AN: This one was really hard for me to write. I really hope that you like it. Please review.
Chapter 24 When the World Crashes Down Around You
Hermione sat at one end of the couch with her legs tucked underneath her, her feet were sticking out and were ever so lightly touching Ginny, who was mirroring Hermione's position on the opposite side of the couch. No one would be able to tell that Ginny was helping ground Hermione, and now that she was up at full strength, Hermione was not sucking as much energy from Ginny now.
The door to the kitchen opened and Ron walked in, not making eye contact with either of the witches on the couch. He had his hand shoved into his pockets, his shoulders were hunched and he was staring at the carpet. Neither Hermione nor Ginny spoke as they watch Ron squirm uncomfortably as he stood in front of the kitchen door. Ginny rolled her wand between her fingers, eyeing Ron with a fierce intensity almost daring him to make a move.
Ron shuffled his feet and looked up through his bangs, his uncertainty mirrored in his movements as his eyes flicked from Hermione to Ginny and back again.
"Honestly Ronald sit, down we won't bite!" Hermione spat at him in a tone that implied that she might do exactly that.
Ron sat in an armchair and fidgeted with his fingers, careful not to raise his eyes to meet the glares he knew all too well from them. He had no idea why they wanted to talk to him, though he wasn't so thick that he wouldn't be able to make a decent guess at. Ron took a deep breath and exhaled slowly in an attempt to calm his nerves.
Hermione couldn't take it anymore, she had wanted him to squirm but now that he was doing just that she felt uncomfortable with it. "Ronald. I know about Harry." Hermione stated matter of factly.
Ron's mouth dropped open, how did she even know about him? "What?" he said, trying to play dumb. As soon as he had decided on this specific course of action he regretted it. He knew that both Hermione and Ginny would be able to tell that he was lying.
Ginny shot up off the couch and waved her wand in Ron's direction, "Look Ron, the only reason I am not kicking your ass right now is because we know that you're a traitorous dick and we need information from you so start talking or I start hexing." Every word was laced with enough venom to take down a basilisk, she brandished her wand like it was a dagger and she was going to stick the pointy end into his neck. The skin on Ron's neck under her wand was turning pink under the pressure as he looked to Hermione for help.
Hermione was inspecting her finger nails, she couldn't remember the last time they had been in any sort of respectable state. The nails that hadn't been broken had been chewed down to the quick, each and every one torn and ragged. Hermione resolved to start taking better care of her nails as she finally lifted her gaze to see what Ron was huffing about. Hermione fought back a smile as Ginny had managed to stay at arms length from him, yet still have him virtually sobbing in fear.
"Ronald, let me be very clear here." Hermione started, "You stabbed Fleur, you betrayed the Order and you left me at Malfoy Manor with..." she faltered for a moment, "you left me there. If you are looking for help with anything, then don't look at me. Do you understand?" she had kept her tone very calm and non threatening and even Ron was smart enough to know that he may be in trouble, so he simply nodded in response. "Good, I am glad you understand. Now talk to me about Harry." She finished and finally connected eyes with him.
Ron squirmed a little, but nodded. Ginny backed up a couple of steps but let him know that she did not trust him by never lowering her wand. Ron cleared his throat, "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed as Ginny backed away, "Right, well, so yeah Harry, he isn't dead." Ginny took a step forward her face flushed with anger. Ron threw his hands up in a futile effort to protect himself as Ginny cast a 'Crucio' at Ron and he yelped. Hermione paled as her eyes flicked to the door, she knew that no one would interfere with whatever they decided to do, she flicked her eyes back to Ginny and was starting to panic that Ginny wasn't going to stop. Hermione had not expected Ginny to cast the unforgivable, but Ron's cavalier attitude about Harry being alive must have pushed her to the edge.
Ron struggled to regain control of his breathing as he wiped tears from his face. He slithered off of the armchair and crawled backwards across the floor trying to put some distance between himself and Ginny as he whimpered. Ginny stepped towards him and he yelped again sliding along the wall towards Hermione.
Ginny raised her wand to curse him again, Hermione couldn't bare it, and stood from the couch. It wasn't Ron suffering that was her issue, it wasn't even the fact that one of her best friends was casting unforgivable curses, it was however everything to do with the fact that the way Ron was suffering and it reminded her of what she went through with Bellatrix.
"Ronald, why is he still alive?" Hermione asked him and Ginny turned her attention to Hermione for a moment before turning her attention back to Ron. It was as though she could see the wheels turning in his head.
"Er, er er, he was at the Manor but he's not himself." Ron said quickly as he wiped blood from his nose. Ginny rolled her eyes, ten seconds under a Crucio and he's bleeding, Hermione had bigger balls than him. "I mean in the forbidden forest I saw him go down, then HE went down then Mrs Malfoy went to him and when Harry got up he smacked her. Bloody hell I never saw Harry throw a punch like that before. I never saw him fight before, not without a wand. Then he grabbed his wand and he, he, he tortured her. We never found out why..." Ron hadn't even taken a breath.
"Harry tortured Narcissa Malfoy?" Ginny interrupted Ron, she couldn't believe that Harry, her Harry would behave this way.
"Nah, nah see we found out after that it was HIM, somehow they switched bodies." Ron explained hardly able to believe the words that were spilling from his own lips. "You-Know-Who was wearing Harry like a suit," He paused to look at Hermione to see if he was making things better or worse but he really could not tell.
Hermione got to her seat, grasping a glass of water that Fleur had left for her. Her pulse was racing, as she felt she was finally getting somewhere with things. "So harry is 'wearing' Voldemort's body?" Hermione asked .
"Yeah, yeah, they have him down in the Manor, in the basement." Ron answered, not even aware that he was giving Hermione more information than she has asked for.
Ginny turned and looked at Hermione and Hermione nodded, she had enough information and she wanted Ron out of the room. Ginny turned back to Ron and then punched him in the face, "Get out of here, arse!" she spat at him. Ron did not need telling twice and got to his feet and scrambled to the kitchen door. "Nope!" Ginny shouted after him and he turned to look at her and she was pointing up the stairs, Ron turned on his heels and scrambled up the stairs as quickly as possible.
As soon as Ron was upstairs, Hermione sank back onto the couch. Ginny went over and sat beside her. The two of them were clearly shaken by what Ron had told them, even though it was confirmation of what they already expected.
Hermione reached out and squeezed Ginny's hand, "I will find him and bring him back I swear it." There was nothing but sincerity in Hermione's words and Ginny knew it.
Ginny squeezed Hermione's hand back and shakily replied, "WE will get him back."
Hermione just nodded in response. Before the two friends could finish their conversation the door to the kitchen burst open and Fleur came storming through, anger plain on her face as she turned back to the kitchen. "You are an arse Bill and I want a divorce!" she spat at him. Ginny's jaw dropped open as Hermione got to her feet, her intention being to offer some mediation.
"Fleur! Don't be such a bitch!" Bill said from the doorway.
Hermione spun on her heels, stepped over to Bill and slapped him clear across his face. Bill looked at her in shock, it was plain that he was struggling to understand what was going on or why he had been slapped. Fleur, who was pacing in front of the fireplace, glanced at Hermione and then turned to Ginny who nodded at her, their conversation unspoken. "Zere is nozing else to say Bill. Et is over and I do not want to see you anymore." And with that Fleur grabbed a handful of floo powder and disappeared into the emerald green flames.
"You really are think, you know that!" Ginny yelled at Bill once the green flames died down. Bill looked at her questioningly, Ginny softened her tone a little before explaining, "She is in love with someone else and if you cared for her even a little bit you would want her to be happy, but not you. You just want to hurt her and all you are doing is pushing her further away." Ginny turned away from Bill and yelled up the stairs, "LUNA! WE ARE LEAVING!" then turned back to Bill, "Don't contact her, don't do anything until you hear from her first, unless it is with divorce papers." She turned away from him and walked back over to Hermione, and as though she remembered something she turned back to Bill. "I'll kill Ron next time I am in the same room as him so be aware of that."
Bill's eyes grew huge and round, his sister was very much like their mother: a force to be reckoned with when she was upset and whatever it was that Ron had done, Bill believed that Ginny really would kill him if they were ever in face to face with each other. He nodded at Ginny and disappeared back into the kitchen using the hand that wasn't rubbing his face where Hermione had slapped him to slam the door shut.
Hermione eyed the Floo powder nervously as Luna came down the stairs, she had no desire to travel back through the Floo network leaving herself open and vulnerable to Bellatrix's attacks. Almost as though someone had read her mind Kreacher appeared in the room with a 'pop'.
Kreacher looked around the room then walked over to Hermione, "Kreacher is here to take you back mistress." He told her. Hermione looked up at Ginny and she nodded, Hermione then took Kreacher's hand and side-along apparated back to Grimmauld place with her.
"Thank you Kreacher," Hermione told him and he nodded before pulling out a rag and polishing a picture frame in the hallway. Hermione opened the kitchen door, expecting to see Fleur making her trademark pot of coffee but instead was met by the empty kitchen. She wondered whether to go and offer some comfort to her friend or to give her some space. Hermione tried to put herself in Fleur's shoes and she frowned because all she could think was that she wanted to be with Fleur. Deciding to follow her instincts Hermione climbed the stairs to the room that she shared with Fleur, softly pushing the door open she could see Fleur sitting on the bed. Her back was to the door but Hermione could tell that she was crying, Hermione cleared her throat to announce her presence and Fleur stood, quickly wiping the tears from her face.
"I'm so sorry Fleur," Hermione began as she stepped over to her friend.
"I never wanted to be so 'arsh wiz 'im but 'e just would not listen," Fleur said, clearly feeling as though she had to account for her behaviour.
Hermione smiled reassuringly at her, "Well he is a guy and a Weasley, so I am not sure that he would have got the message had you been anything other than blunt. Besides he will be ok, Ginny is talking some sense to him and he's got the twins to help him through this." Hermione was frustrated at the little comfort she was able to offer her friend who would not even look at her.
Fleur sighed, "Merde!" she exclaimed and Hermione's French was good enough to know that this was not an expression of love.
Hermione softly lifted Fleur's chin up so that they were looking into each other's eyes, suddenly their faces were mere centimetres apart, "Stop beating yourself up. You haven't done anything wrong." Hermione told Fleur in a whisper. She dare not move a muscle as her heart slammed against her chest, and her breathing quickened.
Fleur looked at Hermione through her long lashes and fought her need to close the distance between them. She took a deep breath through her nose and her nostrils were filled with the scent of Hermione causing the blood in her veins to rush from her brain and flood other parts of her body resulting in an aching throb in her heart.
Hermione held Fleur's gaze and worked very hard to focus on her breathing while her desire screamed at her to lean forward, sub consciously her tongue flicked out, licking her lips in anticipation. Fleur's lips seemed to be invitingly soft and Hermione swallowed as she felt herself tentatively close the distance between them.
Fleur felt dizzy, was Hermione moving closer? She lifted a hand to Hermione's face, cupping her cheek in a soft warmth, steadying herself. Fleur almost sighed when Hermione froze, but then Fleur leaned the rest of the way forward and pressed her lips against Hermione's as she gently used her thumb to caress her cheek.
Hermione's mind exploded with a million and one thoughts, feelings and emotions and then fell silent as a tingling warmth spread from her lips and throughout the rest of her body to the tips of her fingers and toes. Hermione let out a startled groan as the intensity of the kiss struck her.
Fleur hesitated and went to pull back when she felt Hermione's hands on her hips, as she steadied herself. Fleur closed her eyes as a smile crept on her lips, and got lost in the tenderness of the kiss and after a moment she could feel Hermione's lips part. Fleur reached her free hand around Hermione and pulled her close as she slipped her tongue between those lips.
Hermione's eyes fluttered as she felt Fleur's tongue enter her mouth, she lifted her own tongue up in greeting as her entire body relaxed in Fleur's arms. Hermione felt wonderful as synapses in her brain sparked to life with sensations she had never before experienced. Her eyes closed as all her worries and woes slipped away with every millisecond her lips stayed connected with Fleur's.
Fleur opened her eyes as she pulled away, Hermione stood rooted to the spot, eyes closed and head tilted back slightly. Fleur pulled her hands slowly away from Hermione, giving her the opportunity to run, she had after all clearly overstepped the mark here. What must Hermione think of her? Clearly she only kissed her back because she was feeling so bad for her.
Hermione dare not move, nor even open her eyes, scared that if she did then Fleur would be gone and that she had dreamt the kiss. Finally when she could not bare it a moment longer she slowly opened her eyes and was met with Fleur, standing in front of her. Hermione's hands were still on Fleur's hips and she used them to pull Fleur closer to her, kissing her again. Where there first kiss had been slow and tender, this one was filled with passion, hunger and wanton desire. When next they parted they were both panting from the exhilaration. Adrenaline seemed to flow through them as though they were one being, as hands were run across bodies and desire ran amok between them.
A knock at the door ground their motions to a halt and the pair of witches sprang apart, still panting. They stood there in the center of the room staring at each other, seemingly unsure as to what their next move should be when the loud knock brought them back to their senses. Fleur reached up to fix her hair that had somehow dishevelled itself from it bun on her head as Hermione tucked her shirt back into her jeans.
A third knock on the door caused Fleur to snap to reality, "Come in!" she said satisfied that Hermione had straightened herself up and she had fixed her hair.
Luna opened the door and entered the room, she looked Hermione up and down then cast the same appraising look upon Fleur. "Well, it's about time you two did that." She stated with a knowing smirk to no one in particular.
Fleur had the grace to look away as Hermione's face flushed with embarrassment. "I truly am sorry to interrupt what must have been a very exciting moment," Luna stated, sounding genuinely sorry before continuing, "But Hermione I need your help with Ginny, she's come back somewhat out of sorts and well, you know Ginny." Luna said by way of an explanation, though Fleur hadn't really understood a word of what the strange witch had said.
Hermione looked at Fleur with sorrow in her eyes as she reached into her pocket and grabbed her wand. The movement startled Fleur as she had not sensed any danger up until Hermione withdrew her wand and she looked back to Luna for an explanation, none was offered.
Hermione sighed, "How much damage has she done? It can't be too bad, we've only been back..."
"An hour," Luna interrupted with one eyebrow raised and a smirk still on her face, "well she is pretty angry, and she's halfway through a bottle of firewhiskey," the platinum blonde explained and still sounded unconcerned.
"Merlin's balls, please tell me she's not in the study or the library, some of those books are first editions!" Hermione said as she headed for the door, wand at the ready.
"'Ermione, can I do anyzing?" Fleur asked.
Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and looked to Luna for help. "She's in the living room. I will wait for you outside the door," Luna said responding to Hermione's unspoken question. "It's a pity, I rather liked this dress," she finished before turning and heading out the room and down the stairs.
Hermione turned back to Fleur, who was looking rather nervous, Hermione wondered if she was having second thoughts.
"'Ermione, I am sorry, ze kiss was..." Fleur started but Hermione cut her off by pressing her lips to the Veela's.
Suddenly confident in herself Hermione pulled back from Fleur only enough so that their lips were no longer touching but Fleur had no choice but to lose herself in Hermione's chocolate coloured eyes. "The kiss was wonderful, please don't apologise for the best moment in my life." Hermione told her.
Fleur searched Hermione's eyes for any sign that she had not meant what she had said but there was none. Fleur smiled at Hermione as happy tears filled her eyes, Hermione gently swept them away, "We need to talk, but right now my best friend is downstairs destroying a perfectly good living room because she is drunk on fire whiskey, enraged at her brother for hiding the fact that Harry is still alive from her and feeling guilty because she has known for over an hour that he is alive and has not Harry yet," Hermione smiled as she explained to Fleur.
Fleur nodded and withdrew her wand, Hermione turned to lead the way downstairs but before she could, Fleur grabbed her shirt and pulled her towards her, crashing their lips together one last time. Hermione felt as though she was flying as she grinned at Fleur then took her hand and led her downstairs. Luna grinned at the pair and Hermione rolled her eyes as Luna winked at Fleur. They stood outside the door as the heard a glass smash against the wall. Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door.