Author's Note: There is one advantage to being practically crippled with a bad back and that's that I can write. Here is the first part of what happens in Italy. I intend for there to be more because it has opened up a whole different dialogue within the story itself. We get to meet a few new people and I think we will get to see one of them again in future chapters because I grew quite fond of her though I am not sure what to do with her just yet.

Also, for all of you who really loved the Andromeda/Hermione pairing, I have started writing the story that is centred around them and the first chapter of Hourglass is online. Go and have a look and tell me what you think!

Chapter 5

Ties That Sever

The early morning sunlight reflected off the canals winding their way through Venice, creating golden circles across the water's surface. Located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon stretching along the shorelines of two rivers, the city was built on over a hundred small islands which were all connected by bridges.

Hermione allowed herself a moment to orientate herself. She had only ever seen a picture of Venice in books and had no idea where she was. Renowned for its artwork, the architecture and the general setting, Venice was perhaps one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The old part of the city, the historic part, was what drew in all the visitors, with its canals and the houses and the endless fleet of gondolas.

She looked over her shoulder to guide her orientation. She was standing in the middle of Piazza San Marco, the large and well known public square in Venice. It was almost abandoned at this early hour, with maybe five or six locals making their way across to wherever it was they needed to be. The square was void of tourists, who would soon be flocking this area with their cameras and their excited voices.

"Can I help you, Miss? You seem lost."

She turned around at the sound of the voice. The woman behind her spoke English with a strong Italian accent. She was dressed in a pair of white linen trousers and a black, long sleeved shirt. Black hair had been cropped short in a sharp bob and inquisitive dark brown eyes searched Hermione's face.

"We don't see many tourists this early in the day," the woman said. Hermione guessed she was maybe in her mid to late twenties. "I was just wondering if I could help you."

"Maybe you can," Hermione said, weary of the fact she didn't know if the woman was a witch or a Muggle. She let her hand slide down to the sheath that contained her wand, hidden underneath her shirt. "I am looking for an old friend of mine. He's rather fragile and we've been looking for him for some time in England but we recently learnt he may have come to Venice."

"I'm not sure I know the man you talk off but if there is anyone around here who knows exactly what's happening then Nerina is it," the woman said and she flashed Hermione an unexpected smile, exposing a perfect set of pearl white teeth. "My name is Susana."

"I'm Hermione," Hermione answered, searching Susan's face for a hint of recognition. Though Lord Voldemort had been well known all around Europe, the Cores' reign ended at the borders of the United Kingdom. She knew Bellatrix wanted to move further, conquer more, but Hermione had insisted on making sure Britain was controlled first before moving further afield. Since the resistance had flourished in recent days, she didn't believe spreading across Europe was the right thing to do.

"Come, I'll take you to Nerina," Susana said and reached to take Hermione by her arm. When the brunette hesitated, her lisp curled up into a smile. "Do not fear, Hermione. We are the same."

"You know?" Hermione asked and when Susana rolled back her sleeve to reveal a wand, her heart settled in her chest. "How did you know?"

"Only in early mornings can we move freely around this square without anyone paying attention to us. Shall we say that this square isn't a place where witches and wizards gather openly because of its heritage," Susana said and pointed at the large church. "Religion still likes to hunt witches. They may not say it openly but the stakes still exist."

"Oh," was all Hermione managed to say and she glanced back over her shoulder at St Mark's church. She quickly caught up with Susana and followed the Italian woman across the square and into one of the narrow side streets. She saw several small coffee shops, some with bright coloured wooden tables and chairs outside. Other windows were taken up by small shops selling glass ornaments, all of which were made in Venice itself. She didn't linger to look; worried she would lose Susana in the maze of narrow streets, bridges and alleys. She looked up and saw windows, high up on the houses, some with blinds. Here and there some fresh washing had been hung out to dry in the morning sun. The houses were old and as she looked down she saw that overtime they had been tainted by the water.

Susana stopped outside a simple looking wooden door and knocked once, then again. Hermione moved closer to the other woman, her hand resting on the sheath underneath her clothes and waited. The door opened a little and in the weak light Hermione could make out the face of a woman, wrinkled and with the most intense green eyes Hermione had ever seen.

"Buongiorno, Nerina," Susana said. "May I come in?"

The door opened a little wider and revealed a short woman, no taller than five foot one, with grey hair tied back in a bun, wearing a simple black dress. Her green eyes fixed on Hermione and she blocked the door way.

"Chi รจ quello?" she whispered. "Who's that?"

"She needs help," Susana answered, choosing to answer in English instead of Italian. "She's one of us."

Hermione lifted up her shirt just enough to reveal the sheath and a small part of her wand and Nerina nodded slowly. The old woman stepped aside and Susana went ahead into the small house and Hermione followed. The door closed quietly behind them and Hermione found herself standing in a tiny kitchenette with no more than an old plastic sink and a few old fashioned wooden cabinets. A small round table stood in the corner of the room, with four simple chairs. The curtains were drawn closed, banning the sunlight out of the room.

"Nerina, have you heard of anyone arriving in Venezia within the last few days?" Susana asked as she sat down on one of the old chairs by the table. Nerina was scurrying around in the small kitchen, preparing them something that smelt like coffee. "An old man, perhaps? He's from England."

Nerina's head snapped around. "The wand maker?"

"You know him?" Hermione asked and her voice was suddenly hopeful. "Have you seen him? Is he here?"

"He was here about five days ago," Nerina answered and she reached for a mug that had been standing in the sink. She rinsed it off under the tap and poured some of the coffee into it. As she handed it to Hermione, her green eyes narrowed. "A mess he was. Emaciated and tired. I thought he was going to die right here." She pointed at the chair where Susana sat. "He sat right there."

"Where is he now?" Hermione asked.

"Safe," Nerina answered. "He said there was no one out there left to protect him but then suddenly there's the two of you."

"Two?" Susana asked, her eyes suddenly fixing on Hermione. The brunette stood rigid, with her back straight and her fists clenched and stared at Nerina. "Someone else came looking for him?"

"A woman," Nerina said. "She was here only an hour ago."

"Where is she now?" Hermione asked, forcing herself to stay calm. Andromeda had been here. She had stood in this very room, looking for Ollivander. She took a deep breath. "She is a friend of mine. I didn't know she was going to come here as I only just learnt that Ollivander was in Venice myself. Did she find him?"

"She didn't seem as keen to talk about her reasons to be here as you are," Nerina said slowly. "I told her that if she wanted to find the wand maker, she would have to find Lucia and Stefano. They live in this city and they took in the wand maker after he slept here for a couple of nights. My house is simply too small to accommodate an old, fragile man."

"Can you tell me where to find Lucia and Stefano?" Hermione asked, her heart suddenly pounding against her ribcage. Andromeda was a step ahead of her. She was out there somewhere, in these streets, looking for Ollivander and Hermione had to get to him before she did. She felt the palms of her hand go clammy and her breath hitched. "Please, I need to find my friend."

"They live on the opposite side of the Rialto Bridge, across the Grand Canal," Nerina said and pointed to the window. "You can only reach it by foot."

"Thank you," Hermione answered and bowed her head in appreciation. "Please, let me return the favour if ever you need any help."

"I'll take you to the bridge," Susana said and Hermione looked up. Andromeda would have to find the bridge on her own but she had help. She smiled and Susana stood up, kissed Nerina on the cheek in thanks and then held the door open for Hermione to step back outside. As the brunette passed her, their gazes briefly locked and Hermione felt herself smile.

The sun had finished its rise over the horizon and soft, warm rays were falling down upon the city. It was more awake with sounds and voices now, Hermione realised. She heard people speak in quick Italian and she smelt the fresh morning coffee from the small coffee bars and the baked bread from the bakery on the corner.

She realised that Susana had taken her hand as she was leading her through all the narrow side streets and quickened her pace to keep up with her. When they walked down another very narrow street, barely wide enough for them to walk side by side without touching the wall on either end, Susana turned to look at Hermione.

"Is she really your friend?" she asked, stopping in her track unexpectedly. "Or is she trying to get to the old man for a different reason?" Her dark eyes searched Hermione's face. "He is a wand maker therefore he must be valuable. We have our own wand maker here in Venice. His name is Mario. When he heard about the other wand maker he said that the only reason for a wand maker to ever leave his home is war and prosecution, other than that they stay. What's going on?"

"All of the above," Hermione answered. "And the woman you're talking about, she is my friend. Or she was. And she is trying to find him for the same reasons I am. Whoever gets to him stands stronger."

Susana took a step closer to Hermione, forcing her with her back against the wall. "Whose side are you on? The good side or the bad side?"

"That depends," Hermione breathed and her hazel eyes locked with Susana's dark brown. "Depends what side you want to win."

"And you want to win," Susana whispered, bringing her lips close to Hermione's ear. Her breath was warm as it ghosted across the brunette's skin.

"I do," Hermione answered, turning her head so that her lips were close to Susana's. "Do you?"

"That's a question only I know the answer to," Susana said as she pulled away and grabbed Hermione's hand. Her fingers closed around the brunette's wrist as she pulled her along. "Come on, we've got a wand maker to find."

Rialto Bridge was a magnificent pedestrian bridge that dated back to the medieval area. It spanned over the Grand Canal and was the oldest and perhaps most fascinating bridge in the city. Amazing pillars and arches had been crafted out of the most beautiful white marble. It provided stunning views across the canal and was one of the tourist hotspots of Venice.

All of this didn't matter to Hermione as she crossed the bridge. Her heart was pounding in her throat as she rushed to keep up with Susana, her new ally. On the other side they turned right into another side street and Susana let go off Hermione's hand when they reached a simple looking house, with a white painted front door. Flower baskets had been mounted to the wall, their leaves brightly coloured in shades of blue, red and yellow.

"This is it," Susana whispered and stepped away from the door after knocking three times. "Lucia and Stefano are respected figures in our community in Venice. They are teachers and guardians and sometimes they try to reason with the church too. I consider them my friends."

Hermione nodded. "I understand."

The door opened and Hermione couldn't hide her surprise. Stefano was a man no older than her father, with a tanned skin and kind, light brown eyes and across his chin and cheek he sported stubble that was about a day or two old. He was dressed in a pair of designer jeans and a white blouse, with its first two buttons undone. Thick, short curls had been combed back and a golden chain hung around his neck.

"Susana?" he questioned as his gaze fixed on the raven haired young woman. "What are you doing here?"

"Nerina said you took in the old man," Susana said, smiling weakly and pointed at Hermione. "His friend is looking for him."

"We did take him in but I am afraid your friend is too late," Stefano said slowly. "He left early this morning. When we woke up, he was gone and..."

His voice trailed off when another figure appeared at the end of the narrow street, slowly coming closer. Hermione felt her heart rate quicken as she recognised the wild mane of dark brown curls. Andromeda walked with quick steps but halted when she realised she wasn't the first one to reach the house. Her eyes fixed on Hermione and they stared at each other. They faced each other for the first time on grounds new to both of them, in a city where nobody knew who or what they were.

"Your friend?" Susana whispered and Hermione nodded.

"Yes, that would be her," Hermione answered and swallowed. "She doesn't seem too happy to see me."

"What are you doing here?" Andromeda asked and her hand slipped down into the pocket of her robes to draw her wand. "How did you even..." She swallowed. "What did you do to Ginny?!"

Hermione smiled deviously. "We had a little conversation and she told me that you decided to take a holiday."

"Exactly what side are you on?" Susana whispered, staring at Hermione in a mixture of curiosity and shock. "Who's Ginny?"

"Another friend," Hermione answered without blinking. "At least, she was, until she betrayed me."

"Betrayed you?!" Andromeda hissed. "You betrayed us!"

"Susana, get inside!" Stefano ordered and the young dark haired witch looked up. She reluctantly walked towards the door and allowed the tanned wizard to drag her inside. The door closed, leaving Hermione and Andromeda on their own. The witches and wizards chose not to get involved in this. Instead they chose to turn away, to turn a blind eye and pretend it didn't happen.

"He isn't here," Hermione said as she reached for her wand. "You won't find him here."

"I know," Andromeda smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I found him before you did."

Hermione stared at Andromeda in shock. "You found him?!"

"You seem surprised," Andromeda chuckled softly. "It is not the first time you underestimated me, my love. I arrived here last night and found Nerina before sunrise this morning. She told me where to find the old wand maker, as she called him, and I came here, waking Lucia and Stefano. I explained to them why I came here and what I needed Ollivander to come back with me." She smiled. "They believed me."

"But they said he was gone!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Of course they did," Andromeda smiled. "I told them to be looking out for you. Sooner or later I knew you would find out where I'd gone. I just didn't think it would be this soon." She fingered her wand and her eyes searched for Hermione's. "Where is Ginny?"

"Alive," Hermione answered and she sensed Andromeda's desire to know what had happened to the red haired young witch. "For now." She cocked her head. "Why did she protect you?"

Andromeda aimed her wand a little higher, pointing it at Hermione's heart. "Because she knew what it was I needed to do, why I needed to come here. And she understood that she could not let you know the grave importance of finding Ollivander. Whatever it is you put her through, she still protected what it was we needed to find, what I needed to find."

"So where is he?" Hermione demanded, taking another step towards Andromeda. The tip of her wand started glowing red and sparks blasted into the ground as her anger and magic laced together. Her wand snapped up, aiming at Andromeda's throat and unexpectedly she charged forward, grabbing the older witch by an arm and slamming her against the wall. "Where is he, Andy?!"

"Safe from you," Andromeda whispered, her voice suddenly hoarse as Hermione's fingers closed around her airways. "You will never find him!"

"I will find him," Hermione promised and pressed her lips against Andromeda's. When the brunette didn't respond o her kiss, she forced her lips apart with the tip of her tongue. Andromeda struggled to free herself from Hermione's grip but the younger woman wasn't letting her go. "I think it's my turn now, don't you think?" she whispered when she pulled away briefly and let her hands trail down to Andromeda's waist. "After what you did to me?"

Now that Hermione had moved her hands, Andromeda had more room to move and her knee shot up, making contract with Hermione's stomach. The brunette buckled over, collapsing onto her knees, as Andromeda moved away from her. She turned around to look at Hermione on her hands and knees on the ground and a grimace spread across her face.

"You're not strong enough," she whispered.

"You really believe that?" Hermione hissed as she staggered back to her feet. Her wand flicked and the curse hit Andromeda on her arm. Blood sprayed through the air, splattering the older woma's face, as she desperately tried to cover the deep cut on her arm with her other hand. The pain was excruciating and she took a few steps backwards until reaching the wall. She fught to stay upright but her body slowly slumped down to the ground as more blood began to seep from her arm, forming a pool by her feet.

"I am strong enough," Hermione whispered and dropped down to her knees beside Andromeda's now shaking body. She had gone pale and wide brown eyes stared up at her, suddenly frightened. "Stronger than you will ever know." Hermione placed the tip of her wand on Andromeda's wounded arm and with a soft incantation she healed the cut. An ugly scar remained and she weakly smiled. "Now you will always remember me."

"I would never be able to forget you," Andromeda whispered and she looked at Hermione with tired eyes. "Never."

"I know," Hermione whispered as she pressed her lips against Andromeda's forehead and searched for her hand. "After all, a part of me belongs with you." She let her fingers trail through Andromeda's hair. "But I can never be with you."

"Once in a lifetime there comes a moment when you realise that everything you have done doesn't matter anymore. What matters is the person at your side, who stands beside you throughout all of it. When you see their eyes you know that you are complete," Andromeda said slowly and looked at Hermione. "I see myself when I look into your eyes, both parts of me as one. When I am with you..."

"You see the monster I became," Hermione interjected. Her voice was soft and tender. "How can you still love me?"

"The wand is merely another part of you. A part you choose to listen to. It isn't what you are," Andromeda sighed. "Not all of you can be like that when a part of you belongs with me."

"It's too late now," Hermione said as she pushed herself up. "Too much time has passed. Things have changed. I cannot change them back." She twirled the wand around in her hand and her eyes darkened. "And I don't want to change them. We had our chance and we lost it. Its too late."

"It's never too late," Andromeda whispered and tried to reach for Hermione's hand but the brunette pulled away.

"Yes, it is," she answered and started walking down the narrow street. "It is too late."