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Chapter 19 Help From The Strangest Of Places.
Fleur jerked awake. She was disoriented for a moment. A soft sobbing noise pulled her attention to the corner of the room. She slowly swung her legs out of the bed in the direction on the sobbing and pushed herself to her feet. The room was dull but not dark and Fleur surmised that they had slept much of the day away, she cursed herself for not thinking to leave a small light on. She reached over and slowly picked her wand up, casting 'lumos'. A small ball of light emitted from the end of the wand, the ball floated to the ceiling and stayed there, covering the room in a gentle glow.
"'Ermione?" Fleur called out. In response she heard a rustle of movement and she slowly edged her way towards the sobbing, crouching down so as not to intimidate Hermione. Inwardly Fleur sighed, more than a little frustrated. Hermione had been making such good progress, she was starting to recover from the horrors that bitch had visited on her but now, well now who knows how things were. She stayed where she was crouched in Hermione's line of sight, careful not to touch her but definitely within arms reach. Fleur remembered finding Hermione like this before and cautioned herself to be patient.
"'Ermione, are you hurt?" Fleur asked again. She knew that Hermione responded to her better if she continued to talk to her, as though her voice brought her comfort. "You must be cold down there on the floor ma petite, non?" she asked before continuing, "Would you like a blanket?" she pulled the blanket from the bed showing that she had one to offer.
"Fleur?" Hermione croaked. It was a question. Could Hermione trust her ears, could she trust her eyes enough to know that Fleur was there. Where was she? She lifted her hands to her face and mashed her fists into her eyes in frustration.
"Oui Hermione, et iz Fleur." Fleur responded slightly alarmed at Hermione's confused tone.
Hermione had to take the leap of faith; she had to trust that it was Fleur. She trusted Fleur, and she trusted that it was not another cruel image in her mind, put there by Bellatrix to confuse her. Hermione threw herself forward into Fleur's lap, wrapping her arms around her and holding on lest she sink back down into oblivion again. When Fleur did not morph into Bellatrix or melt away entirely Hermione cried with relief.
Fleur was surprised, but held her friend, gently rocking her and kissing her head, repeating soothing sounds over and over again. Expecting Hermione to calm, Fleur was surprised to note that instead Hermione cried harder, wailing as she did so with great body wracking sobs. Fleur was reminded of a time when she had babysat her younger sister. Gabrielle had woke up after a nightmare and had been hysterical for what seemed like hours but in reality had been only a few short minutes, Gabrielle's tears had been a combination of the built up fear and relief at the fact that whatever story book character had been chasing her had been fictitious and could not actually trap her in a oven to eat.
Fleur heard the creak of the door and at the same time felt Hermione stiffen defensively, "It is alright Hermione, you are safe now," she said letting the person at the door, most likely Ginny, know that she had the situation under control. Seconds later she heard the door close again she smiled, happy that Ginny trusted her to take care of her friend.
Fleur leaned into Hermione and whispered, "Zey are gone, zey were just concerned for you ma petite, Ginny is a good friend zat is all. You would do ze same if you heard her cry, non?" she asked and she waited, giving the logical witch time to process what had just been said, eventually Fleur felt Hermione's head move in a nodding gesture against her as she felt her hot breath against her neck. Fleur smiled at the feeling, while she would give anything to protect Hermione from feeling this way, she did enjoy the sensation of the young witch's breath against her.
Fleur shook the thought away as she became aware of Hermione whispering very faintly, but could not make out what it was the brunette was saying, she leaned in closer. "I couldn't let you in, she wouldn't let me. I tried to push her out but I couldn't." Hermione was whispering. Fleur's heart sank, again the younger witch was taking responsibility, blaming herself for something beyond her control, and her voice sounded so defeated. If these attacks were allowed to continue, Bellatrix would soon break Hermione's mind, like she had the Longbottom's.
"Tell me when you first became aware of 'er ma petite, usually I smell her perfume but zis time I did not." Fleur explained, trying to get Hermione to talk about what had happened so that together they might be able to figure out why Fleur was unable to fight Bellatrix this time.
"I panicked." Hermione stated simply, again blaming herself. Fleur quietly sighed, this may be a battle and as her leg was already falling asleep she decided that she was not going to have this battle on the floor.
"Ok." She said acknowledging Hermione's statement. "I am going to get up on ze bed as I am freezing and my leg is falling asleep, come on ma petite." Fleur told Hermione, purposefully making it a statement not a question. She pushed herself up onto her knees Holding Hermione so that she would not fall but encouraging her to her feet as she did so, then Fleur pushed herself all the way to her feet and reached down, picking up the blanket. She raised the blanket into the air and allowed it to float down across the bed before climbing in and resting her back against the headrest.
Hermione stood for a moment, shivering as goosebumps made their way up her legs and down her arms. She looked at Fleur for a second before climbing into the bed. Fleur pulled the blankets around them and gently pulled Hermione against her, Hermione did not resist but leaned against Fleur's shoulder gladly. Fleur smiled.
"Tell me ' Ermione what made you panic?" Fleur asked as the younger witch shivered against her.
"I could feel her watching me, so I threw my walls up." Hermione answered, "She laughed that cackle of hers and I knew that I had made a mistake because she was already inside my walls," as she spoke her voice became more and more shaky and Fleur thought that the memory of feeling Bellatrix inside your mind must be a frightening one. Fleur clenched her teeth together, pushing down her hatred of the woman she knew she would kill if they were ever face to face with again.
"So she was inside your walls and you were trapped with her?" Fleur asked prompting Hermione to continue, though feeling wretched for it as she imagined that this was not fun to relive.
"She was on top of me, I don't even remember falling down." Hermione said and now her voice sounded strangely disconnected as she retold what had happened. "Suddenly I was back in Malfoy Manor," Hermione choked back a sob and Fleur tenderly stroked her hair reassuringly, "she was sitting astride me and I was pinned, the pain was incredible, I hadn't even seen her wand." Hermione paused. Fleur was struggling to know whether Hermione was recounting what had happened in her mind or what had happened at the Manor. Hermione continued, I could feel her all over me, even though I was screaming in pain and terrified, I could feel her hands all over my body, under my clothes." Hermione whispered the last part but Fleur got the implication and tears streamed both witches faces.
They lay in silence for a while Hermione regaining control of her emotions and Fleur offering what little comfort she could which turned out was little more than stroking Hermione's head with one hand and holding her safely with the other. It was not enough, but Fleur was at an absolute loss as to what else she could do, so she continued her reassuring motions and let Hermione gather herself.
"Once Bellatrix realised I had thrown up my walls and she was on the inside she attacked me, Crucio after crucio came at me until she was on top of me, laughing. I was just grateful she didn't have her knife with her this time." Hermione said and she was back speaking in a calm voice as though they were discussing the weather. "Just her hands this time," Hermione whispered and shuddered as she said the words. Fleur felt bile rising in her throat at the implication but swallowed it back down.
"I zink zat we should work on a mental link." Fleur started, trying to steer the topic of conversation away from Hermione being tortured. Generally Fleur let Hermione guide all their conversations but she did not think that the younger witch knew how to get away from Bellatrix in something as simple as a conversation so she did it for her, telling herself internally that if Hermione wanted to continue to share with her, her experiences at Bellatrix's hands she would sit there and listen but she did not want Hermione to feel trapped in the conversation either.
"A mental link?" Hermione asked feeling a little scared at the prospect, "Like Bellatrix has with me?" she asked nervously. She trusted Fleur but even that trust had its limits.
"Non," Fleur said instantly, wanting to put those fears to rest as quickly as possible. She reached over and grabbed a book off the nightstand.
"Is that Maxwell Barnett's?" Hermione asked eyeing the book. Fleur smiled at the excitement that seemed to take over Hermione's entire being as the book was brought to rest on the bed in such a way that they could both see it. It was in fact Maxwell Barnett's Guide to Advanced Occlumency Fleur had found it in the library and had kept it to research how she might be able to help Hermione. She had marked one of the later chapters: Mental Links and Why They are Mental! And opened the book to the chapter, Hermione picked up the book and read while Fleur continued her soothing motion of stroking the young witch's head.
When she reached the end of the chapter she placed the marker back in the right page, "Well Barnett is correct, mental links are mental." She said but there was an undertow to her voice that sparked hope within Fleur and she felt pride well up in her chest as she realised that Hermione was coping. She had suffered and come out of the other end of it and she was alright. Fleur looked at the young witch in wonderment, she thought to herself, if I had gone through what she had would I be so coherent and pulled together right now? She doubted it. Hermione turned to look at Fleur and saw the look on her face, "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked and concern danced across her face.
Fleur smiled, "I was just thinking 'ow remarkably strong you are and I am proud to 'ave you as my friend." She told the younger witch and even managed not to blush. Hermione smiled, there it was the 'friend' word again, she pushed her insecurities down and focused on the other things that Fleur had said. She was pleased to hear that Fleur thought she was strong, and delighted to hear that Fleur was proud of her. She nodded her appreciation at Fleur.
"I would like to read the following two chapters and then if you are in agreement try this mental link?" Hermione said. Fleur hesitated for a moment, she had not thought through the implications of this, with a mental link between Hermione and herself, they would have access to each other's memories thoughts and feelings. She was not sure how she would feel or what Hermione would think if the young witch saw some of her thoughts about her.
As if she could read her mind Hermione continued, "But we would need to set some ground rules, boundaries of trust if you like. I have some thoughts that I would like to keep private," Hermione said to Fleur thinking specifically about her thoughts and feelings of love and adoration for the older witch, "and I am sure you have thoughts and memories that you too would like to keep private." Fleur nodded in response a little relieved, she trusted Hermione and if the two of them agreed to open the link but not go looking for things then she could store her intimate thoughts and memories in a deeper part of her mind as could Hermione. The mind was a great thing once you discovered how to unlock it and if you wanted to hide something in there then you could, thanks to Maxwell Barnett's teachings.
Fleur leaned down and kissed the top of Hermione's head, "Well while you read I am going to take a shower, but first let me put zis ointment I 'ave made for you, on your shoulder." Fleur grabbed the ointment and opened it up.
Hermione sighed, "Ugh just rub it all over me," she exclaimed and instantly turned red in embarrassment at what she had just said, "umm...what I mean is, I mean after this morning my whole body aches is what I meant, nothing filthy."
Fleur giggled as Hermione fell over the words, "I know what you meant 'Ermione, I 'ave for you a mild pain potion, nozing strong, just enough to take ze edge off. But I think ze ointment really will benefit your shoulder." Fleur told Hermione taking the embarrassment out of the situation. Hermione nodded and sat up on the bed with her back to Fleur, she carefully took her shirt off with stiff movements and then Lay back down on Fleur so she could have easy access to the shoulder.
Fleur slowly let out a breath she had not known she had been holding as she tried to ignore the fact that Hermione's naked breasts were pressing against her own, with only Fleur's t-shirt separating them. She pushed the thought away as ridiculous she had bathed and taken care of Hermione, she had showered with her, this was nothing different. Besides, Fleur admonished herself, the poor girl had just finished telling her how Bellatrix had molested her, that thought took the sexual feeling out of the situation for Fleur. She scooped some ointment out of the dish and rubbed it between her hands so that it would not be cold on Hermione's skin then she gently massaged it over the knots of scar tissue that covered both front and back of Hermione's shoulder.
When Fleur stopped rubbing the ointment in Hermione let out a groan, "God that felt so good." She told Fleur then she moved her arm about, "and it has already started to loosen up, thank you!" she exclaimed. Fleur smiled and put the ointment back on the nightstand, grabbing the pain potion as she did so.
"'Ere," she said as she thrust it at Hermione, "et tastes bad but will do good, trust me." She said to Hermione as she urged her to drink the pain potion. Hermione unstoppered the bottle, she did trust Fleur – implicitly, and drank down the contents of the bottle.
"Yuck, you weren't kidding!" Hermione said in disgust as she screwed her face up still surprised at the rank taste of the potion.
"Oui, et is ze gurdy root, nothing quite overcomes ze taste," Fleur said as she got off the bed and went for a very long very hot shower.
As she was drying her hair 20 minutes later, Hermione popped into the bathroom, "I am just going to jump in too, Ginny said something about dinner and news." She told the blonde as Fleur brushed her amazingly untangled obedient hair.
Fleur nodded, "Zen I shall meet you in ze kitchen," she said and she went downstairs to meet Ginny and Luna in the kitchen.
When she opened the door she was met by two very tired faces who were looking in her direction hopefully. Fleur smiled, they were worried about their friend, she was glad that Hermione had these two who cared so much about her. "'Ermione is in ze shower, she will be right down." Fleur explained and the two looked relieved.
"How is she?" Ginny asked, clearly concerned.
"She is coping, and I think zat is ze best we can expect from her," Fleur explained.
Ginny nodded, "We were worried when we heard her sobbing." She explained
Fleur nodded, "She 'as been through a lot." Fleur said by way of an explanation, then a dark expression crossed her face, "I zink I am going to kill Bellatrix black." She said and she made eye contact as she said it. Suddenly and inexplicably tears filled Fleur's eyes. Both Ginny and Luna went over to Fleur and hugged her.
"I will help you," Ginny whispered, she knew Fleur had meant it and she had meant what she said too.
Moments later the four witches sat at the table as Kreacher served them some Macaroni Cheese with Bacon and tomato through it for dinner. As they ate Ginny and Luna explained that they had taken a trip to Knockturn Alley while Hermione and Fleur had slept and Borgin and Burkes shop was indeed abandoned, but the vanishing cabinet was still there.
"We need to steal it." Hermione announced. The other three witches looked at her in astonishment. "Well we can't risk travelling to and from Hogwarts via Borgin and Burkes via Knockturn Alley can we? Death Eaters would see us. So we need to steal it, and we need somewhere secure to store it." Hermione explained.
Ginny thought about this for a minute, "Well you could put it in the basement, we can ward it so that only us four can come through the ward." She suggested.
It was at this point Kreacher felt he had to interrupt, "Mistress Ginny, can Kreacher Help you with this task?" he asked Ginny.
Ginny was surprised at Kreacher's willingness to help and turned to him, "Why Kreacher?" she wanted to know his reasoning so that she could determine if he was trying to trick them or not.
"Wizards make good wards, no doubt. Especially Miss Black." He pointed to Hermione when he said this, "But elves make better wards, if I ward the dungeon then not even Mistress Bellatrix could come through." He explained and Hermione shuddered at the term. "As an Elf I can get through the wards at Borgin and Burkes undetected. Kreacher thinks that if you destroy You- Know-Who, who Master Regulus hated, then Mistress Bellatrix, who killed Master Sirius will suffer. Kreacher wants to help but cannot directly." He finished his monumental speech.
Hermione smiled at him, she understood what he was saying, he wanted the people who were responsible for his masters deaths to pay but he couldn't play a part directly. "Yes Kreacher, you can help us." Hermione told him
The house elf bowed then snapped his fingers and disappeared. Seconds later there was a pop that came from the basement, the basement door opened and Kreacher reappeared, seemingly mission accomplished. As though he had just done nothing more than a load of laundry, Kreacher began to clear the plates from the table so he could make a start on washing the dishes. The four witches sat at the table stunned.