Well guys, I've literally spent the whole day writing so that's why you've all been getting mad updates on this story. Thanks for the reviews Onyxkunai, thanks as always for reviewing :D enjoy chapter 4!
Chapter 4: Skinny Love
A couple days passed after Jade had figured out Gawain was in fact, the dark wizard Dorcha and had diligently been trying to find the broken Elder wand to revive Voldemort. Needless to say, she had spent the past two days filling out paperwork and meeting with the Minister to even things out in the Auror Office in case there were any other traitors amongst them. Now she was sitting in the Minister's office as they tried to figure out what how to handle the press.
"They'll want to interview Ron and Hermione, I'm sure..." Shacklebolt said calmly as he stared out his window at the lobby of the Ministry. "Probably Harry as well since they were the two aurors on the case and we'll need a new head of the department." Jade nodded quietly, her mind on Hermione instead of being on the current situation at hand. She hadn't seen the brunette in two days and she was missing her terribly, not to mention not seeing Rose as well, it felt like there was something missing ever since she left Hermione's flat that night after apprehending Gawain. "McHale," Kingsley said, snapping Jade out of her thoughts.
"Yes, sir?" She said calmly as he turned to face and sat down at his desk.
"I want you to be the department head." Jade froze as her brain processed what he had just said. "I think you're the perfect candidate for the job since you figured out who Gawain really was and right under all of our noses. You deserve a promotion, don't you think?"
"Th-thank you, Minister." Jade murmured as they both stood up and she shook his hand. "I truly appreciate the opportunity."
"Now you'll have to speak to the press," The Minister added as he sat back down and shuffled through some papers. "They're going to be here in an hour, along with Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger for statements. Is that a problem?"
"Of course not." The lycan answered quietly as she sighed and secretly dreaded the thought of seeing Ron and Hermione together. "I'll be down in the lobby in an hour then."
"Oh," Shacklebolt called as Jade was just about to walk through the door. "Did you ever figure out how Robards was hiding his scent from you?"
"Well, Gawain always had a rather…potent scent." Jade answered as she rubbed her chin and thought. "I think he was using a combination of Wolfsbane and Mistletoe into his cologne. Those two combined would be enough to keep any lycan or werewolf…or any animal with a strong sense of smell off his trail."
"I see," The Minister said calmly as she nodded and shook his head. "Well, feel free to move your things into his office when you have time, ok?" Jade nodded with a smile before exiting the man's office.
"'Allo, Jade." Fleur greeted as walked past the Minister's door with a large stack of papers in her arms. "It is good to see you, did you 'ave a meeting with the Minister?"
"He just made me Head of the Auror Office." She said with a small smile and Fleur's blue eyes lit up as she smiled brightly at the lycan before wrapping her free arm around Jade's neck and hugged her tightly.
"Congratulations!" The Frenchwoman praised as she pulled back and almost dropped her papers before Jade caught the stack that had slipped from Fleur's grip. "Merci, would you mind 'elping me take these back down to my office?"
"Sure." Jade answered as she turned in the direction Fleur was headed and walked beside her as they made their way through the Ministry. "How have you been lately? I heard you and Bill broke up a while ago, sorry that I never said sorry when it happened." Fleur chuckled and waved her hand dismissively before turning to face Jade.
"It's all right," The witch said calmly as they entered the elevator together and the cage closed before the Veela pulled the lever for her department. "'E just wasn't the one for me. Seems to be 'arder to date when people know you're a Veela, I couldn't tell 'e was under my zrall."
"I'm sorry, Fleur." The lycan said calmly as they shot upward towards the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. "I honestly thought you two would get married and have kids."
"As did I," Fleur said fondly as she sighed and shook her head and her silver blonde hair swished around her face. The elevator came to a stop as the cage opened and Jade followed the Veela down the hall and into her office. She set the papers down on Fleur's desk before checking the clock and sighing. "'Ave somewhere to be, mon ami?" The Frenchwoman asked as she sat down in her plush leather chair.
"I have to go down and meet with the reporters in a few minutes." Jade sighed heavily, speaking to the press was never her strong suit, but now that she was Head of the Department, she couldn't well blow off this interview. "Have to live up to the job I suppose." She gave the woman a smile before running a hand through her hair.
"Well, thank you for 'elping me." The blonde gave Jade another bright smile before walking toward her and pulling her into a tender embrace. "I can feel your torment, Jade. We Veela are very in touch with emotions. If you ever want to talk about it, just let me know, oui?" Jade smirked, Fleur had always been able to see right through the lycan ever since they had dated all those years ago.
"Thanks Fleur." Jade returned the hug before stepping back and smiling warmly at the Veela. "I might just take you up on that offer."
x-x
Hermione and Ron had just flooed to the Ministry with Rose and Ginny. They were meeting Harry in the lobby for the interview when they spotted a large crowd of reporters and camera bulbs were flashing wildly as they spotted a dark haired figure amongst the gaggle of cameras.
"I see they found, Harry." Ron grunted as he ran a hand through his hair and started over towards the reporters. "Can't seem to stay away from him ever since the war." Hermione just sighed and rolled her eyes at her boyfriend as Ginny scoffed and elbowed her brother. As they neared the crowd, they noticed that it wasn't Harry the reporters were drilling.
"That's Jade," Ginny whispered as they stopped just short to see why there was such a fuss going on. "I wonder what's going on?"
"Well she was the one who figured out that Dorcha was Gawain." Hermione answered as she adjusted Rose on her other hip. "I'm sure they want all the details."
"Miss McHale! Miss McHale!" One reporter yelled as he had his pen and paper ready to take down any notes. "Tell us! How do you feel now that you've been made the new Head of the Auror Office in Mr. Robards place?" The three let out a collective gasp as they heard the reporter's question and looked at each other as they continued to listen. Jade rubbed the back of her neck and quirked an eyebrow.
"Well," She started quietly as she averted her gaze to the ground before looking the reporter in the eyes. "It's definitely new. I'm honored really that the Minister would choose me for the position. I hadn't really imagined myself as the leading type, but I'm going to do my best to keep the Wizarding World safe as well as staying just and fair." The reporters erupted again as the man continued on with another question.
"How did you feel when you found out that Dorcha was in fact Gawain Robards?" Blue eyes narrowed slightly as she shook her head and frowned.
"Betrayed." Jade answered firmly as she took a deep breath. "Gawain was my mentor, he taught me everything about being a top notch auror and always being diligent. When I found him, I felt deceived and disappointed that such an honorable man could sink to something so low as to go behind the Ministry's back like he did." Kingsley suddenly appeared with Harry and made his way to Jade.
"No more questions for Miss McHale," He said loudly as he spotted Ron and the others, ushering them over. The crowd parted as Hermione, Ginny, and Ron moved towards them and the questions quieted. "There will be no personal questions from anyone, just pictures at the time."
"Miss McHale!" One woman with a rather large camera shouted as she made it through the crowd. "Could we get a picture of you with Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger? Perhaps holding their baby?" Jade's eyes widened as she looked down at Hermione, a wave of apprehension filling her bones as brown eyes connected with her timidly. The two days seemed more like two months as Hermione blushed and handed Rose to the lycan who smiled at the smiling baby girl. Ron moved to one side of Jade as Hermione moved to the other and smiled for the cameras. It was stifling to be so close to Hermione and not be able to touch her and the fact that there were cameras and a large amount of people around didn't help the situation. The only thing calming the anxious lycan was the strawberry blonde infant in her arms who was smiling and giggling for the cameras. She had indeed missed seeing Rosie every day and a serene smile spread on her lips as pale blue eyes looked up and twinkled at the raven haired woman.
"I've missed you so much, little flower." Jade whispered as she gently pinched Rose's cheek, which uttered a small squeal from the baby. A sudden, and crippling wave of sorrow filled Jade's chest as she began to struggle for breath. The cameras still flashing and the crowd closing in on her began to choke her as she shook her head and handed Rose to Ron before making her way through the crowd and out of the Ministry building, muttering that she needed some air. She pushed the doors open as the cool, rain scented air filled her lungs and she drew a deep breath before closing her eyes to savor the openness of being outside. Jade didn't waste time filling her lungs full of fresh air and moving down a few steps and into the rain as she heard the doors swing open behind her.
"Jade?" It was Hermione. Jade didn't turn around at the sound of the woman's voice and just closed her eyes to try and block everything out. "Jade, talk to me."
"Hermione," Jade sighed as she shook her head and ran a hand through her damp hair that was sticking to her face. "What do you want me to say?"
"Anything." The brunette whispered as she stepped forward and put a hand on Jade's back. The lycan tensed at the touch and cursed herself for longing for more. "I haven't seen you in two days. You saved my daughter and then you just disappear for two days and now I find out you're Head of the Aurors now? Why haven't you been by? Why have you been avoiding me?"
"Hermione, please," The lycan turned to face the brunette who was still under the protection of the Ministry awning above the doors. "What did you expect? Ron came back, what did you want me to do?"
"I wanted you to follow through with what you said." Hermione said firmly as she took a step towards her, the rain soaking through her royal blue dress. "I wanted you to at least come see Rose, she's missed you…I've missed you." The brunette's voice faded to a whisper as she looked down at the stairs and sighed.
"I can't," Jade shook her head and clenched her jaw as she felt the tension in her chest getting worse. "You have a family, I can't destroy that and be all right with it! Rose needs her father and that's not me."
"She needs someone who is going to take care of her, father be damned." Hermione retorted as she took a step closer and narrowed her dark brown eyes at the lycan. "Ron isn't ready to be a father, that much is clear, but you, you were more of a father to her in two and half weeks than Ron has been in six months of her life!" They stood there for a moment glaring at one another, Jade secretly admiring the brunette's fiery attitude.
"This isn't right," The lycan groaned as she scowled and rubbed the back of her neck. "What did you think would happen? That you'd tell Ron you're leaving him and we'd live happily ever after?"
"Yes!" The brunette squeaked as she pleaded with her eyes for Jade to see that she was sincere. "That's what I want! That's what I want to try with you, but you left and didn't come back." Jade suddenly became aware of the seriousness in Hermione's voice as she shook her head and turned away from her. It was all too real, too much to deal with as she thought about the days she had spent with Hermione and Rose. Could she take that away from Ron? The rain beat down on the cement and filled the lycan's ears as she tried to steady her emotions before they got out of hand. "You told me that even though you were Ron's friend, you wanted what was best for Rose and I. Well I think that being with you is best for us! Those weeks you were with us were when I realized what a family should be and if I stay with Ron it won't be like that." Jade was breathing heavier as she heard Hermione's voice crack when she spoke and finally she felt Hermione's hand pull her arm so she was facing her again. There were tears brimming in those brown eyes as Jade looked away, guilty that she caused the brunette to cry. "Why won't you look at me? Why haven't you been back since that night you got Rose back? Why couldn't you at least come visit?!"
"Because, I love you!" Jade shouted, causing Hermione to jump at the tone in the lycan's voice. "I love you and I feel guilty because Ron is my friend! So I stayed away. I stayed away because I knew if I didn't I would take you from him! And I can't do that Hermione! I can't steal my mate's girlfriend right under his nose after his child was kidnapped. I'm not…" Jade didn't get a chance to finish her thought as Hermione tangled a hand in her damp hair and pulled her forward to close the gap between their lips. Jade narrowed her eyes slightly before she pushed the brunette away and shook her head. "I can't do this. I'm sorry." She said quietly as she took a step back and apparated away.
"Where'd Hermione go?" Ron asked as he returned from the bathroom and saw Ginny holding Rose.
"She said she was stepping out for a moment." Harry answered as he smiled at Rose as the baby was playing with his wife's hair. "I'm sure she'll be back in a moment. Do you want to pop over for a drink?" The greened eyed man glanced at his friend who nodded before he noticed his girlfriend walking back towards them, completely drenched.
"Hermione," He whispered as she rejoined them, a look of confusion on her face. "You're soaked, are you ok?"
"Yeah," She said softly, her eyes staring past her friends as she eyed Ron and wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I just got caught in the rain for a moment. We ready to go?"
"Harry invited us over for a drink," Her boyfriend said with a small smile as Hermione waved her wand and dried her hair and clothes. "You don't mind, do you?" Hermione shook her head as Ginny handed a giggling Rose to her and they walked into the nearest grate, a frown forming on Hermione's lips as she hugged her daughter close.
x-x
A couple hours later Jade appeared outside of Fleur's flat that was in London, the rain still drenching her to the bone as she stood outside her ex's house. She sighed heavily before walking towards the door and knocking gently, almost hoping that the blonde wouldn't be home. After a few moments of nothing, Jade shook her head.
"What am I doing?" She hissed to herself as she turned to leave right as the Veela answered the door.
"Jade?" Fleur's voice rang through the pounding of the rain and into the lycan's ears as she whipped around to see the woman clad in a large hooded sweatshirt and a pair of blue sweatpants Jade recognized.
"I think those are mine." The lycan chuckled as she smiled at her friend who blushed slightly and looked down at the pants. "I was looking for those for months after I moved out you know."
"Well…" Fleur said as she averted her gaze to the ground. "They were too comfy to give back." Jade smirked and shook her head as the blonde giggled and stepped aside. "So are you going to come in or just stand there in the rain?" The lycan sighed before walking forward and into Fleur's warmly lit flat. Jade looked around at the pictures of her family and the fire roaring in the living room before the Veela headed towards her kitchen. "You know you can sit down, would you like some tea?"
"Sure," Jade said quietly as she waved her hand and dried her clothes, not really caring that her hair was still drenched. "Chamomile, if you have it." She heard some clinking in the kitchen as she sat down on the brown, vintage leather couch and held her head in her hands as she thought of Hermione. Fleur reentered a moment later with two steaming mugs of tea.
"What is wrong, mon ami?" The blonde asked as she sat down next to the distraught looking lycan. "You look upset?"
"I have a problem, Fleur." The blue eyed lycan said with a heavy sigh as she ruffled her wet hair. "I uhm…fell in love with someone."
"'Ow is that a problem?" The Veela asked as her pale blue eyes widened slightly and she sipped her tea. "Love usually isn't one of those things that are a burden."
"It is when you love someone who already is in a relationship." Jade sighed as she sipped her tea and sighed contentedly at the calming flavor. "I don't know how it happened." Fleur's eyes widened as she set her mug down and turned on the couch to face her friend properly.
"'Oo is this woman?" Fleur pressed as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Someone I know?"
"Promise you won't flip out?" The blonde nodded her head and Jade closed her eyes and sighed. "It's Hermione."
"'Ermione?!" Fleur squealed as her eyes widened and her hands flew to her mouth. "When did this 'appen?"
"While I was staying there." Jade groaned as she fell back into the couch and ran her hands over her face. "I didn't mean for it to, it just…sort of happened. She's going to tell Ron and I feel guilty because of it."
"Does she return your feelings?" The curious Veela asked as she leaned closer to Jade. "I mean, I know Ron is not the most endearing man, but 'e is a good natured boy." Fleur watched Jade sigh and close her eyes as she shook her head. "'Ey, let's go out tonight, get your mind off of 'Ermione for a while, hm?"
"Hermione does feel the same, but Ron's my friend." The lycan said quietly as leaned forward to take another sip of her tea. "What did you have in mind?" A bright smile crossed the Veela's lips as she got up.
"I'll go change and then we can leave." Fleur winked at her friend before disappearing upstairs. Jade smirked and shook her head, as long as she could remember, Fleur had always been one to go out when someone was having a bad day. I guess she shouldn't expect anything less from the blonde woman. A few moments passed as Jade watched the fire dance and spark in the grate before she heard Fleur coming back down the stairs. Jade stood up and turned to see Fleur standing in a silver dress that hung off of one shoulder with her hair pulled over the other. "All right, I'm ready!" Jade couldn't stop from eyeing the blonde from head to toe since there was a large amount of leg showing.
"Jeez, Fleur." The lycan said as she looked down at her own attire. "I feel a little underdressed now." Fleur chuckled as she looked over the lycan with her hand on her chin.
"You look fine, Jade." The blonde smoothed down the lapels of Jade's jacket and smiled at her. "Now let's go. You could use a drink I think, hang on ok?" A moment later there was a familiar pull in Jade's stomach as they side-along apparated and reappeared outside a building where music with a deep bass could be heard.
"Where are we?" Jade asked calmly as she looked around and saw people filing into the brick establishment.
"This is a night club I come to every now and then." Fleur answered as she grabbed Jade's hand and pulled her to the front of the line where a large man with a Mohawk stood. "'Allo, Markus." The blonde greeted as the man smiled and undid the leather rope.
"Hey, Fleur." The man said as he stood aside and let the girls inside. "New girlfriend?" Jade blushed slightly as she turned towards Fleur who chuckled and shook her head.
"No, just a friend, Markus." The blonde gave him a charming smile as Jade followed the Veela into the booming club.
"Bring many girls here, Fleur?" The lycan said calmly as she smirked and Fleur shot her an amused look. What they didn't notice as they walked into the club, was Ginny Weasley standing in line with Luna Lovegood watching closely as the girls disappeared into the building.
x-x
"Hermione, say something." Ron said as the brunette was pacing in front of him and Harry was sitting on the fireplace watching his friends. Ginny had decided she couldn't not scream at her brother during this conversation so she went out with Luna for a few drinks. "Will you stop pacing woman?"
"What do you want me to say, Ron?" Hermione said calmly even though her body language screamed rage. "Do you want me to tell you that it's ok because you were gone for three weeks? Do you want me to forgive you? What do you want me to say!?"
"I don't know!" The red head exclaimed finally as he stood up and ran his hands through his hair. He had just confessed to her what had gone on while he was gone, with a lot of encouragement from Harry. "I just…I didn't want you to find out some other way. I'm sorry, Hermione, truly! I just…I made a mistake and lost control for a minute." Hermione rolled her eyes and scoffed as she glared at the man and he averted his gaze to the floor to avoid her fury.
"A minute, Ron?" Hermione hissed as she shook her head and groaned loudly. "Three times is a minute?" Ron shook his head as he rested his elbows on his knees. "I can't, Ron." She sighed heavily before sitting down next to Harry on the fireplace and holding her head in her hands. "But…you're not the only one who's been…unfaithful." Harry's head whipped around to look at his friend with wide eyes. Ron on the other hand, shot up and glared down at her with rage burning behind his washed out blue eyes.
"Who is the bloke?!" He hissed through clenched teeth and Hermione just rolled her eyes and chuckled. "What's so funny, Hermione!?" Ron cried as she shook her head and stood up to meet intensity.
"It was Jade." Her brown eyes narrowed as his eyes widened and Harry's mouth hung open.
"What?" The red head whispered as he sat back down and shook his head. "With Jade? Why?" Hermione let out a sarcastic chuckle as she rolled her eyes and then glared at her friend.
"Really, Ron?" She accused calmly as she folded her arms over her chest and huffed. "Why did you do it?" Ron's mouth opened and closed his mouth several times before coming up with nothing and looking down at his hands. "Nothing? No? Ok, well I did it because Jade actually cared for me and Rose, she helped out and she took care of me. She was more of a father to Rose than you are!" Ron stood and before Hermione could react his hand connected solidly with her face. Harry reacted swiftly as he jumped up and pushed the red head back.
"Ron!" Harry growled as he slammed the man back down onto the couch with his hands tangled into the collar of his shirt, green eyes ignited with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you!?" A crack resounded in the room and when Harry turned around, Hermione was gone.
x-x
Hermione appeared outside of a brick building with a flashing neon sign and long line. She walked up to the front of the line where a large man was holding a clipboard. He looked at the brunette as she approached and he sighed.
"Look, you're really pretty, but I can't let you in." He said as he pointed his pen to the line. "You'll have to wait like everyone else."
"Please," Hermione sighed as she kept her hand over her cheek. "I'm just here looking for a friend. Just give me…five minutes to look for her, please." The man sighed and moved the rope so the brunette could get in. "Thank you!" She ran inside to where the blaring music caused goose bumps to erupt all over her skin. Hermione tried to swim her way through the group to find Ginny and moved her way to the bar where there was a woman bartending with purple hair. "Excuse me!" The brunette yelled over the loud music. "Have you seen a red head in here? With a blonde girl?"
"The only blonde I've noticed is that girl over there." The woman nodded behind the brunette where she saw Fleur Delacour dancing with a very attractive brunette who was dressed in a scantily clad red dress. Hermione sighed as she got up and weaved her way through the crowd until she reached Fleur.
"Fleur!" Hermione yelled to catch the Veela's attention. "Fleur! Have you seen Ginny?" The blonde's pale blue eyes finally fell on the brunette and she smile brightly at the girl before pulling her into a friendly hug.
"'Ermione!" Fleur cried happily as she pulled away and kissed both of her cheeks. "What are you doing 'ere?" The blonde noticed the younger woman hiding her face and tried to tip her chin up. "What 'appened to you, mon ami?"
"N-nothing." Hermione cleared her throat and looked up into blue eyes. "Have you seen Ginny?" Fleur was looking around the crowd and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, 'Ermione." The blonde leaned in close so the brunette could hear her. "I 'ave not seen 'er tonight." Hermione nodded as she turned around to see Jade walking with two drinks in her hand and a smile on her face which fell when she saw Hermione.
"Hermione?" The lycan yelled as she handed the blonde a drink and leaned down closer to the brunette. "What are you doing here?" That's when she noticed, when the white flashing light hit Hermione's face. A bruise the size of a baseball on the brunette's left cheek. Blue eyes widened as she grabbed the brunette by the hand and handed her drink to the girl Fleur was dancing with. Hermione tried to jerk her arm out of the lycan's grasp, but Jade had a firm hold on the brunette as they made their way out of the club into the fresh air.
"Jade, stop." Hermione pleaded as she finally pulled her hand out of the lycan's hold. "Just let me go."
"What is that?!" The lycan hissed as she tipped Hermione's face up towards the lights that were shining outside the building. "Who did that to you?" Brown eyes looked down to the ground and put her hand back over her cheek.
'It's nothing." The younger woman whispered as she tried to walk away, but Jade grabbed her by the arm and gently held her by the shoulders. "Jade, just stop."
"Who did that to you?" Jade's eyes were burning with rage as she looked into eyes that kept avoiding hers. "Hermione, look at me." The brunette finally gave in and looked directly into Jade's blue eyes that were glowing in the dim light. "What happened?"
"I told Ron about us." Hermione whispered as she looked down at the ground. "He didn't take it well, I might've said some things that were rather harsh."
"So he hit you?!" Jade's voice was mixed with a growl as she released the shorter woman's shoulders and spun around while she ran a hand through her hair in a frustrated manner. "I'm going to kill him." The lycan growled as she turned back to Hermione, her eyes glowing brightly as she clenched her hands into fists.
"This isn't any of your business." Hermione shook her head and looked into Jade's wide eyes as her jaw dropped slightly at the brunette's words. "You left! This has nothing to do with you anymore."
"This has everything to do with me and anyone else who cares about you." Jade retorted as she inched her face closer to Hermione's. "He hit you! Have you seen your face? It looks like he hit you with a frying pan!" Jade paused for a moment and then narrowed her eyes at the shorter woman. "He didn't hit you with anything, did he?" Hermione couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face and winced when her cheek was stabbed with pain.
"No," The brunette woman shook her head as Jade sighed in relief and her eyes softened as she turned back to Hermione. "No he didn't, just his hand."
"Hermione," The lycan sighed as she gently grabbed the other woman's face and barrely caressed her bruised cheek with her thumb. "I'm going to go over there and I'm going to kick his ass."
"Jade, don't." Hermione groaned as she averted her gaze to the ground and shook her head. "It was just…he was mad and it was an accident."
"Stop making excuses for him, Merlin's beard!" Jade shook her and scoffed. "He laid a hand, a forceful hand on you and that was his second mistake." Hermione looked up at Jade before taking a step closer and wrapping her arms around the lycan's waist.
"What was his first?" Hermione felt a chuckle in Jade's chest as she looked up and saw blue eyes smiling back down at her.
"Leaving you alone with me." The blue eyed woman leaned down and gently pressed her lips against Hermione's as the brunette sighed softly, leaning up to get more of her lover's lips. Hermione released a soft moan as she melted back into Jade's arms and wrapped her arms around the lycan's neck to pull her down closer. As they reluctantly separated, Hermione whimpered at the loss of contact and when her eyes fluttered open, she was looking into warm blue eyes. "I promise, I won't kill him, but we are going to go back and have a talk with him." Hermione nodded as she leaned up and captured the lycan's lips once again.
x-x
"What the fuck were you thinking?!" Harry chastised as he paced in front of his friend who was sitting again with his head buried in his hands. "Ginny is going to murder you!"
"Gods, Harry don't you think I know that?!" Ron yelled as he stood up and ruffled his hair angrily. "I don't know what came over me! I just…I lost it! Merlin, I hope she comes back."
"You'll be lucky if she doesn't press charges." His friend said firmly as he removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his and released a heavy sigh. "You've got to get a hold of yourself, Ron. This can't keep going on, you two are my best friends and I'm not going to sit by as you treat her like shite!" Suddenly there was a crack and Hermione was in the living room with a very angry looking Jade McHale. Ron's eyes widened as he locked eyes with the tall girl and scoffed.
"What the fuck is she doing here?!" He took a step towards Hermione and Jade moved her aside and bared her growing teeth before a deep growl vibrated in her throat that caused the man to falter in his advance. "Hermione can we talk…"
"She's not here to talk." Jade hissed as she put a hand on Hermione's lower back and Ron's eyes glanced down at the gesture. "Hermione's just here to grab some things and Rose, she's staying at my place tonight."
"Excuse me?" Ron asked as he shook his head and looked over at Hermione. "You're what?"
"I'm staying with Jade, until I can find my own place." Hermione answered firmly as she moved closer to Jade who glared at the red head. "If I want to find my own place." Harry was watching the scene unfold before him as he kept looking back and forth between his friends.
"This is bloody insane." The red head scowled. "Hermione you're staying here, we can work this out."
"Are you joking?" Jade scoffed as she shot the man a sarcastic glare. "You expect her to stay here? After what you did to her? Are you mad?" Ron took a step forward and Jade met his advance by taking him by the collar of his shirt. "You're lucky I don't rip your hands off so you can't touch her ever again."
"Jade, don't." Hermione put her hands on the lycan's arm to try and keep her from doing anything stupid. "I'll just go grab my stuff and we'll leave, ok?" Jade hadn't taken her eyes off of Ron the whole time who was scowling deeply at her. Harry walked over and put a hand on Ron's shoulder as the lycan released him and maneuvered the red head back to the couch. Hermione gave the green eyed man a thankful smile as she went upstairs to grab her things.
"I trusted you." Ron said finally as he looked up at Jade, a hate fueled look on his face. "I trusted you to keep her safe and you steal her right from under me?" Jade sighed before rolling her eyes at the red head. "How could you do that?!"
"From what I hear," The lycan folded her arms over her chest and glared down at him. "You weren't exactly the most faithful person in the world, Ron. At least it was just me she slept with and not three other random women and I did keep her safe when you weren't here. I rescued your daughter when you didn't and now I'm here protecting your girlfriend again. Except this time, it's from you." Ron just stared at the woman with an angry look until he conceded the stare down and walked off into the kitchen.
"I can't help but hate him sometimes." Harry sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Thank you, for helping her."
"I love her." Jade said quietly as she smiled at Harry. "I don't know how it happened, but it did and I didn't mean for it to. Ron was my friend after all, but I want her to be happy and she wasn't, Harry. She wasn't happy with him." The bespectacled man nodded as he sat down with a sigh and undid his tie.
"I knew," The green eyed man sighed as he looked up at the woman. "I knew he wasn't good for her, but I thought it'd be nice to keep us together, you know? But after tonight, Merlin, I don't think I'd let him near her again." At that moment, Hermione decided to come down the stairs with a bag on one shoulder and Rosie in the other. Jade jumped to attention and met Hermione at the bottom of the stairs and took the heavy duffle bag from her.
"Ready to go?" She asked as she adjusted a sleeping Rose on her hip and Jade smiled warmly at her before nodding. Hermione heard Ron clanking away in the kitchen. "Give me a minute, ok?" Jade nodded as she took Rosie from Hermione and rested her against her shoulder. Hermione walked into the entryway of the kitchen and cleared her throat as Ron turned around with a glass of water in his hand. "I'm going to leave now and I know you're going to protest, but don't. It's over between us, I'd like to be friends again someday, but not soon." She turned to leave and Ron just stared blankly at her. "We can get together sometime to figure out a schedule with Rose, if you want to, that is." Ron didn't say a word as she turned around and walked back to Jade who was patting Rosie gently on the back. "I'm ready."