Chapter 2
Several days had passed. Hermione had loved catching up with her friends. Harry who was content on breaking Wizarding records was now, to date, the youngest Head of the Auror Division. Ron Weasly, the ever, well sometimes faithful best friend, was second in command. Ron had been extremely confused about the term narcotics, and Hermione had to explain the concept. It was like chasing down rotten merchants selling illegal potions to the public. Finally, he had gotten it, while Harry had chuckled at his expense. Ginny Weasly, soon to be Mrs. Potter was currently the seeker of the Hollyhead Harpies and the entire team would be there in support of the wedding. Hermione and snorted at the team name and Ginny had been offended and asked what the problem was. Hermione then explained to her friends the problem she had, had with the Amazon. Of course, Harry was the only who caught on to what she meant. The others had to be filled in on what an Amazon was. Ron did not believe women could live on an island all alone without any man. After much debates Harry had convinced his hard headed friend that Amazons did in fact exist.
They all got a laugh at Hermione's expense when Ginny exclaimed, "I don't think she was being an ass. I think she wanted to get laid and you were the attraction." Everyone stopped and looked at Ginny while Hermione sputtered and then choked on her butterbeer. Fleur Weasly patted her on the back.
"No, no, no, ewe and no!" Hermione said. "She was annoying as hell. I would rather dance in the sheets with Pansy Parkinson than with Princess Diana of the Amazons."
They were soon focused on finishing up anything they may have forgotten in concern towards the wedding. Ginny had wanted yellow as the main color scheme. When her brother Charlie had come home with the wrong shade of yellow roses the male population of Weasley's was hexed with the bat-boogey. In two more days her friends would be husband and wife. Hermione smiled. Harry and Ginny were going out on date adventure for the day. Ron had some paper work to catch up on. The rest of the Weasley clan was heading out to Diagon Alley. Hermione had declined. She would not be in England for long after the wedding and she wanted to catch up with her parents as well. As the Weasley's left she packed up her belongings. She had agreed that she would stay with her parents for the remainder of her time there so there would be more room at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had tried to talk her into staying. Saying there was plenty of room. Hermione had the suspicion that Molly had never wanted Hermione to break up with Ron and that this would be the perfect time to get them back together. She shook her head. Ron was too immature and a cheater as well. She had no hard feelings and still considered him a friend. As far as she was concerned, Lavender Brown would probably be the new Mrs. Weasley before too long.
She locked up the burrow and walked to the apparating point. After five years of not carrying her wand it felt weird and comfortable at the same time. She reached her destination, thought of home, and with a pop was in her old backyard. She smiled as her joyous childhood memories flooded her mind and then the dark memories came. She let the tears flow. Her relationship with her parents after the war had been strained, but slowly they had reconnected. Her mother's love had healed the family. She quickly composed herself and knocked on the back door.
The door immediately opened. The sweet smell of afternoon tea and biscuits filled the kitchen. "Hello Mum." Hermione said reaching forward and hugging her mother.
"Mione' it is so good to see you again. I wished you would visit more." Hermione pulled back and smiled.
"It's always busy in New York City. Crime doesn't rest." She stated.
"It doesn't rest here either." Her father said gruffly from the kitchen table. He tossed the evening paper into the rubbish bin. He stood up and pulled his daughter into a hug. "You dating anybody?" He asked suddenly tightening his grip.
"Ugh, no dad. I am still single." She replied.
"You didn't even bring a date for Harry and Ginny's wedding?" Her mother asked seriously. "It is common courtesy to bring a guest." Her mother eyed her.
"I-I have been so busy I didn't even think." Hermione said. She cast her eyes downward. Ginny had badgered her and badgered her about bringing a date and Hermione and finally agreed that she would have one. "I forgot. Ginny is going to kill me. Where am I going to find a date for a Wizarding wedding?" She looked at her parents as if they would have an answer, but they were as clueless as she was. This would be the first Wizarding wedding that they would attend. Ginny had kindly invited her entire family.
"I suppose your friend will just kill you." Her father joked. Her mother shot him a dark look.
"We will think of something dear. Meanwhile why don't you go put your stuff in your room and get ready? Your father and I were thinking of go out to eat tonight." She smiled.
"Sounds good. I will go do just that." Hermione raced upstairs. She waved her hand and at once everything shot out of her bags and put itself away neatly. "The joys of magic." She said to herself. "Too bad I can't magic myself a date." She let her head bang onto the wall several times hoping the wall would give her a solution.
"Hermione, are you ready?" Hermione stopped banging her head.
"Yes." She said hollered back and mentally screamed no. She looked herself over. She had set her wand on her old desk. She had stopped relying so heavily on magic, but now that she was back, well old habits die hard. She grabbed her wand, gave a little wave, and her clothes changed to something more fitting to be seen in public. Knowing her parents it would be a fancy restaurant with an A-list of famous and rich folks.
Sure enough they pulled up to a fancy restaurant. They exited the vehicle and her father handed a valet the car keys. Keep calm. She was not comfortable in the rich environment. They always made her unsure of herself. She of course, had Draco Malfoy to thank for that. She glared at the people waiting in line. She estimated a half hour wait before they would get in and another before they got a table. It was going to be a long evening. They idly chatted about celebrities and current trends, one of which was teenagers now wanted to wear braces, even if they did not need them. It was the trend going around. Hermione shook her head. She had dreaded her fifth year because her parents had wanted her to have her braces put on. Thanks to Goyle, however, her teeth were magically corrected. She smiled brightly at the thought. The smile faltered on her face though as she heard a gasp on the outside of the line and the woman she dreaded bumping into. Please don't let it be the princess. She bit her lip and accidently drew blood when her mother jabbed her in the ribs and whispered frantically that the Wonder Woman and Queen of the Amazons were being led into the restaurant.
"How exciting. We'll get to dine in the same place as them." Her mother stated. Hermione glanced behind her and saw the line was longer than before. Her family was next in the queue to be let in. Yet there was the Pompous Princess, and her guests being allowed in right away.
"Yes! Isn't riveting, being allowed in for silly titles?" Hermione growled out lowly. Yet not lowly enough for all the Amazons in attendance turned and looked at her.
"It's you!" The dark skinned warrior exclaimed.
"Philipus, don't cause a scene." Queen Hippolyta stated quickly as she glared at the young woman who had insulted her daughter at the terminal.
Princess Diana rocked back and forth on her heels. "Hello again, Astoria. That's a nasty looking cut on your lip." Diana said. She glanced at the two people beside her. "You must be Mister and Misses Malfoy?" Diana inquired. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as the bushy haired, Ha I was right, her hair is a mess! Blushed furiously.
Before her parents could reply or question her about the mishap of names, Hermione spoke up, "You must have misheard me. It is Hermione Granger." She stated.
"Is that so?" Diana stopped rocking on her feet and stepped forward. "I have super hearing." She replied.
"Just because you can hear doesn't mean you can listen correctly." She countered coolly.
"Or maybe you lied about your name."
Hermione's parents stood next to their daughter puzzled. Mr. Granger put his hand on his daughters back in support. They knew enough of her life in the Wizarding world to understand any reason why she may have lied. This may be Wonder Woman but she could also be dangerous to his daughter's well-being. Hermione was saved from replying when the host acknowledge the Amazons and led the small group inside. She let out a small sigh of relief as the tall, brunette was out of sight. "Drop it mum, and dad. I don't wish to talk about it. Let's just get inside and eat." Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other before following their daughter in. Hermione ground her teeth. Of course they had to wait. Yet there in the corner of a semi large table the Amazons were already seated while her family would have to wait. Even though there were several empty tables available.
"Hermione dear, please stop grinding your teeth." She looked up at her father.
"Alright." She let out a breath and counted back from ten. Before she had made it to eight the host had approached them.
"The Grangers I presume?" He asked of them.
"Yes." Mr. Granger replied.
"The party ahead of you, reserved under Princess Diana has kindly invited your family to dine with them." Hermione narrowed her eyes. She leaned slightly to the left to look around the host. The Amazon Princess gave a slight wave of her hand in acknowledgment. The rest of the Amazons were glancing their way.
"Hermione?" Her father inquired.
Hermione looked up. "It's only dinner." Her mother said. "Surely, you can handle dinner? I can see you don't like her or them, but they have offered us—
"I know mum. Go ahead. We can go eat with them. I will try to mind my manners. If she does. I can't promise I won't hex her." She whispered the last part to her mother. "It pays to have friends in law enforcement."
"Hermione!" Her mother exclaimed with a chuckle.
The brightest witch of her age was seated across the woman-who-annoyed. There was tension at the table. The Generals, which consisted of three, Philipus, the red-head Artemis, and the blonde, Alindra, constantly glared at her. Philipus must have told the other two what she had said to their precious princess. Hermione wondered how they could defend her when after all she had been exiled form their own homeland. The youngest princess, Donna, curiously glanced at her every so often, and Queen Hippolyta made small talk with her sister Antiope, and Mrs. Granger. Diana acting as the mature, responsible adult, made small talk with everyone at the table except Hermione who conveniently timed her bites of food with Diana's attention. Her father answered for her. He was the odd man out. Then again it did not seem to bother him. Hermione who already felt uncomfortable from the environment choked on her water as her eyes beheld Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy along with their son Draco and daughter in law Astoria.
It was common knowledge that most purebloods did enjoy the high life of the muggle world occasionally. It was absolutely weird to see a Rolls Royce at the Malfoy manor when the trio had been abducted. It was absolutely horror to see the woman she had claimed to be, being sat two tables away from them. It was the worst as nightmares from that night came flooding back. Suddenly, the open restaurants concepts seemed to small and constricted. "Excuse me." She said suddenly and quickly left the table looking for the powder room. She was oblivious to Princess Diana and General Artemis following closely behind. She fumbled with the door and hastily made her way in. She stumbled as she made her way to the sink. She turned on the cold water and splashed her face several times as a panic attack took hold. Her breathing became heavy and she felt light on her feet. She tried to take several deep breaths to calm her nerves. She gripped the edge of the sink tightly.
The memories of that night came back in full force. She was reliving her worst nightmare. Bellatrix torturing her was the worst. She screamed when she felt a hand on her arm. She spun around quickly and Princess Diana had let go of her arm taking a step back. Hermione looked around her. She was not in the manor. She was in a restaurant, more precise in the bathroom. She tried to remind herself, but to no avail the terrors of that night would not leave her mind.
"Hermione, please calm down before you faint." The witch glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked a mess. The water had smeared her makeup. She looked back at Wonder Woman who genuinely looked concerned. Artemis, however, looked utterly bored.
"C-can you leave please." Hermione barely managed to whisper.
"As you wish. I will send your mother."
"What, no!" She exclaimed. "I will be fine. I just need a moment."
"Are you sure?" She took a step towards her.
"Yes!" She snapped. "Just leave."
"Alright." Diana turned on her heel and walked out with Artemis.
Hermione listened to their footsteps and conversation as they left. "Philipus was right. She is completely rude. Let me knock some respect into that girl." Artemis demanded of the Princess.
"Great Hera no! She just had a panic attack for no reason Artemis. Clearly something is bothering her. Violence won't make it better."
Hermione shook her head. She locked the door and slid down the wall cradling herself. She let the tears flow freely.
Diana and Artemis stood just a little ways away from the bathroom. They had argued about staying for her to exit and walk her back to the table. Artemis mumbled but finally agreed to it, as they waited a man with slick blonde hair walked by them heading towards the men's room. The door to the woman's powder room finally opened and Hermione emerged clean and fresh like nothing had happened. The man bumped into her knocking her into the wall purely on accident. Diana moved forward to help up the young woman and Artemis moved in close behind her.
The man rudely spoke, "watch where you're going you filthy mudblood."
Hermione screamed bloody murder. The patron's silverware clanged onto their plates in surprise of the sudden shrill scream. They looked around at one another in shock and wondered who could be screaming like that. Mrs. Granger knew her daughters voice, albeit a scream, anywhere. She quickly rushed from the table with her husband hot on her heels. The Amazons clearly confused looked to their queen. "Alindra, stay with Donna. Antiope, Philipus, with me." Donna made to argue but her mother shook her head.
Hermione grasped her arm in pain. If Bellatrix would have used a regular knife she would not be doubled over howling in pain, yet it had been a foul, cursed blade that had carved into her flesh. Draco Malfoy stood over her in shock. He had no idea it was Granger he had bumped into, and suddenly he was knocked off his feet when a six foot tall, two hundred pound amazon slammed into him knocking him out of the way.
"What harm have you caused her, you foul creature, answer me or taste my sword!" Artemis hissed angrily.
The Grangers, Queen Hippolyta, Philipus and Antiope rounded the corner and saw Hermione doubled over cradling her arm, Wonder Woman trying to pull her arm out so she could see the damage and Artemis holding a man up against the wall by his throat.
"Hermione." Mrs. Granger rushed forward, "let me see your arm." Diana moved aside to allow more room, but her hand moved to the younger woman's back. She would not leave her side until she knew what was wrong.
"It'll pass." Hermione hissed out in pain.
"Granger I am sorry—"
"Shut up Malfoy!" She screamed in pain once more. Diana looked at Hermione and then to the man who Artemis was detaining. Malfoy? Isn't that the name she chose to claim as her own? Diana thought slightly puzzled.
"Hermione you're bleeding badly let me see your arm." Mrs. Granger stated. Diana looked down and sure enough a puddle of blood was starting to form on the ground.
"There's nothing you can do." Hermione said.
"This is ridiculous. Man, what did you do to her?" Queen Hippolyta marched forward. Philipus and Antiope on either side of her.
Diana, who had had enough, tightly gripped Hermione's arm and pulled it away from her body. She quickly pulled up the dress sleeve and Mrs. Granger gasped in horror. Bright red blood was seeping out of letters carved into her skin. Diana mouthed the word not daring to utter it in case it started the process over again. The blood seemed to start clotting. "How in Hades name did he manage to do this in the seconds of bumping into you? It is not possible." The Amazon exclaimed. Hermione struggled to pull her arm out of the Amazons grasp.
"He didn't do it. His aunt did." Hermione replied once she had calmed down and the pain had receded.
"His aunt? There was and is no lady here."
"Oh, don't call her a lady. She was a monster." Hermione finally wiggled her arm free from the Amazons grip. Her father had run to the kitchen for medical supplies and her mother started cleaning and bandaging the fresh wound.
"Was? How is it possible? Explain."
"A cursed knife."
"A cursed knife? What-?"
"A knife, that when carved into skin, allows the scar from the original cut to be cut again when a specific word is said. In this case the letters on my arm that spell that. She did this five years ago." She motioned to the wound not wanting to say it and cause the pain all over again.
"I see." Diana said. "He knew that this would happen?" She inquired.
"Yes, er, no, I don't really know." Hermione stated. Her mother was finished bandaging her arm and helped her to her feet.
"Well then." Diana reached for her lasso of truth. "Release him Artemis." The General did as commanded and stepped aside quickly Princess Diana lassoed the man. "Did you know, by calling her by that word, she would be harmed? Speak the truth! The lasso compels you to."
Draco struggled in the bindings, "Ugh, no! I had no idea that would happen." He said. "I am sorry Granger. If I had known I wouldn't have said anything. I didn't even want to come here." He said honestly. Hermione looked at him. His head was hung down in shame. She knew that Wonder Woman was famous for using her lasso of truth, on criminals, to force the truth out of them.
"It's fine. Princess Diana let him go. Mum, Dad, I want to go home now." Before anyone could reply or stop her she walked quickly out of the restaurant. Her parents followed her.
"Hermione wait up." She slowed as her parents caught up to her. "Did that happen in the war?"
"Yes, and I don't want to talk about it. Not yet. Can we just go home?"
"Of course dear."
Diana for the last two days had worried about the woman named Hermione. She knew nothing of her but her name, and had taken her book. She paced around the embassy and she knew her mother's patience was wearing thin with her. "My daughter, if her condition is bothering you, why not try and find her?" Queen Hippolyta finally asked.
"I have no idea where to locate her." She replied. She looked at her mother. "All I know is her name, and nothing else."
"Princess, didn't you say you borrowed a book from her? What if she wrote her address in the in it for it to be returned to her?" Sister to Artemis, Alexis, asked.
"I didn't think, of course, you are brilliant Alexis!" Diana exclaimed. She hugged her sister and ran for to her quarters to locate the book. She checked out both the front and back. On the back carved onto a little metal palate was Hermione Grangers address in London. "Yes!" She let out a whoop of joy.
"I think she found the place of residence, my Queen." Philipus stated.
"I will be back." Diana said and she rushed down the stairs.
"Of course my daughter, but don't you think—" Queen Hippolyta sighed as Diana rushed out the doors. "You should wait until later in the afternoon. It is barely dawn."
Hermione was currently in the shower. The letters on her arm were now scabbed over and would look a horrid sight when she put on her brides maid's dress. There was no way to cover the cursed wound. Even muggle makeup would not hide it. The wound was meant to clarify and humiliate. There would be no escape from it. She just hoped Harry and Ron would not lose their cool. They knew someone would have had to have called her mudblood in order for it to bleed and scab again. She heard a knock on the bathroom door. "Mione' your father and I need to get ready as well. Hurry up." Her mother shouted on the other side.
"I just need to get dressed and I will be right out." She turned the water off and muttered the drying charm. She quickly got dressed and exited the bathroom. "It's all free." She hollered. She walked downstairs. It was the last place she had been with her wand. She picked it up and astonishing her hair smoothed and tied into an elegant knot in the back. She glanced at herself in a passing mirror. Ginny would have to be satisfied with how she looked; otherwise, she would sit out with the rest of the guests.
DING-DONG. Hermione glanced at the door and then at the clock and back to the door. "Who in the world is here this early?" She would be meeting her friends at the burrow. She growled out as she made her way to the door, "Harry bloody Potter better not have gotten cold feet and graced my home with his unwelcomed prescnese" She snarled out at the person behind the door before she saw who person was.
"Um- I am not Harry Potter."
"Oh, Hermione, did you find a date for your friend's wedding? I love you and I don't think I could handle going to your funeral because you did not heed your friend's warning about the necessity of having a date present." Her father joked from the next room over.
Princess Diana's smirked in amusement. "What a shame, death, by being dateless."
"It's a stressful time for my friend." Hermione stated, "What are you doing, stalking me? As a super hero aiding law enforcement around the world, you should know that it is illegal."
"Apparently you are in need of hero. We cannot allow your death to commence." Diana said with a smirk.
"Exactly how do you plan to ensure that I stay alive?" she inquired. "I am only attending a wedding. It's not like anything will happen." She covertly tapped her finger on the door frame. Hoping she had not just jinxed herself. The last wedding she had attending had been crashed by death eaters.
"Hermione are you ready?" Mrs. Granger asked her voice carrying through from the kitchen. "Your father is starting the car now."
"Uh-huh, you seem worried." Diana said. She had noticed Hermione's arm had scabbed as well as the small split in her lip.
"I am not worried. I just—it's none of your business Princess." Hermione declared her finger wagging at the taller woman.
Hermione felt her mother's presence behind her. "Oh, Princess Diana, how are you?" Her mother asked at once. She glanced from her daughter to the Amazon.
"Mrs. Granger, I am well—"
Hermione interrupted, "and she was just leaving."
"Don't be rude. I had assumed you might have asked her to be your date. I suppose I guessed wrong." Mrs. Granger.
"Princess Diana," Hermione said through gritted teeth, "if you will excuse us we have a wedding to attend." She allowed her mother to walk past her and to the car where her father was waiting. She quickly slammed the door shut and made to leave when she felt something pull her back. She gasped as she lost her balance.
Diana quickly reached forward and caught the smaller woman. "You should be careful." She leaned around and looked at what had caused her to lose her footing. "Your dress is caught in the door. Did you know?"
Hermione felt a tick in her left eyebrow. "Of course I knew you stupid chit. I just-ugh" she threw her hands up, "never mind." She pulled and tugged on the dress it was free. She started to walk towards the car when she felt the taller woman fall into stride with her.
"I am not stupid. I was blessed by Athena goddess of wisdom with her attributes."
"Congratulations." She snorted. She stopped short of the car. "Where do you think you are going?"
"Why, with you, of course." Diana replied. She placed her hand on the woman's lower back and gave her a gentle shove towards the car. She reached down and opened the back seat. "After you, Miss Granger."
"You are not going!" Hermione said at once.
"Hermione we are going to be late if you and your date don't get in the car." Mr. Granger said.
"She's not my date."
"Get in the car!"
Hermione growled. She got in and slid across to the other side making room for Diana to get it. "I hope you're happy."
"I am attending a wedding, it would not seem proper to be upset."
"Smart-ass."
"I thought I was pompous?"
"Shut up." Hermione folded her arms and glared out the window.