Chapter Seven: Every Rose has its Thorn
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Final Fantasy VIII no matter how much I wish they were my works. Any additional characters added are mine.
A/N: Hey guys, I hope you're enjoying this story. Just for the record, I thought I would point out that I don't like Rinoa all that much. I've never been much of a fan of hers. The way this story is going to come together requires Rinoa to be portrayed as a bad person.
So, now I've mentioned that, please enjoy this next chapter :)
oOoOo
Hermione followed closely behind Squall as they entered a small room with a table in the middle. A model of a trainset had been placed on the table and Hermione deliberated on what it would be needed for. Zone and Watts were making some adjustments to it, while Rinoa had her back to them scanning some articles which had been pinned to a board on the wall.
Selphie was sitting in a corner of the room on a stool, humming quietly to herself as she watched Zone and Watts, while Zell was leaning casually against the wall next to her, his arms crossed.
Hermione leaned side on against the wall next to Squall. She was aware of how close she was to him, feeling the heat from his covered arm inches away from her, but she was uncomfortable and troubled about the whole situation. Sensing this, Squall made no move to create any space between them. He knew it would undoubtedly end up being more ammunition for Rinoa as she seemed to have something against Hermione, but for the moment he didn't care.
Eventually Rinoa turned to them with a smile. 'Right then,' she said moving over to the table. She looked over at Hermione then, sending her a glare. 'Sorry, sweetheart, but this is a meeting for SeeD members only. So, if you would,' she said, her voice sickeningly sweet which made Hermione cringe. She indicated towards the door, her mouth twisting into a mocking sneer.
Hermione sighed, turning to leave as requested. She understood she wasn't a SeeD and officially had no place at the meeting, but the way Rinoa was speaking to her and treating her was awful. She shook her head, not going to allow herself to get into a fight with this girl. It wasn't worth it, and Hermione was more mature than that. She guessed that whatever the motivation for Rinoa's dislike towards her was that it seemed like Squall had rejected dancing with her in favour of Hermione. Now, because of that, Rinoa seemed to be holding a petty grudge against her.
Ugh, she can have Squall! Doesn't bother me in the slightest! Hermione thought heatedly, resisting the urge to take out her wand and curse the girl into oblivion.
That would be horrifying… even Squall does not deserve that, came Griever's response and Hermione had to keep herself from laughing out loud at the genuine revulsion in his tone.
Hermione shrugged internally. I don't know, I think they would be well suited. Squall can be just as unpleasant at times, she pointed out, thinking back to that morning and his behaviour towards her.
Griever sent magic to her, and she felt it on her shoulders. Squall is just a seventeen-year-old who does not know what he wants yet, he reasoned, and she could almost see him shaking his head. Give him some time. You have known him for less than a week, he advised, and Hermione nodded inwardly at this.
Hermione knew Griever was right and she realised she was maybe being too hard on Squall. She frowned, Griever, why is my getting to know Squall so important to you? she asked him abruptly. She wasn't wrong; Griever seemed defensive of the way Squall was and had almost been encouraging her where he was concerned. It was then she detected the absence of his magic on her shoulders, unsure when it dissipated. She waited a moment but received no reply. Griever? she called to him, but silence was her only answer.
Hermione frowned, hoping Griever was okay as she opened the door to the main corridor so she could leave. A hand on her arm prevented her from going through it. 'Hermione stays with us,' Squall said quietly, his tone annoyed and his eyes flashing dangerously at Rinoa.
Rinoa narrowed her eyes at Squall. 'She's not a SeeD and not part of this mission,' she said resolutely, crossing her arms. 'What benefit does she have from staying to listen? It won't mean anything to her,' she argued, shooting a glare at Hermione.
Squall shook his head, his hold on Hermione's arm tightening. Hermione reached up, placing her hand over his and it calmed him instantly which stunned him. He mentally shook himself, focusing on the present. 'That's irrelevant. We have a contract to protect Hermione, meaning she needs to stay with us at all times,' he bit back, slackening his grip on Hermione's arm a bit, aware that hers was still on top of his.
Hermione shook her head, gently detaching his hand from her arm. She held it for a moment, before letting go. 'It's okay, Squall,' she whispered, gazing up at him as his eyes met hers. 'I'll wait outside,' she said, smiling up at him before turning and leaving the room.
Rinoa smirked triumphantly, thinking she had won, which was missed wholly by Hermione. She carefully schooled her features when Squall turned back towards her. He scowled at her before moving to the corner and leaning against the wall, crossing his arms. He didn't know what Rinoa's problem with Hermione was, but the enmity towards her had him concerned. He was adamant about finishing this mission as quickly as was feasible.
Squall sighed, looking up as Rinoa began talking about the mission and the purpose of the trainset. Over her shoulder he noticed Zone and Watts were eyeing her in confusion and this interested Squall immensely. I'm guessing she's not like this to people normally, he deduced, deciding he would maybe check in with them later to get some more insight if he got a chance. For now, he glanced towards the door hoping Hermione was alright, before focusing his attention on the mission briefing.
oOoOo
Hermione sunk down onto the steps outside the meeting room, leaning her elbows on her knees as she rested her head in her hands. Normally, Hermione would have fought back if she was in her own world, but she was an outsider here and didn't want to cause any complications for Squall, Zell, and Selphie. It was their first mission and the last thing they needed was for Rinoa to send a scathing report back to the Headmaster if she didn't get her way. So, Hermione held her tongue to prevent that from ensuing.
Hermione groaned, crossing her arms as she tried to work out what she did to make Rinoa act out towards her the way she was. She didn't even know Hermione and had never met her, yet her unpleasant attitude towards her was genuinely hateful.
She couldn't make sense of it.
The only glaringly apparent fact Hermione could think of was the Ball and how Rinoa must have felt being rejected by Squall, only to find him dancing with Hermione shortly after. It made her deliberate on what was said between the two when she saw them while still dancing herself. She also recalled seeing Rinoa while she was dancing with Squall, and nothing in her expression gave away that it upset her at the time.
So, what had changed since then?
Hermione knew the multitude of questions she had regarding Rinoa were not going to have any forthcoming answers. She shook her head, deciding it wasn't even worth her time dwelling on it, but she had to admit her patience with the girl was already wearing thin. With any luck, Squall, Zell, and Selphie would manage to complete their mission for Rinoa quickly, and she would never have to deal with her again.
Hermione frowned, thinking back to her chat with Griever which seemed to have unexpectedly cut off. Griever? she called to her silent guardian, but she received no response again. She tightened her arms around herself. Why has he gone so quiet? Has something happened? she wondered, and this thought made her stomach clench uncomfortably. She leaned her head on her arms, hoping the poor creature was okay.
oOoOo
Centuries into a distorted and warped future from where Hermione was fretting about Griever, a stunning woman sat upon a throne, tapping a purple taloned finger on the arm rest. Her golden eyes, enhanced by purple eyeshadow, were fixated on a creature kneeling before her at the bottom of the steps to her throne.
She crossed a tattooed leg over the other, curling the clawed toes of her bare foot as her penetrating gaze became scornful. 'Where have you been?' she asked softly, but the creature could tell she was livid.
The creature closed his eyes. 'Nowhere, Mistress,' he replied, trying to keep his voice from trembling.
The woman clicked her tongue before standing, leisurely descending the stairs towards him. The train of her skin-tight red gown trailed down the steps behind her, leaving feathers in its wake. The gown had a plunging neckline, exposing her neck, chest, stomach, and abdomen while only partially obscuring her breasts. The black collar extended up from her waist to her neckline, resting over her shoulders and covering the junction of her black feathered wings. Her hair was waist length and silver, some bangs were left loose to frame her face while the rest of it was pulled up on either side of her head in a golden headdress resembling horns.
The woman circled the creature like a predator would their prey. 'Oh?' she asked inquisitively, her eyes flashing. 'Then enlighten me as to why you did not come when I bade, Griever,' she ordered, pausing next to him. In her hand was a staff worn with age and Griever eyed it in dread, recalling the tremendous amount of agony she had inflicted on him with it throughout the years.
Griever shook his head. 'I apologise, Mistress Ultimecia. I was fighting SeeD's as you commanded,' he explained, trying to think of anything to say to avoid punishment.
Griever peered up at Ultimecia as she stopped in front of him, eyeing him with something akin to disgust. There was no warmth there, only resentment and a deep-rooted anger. He lowered his head miserably, remembering a time when those same eyes used to gaze at him with love and affection. He shook those memories away; now was not the time.
Ultimecia narrowed her eyes. 'You are lying,' she whispered, eyeing her sharp clawed fingernails disinterestedly. Griever gulped as she turned her golden eyes back on him, placing her hand under his chin and forcing him to look at her. She stared into his azure eyes, and he found himself wondering what she was thinking in that moment. Her eyes gave nothing away except a bitterness and rage built up over centuries. Did she remember anything from the past? Or was she ultimately lost to him after all the years of anguish and grief she put herself through, only to become this…
An embodiment of evil.
Griever shook those thoughts away. 'I would never lie to you, Mistress,' he alleged, keeping eye contact with her. He had found lying to Ultimecia had become easier over the years, but he appreciated it was perhaps because of what he knew he had to protect.
Ultimecia caressed the fur on his cheek. 'Oh, I think you would, Griever,' she whispered, tilting her head as her eyes flashed dangerously.
Griever swallowed roughly as she pulled away from him, knowing what was about to come. He closed his eyes and braced himself as he waited for the inevitable pain, but nothing happened. He opened his eyes, eyeing Ultimecia apprehensively as she twirled the staff in her hand. Her expression was brooding, almost haunted as she gazed down at him. He hadn't seen that expression on her face in centuries and he couldn't help the tiny glimmer of hope in his chest.
Suddenly, Ultimecia shook her head, the glimmer of malice which glowed in her eyes returning. Griever gasped, finding himself writhing on the ground in pain while her laugh echoed mockingly around the castle walls. Another spell hit him, and he screamed as cuts and slashes appeared all over his body, spraying blood across the floor and walls.
His breathing became erratic as Ultimecia kneeled on the ground beside him. 'If you lie to me again, you will pay for it with your life,' she whispered threateningly, and he gulped. She sent another spell at him, and his tortured shrieks could be heard in all corners of the wretched castle.
oOoOo
Hermione had moved from the stairs to the floor, leaning up against the wall with her legs crossed at the ankles. Her eyes kept drooping, and she forced them open, yawning in boredom. She rolled her eyes, trying to make herself more alert. Damn this meeting is long, she thought, crossing her arms as she glanced towards the door.
The train shook as it rumbled to life, and Hermione placed her hands on the floor to balance herself. She stood up, picking up her beaded bag from the ground where it had been sitting next to her. She frowned, wondering why they were moving again as the door to the meeting room opened.
Rinoa hurried out, almost running right into Hermione. 'Oh!' she said, stopping herself. 'I didn't see you there,' she muttered, moving around her, and making her way up the stairs.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, noting the lack of contempt and aggression in her tone and wondered if it had all been an act. Is she pretending to act tough to make herself seem more superior or something? she mused, shaking her head. Perhaps this was the case, but Hermione was still determined to not let Rinoa get to her. If she didn't rise to Rinoa's comments or acknowledge her treatment towards her, then she would be the one left looking like an idiot at the end of the day.
She turned back to the door as Squall, Zell, and Selphie made their way out of the meeting room. Seeing her, Zell and Selphie went to her side. 'You okay, Hermione?' Zell asked her, and she smiled at him, nodding. 'That was bang out of order the way she spoke to you,' he growled, shaking his head.
Selphie frowned. 'Yeah, you should have said something!' she said, placing her hands on her hips. 'I wouldn't have let her get away with speaking to me like that!' she said petulantly, shaking her head.
Hermione sighed, leaning back against the wall. 'It's fine,' she replied, not wanting to discuss it right now when there was a chance Rinoa would hear them and cause more issues.
Squall leaned side on against the wall next to her. 'No, it's not,' he said softly, eyeing her with a frown.
Hermione gazed at him for a moment, before shaking her head. 'Please, it doesn't matter,' she said, forcing her tone to sound more convincing. She could tell they didn't agree, all bearing matching looks of annoyance, so she decided to change the topic away from her. 'So, how did the meeting go? Anything interesting?' she asked interestedly, crossing her arms.
Selphie smiled. 'We're kidnapping the President,' she replied enthusiastically, and Hermione blinked before gaping at her in bewilderment.
Surely, I heard that wrong? she thought, shaking her head. 'Kidnapping the President?' she asked slowly, receiving a nod from Selphie. 'Is that really something to be excited about?' she said, not particularly keen on being part of something which could have them detained for treason.
Rinoa stomped down the first couple of steps behind them. 'President Deling is a bastard who has caused our resistance nothing but grief over the years,' she countered, shaking her head.
Hermione felt Squall inch closer to her until she could feel her shoulder against his chest, and she swallowed. She glanced up at him to see he was watching Rinoa with wary eyes. She frowned at him, choosing not to comment, but her entire body tensed up at their proximity.
Rinoa sighed, sitting down on the steps. 'We just want to talk to Deling without his soldiers around,' she explained, crossing her arms.
Hermione nodded. 'I see,' she said, looking away from Rinoa to the floor. She wasn't sure what to make of this and was dubious as to why Rinoa was now talking to her normally without any of the malice from before.
Rinoa eyed Hermione reflectively for a moment. 'You know, I've changed my mind,' she said unexpectedly, standing up and walking over to her. 'Why don't you come with us when we interrogate him?' she asked Hermione who frowned at the invitation.
Hermione didn't know what to make of this and it made her feel even more uneasy than Rinoa's unprovoked animosity towards her did. 'Why the change of heart?' she asked before she could stop herself, crossing her arms.
Rinoa sighed, reaching up to clutch the pendant hanging around her neck. 'I feel… rotten for how I treated you earlier,' she explained with a shrug. She looked and sounded like she was being sincere, but the glint in her eyes told an entirely different story. Rinoa didn't wait for her to respond, walking away to speak to Watts about the mission.
Hermione watched her go with a frown, wondering what she was scheming. There was no way this was an act of repentance for how she behaved towards her earlier. There was something in her eyes that promised… something, and although Hermione couldn't work out what it was, she didn't think it was going to be anything pleasant.
She felt a hand take her arm gently, and she gazed up at Squall who seemed equally as concerned about Rinoa's change of heart. 'Will you be okay for now?' he asked her softly, receiving a frown from her. 'We still need to capture the President before anything else,' he divulged, and Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Wait, I thought he was already here,' Hermione said, glancing at them all in turn.
Zell shook his head. 'Nope, we're gonna be assisting them with that,' he answered, tossing feign strikes towards the corner near the stairs.
Squall nodded. 'I'd prefer it if you remain inside the train. You'll be safer here,' he said, gazing down at her.
Hermione gaped at him. '"Inside the train"? What do you mean by that exactly?' she asked anxiously, hoping they didn't mean what she thought they meant.
Selphie smiled. 'We'll be running around on top of the cars, detaching trains, and stuff,' she replied cheerfully as if this was something they did every day.
Hermione's eyes widened and she turned back to look up at Squall. 'Isn't that dangerous?' she asked, feeling his hand squeeze her arm a little as if he was trying to calm her. Hermione wasn't even sure if Squall realised he had been holding her arm the entire time they had been talking about this. Hermione, on the other hand, had been hyper aware of the tingling feeling on her skin where his hand was. She shook her head, trying to focus. 'What if something happens? What if one of you falls off?' she asked fearfully, her voice becoming panicky as the questions flowed from her mouth rapidly.
Squall sighed, rolling his eyes as he let go of her arm before crossing his own. 'We'll be fine,' he told her, shaking his head. Frankly though, he had to admit he was concerned about that as well. There were so many things that could go wrong with this mission, and he had a suspicion Rinoa was well aware of that fact. He couldn't disregard the possibility that she may even be counting on it and would make sure to tell Zell and Selphie to be extra cautious just in case when Rinoa was out of earshot.
'It's time!' Rinoa declared as she returned from the meeting room.
Hermione took a deep breath, turning to look at them all in turn. 'Good luck, I guess,' she said worriedly, still trying to process what they were about to do and the danger they were going to be in.
Selphie grinned. 'We'll be back in no time!' she said chirpily as she ran up the steps towards the exit they were going to be using to get on top of the train.
'See ya!' Zell called to her, waving from the stairs as he pursued Selphie.
Rinoa came to stand next to them, smiling up at Squall. 'Ready?' she asked him, and he nodded. Squall gazed at Hermione for a few moments, before walking away and disappearing up the stairs after Zell and Selphie. 'We'll be back shortly,' Rinoa told her with a small smile, before jogging off after them.
'Sure,' Hermione mumbled, sitting back down on the floor against the wall to wait for them to come back. She sighed, hoping they would be safe.
oOoOo
Hermione was already becoming nervous and fidgety, feeling like hours had passed when, in reality, it had only been ten minutes. She was uneasy knowing they were up on top of the train taking Merlin only knew what kind of risks. She had to question if Cid was informed of what they would be tasked to do. Would he really permit them to put their lives in jeopardy like this? She couldn't imagine their training in Garden taught them about detaching trains and abducting Presidents.
She shook her head, needing a distraction from the thoughts racing through her mind. She stood up, and walked up the stairs into the hallway the others had ran down earlier. Deciding to explore a little, she walked down the corridor, coming to a room on her left. She peered in, seeing other members of the Forest Owls and assumed this was the control room for the train.
Hermione looked around, seeing some benches on the far wall. 'Do you mind if I sit in here?' she asked the three men who were at the controls of the train.
One of them turned to her. 'Not at all,' he replied with a smile, gesturing to the benches.
She smiled in thanks, at least everyone else seems nice, she thought as she took a seat on one of the benches which was far more comfortable than her spot on the floor had been. Across from her was another man, but he was sound asleep, and in the corner was some sort of dummy holding a newspaper. She peered at it curiously, wondering what it would be used for.
After a few moments, she found out. 'It's time!' one of the guys shouted, and the man on the bench jolted awake.
'Got it!' the man slurred, still waking up as he moved to the dummy and picked it up carefully. 'Where's he going?' he asked with a yawn.
'In the fake President's car, where else?' one of the other guys replied, rolling his eyes.
The man nodded, leaving the room with the dummy as Hermione looked on in interest. She didn't ask though, it wasn't any of her business, but she assumed that by kidnapping the real President they were going to replace him with that dummy to throw off any guards stationed to protect him. It was actually a genius concept and she wondered who came up with it.
Another ten minutes or so went by as she listened to the banter between the men in the control room. It was a lot better than sitting by herself, but she still felt extremely bored, and she could feel herself falling asleep as her eyes drooped closed.
Just then, the train shuddered violently jolting her to attention instantly as she clung onto her seat. The sound of screeching metal reached her ears, and she covered them, cringing at the noise. 'What's going on?' she asked, taking her hands away from her ears when it ceased.
The train controller turned to her. 'We've just disconnected our train from theirs. Mission success,' he told her with a broad smile.
'Oh, thank god,' Hermione replied with a smile, before stepping out of the room. After a few moments of waiting, she spotted Zell and Selphie walking down the corridor towards her. They were covered in oil from their hair to their clothes. 'Everything okay?' she asked them, receiving disgruntled nods in return. Even Selphie's typical optimism in any situation was absent. 'Where's Squall?' she asked upon realising he hadn't come back in with them.
Zell pointed up at the roof of the train. 'Still up on top with little miss "Princess",' he said grouchily, shaking his head. 'Said she wanted to talk to him,' he explained, before continuing down the hall.
Hermione frowned, watching them take out clean clothes from their bags and make for the showers. She couldn't blame them; being swathed in oil as they were couldn't have been pleasant. She turned back to look down the hall, I wonder what Rinoa wanted to speak to Squall about… she trailed off, shaking her head. It was none of her business and although she was curious, she knew it wouldn't be appropriate for her to ask. It was probably just something to do with the mission.
A few more minutes passed before Squall finally appeared in the hallway looking far angrier than Hermione had ever seen him. Behind him was a very-delighted-looking Rinoa who was smirking at his back. Squall stalked straight past Hermione without a word, not even affording her a glance, and grabbed a change of clothes before heading off to clean up.
Rinoa stopped next to Hermione, raising an eyebrow at her, before making her way down to her own room. Hermione watched her go, glaring at her back as she wondered what she could have said to Squall to make her so satisfied with herself. She moved back down the stairs into the main corridor. What's going on? she wondered, looking at the door Squall disappeared through as she leaned against the wall.
oOoOo
Approximately thirty minutes later, after the three SeeD's had returned from cleaning up, Hermione found herself still leaning against the same wall, but she was feeling exceedingly uneasy and unwanted. Since they returned, the tension blanketing the air had been thick enough to cut with a knife. Even Zell and Selphie had been quieter than normal, scarcely saying anything to her at all except a greeting when they came back.
Squall was leaning on the wall directly opposite from Hermione with his arms crossed. He hadn't looked up even once from staring at the ground since he took up that spot.
Hermione frowned, knowing that she couldn't have done something wrong, so their current mood wasn't her fault. At least she didn't think it was. How could it be? She was inside the train the entire time. However, that didn't dispel the discomfort she felt being in their presence. What happened up there? What did Rinoa say to them that made her so happy with herself? she wondered, glancing over at them.
Zone entered from the briefing room, snapping Hermione out of her thoughts. 'Finally, we've waited so long for this encounter with Vinzer,' he said proudly, smiling at the SeeD's.
Watts turned to Squall, saluting him. 'Was that perfect, sir!? Amazing, sir! You're the best, sir!' he said eagerly, and Squall rolled his eyes at his enthusiasm.
Rinoa appeared at the top of the stairs then, having freshened up herself. 'Well, then…' she said, walking down the stairs.
Hermione noticed Squall's eyes narrow at Rinoa before he looked away with a scowl. She glanced at Rinoa who shrugged, a small smirk on her lips as she sauntered into the middle of the room. She frowned, her curiosity about what was said between them on top of the train increasing.
Rinoa looked at Squall, crossing her arms. 'When you're ready, I'll begin serious negotiations with the President,' she instructed as Squall closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
Rinoa withdrew into the meeting room, and the friction in the air relaxed somewhat as Squall, Zell, and Selphie breathed out sighs of relief. Hermione assumed the explanation for their discomfort and silence was because of Rinoa and she frowned. How difficult was she on them up there? she wondered worriedly as normality seemed to return to them. Selphie was gazing out the window at the passing scenery while Zell started doing squats in the corner.
Squall pushed off the wall and Hermione watched him as he walked over to her. 'Hey,' she whispered, crossing her arms as she gazed up at him.
Squall nodded to her in response, leaning side on against the wall as he gazed down at her. 'It was hell,' he mumbled, rubbing circles into his temple to alleviate the headache building there.
Hermione nodded, glancing at the door to the meeting room, before looking back up at him. 'What happened, Squall?' she asked, unable to keep the prickliness from her tone. She knew the reason was because of Rinoa, but she couldn't understand why they had been so distant towards her since they came back.
Squall closed his eyes, detecting her irritation, and he sighed before looking back at her. 'She keeps making all these demands,' he replied, crossing his arms. 'And she seems to take great offence if we treat you as more of a friend than a client while she's around,' he clarified, lowering his eyes to the floor as he toed at a pebble with his boot.
Hermione bristled at that, and she clenched her hands into fists at her side. I swear to Merlin I will slap the smug look off that bitch's face! What the hell is her problem!? Hermione thought furiously as she let out a bitter laugh and turned away from Squall. 'Oh, so she can be friends with you guys, but I can't. Is that how it is now?' she asked heatedly, kicking the pebble Squall had been playing with across the corridor.
Squall flinched, staring at her in alarm. 'Hermione,' he whispered softly, and she turned her enraged gaze to him. He took a step back from her, holding up his hands. 'I told her she can go to hell,' he said, watching as Hermione processed this information and her eyes widened slightly.
Hermione blinked. 'Really? You said that to her?' she asked, unable to stop the grin that crept onto her lips. She could just imagine Squall saying that without even batting an eye.
Squall nodded pensively. 'Well, perhaps I didn't use those exact words, but I was reasonably clear about what I was implying,' he told her with a shrug.
Hermione nodded, her smile faltering a little. 'If you told her that then why were you guys so distant when you came back?' she asked, crossing her arms.
Squall's eyes softened. 'We just wanted to protect you from any further drama with her. We meant nothing by it,' he explained, shaking his head.
Hermione frowned at that. 'I can handle her, you know,' she whispered, looking at the ground.
Squall gazed at her for a moment. 'I know,' he replied with a nod.
Hermione looked back up, meeting his eyes. 'When she came back on the train after you, she looked happy about something…' she trailed off, her eyes questioning.
Squall scowled as he looked away from her, narrowing his eyes on the door to the meeting room. 'It's an act. She was really pissed off when we came back onto the train,' he told her, shaking his head. 'I believe she was making herself seem superior to get to you,' he elucidated, rubbing his chin broodingly. He looked back at Hermione. 'I just don't know what her glitch is. I'll never understand women,' he muttered, moving so his back was against the wall.
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Gee, thanks,' she replied sarcastically, watching his lips twitch faintly which was the closest thing she knew she would get to a smile.
Zell and Selphie walked over to them then. 'I'm glad that's over with,' Zell said, stretching, a few of his muscles cracking which made Hermione flinch.
Selphie nodded. 'Yeah, Rinoa was pretty horrible to us,' she revealed, her normal bubbly countenance was missing.
Zell glared at the door to the briefing room. 'One wrong move earned us a whack on the back of the head,' he explained, rubbing the back of his head as he thought back to several smacks she gave him.
Hermione frowned, looking up at Squall. 'Seriously?' she asked him, receiving a nod in return. 'What the heck gives her the right to hit you at all?' she muttered indignantly, more to herself than to them.
Before any of them had a chance to respond, Rinoa came back out from the meeting room and walked over to them. She didn't seem fazed about the fact they were all standing together talking like Hermione thought she might be. 'Let's go,' was all she said before entering another room on their right.
The four companions shared a nervous glance before following her through the door. Rinoa waited for them, before sauntering up to the man sitting in one of the seats. 'President Deling!' she began, sounding confident. 'As long as you… don't resist, you won't get hurt…' she said, her voice becoming hesitant.
A low, guttural laugh escaped from the President, and he turned to stare at her, but something wasn't right about the way he moved his neck… it was too fluid, almost like his body was made of jelly. 'And if I do resist… what would you do? Young lady?' he asked with a twisted smirk making Rinoa back away from him in fear.
Hermione frowned. 'What is it?' she asked, but Rinoa didn't reply, her eyes were fixed on President Deling in fear.
'Boo-hoo… too bad,' President Deling said with a malicious laugh. He stood from his seat, turning to face them. They cringed; it was unmistakable to them now why Rinoa was staring at him in alarm. His face was warped like he wasn't entirely human. 'I'm not the President, I'm what they call… a body double,' he revealed to them as Rinoa continued to back away until she was just behind Hermione. He snarled like a wild dog. 'All these rumours about the many resistance groups in Timber… you pass along false information, and they fall for it,' he told them with a chuckle. 'How pathetic!' he spat, sneering at Rinoa. 'It seems there are only amateurs around here,' he said, laughing at her wickedly.
Rinoa flinched. 'Amateurs!?' she cried; her eyes wide in terror.
The Fake President recoiled, roaring as he clutched his back making them wince from the sound. 'Ahh... my butt hurts from all this sitting... young...LADY...' he screeched, lashing out with his arms. 'Ahh... so what did you have in stORE for me had I resiSTED...? Why doN'T you teLL mE...' he yelled at her, shuffling closer to them. 'QuiTE aMUsing thouGH...For beING such anAtEurs...! HoW daRe YOU InSUlt tHe presIDent!' he roared, reaching out and attempting to grab Rinoa, but she shoved Hermione towards him instead. The Fake President seized Hermione, who struggled to get free.
'What the hell, Rinoa!' Squall yelled at her, unsheathing his gunblade as he evaluated the situation, trying to work out how to get the Fake President to release Hermione without hurting her.
Selphie ran after Rinoa, grabbing her arm, but she managed to snatch her arm away and sprinted from the room. 'Rinoa!' Selphie yelled after her, but it was too late, and she heard the click of the door as she locked it behind her.
'You...fEll...For...iT!' the Fake President cried gleefully, before assaulting Hermione with his hands and mouth, causing painful shrieks to erupt from her as lacerations appeared all over her body, neck, and face. He laughed, flinging her across the room like she was a mere ragdoll. Hermione collided into the wall, slumping down it with her eyes closed.
'No! Hermione!' Squall cried, rushing towards her, but the Fake President protracted his arm, knocking the SeeD away from her. 'What the hell!?' he yelled, gripping his arm which had a slash in it.
The Fake President began to glow. 'aMusINg... tHIs iS AmuSinG!' he laughed as his whole body distorted and he shook violently like he was having a fit while smoke vented from him. When the smoke dissipated, in his place stood a horrific undead monster.
Zell's eyes widened. 'Shit!' he shouted as the creature spewed a green acidic substance towards him. He dodged it, but barely, watching the floor of the car as it disintegrated.
Squall glanced over at Hermione anxiously as she struggled to pull herself to her feet. She was shaking as she aimed her wand at the creature. 'Incarcerous!' she cried as thick chains erupted from her wand, wrapping around the monster. It let out an enraged screech, trying to break free from the chains, but they only wrapped around it tighter the more it resisted.
This gave Squall, Zell, and Selphie the opportunity they needed to move in and attack the monster without its arms impeding them. Squall slashed at it with his Gunblade, comprehending quickly that its blood was also made of the acid it had vomited at them. They would need to be careful when they attacked it to prevent them from getting any of the acid on them.
Squall glanced at Hermione, watching as she tumbled to her knees. 'Hermione!' he called to her, but she shook her head at him as she slumped back against the wall.
Zell moved in beside Squall, throwing powerful punches at the monsters face a few times before dropkicking it in the stomach. Selphie appeared then, throwing her nunchaku at it and the chain wrapped around its neck. Zell and Squall grabbed the handles of the nunchaku and with the force of the three of them yanking it, the monsters head ripped clean off. They backed away from the spray of acid as the monster thudded to the ground, its head rolling across the floor.
Sheathing their weapons, they hurried over to Hermione who was trying to stand up, but the deep gashes in her legs were too painful. Shaking, she reached for her wand and healed some of the minor cuts and bruises, but the deeper ones would require a more potent spell. Unfortunately, she had never used or mastered the spell and wished now she had tried to learn it when she had the chance. She would need to dig out her charms book from her beaded bag and teach herself it.
Selphie examined the wounds Hermione had received from the monster. 'This looks bad,' she said, shaking her head. 'Hang on, I have some bandages and disinfectant in my bag!' she said, running to the door. She tried to pull it open but remembered that Rinoa had locked them in there with the monster. 'Dammit, it's locked!' she cried, trying to pull it open by force.
Hermione aimed her wand at the door. 'Alohomora,' she whispered, amazing Selphie when the door unlocked and swung open. Selphie shot her a smile before running out of the room to collect the things she needed.
As they waited for Selphie to come back, Hermione noticed the gash on Squall's arm. 'You're hurt,' she whispered, reaching out and turning his arm towards her.
Squall shook his head. 'It's nothing, don't worry about me,' he said as he peered down at the condition she was currently in. How can she worry about others when she can barely move herself? he wondered, gazing at her in concern.
Hermione shook her head. 'Here,' she whispered, aiming her wand towards it. Instinctually, Squall recoiled and pulled his arm back, but the look in her eyes made him pause. They were pleading for him to trust her, and he nodded, moving his arm back towards her. She aimed her wand at the wound, a green glow lighting the tip. The incision closed and knitted itself together, leaving only a pale scar to show it had ever been there. With another whisper, the pain was gone.
Squall inspected the scar in amazement before gazing at Hermione. She smiled at him, and he couldn't help giving her a small smile in return to show his appreciation. Hermione gazed at him in awe, having never seen more than a twitch of his lips. It made her stomach flip, and she didn't know why. He coughed and looked away from her intense gaze in embarrassment.
He was saved when Selphie returned to the room carrying medical supplies. She took out some gauze and applied some disinfectant to it. 'Sorry, this is going to hurt,' she said, and Hermione steeled herself. Selphie began dabbing the wounds with the gauze as the witch cursed in pain. Selphie peered at her apologetically as she wrapped bandages around the wounds.
Squall reached down for her, gently helping her stand and she leaned into him heavily. He wrapped an arm around her waist to support her as she struggled to get her balance. 'You okay?' he asked softly, taking her hand in his free one to give her more support.
Hermione nodded, but she glared at the door. 'Yeah, I'll live. Can't say the same for Rinoa,' she whispered darkly, her eyes flashing in anger.
Squall nodded in agreement. I'd hate to be Rinoa right now, he thought, looking at the door. 'Yeah, let's go have a word with her,' he said, easing Hermione forward gently and the four companions left the room.
As they entered the meeting room, Zone turned to them and took in the state of Hermione in shock. They looked around the room, but Rinoa wasn't there. Zone grabbed a chair from the corner and took it over to Hermione. Squall helped her sit down before kneeling next to her chair. 'Where's Rinoa?' he asked Zone, his tone low and dangerous.
Zone shook his head. 'We don't know,' he answered, running a hand through his hair. 'She disappeared during the incident with the Fake President,' he replied, crossing his arms. 'We searched for her everywhere, but she doesn't seem to be on the train anymore,' he told them, and they looked back in irritation at this news.
Zell growled. 'That's no surprise considering she almost got Hermione killed,' he snarled, crossing his arms.
Zone's eyes widened in disbelief. 'SHE DID WHAT!?' he yelled, eyeing Hermione and the bandages she was wearing.
Squall shook his head. 'When the President tried to attack her, Rinoa pushed Hermione in the way and bolted,' he clarified indignantly, glancing up at Hermione's pale face in apprehension.
Zone shook his head. 'But why?' he asked in a whisper, leaning against the wall in incredulity.
Watts sprinted into the room then, startling everyone as they looked at him. 'Info, sir! New info!' he said, trying to catch his breath. 'It's big news! I found out the real reason why the President's here, sir!' he claimed animatedly, looking at Zone excitedly.
Zone frowned. 'And?' he asked impatiently, crossing his arms.
Watts nodded. 'The President's going to the TV Station! Security's really tight, sir!' he divulged, before finally noticing they had company as the three SeeD's and Hermione listened in interest. He took in the bandages around Hermione and frowned. 'Uh… what happened, sir?' he asked, turning to look at Zone.
Zone shook his head, leaning back against the wall. 'I'm not really sure, but something isn't right with Rinoa,' he replied, crossing his arms.
Watts nodded. 'Rinoa has been acting strange lately, sir!' he agreed, a frown creasing his brow.
Zell frowned. 'So, has she always been like this?' he asked, thinking back to the bubbly, energetic girl he'd been forced to dance with the night before. He was astonished at how different she seemed now, and it made him shudder.
Zone shook his head. 'No, she's normally wonderful to everyone. Always wanting to help…' he trailed off, looking at the floor miserably. 'Then one morning she was just… different, changed. It happened almost a week ago,' he told them, and they nodded broodingly, all wondering what caused this rapid switch in her.
Hermione, on the other hand, realised that the timing of Rinoa's altered disposition appeared to coincide with her arrival in this world. Was it mere happenstance or did Hermione being here now have something to do with it? She shook those thoughts away, feeling troubled at this new information. The implications of it all were disconcerting.
Squall sighed from where he was still kneeling next to her. 'Do you have any idea where she might have gone?' he asked them, glancing between Zone and Watts.
Watts's eyes widened. 'She probably went to the TV Station, sir!' he replied, glancing at Zone before turning back to Squall. 'Rinoa wanted the first broadcast to be the declaration of Timber's independence, sir!' he explained, and Squall nodded.
Zone sighed. 'Timber's independence is the only thing that's remained the same with her,' he muttered, frowning as he crossed his arms.
Selphie tapped a finger to her chin. 'I wonder if the Communication Tower in Dollet has anything to do with this,' she mused, glancing down at Squall.
Squall stood, leaning against the wall. 'Perhaps,' he answered with a shrug, crossing his arms.
Zone looked over at them. 'What's that?' he asked in confusion.
Squall looked over at him. 'Dollet has a Communication Tower that can transmit and receive radio waves,' he explained, thinking back to their SeeD exam in the town. The whole thing had been a disaster and he was thankful it was over. 'It had been abandoned for a long time, but the Galbadian Army got it up and running yesterday,' he told them, and they nodded.
Zone's eyes widened. 'Ohhhhh… I get it…' he trailed off, snapping his fingers. 'The only TV Station that can handle broadcasts over the air is in Timber,' he explained, looking out the window. 'Other stations use HD cable, which only supports online broadcasting,' he said, looking back at them. 'So, they must be planning to use radio waves. This way, they can transmit images to regions with cable,' he surmised with a frown, crossing his arms.
Zell took a seat next to Hermione. 'Do you think we should check it out, Squall?' he asked, glancing over at the witch next to him worriedly.
Hermione nodded absently. 'I… want to know what happened to Rinoa,' she winced from the sting of pain in her face, realising she hadn't mended the cuts there. She would need to do that once they were off the train. If she did it now after Zone and Watts had seen her with them, it would raise questions she didn't particularly want to answer for now. 'If she wasn't like this before, then what happened for her to change so drastically?' she asked, more to herself than the others, but she received a nod of agreement from Squall.
Squall pushed off the wall. 'Okay, we'll head to the TV Station,' he said, turning towards Hermione so he could help her.
Selphie stopped him. 'But can't we go home now?' she asked, making Squall look over at her thoughtfully. 'What about our contract? Shouldn't we check it, Squall?' she asked and after a moment he nodded.
Squall's thumb brushed over the back of Hermione's hand from where he had taken hold of it, and she shivered at the feeling. 'Yeah, you're right,' he replied, letting go of Hermione's hand and turning to Zone. 'Can we see the contract you guys made with our Garden?' he asked, crossing his arms.
Zone nodded, moving over to a shelf in the corner of the room where he shuffled through a pile of documents. He extracted a blue envelope from the pile and walked over to Squall, offering it to him.
Squall looked at the envelope, dread settling in his stomach. He suspected this was going to be far more complicated than what was let on to them before they left Garden. Zell and Selphie moved in closer to Squall and Hermione, peering at him intently.
Squall braced himself as he opened the envelope, pulling out the sheet within. He scanned it fleetingly before reading it aloud, '"To the Forest Owls. This SeeD deployment contract will last until Timber achieves independence. Please make good use of each SeeD member. I wish you the best with your objective. Please understand that this contract is an exception, and no replacement of any SeeD members can be made. Balamb Garden Headmaster Cid Kramer",' Squall finished reading, his grip tightening on the page until his knuckles turned white. So, he had been right…
Zell frowned. 'Until Timber's independence!?' he growled, snatching the contract from Squall, and skimming over it himself.
'That is so vague!' Selphie protested, moving over to Zell, and scanning the document herself as well.
Hermione frowned. 'But they may never achieve independence…' she trailed off, gazing up at Squall who crossed his arms. She could see the anger churning in his eyes, and she couldn't blame him.
Squall gritted his teeth. 'So, we're obligated to aid Rinoa and the Forest Owls until Timber gets independence,' he confirmed, shaking his head crossly.
Selphie shook her head. 'Rinoa ran off after putting us in an awful position with that fight though!' she argued, putting her hands on her hips. 'Wouldn't that make her contract null and void?' she asked, peering at Squall who frowned. 'I don't want to work with someone who might try and kill me!' she cried, crossing her arms.
Squall nodded, a scowl on his face. 'We can't do anything about it though until we can speak to the Headmaster,' he replied, shaking his head.
Squall wished there was a way they could communicate with the Headmaster at will or even in emergencies. It was a nuisance having to wait until they returned to Garden. Then again, this wasn't a typical situation SeeD members found themselves in when abroad on missions. He had never heard of clients turning on SeeD members in the past, so he wasn't sure what the procedure was if this was ever to happen. He wondered if it was even something which had ever been considered when deploying SeeD members.
After a moment, he sighed. 'Lets just head to the TV Station for now,' he told them, shaking his head. 'Rinoa may have just freaked out at the situation at the time,' he said but even his own words sounded doubtful to his ears. He carefully avoided looking at Hermione, but he could still feel her disbelieving eyes burning into him.
Watts nodded. 'The local and transcontinental trains have stopped running, sir! So, taking the train is not going to be an option, sir! People in the town should know more though, sir!' he told them as Zone made his way out of the room to tell the guys in the control room to return to Timber.
Selphie sighed explosively. 'So, we couldn't have gone back to Garden now anyway,' she grumbled, sitting down in the seat next to Hermione.
Squall crossed his arms. 'So, it would seem,' he muttered, shaking his head. 'Thanks, Watts,' he added, nodding to him.
Hermione stared down at the bandages on her arms and legs, feeling the pain from her cuts and frowned. How can Squall think this was an accident? She obviously did this to save herself. She even locked us in there with that… thing! she cried into her mind, unable to believe he could just dismiss that fact at least.
She knew people did irrational things when they were in danger, and Hermione had been the nearest person to her. It is feasible that Rinoa had assumed Squall, Zell, or Selphie would have leapt in to save her. She perhaps didn't realise the danger she ended up putting Hermione in. Still, that didn't justify why she locked the door when she left. Besides, she was still sceptical about Rinoa's request to have her there in the first place. Could she have known something was going to go wrong? she wondered, shaking her head. She couldn't be certain, but she knew something about this entire situation wasn't right and she wanted to know what happened to Rinoa to trigger this change in her. She gazed up at Squall, but he was avoiding her eyes and leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. If we do find Rinoa at the TV Station, what will happen then?