Disclaimer in chapter one
A/N: I bet some of you've waited for this chapter :) at least I had fun writing it. More of Lupin in this chapter :D He kinda grew on me. Also, in this chapter we'll get a look into Tom's mind. That's always nice :D anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think ^^
Thank you all for commenting on last chapter. You're all awesome! \(^o^)/
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Chapter Thirty Three: As if in Pain
Shock crashed over Hermione as she blinked up at yellow eyes.
"Lupin?"
.
Indeed, clothed in the black uniform of the Corps, the werewolf stood in the valerian patch and sported a content grin on his face.
"Who else did you expect?"
Hot tears sprang to Hermione's eyes and she felt her throat burn and constrict. Overwhelmed by emotions, she threw herself at the werewolf. Her arms were tightly wrapped around his waist as she buried her face in his chest. Lupin quickly slung his arms around her and held her protectively. Hermione's tears soaked his shirt as the dam broke and she sobbed.
"Come on, little one," Lupin's raspy voice crooned. "It can't be that bad, now, can it?"
Hermione sniffled pathetically against his black uniform shirt. "W- where have you b- been?"
The werewolf laughed mirthlessly. "In the same situation as you. Exposed."
Hermione peered up at him. Lupin's yellow eyes observed her calmly while a comforting smile hung from his lips. He released her from his embrace and used his sleeve to gingerly wipe the tears from her cheeks.
"Now tell me," Lupin suggested softly. "What happened to you?"
Hermione's lower lip trembled dangerously, new tears pooling in her eyes. She breathed in deeply to compose herself. Still, her voice was shaky as she said,
"T- Tom… I did something and he d- didn't approve…"
There was a fire blazing in the werewolf's eyes. A furious snarl twisted his features, revealing razor-sharp teeth. If he hadn't needed the moon, Hermione was sure Lupin would have turned into a wolf right then and there.
"Riddle?" he growled. "The bastard gave you away?"
Hermione's stomach clenched as she had to nod her head.
"Why? Why did he do it?"
A bleak smile curled Hermione's lips. "Does it really matter?"
Lupin's fingers angrily flexed around the wand, hanging in its holster from his hip. "No. It fucking doesn't matter. That miserable piece of shit!"
Hermione startled as something nipped at her fingers. She looked down and only now noticed that Lupin was accompanied by a huge black dog. Its fur was ragged and wild looking, but the eyes had an intelligent sheen as they blinked up at Hermione. Enjoying her attention, the dog smugly rubbed its snout against her hand.
"Oh yeah," Lupin said wryly. "Meet Snuffles. He's a dog."
"I- I can see that," replied Hermione, awkwardly patting the dog's head.
Its tail wagged happily and a smile formed on her face. Looking at Lupin, she asked, "He's not a werewolf, is he?"
At that Lupin barked out a laugh. "I can tell, you've never really seen a transformed werewolf, have you? It's not even a full moon."
His sharp teeth glinted as he grinned at her widely. Then he pulled at one of the dog's ears and declared, "Nah. This is just a regular, stupid dog."
The black dog turned around and took a bite at the werewolf's fingers. Lupin pulled away, still laughing. Hermione just raised her eyebrows at their antics. The dog quickly lost interest in Lupin and trotted back to Hermione. He sat down beside her, ears erect, and looked like a sentry.
"Hermione." Lupin's voice grew serious again. "We've found a way to get you out. We got a modified Portkey that can pull you through Hogwarts' wards."
Hermione stared at him with wide eyes. "You mean I can pass the wards?"
"Yes. The lock-down stops normal Portkeys from working." Lupin's gaze dropped to the Dark Mark on her forearm. "Our Portkey is stronger …bit darker too, but what can you do? As long as it works."
Hermione gnawed at her lower lip. "Okay…"
The werewolf eyed the frown on her face and soothed, "Seriously, I'm pretty sure it's safe."
"It's not that," Hermione whispered softly. Her gaze wandered to the Hogwarts' castle. "I felt at home here."
Lupin stepped closer to her and gently draped an arm around her shoulders. "We all did."
Hermione leaned into his side. "Are you sure Sirius still wants me? I'm causing so much trouble."
The huge black dog nuzzled Hermione's hand and Lupin laughed, "You don't know the crazy bugger. This shit's right up his alley."
Hermione absently patted the dog's head and replied insecurely, "But I messed up so badly. I'm not worth all the effort and risks you take."
This time it wasn't Lupin who heatedly insisted, "You are!"
Hermione flinched and whipped around. Where the black dog had sat just seconds before now stood a man. Long black hair, handsome and tall, Sirius Black had seemingly appeared out of thin air. With his worn green parka and distressed jeans, he struck a stark contrast to Lupin's black uniform.
"Mate," the werewolf grunted in frustration. "I told you not to. It's too dangerous."
Sirius just shrugged his shoulders, not looking apologetic at all. Lupin sighed in defeat, "I shouldn't have let you talk me into taking you along."
"Aw, come on." Sirius grinned widely. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"Y- you're a… an Animagus?" Hermione blurted shakily.
Sirius turned to her. He patted his chest and announced proudly, "You bet I am. The very best."
Lupin rolled his eyes but didn't comment. Hermione's heart skipped a few beats as she stared at the leader of the Order of the Phoenix.
"Y- you really came here? For me?"
Sirius grinned. "Of course. Anything for my most favourite witch."
"But I'm not really a witch," Hermione reminded, embarrassed.
"You are. You're one of us."
Her eyes tickled dangerously, yet she still smiled. She hastened over to Sirius and collided with his chest. She hugged him tightly and shuffled even closer as she felt his arms wrap around her.
"Didn't believe I would get you, did you?" Sirius deep voice whispered gently to her.
Hermione choked out a half-sob, half-laugh. Sirius bent down to her and placed a careful kiss on her head.
.
Tom's temper boiled with rage as Hermione melted into the man's embrace. Keeping his back pressed against the greenhouse's rear wall, he crept closer, wand in hand. It had been a good call to follow his Mudblood as he'd seen her sneaking out of the castle.
"Thank you for coming," Tom heard Hermione whisper.
A smile hovered around her lips as she looked up at the black-haired man. Tom had no problems recognizing him. This was Sirius Black, leader of the Order of the Phoenix. Since when did Hermione know Black?! Tom's thoughts were racing. A lethal sheen danced in his eyes as he watched Black hugging Hermione against him.
"I promised we'd get you," Black told Hermione.
Did he now? Tom wondered resentfully. When had that happened? Hermione stepped away from the man, ending the embrace.
"Yes, you did. Thank you."
Tom didn't like the sound of this. For how long had Hermione been communicating with the Order of the Phoenix? His gaze wandered from Black to the werewolf. Remus Lupin was in on this as well?
"So, you're ready to leave? All packed up, sweetie?" Black's voice cut through Tom's thoughts.
Sweetie?! Tom was hit by a new flush of anger. Exactly what was Black to Hermione?
"D- do we need to leave at once?" Hermione nervously asked. "There's… there's something I have to deal with at Hogwarts. Unfinished business."
In response Black's brow knitted in confusion. "What're you talking about?"
"I started something. I can't leave it like this."
No, Hermione couldn't leave. Tom irately narrowed his eyes at her. He wouldn't allow it.
"Please," Lupin stepped in. "if this is misplaced loyalty that holds you… Believe me, Riddle's not worth it. After all of this, you-"
"It's not that," Hermione interrupted. "I know what Tom is. You won't hear me defending him."
Tom's fingers flexed around his wand. Next time he was alone with her, he would curse Hermione.
"Then what?" Black questioned desperately. "What holds you back?"
Hermione nervously eyed the man but didn't reply.
"Hermione," Lupin urged. "I don't know what you think you have to do, but it's too dangerous. You don't owe anyone your help. Let them take care of their own shit."
"I'm not doing this for anybody." A cold glint entered Hermione's eyes and her voice was hard as stone as she hissed, "I have to do this. I can't let Tom get away with this."
Get away with what? Tom's furious magic raged inside him.
The werewolf sighed, "I've seen that look before. You're on a mission, aren't you?"
Hermione glanced at Lupin. "I suppose you can call it that."
"I see," the man chuckled mirthlessly. "If I learned anything in the Corps, then not to step between a soldier and their mission …still you can't stay here. I won't ask you to drop your mission but it's time to regroup."
Tom saw Hermione wavering. Before the Mudblood could reply anything, Black decided sternly, "I won't let you stay here."
"Are you angry with me?" Hermione questioned diffidently.
The girl scanned Black timidly, gnawing at her lower lip. Irately, Tom wondered if sometimes Hermione wasn't playing that frightened Mudblood card to get her way.
"We're not angry," Lupin assured. "Just worried."
"I'm sorry," Hermione breathed, insisting on her shy act.
"It's fine." Black draped an arm around her shoulders. "You've got some baggage to take care of. Can't blame you." He tapped Hermione's forehead and added, "I don't want to hold you back, but you've gotta trust me on this one. We're friends, right? I want to keep you safe."
Friends… Why the hell did Hermione know Black? Tom took in a deep breath, trying to calm his upcoming temper. How could he have missed this?
"I promise," Black tried to convince her. "I'll help you finish whatever crazy mission you've got to accomplish at Hogwarts. But for now you'll come with us."
Tom's temper flared dangerously. How dare Black presume he could order Hermione around? Irately, he watched as the girl caved and softly nodded. Lately, she never obeyed when Tom told her anything.
"Before we leave…" the werewolf commented.
Suspiciously, Tom watched as Lupin pulled a wand from his pocket and handed it to Hermione.
"I bet you've missed this." The stupid werewolf grinned widely.
Hermione stared in wonder down at the wand in her hand. Of course Tom recognized the chestnut wood. It was the wand he had given her.
"Where did you find it?" Hermione voiced Tom's thoughts.
"Yeah," Black hummed. "When'd you pull that off?"
Lupin chuckled. "I had a chat with McGonagall before we met you here, Hermione. She gave it to me."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up and so did Tom's. "McGonagall?"
Black scanned the werewolf in suspicion. "Didn't know you two were so buddy-buddy."
Lupin just shrugged, still grinning. "What can I say? I'm a people person."
"Yeah right," Black snorted sarcastically. Then he shrugged it off, "Time to go."
Tom's eyes grew wide as the man pulled an old Muggle torch from his pocket. It glowed in the blue light of a Portkey. Tom hadn't realized they would really drag Hermione away.
"Come here." Black motioned for Hermione to come closer. "We all have to touch it."
Something ice cold ran down Tom's spine as he watched his Mudblood step over to Black and the Portkey. The next thing he knew, Tom somehow had abandoned his hiding spot and spat out an angry,
"Stop!"
Hermione whirled around to him, her curly hair flying wildly. Her two male companions instantly pulled their wands.
"T- Tom?" Hermione stuttered. "What a- are you doing here?"
Tom sneered at her. "Me? What are you doing here?"
"I…"
Hermione's eyes searchingly wandered over him and Tom's fingers tightened around his wand. She must have come to a verdict, because the initial shock fell from her pretty face to be replaced by coldness. The next time she spoke, Hermione's voice was painfully distanced,
"It's none of your business what I do."
Tom's anger spiked and he yelled at her, "You belong to me! You can't just run away."
Lupin bared his teeth in a snarl. "Hermione doesn't need your permission!"
Tom threw the werewolf a disdainful look, not replying anything. Then his angry glare flicked back to the Mudblood.
"Hermione, you're not going with them," he commanded viciously. "I order you to stay."
To reinforce this, Tom brutally yanked at the bond between them. Hermione gasped in pain and grabbed her left forearm. Instantly, Black's arm was around her shoulders, steadying her. Tom almost growled as he saw the man touching Hermione.
"How dare you treat Hermione like that?!" Black snapped. "You have no right-"
Hermione's hand on his arm stopped him. Tom watched how a grateful smile touched her features as she looked at Black.
"It's okay."
She turned to Tom and the smile quickly died. Instead, a disapproving frown appeared on her forehead and she sniped, "You had your chance, Tom. And you blew it. I'm going with them."
Her words made a strange tremor run through Tom's magic. Furiously, he ignored it and snarled, "No, you're not."
Hermione just shrugged as if his opinion didn't matter at all. She didn't even feel the need to reply anything. Instead, she turned to Black and said, voice tightly controlled,
"I think it's time to go."
Tom raised his wand, prepared to force her to stay. Seeing this, the werewolf stepped in front of Hermione as if he could protect her. Tom sneered at him.
"You can fight me," Lupin growled. "Maybe you win, maybe you lose. Either way, Hermione has time enough to make her getaway."
Tom's jaw clenched in anger. The wolf was right. He glanced at the Portkey in Black's hand. Hermione only had to touch it and she'd be gone.
"Don't even think about following us," Lupin's coarse voice warned. "If you come close to Hermione, I'll personally lead the squad that puts you out of action, Riddle. You're a good duellist, but when you're outnumbered, you're outnumbered."
Behind Lupin's back, Hermione now reached for the Portkey. Tom tensed as her fingers came closer and closer to the torch. She couldn't just leave. His gaze snapped from her hand to Hermione's face.
"Hermione…" Tom choked out and his voice was suddenly shaky, almost panicked.
Hermione flicked her brown eyes at him. There was a look of surprise on her face. Tom locked eyes with her and was unable to stop himself as his mouth opened and words fell out,
"Hermione… Please, don't go."
She furrowed her brow as he pleaded with her. Tom didn't know what was happening. He never begged. But he wasn't going to let her leave him. He hadn't known she could leave.
"I- " He would say anything to make her stay. "I'm sorry."
Hermione's eyes widened in shock and she stared at him. Tom only noticed how she was no longer reaching for the Portkey. Hope was welling up in him.
"I… I promise I'll change and treat you better. I need you here. With me."
Tom watched as Hermione pressed her eyes shut and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. She swallowed thickly. After a moment, her eyes snapped open. They glinted with determination as they flashed at him.
"I don't care." Tom felt his blood turn to ice as Hermione's sharp eyes bored into his. "I don't need you anymore."
With that, she hastily reached for the Portkey. The moment her fingers touched the torch Black waved his wand and both of them disappeared into thin air.
An evil grin stretched over Lupin's face. "Seems like she doesn't belong with you after all."
With these parting words, he produced a spare Portkey from his pocket. The next second, the werewolf was gone and Tom was the only one left.
.
Hermione pressed her eyes shut as she was pulled away by the Portkey. The trip didn't last longer than a few seconds. Abruptly, Hermione felt her feet hit firm ground and she stumbled. Before she completely lost her balance, someone grasped her shoulder.
"You alright there?" Sirius smiled down at her.
Hermione felt shaky from the confrontation with Tom. His apology had hit her hard. But he was lying. He wanted to trick her to stay with him so he could continue using and abusing her. Hermione wasn't going to waste time thinking about him. She pulled herself together and smiled up at Sirius.
"Yes. Thank you."
There was a soft pop and Lupin appeared out of thin air. A grim smirk darkened his features and his wand lay in his hand.
"Is…" Hermione inquired timidly. "Is he alright?"
Lupin swiftly stowed his wand away in its holster. His yellow eyes still glinted dangerously, but his features softened as he scanned her.
"Unfortunately, yes."
Hermione nodded, but didn't comment further. Instead she inspected their surroundings. Tall trees blocked out the sunlight, their green leaves softly nodding in the wind. The air was pregnant with the spicy scent of earth. Hermione breathed in deeply and a smile stretched her lips. They really had made it!
"Come on," Sirius' cheerful voice said.
He grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her with him. Lupin followed behind them, his soft steps barely making any sound. The trio wandered through the forest and Hermione hadn't felt so free in what felt like an eternity.
It didn't take long and the forest thinned. They stepped on a clearing and Hermione's heart leapt as she recognized the barracks. Not much had changed from her last visit to the werewolf base. Several one-storey buildings stood neatly arranged in two rows, leading up to a larger central building. Hermione smiled widely as she spotted a flag fluttering in the wind. It proudly showed the emblem of the Corps, a black wolf howling up to the yellow moon.
"I told you," Sirius said, smiling at her. "You're safe here."
A lone figure was waiting for them in front of the main building. As they reached the man, Lupin saluted to him. Hermione innocently blinked up at the vicious looking man and a smile formed on her face.
Colonel Greyback struck a frightening figure. Tall and bulky, he towered over Hermione. Greyback's eyes hungrily raked over her while his razor sharp claws glinted forebodingly in the sunlight. He could probably rip someone's throat out with them and his dangerous smirk proclaimed that he'd enjoy it too.
"Hermione Rookwood," the pack leader growled. "You've changed, havn't ya?"
Despite the sinister inflection in the man's voice, Hermione grinned up at him toothily.
"The Polyjuice is gone," she told him, gesturing at her face.
Greyback narrowed his eyes at her, appraising her. Slowly, he circled her, his steps soft and measured by predatory efficiency. Hermione felt his sharp claws ghosting over her shoulder. Greyback sniffed the air like a beast picking up the scent of its next victim. Then the man again stood in front of her and a smirk revealed his pointed teeth.
"Ya still the same," the pack leader declared contently.
Hermione chuckled. "What'd you expect?"
Greyback scratched his head. "Dunno. You've spent too much time in that posh school of yours. Thought ya gone soft."
"Yeah." Hermione shrugged. "Wasn't that posh in the end."
"I heard," Greyback hissed. "Those knobs treat ya badly?"
"I'm fine," she quickly assured. "Thank you for having me."
The werewolf sniffed condescendingly and advised, "Shoulda bit the lot of them."
"My dear man," Sirius drawled, shaking his head in mock-sadness. "Hermione's a civilised person. We don't go around biting people."
"Well, that's yer first mistake," Greyback told him sagely.
Sirius patted him consolingly on the shoulder. "How did you ever manage to become an authority figure?"
Greyback swiped at him, but Sirius had expected it and danced out of the way. The pack leader quickly lost interest in the banter and turned his attention to Lupin. Now serious, Greyback inquired,
"Any problems with your little rescue mission, Captain?"
"No, sir," came Lupin's reply. "Everything was working to plan."
Greyback nodded. Then his blue eyes wandered to a group of soldiers near-by and he barked at one of them,
"Hey, Pucey. Get over here."
A man with light blond hair jogged over to them. Like the other werewolves he wore the Corps' black uniform. Hermione spotted two green chevrons at the collar of his uniform shirt. Standing at attention in front of Greyback, the blond man saluted swiftly.
"Pucey, I need you to give Miss Hermione here a check-up," Greyback commanded.
"Yes, Sir."
Greyback's attention returned to Hermione. He grabbed her by the shoulder and said, "Now, don't take this the wrong way, but ya look like something the cat dragged in. So ya go with Corporal Pucey." Greyback gave Hermione a hearty push towards the blond man. "He's a trained Combat Medical Technician. The best we have. Yer in good hands."
Cautiously eyeing the man, Hermione stepped over to Pucey. Greyback laughed at her hesitance, "Don't worry. I'll send the mutt to get you later."
"Hey," came Sirius' indignant reply. "I resent that."
Greyback smirked at him, showing his sharp fangs. "But you are a dog, aren't ya?"
Sirius huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Only occasionally."
Greyback laughed loudly, but a calm voice pulled Hermione's attention away from them, "Miss Hermione?"
She looked up at the blond man standing beside her. The soldier gestured towards one of the barracks.
"Please, follow me."
Reluctantly, Hermione obeyed. She didn't like leaving Lupin, Sirius or even Greyback behind. Cautiously, she followed the soldier into one of the barracks. He led her into a small room. Hermione's nostrils were immediately assaulted by the smell of antiseptic. She spied medicine cabinets, dressing material and an array of potion vials.
"Please, sit down," Pucey said, gesturing at an examination table.
Hermione complied and hopped on the table. Dangling her feet, she watched as Pucey rolled a small metal rack filled with gauze and a few potion bottles over.
"Are you hurt in any way?" the werewolf inquired. "Any injuries I should know of?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Pucey didn't look convinced and proceeded to wave his wand over her. Hermione shuddered as she felt his magic wash over her. The Corporal pursed his lips in concentration and hovered the wand over her shoulder.
"Did something happen to your right shoulder?"
"Yeah," Hermione admitted reluctantly. "Dislocated it."
Pucey frowned. "Dislocated…? And what treatment did you receive?"
"Well… I asked Dobby to help me reset it."
The frown on the man's face deepened and he inquired suspiciously, "What spell did he use?"
"Oh, no." Hermione shook her head. "No spell. He just pulled at my arm and then the joint kinda popped back in."
"You kinda popped your shoulder back in?" Pucey repeated, displeasure in his tone. At her nod, he sighed deeply. "Did you at least try to stabilise the joint? You shouldn't use the arm for some days."
"I tried to wrap it," Hermione told him and an embarrassed blush dusted her cheeks. "But the bandage wouldn't hold …and I had to do my chores."
"I see…"
Again Pucey waved his wand over her, magic bristling in the air. Hermione shuddered and her hands nervously gripped the edges of the examination table. After a while, Pucey lowered his wand. Suspicion in his gaze, he inquired,
"When was the last time you saw an actual doctor, Miss Hermione?"
Hermione looked down, shame bubbling up in her. Not wanting to meet the man's eyes, she just shrugged her shoulders. Hermione was acutely aware of the filthy dress that hung from her frame. She didn't want to imagine how she must look to the werewolf.
"It's okay," the man's voice soothed.
Hermione peered at Pucey. He was flashing his sharp teeth in a grin. "This is nothing. You should see some of the guys when they return from a mission. You'd think they've gone feral."
He expertly waved his wand over Hermione's shoulder and she could feel the pain slowly disappearing. She sighed in relief.
"I mean last time I've seen Jen..." Pucey glanced at Hermione. "You know Jen? Tall, brunette, looks like she could kill you with her pinkie? …which she can, I assure you."
He widened his eyes in faux concern and Hermione had to chuckle. Satisfied, Pucey wrapped a bandage around Hermione's shoulder. All the while he continued to chatter,
"Anyways, last time Jen's been on a mission, she didn't return for two months. No-one really knew what she'd been up to. But when she finally returned, I swear to Merlin and Circe, I saw her and thought it's a full moon and I hadn't noticed. Jen looked vicious."
Pucey grinned widely as he used some clips to fasten Hermione's bandage. Then he gingerly examined the burns Bellatrix had left behind on her forearm.
"How old are these?"
"A few days," Hermione replied timidly.
Pucey nodded pensively and grabbed a pot of ointment. He used a cotton bud to carefully apply the ointment to the burns. It stung a bit, but Hermione barely noticed, her attention drawn back to Pucey's story.
"When Jen came back," the werewolf said. "I had to give her a check-up as well. And when I did, she actually bit me." He threw a lopsided grin at Hermione. "Without provocation. Just like that. I mean, I'm lucky I'm already a werewolf or I would've been really pissed."
His laugh was contagious and Hermione grinned as well. Pucey reached for his wand and once again his diagnostic spells ran over Hermione.
"There're some old fractures and I can sense some spell damage here and there, but it's all healed quite well." He threw her a reassuring smile. "Nothing to worry about."
Hermione nodded softly. "Thank you."
Pucey gestured at the Dark Mark tattooed into her forearm and asked carefully, "Is that still linked to someone?"
"Yes," Hermione admitted hesitantly.
A disgusted expression crossed the werewolf's face as he looked at the ugly mark on Hermione's skin. "I'd love to get rid of that for you, but I'm afraid it's not that easy."
"That's okay." Hermione shrugged. "My master won't be able to reach me here."
Pucey winced slightly at the word 'master'. Before he could reply, there was a knock at the door. At Pucey's invitation, the door opened and in stepped Sirius, big smile splitting his face.
"Hermione," he greeted enthusiastically.
Sirius plopped down on the examination table beside her and started to dig around the pockets of his parka. With growing confusion Hermione watched as he produced a bright red lollipop from one pocket. Looking quite satisfied with himself, Sirius offered her the candy. Hermione awkwardly accepted the lollipop.
"What?" Sirius exclaimed as he took in Hermione's bewilderment. "Dear Merlin, don't you know? You need to get a lollipop at the end of a doctor's visit or the medicine's not gonna work." He threw a reproachful look at Pucey. "I told you that before."
The werewolf rolled his eyes, obviously used to Sirius' exuberant behaviour. "And I told you that you're ridiculous."
Sirius grasped his chest in mock indignation. Hermione pulled the wrapper from the lollipop and sucked at it contently while she watched the two men bicker. The grin on Sirius' face dimmed as his gaze wandered over her. Cocking a concerned eyebrow at Pucey, he inquired,
"So? How's my witchy woman?"
"She's fine under the circumstances. A bit banged up, but nothing drastic."
"Good," Sirius breathed in relief. Then he glanced at Hermione. "How about we get you some clothes and then we celebrate your safe return. I think we still have a few bottles Firewhiskey." He threw a look at Pucey and allowed, "You can come, too, if you must."
"Why, thank you. How generous," Pucey returned dryly.
†
"No. No, that won't do at all."
Sirius scanned Hermione through narrowed eyes, fastidious look on his face. Hermione looked down at herself. Sirius had dragged her and Lupin to the barracks' uniform storage.
"I don't know what you mean," she told the man. "This is a good, sturdy fabric. Nicely warm, too."
She ran her hands over the black combat trousers. It felt so good to be rid of that dress. The best part was the shirt, though. Hermione grinned as she looked down at the long, black sleeves that hugged her arms. The Dark Mark was no longer visible.
"Urg." Sirius grimaced. "Now you look like one of them."
He threw his thumb at Lupin and scrunched his nose at the werewolf's black uniform. Lupin rolled his eyes at his friend.
"What'd you expect we'll find here?"
"Dunno," Sirius said while he dug around a shelf with black berets and wand holsters. "Something more… colourful?"
Lupin sighed in exasperation. "Did you ever look at the Corps' uniforms?"
Hermione was still very happy with her new clothes. "Better than the dress."
"A potato sack would've been better than that," Sirius lectured.
He abandoned his search and stepped over to her, contemplative look on his face. Then he pulled his wand from the back pocket of his distressed jeans.
"Here, let me try something," he said and already waved his wand.
Hermione watched with raised eyebrows as her new top changed colour from black to baby blue. Then a brown cartoon dog appeared on the front of the shirt, complete with large puppy eyes and bone in its mouth. A wide smile split Sirius' face.
"Much better."
Hermione chuckled softly. Lupin just sceptically scanned the shirt. Then he exchanged an amused look with Hermione.
"Okay." Sirius enthusiastically clapped his hands. "Now who's up for a drink?"
{{{{{{{{+}}}}}}}}
Tom had curled up on his bed and had no intention of getting up any time soon. The sun was setting, painting the Head Boy's room in blood red colours. He squeezed his eyes closed and curled up in an even tighter ball. He felt sick.
Sick. sick. SICK.
He needed time to think …or not think. He was undecided as of now. Hermione was gone. She had left. Just like that. And Tom couldn't, for the life of him, understand why he felt so sick. Wasn't it good that she was away from Hogwarts? Hermione knew too much. Now she couldn't meddle anymore. He'd already lost Slytherin's Locket because of her. With Hermione gone Tom's plans could unfold undisturbed. He should celebrate her departure. Instead a sick, tight feeling wound around his chest.
'I don't need you anymore.'
Hermione was such a damn liar. Of course she needed him. He was her Master. He was everything and she nothing. A helpless Mudblood. Why her nothingness now ached, Tom didn't understand. He breathed in deeply and rubbed a weary hand over his face.
Why? Why would Hermionego with Sirius Black?! Tom's magic shuddered as he wondered what she was doing with the man. No, no. No! Tom should have locked Hermione away, so no-one would get their filthy paws all over her. He remembered how Black had held Hermione close, arm wrapped around her waist as if he owned her. And Lupin had tried to protect her. She'd always had a disgusting liking for the man. Tom should have prevented that. He should have been a lot stricter with Hermione and maybe she wouldn't have dared to run away.
…but it was good for Tom's plans that she was gone, wasn't it?
He took in a deep breath of air and forced his spinning thoughts back on track. As long as Hermione kept out of his way, it didn't matter what she was up to …even if she ended up in bed with both men. A tremble ran through Tom at the thought, but he ignored it. It doesn't matter! Hermione was useless anyway. He should have ripped the Mudblood apart as soon as she destroyed Slytherin's Locket. No, even before that. As Hermione had dared to duel him and challenge his dominance, Tom should have cut her down, leaving no doubt of who was in charge.
His magic sung in approval of his bloodthirsty thoughts, but instead of doing anything Tom just pulled a pillow over his head. This was pathetic. How dare a dirty Mudblood reduce him to this?
{{{{{{{{+}}}}}}}}
"You need another one," Sirius laughed loudly.
He refilled the shot glass with Firewhiskey and slid it over to Hermione. Grinning widely, she accepted the glass.
"Thanks."
Hermione comfortably sat at one of the tables in the rec room. The room was filled with every member of Greyback's pack. Some of the werewolves were sitting at the tables, chatting and laughing. Others were dancing wildly to the music blaring from a wireless; though occasionally it looked more like a brawl.
Hermione, for one, was completely enjoying herself. Sirius now drunkenly sung along the music while Lupin was busy recounting the story of Hermione's rescue to a circle of werewolves that hung from his lips. By now he had added two dragons to the tale and apparently Hermione had been wearing some kind of knight's armour. A smile curled her lips.
"I think he really enjoyed seeing old Hoggy Warty again," a voice laughed.
Hermione looked up. A woman had slid into the seat beside her. She was quite pretty and sported a large smile on her face as she looked at Lupin. Her short hair was the most spectacular bubble-gum pink colour.
The woman grinned at Hermione. "Tonks is the name. Nice to meet you."
"Hello. I'm Hermione."
"Yeah, I know," Tonks chuckled. "Remus told me all about you."
"Yup," Sirius butted in. He wrapped an arm around the woman and sung teasingly, "Tonks here is Lupin's little girlfriend."
Tonks rolled her eyes at the man and, still grinning, wagged a finger at him. "Down boy."
Sirius threw up his arms and exclaimed dramatically, "When will you people learn? I'm not a dog."
Tonks laughed and poured him another Firewhiskey. Thus appeased, Sirius placed a kiss on Tonks' cheek before he shakily got up to disappear in direction of the makeshift dancefloor.
"I'm glad the boys could get you out." Tonks scanned Hermione worriedly. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"
Hermione shook her head, moved by the woman's concern. "I'm alright. No-one really noticed me slipping away… well, aside from Tom, but Lupin wouldn't let him stop me."
Tonks cocked a pink eyebrow. "Tom?"
Hermione hesitated shortly. Tom wasn't a topic she was very keen on talking about. Her gaze dropped down to the glass in her hand and she mumbled,
"He's my master."
Tonks' clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "Not your master anymore."
Hermione peered at her. An encouraging smile brightened Tonks' face. "Whoever that Tom person is, he's not your master anymore. You're your own master."
A smile timidly tugged at the corners of Hermione mouth. "You're right. Thank you."
Tonks raised her glass to Hermione before taking a swig. Hermione took in a deep breath of air and decided to pull the conversation away from Tom,
"Are you a werewolf too?"
"Nah, not a wolf." Tonks laughed. "All that howling at the moon isn't really my thing."
The mirth then drained from her face to be replaced by a strangely guilty expression. Tonks hesitated before she admitted reluctantly,
"Actually… I'm a Snatcher."
Hermione sucked in a sharp breath of air and flinched violently. Tonks was working for Umbridge?! She stared at the woman with wide eyes, panic mounting up.
"Don't worry," Tonks soothed. "I'm with the Order. The Snatcher thing is an undercover job."
Hermione worried her lower lip as she watched Tonks suspiciously. The woman smiled at her sadly. "I was actually an Auror. Then I got the offer from the Snatchers' office. I didn't want to do it …but we thought it would be a good opportunity, you know, to get inside information."
"I see…"
Hermione swallowed thickly as her thoughts wandered to the first Snatchers she had ever met. They had murdered her parents and dragged her away to be sold to the Malfoys.
"I'm sorry." A haunted look crossed Tonks' face. "Believe me, I hate that job."
"Did it work?" Hermione inquired carefully. "Did you get useful information out of it?"
A small smile appeared on Tonks' face. "Yes. Just last month, I stole the coordinates to three holding centres for Muggleborns. Sirius managed to break open two of them."
Hermione returned the smile. "Then it's worth it, isn't it?"
†
It was some time and a few more glasses of Firewhiskey later and Hermione was slouched in her seat, yawning tiredly.
"Hermione?"
She turned around and found Greyback standing behind her chair.
"Come on," he ordered gruffly. "Ya had enough."
He sneered at Lupin who half-lay over the table, trying to nip from his bottle of beer. Sirius was sprawled in his chair, head lolled back, and snored loudly.
"Some guardians," Greyback sneered disdainfully.
He grabbed Hermione by the arm, sharp claws scratching over her shirt, and pulled her up. Hermione tiredly followed the man. They left the main building and Greyback aimed for one of the smaller barracks. The cold night air managed to wake her up a bit. Scanning the werewolf, Hermione asked,
"Why are you helping the Order?"
Greyback didn't seem to be all that surprised by the question. He rubbed his chin and replied, "Black's quite the convincing bastard. Also, I got nothing better ter do."
Hermione nodded pensively and followed him into the barrack. "So the Corps is siding with the Order?"
"Yes and no…" was Greyback's cryptic reply.
At her raised eyebrows he shrugged dismissively. "'s politics, innit? At the moment, the Corps can't openly take the Order's side. We got too many connections into the Ministry. High Command can't just go and declare war on the wizards."
He almost looked a bit disappointed there. Hermione pursed her lips. She'd only ever seen Greyback's barracks. "How many werewolf bases are there?"
"On British soil?" Greyback cocked an eyebrow at her, dangerous grin revealing his sharp yellow fangs. "A few. And just like me, their pack leaders all report to Ben More High Command."
Hermione looked up at the werewolf, listening attentively. She doubted a lot of people outside of the Corps knew much about its command structure.
"So…" she asked cautiously. "Does anyone else know about Sirius and the Order being here?"
"Officially? Nah." Greyback laughed loudly. "As I said High Command can't be associated with the Order of the Phoenix. Inofficially? They're in the know. But so far General of the Corps Woodcroft hasn't ripped my head off, so I guess it's okay."
Hermione furrowed her brow. "Woodcroft?"
Greyback nodded at her. "General Woodcroft's the commander-in-chief of the whole Corps. As I'm the pack leader of the Galloway pack, she's the alpha of every pack leader in the Corps."
"I see." Hermione nodded. "So, you're allowing Sirius to stay. General Woodcroft is okay with that, but can't support you. At least not officially."
"Yes, ma'am." Greyback grinned. "I guess that's what they call plausible deniability. If anything goes south, High Command can wash their hands of it."
Hermione furrowed her brow, mulling this new information over. Blindly, she followed the pack leader through a hallway until Greyback stopped and announced,
"Here we are."
Hermione looked up and watched as the man opened one of many identical grey doors in the corridor.
"And this," he said. "is yer room."
Hermione stepped in, eyes wide. There was a cot pushed against one wall, a grey blanket lay folded in military precision on the mattress. A small table with chair stood under the only window and a metal locker right beside it. Greyback leaned against the door frame and watched her through his steel-blue eyes.
"What?" he inquired in his rough voice. "Not to your taste, your Highness?"
Hermione hastily shook her head and stuttered, "No, It's great. I- I never had my own room." She gazed up at the werewolf and smiled. "Thank you."
Greyback furrowed his brow. Then he shrugged his shoulders. "Looks like yer an easy customer if yer grateful for this shithole."
Hermione stepped over to the bed and ran her fingers over the blanket. She felt giddy to have a bed of her own again. At Hogwarts there hadn't been enough cots for every Muggleborn, so they'd had to sleep in shifts.
"Latrines're down the corridor," Greyback explained indifferently. "Ya only have ter follow the stench."
Hermione sat down on the bed, testing the mattress. She threw a wide grin at the werewolf. "Okay."
Greyback ruffled his shaggy hair and decided gruffly, "Well, I'm off. Time ter get a bit of shut-eye." Before he left the room he added over his shoulder, "If ya need anything, don't come to me. Can't be arsed."
Then the door snapped shut behind him. Hermione still smiled widely and called after him, "Good night."
{{{{{{{{+}}}}}}}}
Tom hadn't seen Hermione since she'd left three days ago and whatever he tried he still acutely felt her absence. He simply couldn't stop thinking about his Mudblood.
Tom curled his lips into a disgusted sneer. Was Hermione's nearness really something he coveted? Despite her betrayal, Tom still found himself wanting to touch her, kiss her. What he certainly didn't want to hear was that she 'didn't need him anymore.' Her cold words relentlessly clawed at his mind and he couldn't shake them off. It made him feel weak… inadequate.
Angrily, Tom gritted his teeth and looked up at the domed ceiling of the Chamber of Secrets, but not even his ancestor's halls managed to calm him. He felt restless. He probably wouldn't experience this strange ache if Hermione was still with him.
"M- my Lord," a trembling voice interrupted his thoughts.
Tom's cold gaze wandered over the Black boy kneeling in front of him. Regulus Black had his head bent in a submissive gesture as he grovelled on the floor. A sadistic smirk twisted Tom's lips. Black had started the whole thing with the letter that had ultimately driven Hermione away. So Black would also be the one to help Tom put things right.
"I have an important mission for you, Black."
{{{{{{{{+}}}}}}}}
'I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.'
- Christina Georgina Rossetti
(*1830 † 1894)