turn of events and say how pitiful you were when you were practically banished from the Wizarding Community!" she said excitedly, stars shining in her eyes now, "You will be so loved by the public! You can even run for Minister...or Ministress…whatever! Then you can promote your company yourself, and so forth!"
"What are you saying?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Take up his offer!" Leila said at an extremely fast speed.
"…you're mad," Hermione shook her head, "politically mad. I know you always wanted to take up into politics but this is ridiculous."
"Hermione," Leila raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you don't want to get back at the people who wronged you. I know you do. I know you far too well. You may say you are better than them, but given the slightest chance that you could get back at them, you would. Now tell me that you don't want the total adoration and apology of the public who wronged you."
Silence answered Leila's question, as Hermione kept her mouth shut. She didn't trust herself to speak, knowing that her outburst would be what Leila wanted. She loved the feeling of her being right and others wrong. She had loved it even back when she was studying for tests, quizzing others when really she was just boosting her self-confidence at their ignorance. "There's the matter of helping him though."
"Hmm," Leila thought to herself several scenarios in which to approach the problem, and nothing popped into her mind.
"I don't want to fight in this stupid war," Hermione replied. "Especially with him! He let my parents die, and there's really nothing to fight for anymore with them gone. My brother and I and you and your parents can all take care of themselves perfectly well."
"I don't wouldn't want to get suck into this war either but," Leila agreed, "I know! You can work for him for but a year!" she smiled. "I know that doesn't really solve anything, but a year isn't all that bad."
"A year?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Consider it a vacation. Contracts and everything. One year, and one year only. I'll write up the contract myself, and make it apply to ministry laws and muggle laws, any breaching of the contract, he'll have to…" she trailed off, not knowing what to say. What does Dumbledore own anyway? I know he used to own a mansion, but now? She thought.
"Pay with Hogwarts itself," Hermione smirked, surprising Leila.
"Why would you want this rusty, run-down castle?" Leila asked, looking about her. "Am I missing something?"
"This place has some childhood memories," Hermione shrugged. "Besides, can you imagine me as headmistress? It'll be so fun! I can revolutionize the way the newer generations think and approach muggle relationships!"
"Fair enough," Leila nodded.
"Just so you know," Hermione smiled, cheekily. "I'm not suffering through a year myself."
"….what's that supposed to mean?" Leila asked suspiciously.
"Dumbledore will probably be doubtful about one year, but with another witch," Hermione smiled. "He saw how powerful you were, and I have a feeling he'll me train them with the knowledge to fight. If I'm to be fighting with a bunch of students, which I have a feeling I probably will, I'd much rather have them trained somewhat physically. In the midst of battle, you and I both know the importance of depending on allies, so I think we'll need a physical education teacher."
"…excuse me? Did you not hear me when we graduated! I swore never to step into another classroom again! Not as a student and most definitely not as a teacher!"
"So you're just going to leave me here alone?" Hermione asked, "Some friend you are!"
"Hermione Liona Granger!"
"Leila May Grayheart!" The two glared at each other, both were unwilling to relent, and Leila especially. As much as she loved Hermione as her best friend, she really doesn't want to work for Dumbledore. Anyone but Dumbledore. Hell, she didn't want to take part in this war either. She had been doing great for the past fifteen years staying out of this war, and she intends to keep it that way. Looking at Hermione though, she knows that she had to help her. She may seem tough, but those words and taunts, Leila knew that it hurts her, and she'll need spiritual support through all this. But does that really mean that I have to be there for spiritual support? She thought to herself. Sighing, she replied, "Fine, but just to tell you," she said professionally. "I'll make the contract the same to me, so we'll share ownership of Hogwarts of the contract is breached. Unlike you, I won't feel the need to actually help people when they're in trouble. Don't even deny it," Leila scoffed, as she saw Hermione tried to defend herself. "That's part of your weakness, you stand up firm too much, and I'm always the one that has to compromise all the time. When you see people in need of help, you help. That's you. That's why he only asks you to be a teacher here. He knows that you will help in the fight if your students are in harm. He's playing your weakness. I, on the other hand, can watch without flinching at people dying. So I'll teach, but that doesn't mean I will take up my wand and fight should Death Eaters attack here. I will defend myself and watch your back, but that will be all."
Looking at Leila, Hermione sighed, and nodded. Leila only helped people who she cares. Loyal to a fault, she knows that Leila would be true to her word. Somehow though, she knew that Leila may be heartless at times, but there was a certain "fierceness" towards Dumbledore. It was almost like she hates him for some reason. Interesting, she thought. "Deal, one year in hell."
A/n I hope this adds more, and there will be more to this. Yes, Leila and Hermione were in a gang. Not sure you guys caught that though, but yeah, they were….well not really. More will be explained, and I hope you stay with me. There's more of a twist to this throughout the year they're teaching, and term starts within a week. ;)
Again, thank you for the reviews. : D and pls keep it up. Read and Review please! Comments gladly accepted