Author's Note: I noticed that some of you really liked Susana. I am considering keeping her. In this story we get to see some more of her. Somehow creating her character added an immediate tension to writing Hermione and I enjoyed it. The secrets Andromeda has learnt of Ollivander will come up in future chapters but there is still something she needs to do, something she needs to find. Thanks for reading ya'll. It means a lot to see all those awesome reviews every single time.

Chapter 6

Holy

"You've got nowhere to go."

She turned around when she heard Susana's voice behind her. She stood on the Rialto Bridge, staring down into the water below. Sunlight danced across the surface, golden flecks sparkling, almost blinding her. Her hands rested on the cold marble, sending chilling shivers down her spine. Anger raged through her, overwhelmed her. Her breathing was laboured and she fought the adrenaline, the emotions, in her veins.

"I won't leave until I find the wand maker," Hermione whispered. She glanced over her shoulder. "How did you get out of that house?"

"They are teachers, not prison guards," Susana said slowly and walked towards Hermione, placing her hands next to hers on the railing of the bridge. "They can't force me to stay inside." Dark eyes searched Hermione's face. There was a hint of lust, of badly masked desire, in her voice. "I saw what you did to her."

"It was superficial," Hermione answered softly. "She needed to be taught."

"Taught what?" Susana whispered, moving closer.

"That some things cannot be changed," Hermione said and gave the dark haired woman a sideways glance. "It is over."

Susana cocked her head. "You two have history."

"You have no idea." The corners of Hermione's lips curled up. "Andromeda and I go way back. The history between us..." She paused, glancing back at the water surface with the golden shine. "It cannot be put into words."

"Why the wand maker?" Susana asked. "What has he got to offer?"

"Answers," Hermione replied and pushed herself away from the railing and started walking back in the direction she and Susana had come from first thing that morning. Her brain was working ferociously as she tried to come up with an answer as to where Andromeda could have hidden Ollivander. She wouldn't have had time to leave Venice with him, find somewhere safe in England ad come back. He had to still be here. She chewed her lip. Where would a witch hide someone she didn't want another witch to find?

She turned to look back at Susana, a memory suddenly seeping back into her mind. "That church you were talking about earlier, can we go in?"

Susana blinked. "Why would you want to go in? If they find out what you are they will have you locked up. It's Saturday. By midnight you'd be burning on the stake in the courtyard."

"That's a risk I'll have to take," Hermione answered sharply and she narrowed her eyes. She closed the distance between her and Susana and went to reach for her hand. The young woman let her. Her voice was low and husky. "Are you coming with me?"

"Yes," Susana whispered, pressing her body against Hermione's, letting an arm snake around her back and pulling Hermione towards her. Warm lips caressed the side of the neck, ghosting over the pulsating vein. The heat of her body radiated through her clothes. "I want to know what's going on. I want to know what happened."

"You will," Hermione replied, turning her head slowly so her lips brushed against Susana's. They tasted sweet. "Help me find the wand maker and I'll tell you everything." The tip of her tongue dipped down to follow the slight curve of Susana's lips. "I promise it will be worth your while."

Susana pressed her lips firmly against Hermione's, her hands sliding down to her hips. The kiss was insistent, hungry. Hermione met Susana's tongue with her own, suddenly overwhelmed by the sensation of kissing someone other than the three women who had claimed her heart and soul. Her hands threaded in Susana's hair as she pulled her deeper into the kiss.

When they finally parted they were both panting and their hungry gazes locked. Hermione licked her lips, still tasting Susana on them. "Everything," she promised, letting her hand slide down from the other woman's hair down her neck towards her chest. "Unlike anything you have ever heard before."

"Come," Susana whispered and her fingers entwined with Hermione's as she began leading the way. "The church is this way."

Venice was fully awake by now. People were walking about in the narrow streets, going about their usual business. Quickly spoken Italian sounded them and Hermione found the unfamiliar language strangely soothing to her ears. A woman with her arms full of flowers stepped aside as Hermione and Susana ran past her, their hands still linked, and muttered something under her breath. They passed a couple old men sitting outside a coffee bar, playing cards. They didn't even look up.

Mere minutes later they were standing back on the Piazza and Hermione looked at St Mark's Basilica. The Piazza was slowly filling with tourists, most of them arriving by boats. She heard snippets of different languages as she and Susana slowly walked towards the cathedral church. When she reached the main entrance doors she hesitated for a moment or two before opening them. Susana was right behind her and followed her inside. The door closed behind them and they found themselves standing in a beautiful spacious room.

Pillars and marble tiles decorated the different parts of the church's interior. Hermione had never seen anything as artistic and beautiful in her life and her eyes drifted around the space. Her heart pounded slowly in her chest and she glanced at Susana.

"This place is massive. It's going to take us all day to find the old man," she whispered, her hands longingly drifting down to the wand in her sheath.

"No!" Susana whispered, "If anyone sees you with a wand in here, you're dead."

"Unlike you I am not afraid to kill," Hermione whispered and her fingers closed around the solid wood before drawing it out. She looked at the dark haired woman at her side and smiled deviously. "It wouldn't be the first time."

"Wait," Susana said. "There is something you need to know." Her dark eyes found Hermione's. "Lucia and Stefano called for help when they saw what you did outside the house." She swallowed hard. "They will come looking for you. Sooner or later they will know that you've come to the church."

"Andromeda will be with them. She will be trying to protect him," Hermione said as her lips formed a thin line. She started walking in a northwards direction, her footsteps echoing off the marble tiles and bouncing off the ceiling. "I'll just have to get to him before she does."

Susana followed her, drawing her own wand from up her sleeve. The church was quiet and void of tourists, at least for now. The art was amazing and their eyes drifted up to the ceiling and surrounding walls every so often, taking in some of the breathtaking scenes. Hermione walked with confidence and determination and straightened her spine the further into the church she went.

When she was about halfway across, she stopped and raised her wand. "Homenum Revelio."

The fine silver light that erupted from the tip of her wand shot across the church, bounced off walls and continued along its path, floating in midair, looking for something to recognise. Hermione increased her pace as she tried to keep up with it and the sound of footsteps behind her told her that Susana was right behind her. The silver ball reached the other end of the church; it bounced off the wall and shot off into an opposite direction, down another path leading towards the west.

"You need to teach me how to do that," Susana whispered as she caught up with Hermione. "I do not know that spell."

"I'll teach you anything you want to know," Hermione answered, turning around slightly. "I can teach you a whole lot you don't know." Her hazel eyes glistened as she said it and smiled. "Anything."

She looked back at the silver ball and followed it. The ball held still outside a simple wooden door, hovering in midair before vanishing. Hermione hesitated before placing the tip of her wand against the old fashioned metal lock, whispered, "Alohomora," and watched how the lock sprung open. A soft shuffling noise could be heard inside and she pushed against the wood. Slowly it gave way but before she could step inside she was knocked off balance by a well-aimed Knocking Back Jinx.

"No!" Andromeda's voice echoed around the church and she ran towards Hermione before placing herself in front of the now open door. She looked strong and vibrant but Hermione, even from the ground, could see the bloodshot eyes. The injury had left its mark. "How did you find him?!"

"A simple thought," Hermione whispered as she staggered back to her feet. She beckoned for Susana to come closer and the raven haired young woman walked towards her before aiming her wand at Andromeda. The sound of rushed footsteps betrayed the arrival of more people and Hermione looked over Andromeda's shoulder. She recognised Lucia and Stefano and they were followed by two more wizards. They all looked angry and joined Andromeda as she protected the door.

"Susana, get away from her," Lucia ordered but Susana briskly shook her head.

"No." Her answer was short and sharp.

"Susana!" Lucia said warningly. "Come here."

"No!" Susana replied again, now flanking Hermione and pressing herself closer against the brunette's body. "I'm staying."

"You don't know what she has done, what she is," Lucia said slowly. She glanced at Andromeda. "She told us everything. She told us about the Cores." She could see the curiosity flicker in Susana's eyes. "Susana, she is a killer. She has murdered every single one of her former friends."

Hermione snorted and couldn't suppress a soft giggle. "Not all of them, Well, almost all of them but that's just a technicality."

Susana looked at her, shocked. "Is that true?"

"Yes," Hermione answered and to her surprise Susana didn't move away. Whatever it was that attracted her, it hadn't been changed by the discovery of what Hermione was. "It's a war, Susana. There is a war going on in England. A war that seems to have started to spread across Europe. After today, Italy will be involved too. Something is going to happen in here today. Something that will change everything."

"Leave her," Stefano said, his eyes fixing on Susana. "You have no business..."

"Shut up!" Susana suddenly cried. "For years I have listened to your pathetic whinging. You have done nothing else but instil fear in me. Fear of setting foot in this church, fear of the stakes. And for what? Because you like your sad little lives to be quiet and without meaning? You've got a wand but you live like any other creature, not even worthy of the magic you produce. I want to do more. Be more!"

Hermione slowly strolled forwards and suddenly her wand shot up. The curse was unexpected. The green jet shot across the short distance between herself and Stefano and it hit him in the chest. His eyes widened for a moment, the green light reflecting in them, and then he fell to the ground. His wand rolled away and he lay motionless at the feet of his wife whose high pitched screams echoed around the church.

"SHUT UP!" Susana suddenly cried. She made a slashing motion with her wand and a bright light blue jet wound itself around Lucia's throat, cutting off her voice and slowly pressing the air out of her. Her eyes widened before rolling back into her head. Lucia clawed at the fiery blue rope that was strangling her and fell to her knees in slow motion.

"Hermione, stop!" Andromeda shouted and her wand shot up but Hermione defended herself quickly with a strong Shield Charm. Andromeda's Knocking Back Jinx bounced off and crashed into the nearest wall, leaving it shaking. A thin cloud of dust filled the air.

The two wizards that had accompanied Lucia and Stefano ran off towards the entrance of the church but Susana caught up with them, flooring them with a single spell. The two men fell face forward and didn't move. They lay motionless on the cold marble; their faces scrounged up into a grey mask, their skin suddenly paper thin and ready to burst. Their eyes shed bloody tears and their tongues had swollen up and turned black as they protruded from their mouths.

Susana spun back around and ran back towards Hermione. Lucia lay on the ground, still and lifeless. Her face had turned a greyish shade of blue and her eyes had lost their shine. A thin trickle of blood stained her face and strands of dark hair had fallen in her eyes. Susana ran past her, not even paying her a second glance, and joined Hermione who was still facing Andromeda. It was now two against one.

"You know you'll never get what I got from him," Andromeda whispered, fixing her eyes on Hermione. She still stood in front of the door. "He told me what I needed to know."

"And now he can tell me," Hermione said slowly and glanced at Susana. "He can tell both of us." She took a step towards Andromeda. The tip of her wand pressed against Andromeda's chest. She could almost feel the older woman's heartbeat. "Step aside." When Andromeda didn't move she squared her jaw. "Step aside."

"I am never going to give up," Andromeda whispered and unexpectedly cupped Hermione's cheek with her hand. Her thumb traced the brunette's lips and she sadly smiled before suddenly stepping backwards into the room behind the door. Hermione, somewhat surprised, followed her in and they found themselves standing in a small room, no bigger than a dungeon cell. A small oval window allowed sunlight to fall into the room.

Ollivander sat in the corner, trembling and shaking. He looked old, haggard and tired and watery eyes looked up to the two witches. Fear reflected in them when he recognised Hermione. "Oh Merlin, not her."

"I had no choice," Hermione replied. "I need to know what you told her."

"No," Ollivander breathed. "Never."

"Tell me, you foolish old man!" Hermione cried and attempted to walk towards him. Andromeda stopped her and her fingers closed around Hermione's wrists. "Let me go!"

"I can't," Andromeda whispered. "I can't let you take him, Hermione." Her hands slipped away from Hermione and she moved towards the old wand maker as if in slow motion and extended her hand. Hermione realised what she was about to do and her wand smacked violently across Andromeda's arm, leaving behind a searing, blistering burn. The older witch howled in pain and staggered across the room, trying to support herself against the wall.

"Susana!" Hermione cried and the raven haired witch ran into the small room. Hermione had grabbed hold of Ollivander's bony arm and her eyes briefly fixed on Andromeda as the brunette tried to crawl towards them. Susana's hand found Hermione's free one. "Get us out of here!"

Susana closed her eyes and Hermione recognised the familiar sound of Apparition near her navel. When she reopened her eyes they were no longer inside the church. They were outside, in the warm morning sunshine. She looked beside her and found Ollivander unconscious at her side. The next thing she noticed was the salted sea air and in the distance she heard a seagull.

"Where are we?" she whispered as she slowly became aware of the sound of waves rolling onto a beach.

"Vieste," Susana answered as she strolled towards Hermione across the beach. "I was born here." Hermione frowned slightly and Susana smiled before pointing at the unconscious wand maker. "My parents owned a beach house not far from here. We can keep him there until we figure out what to do."

Hermione nodded and she flicked her wand to lift Ollivander up slightly into the air so she didn't have to drag is body across the sand. Susana walked along side her, leading the way. For a while neither of them spoke and after maybe ten minutes Hermione spotted a beach house, not far from the shoreline. It was built out of simple wood and painted white and with a large window overlooking the sea, it looked appealing. Susana went ahead up the steps and Hermione followed, guiding Ollivander's body along.

Susana unlocked the beach house with her wand and stepped inside. She closed the door behind Hermione and Ollivander and Hermione left the old man on the sofa. Susana produced some chains that slowly wound itself around his wrists and ankles before shackling them down to the sofa. She summoned a glass of water for him and left it within reach. Then slowly she turned around to look Hermione, a smile playing around her lips.

"Now," she whispered, "let's hear what you have to say."

~()~

Nymphadora Tonks glanced out of the window in the Three Broomsticks. It was early morning and it was surprisingly sunny. She felt uncomfortable. A niggling feeling that something wasn't right. She looked up when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs and smiled weakly when she recognised Rosmerta, the witch who owned the pub. The blonde haired woman was a few years older than Tonks. The young Auror guessed she was perhaps her mother's age, with some fine lines around her eyes. It wasn't the Butterbeer that brought the customers to the pub. It was Rosmerta's habit of wearing low cut tops, revealing a rather impressive cleavage. Together with a beaming smile she was every man's dream.

"Anything?" she asked as she joined Tonks by the window. When the Auror shook her head she patted her on the shoulder. "Not to worry, love. I know your mother. She can take care of herself. Come, let's get you a spot of breakfast. What tickles your fancy?"

"If you insist," Tonks smiled and crossed the room towards the bar. "Full English would be nice."

"Oh, greedy this morning, are we?" Rosmerta said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'll see to it you get everything you asked for, my lovely."

A sudden bang had both witches look up and Nymphadora reached for her wand. But before she could walk to the door it had swung open and Andromeda walked in. Her hair was messy and she looked tired and Nymphadora rushed towards her, quickly wrapping an arm around her mother's waist. She careful guided her to one of the tables and sat her down in one of the chairs.

"What happened?" she whispered and noticed the large burn across her forearm. The sleeve on her other arm was torn too, revealing a large, angry scar. "You've been fighting?"

"Hermione," Andromeda sighed. "She's upped her game a bit with me, I think."

"Did you find him?" Tonks asked, suddenly aware that her mother was alone. "Ollivander, I mean. Did you find him? Did you speak to him?"

Andromeda nodded weakly. She was tired and her body ached. "I spoke to him," she said softly. "I didn't get much time but I got what I wanted. What we needed. But I lost him." She covered her eyes with her hand and rubbed them. She just wanted to sleep, to get some rest. "Hermione found him too. She figured out where I'd hidden him and she got to him. She... she took him."

"She got him?" Rosmerta whispered and shook her head. "God bless his soul."

"I don't want to think about that just yet," Andromeda muttered. "She's not alone. Hermione. She's got an ally in Italy. A girl named Susana."

"Hermione? An ally?" Tonks sounded surprised. "How did she do that?"

"I think Susana was just looking for something to change her life. She's been trapped in a protective bubble for too long and she saw a way out," Andromeda answered. "In a way it isn't unlike what happened to Hermione." She sighed. "They seemed a little too friendly."

"You think they're lovers?" Tonks asked. "But Hermione and Bellatrix... and you..."

"And Narcissa, yes, I know," Andromeda answered. "But I suppose Hermione doesn't see any of that as a restriction. She and Susana seemed rather close. Susana is as brutal as Hermione is. She killed her former mentor without eve blinking. She chased after two wizards and just killed them. She had no remorse when she returned."

"Some people are just born bad," Rosmerta said. "That Susana sounds like she's pure evil."

Andromeda nodded and looked up. "She is and now she and Hermione are together and they have Ollivander. Though he gave me the information I needed, I still don't have enough to finish it all. What's the news on Gregorovitch?"

"He's in England, apparently," Tonks said. "One of my old Ministry buddies says he came over when Ollivander was kidnapped the first time round. I haven't got a location just yet but we're looking." She swallowed. "We need to think about Ginny, mum. Bellatrix and Narcissa have her and God only knows what they are doing to her right now."

"Gather the others and get them to meet us here in three hours," Andromeda said mutely. "I need to sleep, Nymphadora. I can't keep going like this."

Tonks nodded and helped her mother up. "I'll get you into bed and heal your arm too," she whispered and kissed her mother on her hair. "I love you, mum."

"I love you too, darling," Andromeda whispered as she climbed the stairs to the first floor and her daughter let go off her arm when they reached one of the bedrooms in the inn. Andromeda fell down on the bed, not even bothering to remove her boots or her clothes, and her head rested on the soft pillow.

Tonks slowly peeled back her mother's sleeve and revealed the angry burn. She muttered something to herself about not having a wand and left her mother on the bed as she walked back to the top of the stairs and called down for Rosmerta. "Ros? Could you come up and give me a hand?"

"Sure," the blonde witch answered and she came up. Upon seeing Andromeda's blistered arm she whistled through her teeth. "Oh dear, that doesn't look good. Go and have a look downstairs, under the bar. I keep some ointments in there. Bumps, bruises, the usual stuff. There may be some paste in there for burns."

Tonks went downstairs, rummaged through the cupboards and found the paste Rosmerta had been talking about. She took the lid off the jar and wrinkled her nose as the disgusting smell. She screwed the lid back on and climbed back up the stairs. She gave it to the other woman who was now sitting on the bed next to her mother, brushing a curl out of her eyes. Andromeda looked tired and drained.

"This is going to hurt a little," she whispered as she opened the jar.

"Not to mention stink," Tonks smiled.

"Yeah, that too," Rosmerta answered as she slowly put some of the paste on Andromeda's arm. "But it should heal the burn quite quickly."

Once she was finished she and Tonks slowly backed out of the room. Andromeda had fallen asleep and although the hours of rest were precious, she knew she would need as much of it as she could get. She knew that once she woke she would be right back where they started, in the midst of an ongoing war. She only had these precious few hours to succumb herself to her dreams. Only in dreams these days did people feel safe.

Everyone knew that the world they lived in wasn't.