To-LOVE-Ru(toraburu=TROUBLE)
She Mei's revenge was horrifying that Magical Britain found itself alone and friendless in the International Magical Community.
This was one instance that She Mei used her rarely-used fame as the Girl-Who-Lived.
She sent letters and copies of her memories and thoughts to every country's Minister for Magic, and painted Magical Britain in a very nasty light that on ICW Meetings she had Kreacher spy on for the aftermath, it was a political nightmare for Kingsley who became temporary Minister until a proper one could be appointed and the guy after him had to deal with it all.
Nobody would do business with Magical Britain and nobody would deal with and hire those who caused the country's situation within the country just as nobody will hire magicals from Magical Britain.
Bill and Charlie were lucky to keep their jobs as their employers long knew them for years in Egypt and Romania respectively, but out of disgust, the two eldest Weasleys disowned themselves as did George...and they were the Weasley Family's biggest earners. Bill changed his name to Delacour with his in-laws' permission and Charlie chose a romanian surname to take on.
Bill took his wife away to Egypt where they lived from now on and Charlie remained single. As for George, he left Magical Britain with his shop, leaving with Lee Jordan who was his only friend left, and George's girlfriend later wife, Angelina Johnson. As being muggleborns they wouldn't have a good career now that Magical Britain is in utter poverty and inflation, other muggleborns followed suit, but not much hope as unless you're George Weasley with his own business, nobody would hire a British Magical. George changed his last name due to how...famous his family name is and not in a good way, not knowing his eldest brothers did the same. He, Angelina and Lee lived a well-off life as shopkeepers and George still remained as She Mei's Silent Partner.
Not only that, Kreacher has the job of sabotaging new Muggleborns invited to Hogwarts. He would add copies of letters containing warnings and what to expect from Magical Britain that their children are better off elsewhere in other schools and recommended Beauxbatons(She Mei talked with Madame Maxime about the matter). Thus no Muggleborn came to Hogwarts any longer and that means no new money coming in.
Because she was set up for money, and idiots who had no idea what was going on supporting her traitors through he Prophet, She Mei plunged Magical Britain into poverty and made those in on it National and International Scapegoats that the remaining Weasleys, Order Members and Hermione Granger are Persona Non Grata.
As for Hermione, she found that her parents abandoned her a week after they reconciled for memory modification due to the wars...because they left a letter knowing what Hermione had a hand in, and disowned her through that letter. They packed up and left while she was with the Weasleys. Distraught over the abandonment and what her parents thought of the conspiracy she was involved in, she really has no more choices than stay with the Weasleys where she lived quite the smothered life she learned what it was like to live a life of 'choices made for her' as Mrs. Weasley ran the house with dominance it was no wonder her children lacked 'need-to-know' Life Skills and independence it was a Miracle Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins managed by themselves.
She most certainly did not marry Ron as she found his temper and inability to do ANYTHING unbearable and struggled to find work.
Because Diagon Alley knows her face as a Persona Non Grata, she found work in the Muggle World after faking her records with magic. She was far more successful as a Muggle and lived a financially good life, but her betrayal still found ways to haunt her when old classmates and peers recognized her she was forced to do a make-over. She was now blonde, short-haired, wears hazel contact lenses, trimmed her eyebrows and wore cosmetic glasses.
She is now a Professional Translator who, after mastering computer skills, studied languages and proved her competence, worked her way up the corporate ladder with magic, and enjoys a handsome salary through cheating. She has an annual salary of 30.071 pounds, equivalent of 1770 Galleons a year and 147 Galleons a month before Karmic Inflation happened that even the wealthier families now has to spend thousands of Galleons just to buy food and the Weasleys, losing the financial support of their eldest sons and George, plunged even deeper that 'at least muggle beggars could have a full stomach'.
Hermione became their target for money for food, Mrs. Weasley constantly reminding her that she owed their family for taking her in. Hermione's answer was sending them monthly groceries, but certainly no longer lived with them after Mrs. Weasley's first nagging Howler that she learned how her former friend felt, and when she no longer could stand Mrs. Weasley, she Obliviated them of memories of her and destroyed her 'existence' in the Burrow, having done more than enough to pay her debt to the family who only knew how to mooch. The family name 'Weasley' suited them indeed. They were truly...weasels.
She married a muggle by age 25 and she made sure he would never know about magic. In fact, after cheating her way up the ladder, she sealed her own powers away with a bracelet she made and when she had children, she sealed their budding powers with a 'birthmark'. With their magic channeling inward, it turned out to have positive physical and mental effects. Hermione was thus glad she found her happy ending after years of Karmic Retribution and it took her a lot to learn her lesson and changed back for the better. Just that she was back to having no friends even in the neighborhood for being a known workaholic just to have time with family afterward as her husband and children were all she had now.
She ensured her husband won't cheat on her with loyalty spells, and spells to prevent him from falling into bad vices however. Hermione also cheated with magic to look young and beautiful that washes away her working stress as being a Translator, was no joke. She appears youthfully healthy as her age suggests without the vicious damages caused by stress. For all her cheating at her workplace, she knows full well what NOT to do to and for her children as a mother as Mrs. Weasley set an example for her.
Mrs. Weasley was a smothering, domineering woman who treats everyone that 'they can't do anything without her' that as a result, Ron and Ginny are unable to fend for themselves and became lazy and know nothing about real life. Hermione's approach of motherhood was based on trust, and teaching her kids how to be responsible, hard-working and self-sufficient based on various researching on countries' ways of parenting. She lived a normal, fulfilled life after redeeming herself, not that anyone who knew her knew that.
Last she checked about the remains of the Weasley Family, without her support, they died of starvation as discovered when a Ministry Employee came to check as Arthur Weasley hasn't reported to work in days. Their deaths were CELEBRATED as they were among the prime conspirators with the late Albus Dumbledore in coveting the Potter Fortune that led to their current situation. The Order Members in on the conspiracy are being Hunted down that only Kingsley Shacklebolt was spared as he had no idea what everyone else was up to. He was the only Innocent Order Member. He was also smart enough to flee while he still could and leave Britain with his family to seek employment.
Hermione no longer gives a damn. As far as she was concerned, they no longer exist in her personal history and sent a final letter to Bill, Charlie and George before finally blotting herself out of the Weasley Life. It was her final contact with them, ever and that's fine with the three older Weasleys who wanted nothing to do with her and their family.
Pretty much the entire magical world knows of She Mei's story...and she was a good example of what happens to wealthy orphans left in horrible hands that many laws in countries changed, called the Potter Article I in her honor. Frantic wealthy parents worked to ensure their child will never be another She Mei if anything happened to them.
In Italy, the Italian Ministry is fully-aware the famous Girl-Who-Conquered is living in their country as a muggle shopkeeper, perfectly content and happy being alone while living in a dangerous part of muggle society, and at a later time living with a man who she was happy with they thought she found her happy ending though they wondered how she stays young...and the man she was with got younger and the Ministry knows how old she is. Her youth was a mystery but no traces of Dark Magic in usage whatsoever, her shop came up cleaner than a magical hospital and the spells ever used were scanning and household spells so she was left alone as she wants, and one of the world's most eligible magical bachelorettes didn't want anything to do with any magical unless its the bank, and remains unmarried to this day that 'the chinese man with her is just a boyfriend', they thought.
Her vast fortunes from Black and Potter Families within Italian Gringotts as well, and She Mei already paid the goblins her share of damages with an explanation as to why what happened had to happen, with memories intact. And due to betrayal, she didn't pay for Ron and Hermione's share when she originally intended to cover them too.
Due to this, the Italian goblins really couldn't say a thing about the matter as She Mei really intended to give them back a Goblin Treasure in return for help but she and her traitorous friends were betrayed by a goblin She Mei was familiar with, not trusting her to keep her word. So in return for her 'slighted honor', the Italian Branch helped her with the transfer, an erasing records of the deed so her money wouldn't be tracked to Italy when she does return the artifact as promised.
She gave the Black Fortune to Andromeda, instating her as Family Head with She Mei stepping down and the only members being Andromeda and Teddy whom she gave the vast Black Fortune to while she kept her own family's fortune.
Her revenge was horrifying indeed for Magical Britain's England an Scotland as poverty and theft aside, almost everyone there, even the government forced CHILDREN and SCHOOL TEACHERS to fight a war for them while everyone else buried their heads in the sand and fair-weather backstabbers. They were known as international shameful disgraces.
Such was the price of greed, betrayal and cowardice.
xxx
Back to Present Date...the eighth day in the cabin...
'She Mei, we decided that before we get our next job, we will train you taking turns every hour, so you can function as needed in future jobs and scenarios.' said Feng. 'Teaching you skills we all have yet you don't, and then work in pairs, in threes, and as a whole team. We're contracted for a year so we got plenty of time.'
'Oh, that's alright. As long as I have time to cook and brew medicines and for others to do their part in keeping house...' She Mei agreed.
'Yeah, we considered that.' said Lal. She's the one feeding them after all. Feng's also a cook and helps her out to be able to feed everyone faster but its She Mei who does the finishing touches with her flames. Without Flame Influence, her cooking will affect a person the normal way and will take longer to feel its benefits. As in less than five months.
That, was what they were told...that in just one week, they felt physically better and stronger.
It was just a matter of time now before they too, 'shave off years' like Feng.
(months later, they did all look young and their best, but not immortal)
'Let's get started.' said Lal. 'For now, Verde will do the dishes.'
'Huuuh?!' Verde squawked at the chore.
'You said you'll be the last instuctor so yes, you wash the dishes so the cooks can cook later!' Lal went Major on him complete with a glower, making Verde sputter before Lal looked back at She Mei. 'Your first instructor is Luce, followed by myself, Renato, Feng, and Viper in that order before Verde. She Mei, because you were hired with us, its inevitable that you'll become part of our community albeit as a Freelancer.' said Lal. 'You can still say neutral, everyone knows we're neutral ourselves.' she said. 'For now we'll do things at a late time but starting tomorrow will be a more uniform schedule we'll decide on at dinner.
'I'll be your teacher in Law, Mafia Terminology, things about Flames Feng had to hold back in due to the Law, Etiquette of a female Mafia member, and Mafia Culture.' said Luce as everyone else left to leave them be. 'But when can we know your name, She Mei?'
'...I just want to stay She Mei for the rest of my life, Luce.' said She Mei with a somber smile. 'Hearing my real name brings back things I'd rather forget.'
'I see...' Luce shook her head. 'Well, let's begin.' she said. 'But first, let's get you started with Puberty shall we? You're very behind on that matter no thanks to the people you used to be with.'
'...Luce, I already know about being a girl.' She Mei pointed out.
'You're behind at the matters of the heart though.' said Luce with a kind smile. 'This type of puberty is different.'
'How?'
'Gender differences aside, boys and girls see each other differently more than just physical.' said Luce. 'Due to this, they start feeling differently to each other and notice things such as how attractive they are, be it looks or personality...and then when they meet one they like, they can only think of the boy or girl they like, that they become awkward or clumsy around that person...as they try many attempts to get the person they like to notice their efforts in telling them that they have feelings for the one they like. Be it gifts or displays of affection...things like that.' she chirped.
For some reason, She Mei's consciousness showed her, her past with Feng.
And her heart throbbed.
'When their feelings are returned, it becomes romantic love.' Luce told her, easily reading She Mei's reactions. 'But there are times that these feelings are merely one sided that it ends in heartbreak...sometimes, some things aren't meant to be because their true love is out there somewhere. Boys and girls fall in and out of love, heartbreak along the way until they found someone who loves them back. This is what adults you used to be with never told you when you were young when this should have been common knowledge at 13.'
'Well...its not like anybody told me since I was being set up.' She Mei grumbled with a scowl. 'To them I'm a toy they can use, play with and throw away when they're done.'
Next was Lal.
Lal confronted her bluntly, but gently about her 'soldier issues' for their first day and would spend a week to help She Mei cope and move on.
(it was due to this that after Feng, She Mei grew to like Lal)
After Lal was Renato.
'Before I teach you how to use Firearms and Bombs, I'll teach you about them first, as well as proper Maintenance and creative ways to use them before we hit the Firing Range.' he told her in his usual charming manner when he was sure Feng wasn't within eyeshot. He finds it cute that She Mei was like an attentive puppy by how she looks at him for instructions. Then again, she's...mentally and emotionally 'too young' for her age that her time with them would surely help her mental and emotional wiring catch up to her age.
It was due to this that she's oblivious to Feng's many efforts in romancing her properly. For four effing years and he's painfully aware why but at least she responds well to affection given because she was starved for it. He couldn't kiss her though.
He just wished he found and met her first because it was hard not to fall for the taken woman whose suitor can easily kill you. He's an Assassin, he's outmatched if he and Feng came to blows over her and he knew it. Renato was only stronger than Feng in flames. She Mei's personality, was attractive because she was pure, and not like most women who are literal foxes and snakes in personality. Even more when she finds out what love is because she's clearly the type who LOVES if her heart was won over.
(he later found that he's a pretty good teacher)
Next was Feng after Lunch.
'Mei, my job is to teach you Pragmatic Combat.' said Feng. 'In the past, I taught you how to fight and duel as a warrior but sadly, in the Mafia Community, you have to fight dirty or lose your life.' he said.
'So...its like that?' She Mei blinked owlishly, her eyes blinking innocently. She knows full well what he meant. She did a magical version of it after all.
'I'm afraid so.' Feng said sheepishly. 'I don't like it due to my warrior's innate spirit taking offense to foul play but I like living more and so should you.'
'By the way...do we tell them about you-know-what?' She Mei asked him.
'Hm?'
'That I'm a Sky too and you're my Guardian.'
'For now, no.' Feng shook his head. 'Its our secret and greatest protection. Besides...' he said, looking amused. 'Despite your Cloud and Sun being dominant, the hidden Sky in you will prevent Skies from Harmonizing with you as Skies cannot bond with each other. It will protect you from attempts at making you their Elemental Guardian of choice as you're a Dual Element. And a taken element is off the market, so to speak and let's leave them guessing as to why we're taken and who our Sky might be. I'm feeling a little naughty about this.' his eyes shone in mischief.
She Mei found it amusing as well.
'OK...' She Mei giggled. 'If you met a prankster friend of mine, you're sure to get along.'
After him is Viper.
'Right, my time with you is to get you used to Illusions.' said Viper. 'For a beginner like yourself, you'll be confused and misled too easily. Your task is to break out of the illusions with your strength of mind and spirit...and strengthen your mind to get used to Illusion Poisoning.'
'Its not dangerous is it?' She Mei balked in alarm at the idea.
'Well, if you think Luce's complaining about Pregnancy Nausea, that's how Illusion Poisoning feels, along with a pounding migraine headache times three.' Viper explained to her horror and her face was comically hilarious. 'But the more you'e exposed to it, you adapt to it until eventually, you no longer feel Illusion Poisoning. Think of this as Mithridatism.'
'Oh!'
Now that, she was familiar with.
Just that, feeling sick really sucks.
Lastly, was Verde.
She came to him with an ice bag on her head and inhaling medicine.
'Hard time with Viper eh?' Verde chuckled. The Cloud had to endure Anti-Illusion Training and looked utterly ill she was using her dual flames to recover faster. 'You'll be learning Computers under me and need to knows Hackers must know as at some point, you'll hack your way for information and getting past security.'
'Never done that before...I was content with just being a shopkeeper and Field Doctor until Checkerface happened.'
'Well, you'd best get started now.'
xxx
'Well, how's everybody's time with her?' Luce asked her companions as She Mei and Feng started cooking.
'Well, Feng aside who's known her for years, she's thankfully easy to get along with for a Classic Cloud.' said Lal. 'As long as her freedom isn't an issue, she's very easy to get along with.'
'She's one Cloud with no violent territorial tendencies and her aspect of choice was Freedom which is self-explanatory.' said Verde. 'One Cloud who's not a pain in the ass unlike some we can name.'
'No kidding. A Cloud who's shockingly nice and accommodating...as long as her issues aren't crossed but we shouldn't dare or her trust issues will cause her to be a Classic among us and that'll be a pain. Who knows how long we'll be stuck together.' Viper griped.
'I agree. I worked with a few Clouds in the troop...ugh.' Lal scowled in her groaning.
'Well, let's enjoy this Cloud while we still can.' Renato snorted. 'A peaceful living time with a Cloud...if we told anyone, nobody'd believe us. They'd think we hit our heads and got delusional.' he said in amusement.
'Renato, I have a warning to give you.' Luce twitched while smiling. 'Stop while you still can...because your near future will get bloody if you don't and not even She Mei can fix you if it came to that.' she warned.
'Now what did he do?' Viper snarked.
'None of your business.' Renato grumbled, knowing what the Sky is telling him off on.
Great, she saw 'that'.
xxx
She Mei who was done with washing the dishes, was basically snuggling with Feng in his room for comfort.
Well, first-timers with Illusion Mithridatism Training can get really ill.
But...
Her fist day with Luce got her thinking.
Her four years with Feng as her student and Guardian...he takes real good care of her and gives her his affection as much as she wants.
They even hold hands together and because their Sky-Guardian Bond is so strong, she knows he really cares for her and its no act like they did.
But...
Does he like her that way? As a woman? Would he love her as a woman, marry her and have a happy family she long wanted?
She's 29 and not getting any younger, nevermind her immortality technique...she can stay young as she wants, but the time for a woman to have children is very short!
Stupid ovaries, why can't they work like men's testicles? Their factories never stop despite slowing down in age while a girl's thing halts in production?! That's not fair!
'You seem to be deep in thought, Mei.' Feng noted her thoughtful expression when normally, she'd go all curled up at him, basking in his presence. She Mei looked up at him.
The thing was, she remembers 'the talk' with Luce, her heart started pounding and her face went red...
She squeaked awkwardly and just buried her face in his chest as she usually does.
Feng's eyebrows rose.
xxx
The next few days were interesting during mealtimes.
She Mei started sitting with the girls when she usually sits with Feng.
She has trouble looking at the boys at their faces without going awkward.
The other five knew...and Feng was looking thoughtful.
And in lessons with him...
She really has trouble looking at him in the face, and performed very badly as a result!
'Mei, are you alright? You normally don't mess up.' said Feng worriedly as he helped her up.
Her face went redder than an apple, and with a squeak, she fled real fast, zooming past the Cabin.
'Looks like lessons ended early.' said Renato wryly, showing up from the house and leaned on the wall beside the door, arms crossed.
'...Mei's acting strange...she hates making mistakes and now she did so badly today...' Feng scratched his head.
'...you're a big idiot, you know that?' Renato told him with a raised eyebrow, causing Feng to frown. 'She's starting to 'grow up'. She sure gave 'late bloomer' a whole new meaning.' he stated in amusement. 'She did badly today in my class too we'll have to do remedial tomorrow. She ran away from me too. Let's ask Viper and Verde later if she ran off from them too.'
She's 29 and only started to have typical teenage feelings just now.
Feng scratched his head. Baffled.
Because Viper refused to reveal his gender, She Mei didn't run from him. Verde didn't touch her to cause her to run but she can't look at him in the face when they asked.
xxx
Dinner...
She Mei was severely distracted. Thankfully it didn't affect cooking even if she was with Feng as she takes medicine seriously.
Luce looked waaaay too amused and clearly having fun with this one.
And being a Guardian(not that they know that), Feng was worried, whispering Lal to switch seats with him.
'Mei, maybe you should take a break.' he said as he touched her shoulder. She Mei looked at him and they could have sworn she looked embarrassed as heck, her face blinked in several shades of red and zoomed away out of the dining room.
'Great, do something or she'll end up wrecking the house, fleeing from men!' Lal cried in exasperation. 'Go after her and sit her ass down!'
'You really should go~' Luce giggled, looking very impish now.
'You're clearly having fun with this one.' said Verde wryly.
'Guilty as charged~'
'Do you know something we don't?' Renato asked her curiously.
'Humm...I may have given her a push.' said Luce. 'Hurry and go, Feng.' she winked.
Feng quickly left, to go after his Sky...
'You did something didn't you?' Lal deadpanned.
'I just gave hints and she realized on her own. Heehee.'