WARNING: This chapter contains graphic descriptions of violence and death
Hermione smacked off her blaring alarm and opened her eyes. No time for a workout today. She could skip, it'd be fine. Swinging her legs around the side of the bed, she stretched and worked out the stiffness in her neck. She stared through the wall at Cedric's signature. It was back to full strength. She was glad about that, he had been so weak. Why did things have to be so complicated? She wanted to just claim she forgave him and kiss him and go back to the way things were… but they couldn't. Pretending nothing happened would only lead to an implosion later. She was still furious with him and she didn't trust him to not bolt at the first sign of trouble.
Of course, if he left now she would still be heartbroken, which just infuriated her even more. A year and seven months and she was still hung up on him. Well, she was stubborn and she wasn't going to let love cloud her mind from important things. Like making sure the wedding arrangements were ready to go for tomorrow.
Dressing in one of her "unhinged toymaker" inspired outfits, she put her hair up and went down to breakfast. The employees were back to work, so there was a free breakfast buffet. Sitting around a table were Fleur, Esperanza, and Cecilia.
"Good morning," they chorused with large grins.
"Whatever you think happened, didn't happen," said Hermione, mixing chocolate powder, sugar, and creamer into her coffee.
"Oh, Nia," Esperanza sighed. "You've been pining for him and now he's back."
"Well, this isn't like with you and Viktor. He wouldn't even be back if we hadn't saved his life."
"And I wouldn't be back with Viktor if his friends hadn't brought him to my concert in Greece," she countered. "They didn't know we used to date, they just thought he was a fan. This is kismet. Not to say Cedric doesn't deserve a smack to the head for what he did, but we saw how tight he held you. He may have been back for a year now if he hadn't thought you were dead."
"It isn't a problem that I asked Cedric to be a bridesperson, is it?" asked Fleur.
"No, of course not," said Hermione. "We did talk everything out… well, I mostly yelled at him and he took it—Esperanza what happened to your hand?"
She looked down at the huge splint on her finger and winced. "I was itchy and I started working on an order last night. I slipped and the needle went through—"
"Don't muddy the issue," Cecilia interrupted. "Don't you still love him?"
"Of course I do. I just can't deal with this right now, okay?" She sat down with a huff. "So drop it."
She looked up to see Cedric standing there. He heard everything. Why should she care? She didn't care. What was first on the list? She took out her clipboard with the checklist and went over it.
"Morning," he said, helping himself to some coffee.
"Morning," Esperanza, Fleur, and Cecilia chorused with big grins.
"Stop it," said Hermione. "Fleur, think you can wrangle the bridespeople today? There's still prep work to do and I don't want us to have to rush tomorrow."
"Yes, of course."
"Anything I can help with?" Cedric asked.
She hummed and looked at Esperanza's injured hand, then her list. "Mm… yes. Esperanza hurt her hand. I'm not going to make her play guitar like that and you can play. Can you learn the set list by tomorrow?"
"Absolutely," he said. "Anything else?"
"Yes. We're video recording this wedding. Think you can figure out how to set up multiple angles to record at once without them literally overlaying each other?" She took out her camera and handed it to him. "There's a fresh crystal tape in there."
"Consider it done."
"Can you check out my hearing aid, too?" Esperanza asked, tipping her head to show him the device. "I've been getting feedback and speech is still muffled."
"Er, sure, I can try. I still have my equipment and stuff."
"Thank you!"
Hermione tuned out of the conversation to run through her list. In that time, others arrived for breakfast.
"Alright," she said when she was done. "I'm going to head out and do the quality check."
"Do you need someone to go with you?" Bill asked. "For protection."
"Nah, I'm good." She knocked on her chest. "I've got armor on. You should focus on entertaining your relatives."
He made a face. "You sure you don't need a second?"
"Fine. Duckie, you're with me."
"Yes, dear," said Draco dryly.
"Are you done eating?"
"Yes."
"Great. Let's go."
They put on their cloaks and headed into town. Hermione led the way, checking on everything from the flower shop to the bakery, then confirmed the food for that evening as well as tomorrow. When she was clearing everyone, she double-checked whether they wanted the beef, fish, or vegetarian option. Some people changed, but not a lot, and she gave the numbers to the caterer.
"You're good at this," Draco commented. "You should be a wedding planner."
"Fleur did all the planning," said Hermione. "I'm just the executioner."
They had the band to check on last. Luckily, they were within apparating distance and were playing all day at a bistrot. Upon arrival, Hermione and Draco ordered some cappuccinos and sat down where they could be seen.
The lead singer waved and motioned towards her band. They sang "Your Song" as well as the parent/child dance "Le Sud" and then the song for the whole wedding party to dance to in order to get the crowds up and moving. The band was versatile and Hermione appreciated that.
The lead guitarist came over rather than the singer. He sat down at the table and grinned at Hermione.
"Well?"
"It sounded great," she said. "I think the bride and groom will be pleased. The reception will start about five o'clock at Temple de L'Amour, the one within the borders of Magic Versailles, not the one in the No-Maj Versailles gardens open to the public. You'll start playing around six. How long will it take for you to set up?"
"About thirty minutes," he said.
"Okay, then show up no later than 5:30," she said, marking it down to tell Mad-Eye. "My friend will let you in."
"Is she as cute as you?" he asked.
Oy…
"He is adorable," she said. "His name is Alistair Moody. Security is tight due to famous people attending, so don't be surprised if he interrogates you."
"Good to know."
"Do we need to have anything prepared for you?" she asked.
"Just the stage. We can handle the rest."
"Okay, then I can mark this as complete."
"What are you doing tonight?" he asked. "Maybe we can meet up."
Wow, right out of the gate.
"No," she said. "I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"I've already got a line of men fighting for my affections and you really don't want to get mixed up with them."
"Trust me, you don't," said Draco. "Not to mention she's completely mad."
"That too." Hermione downed the rest of her coffee and made a checkmark on her list. "See you tomorrow at 5:30, please do not be late. Have a nice day."
"How the hell do you get all these men to fall for you?" Draco asked as they left.
"Look, I know you only think I'm an eight out of ten, but—"
"No, I don't! The Weasleys made that up!"
"Fine, a nine out of ten," she amended and he rolled his eyes. "But I'm pretty sure it's my vulnerability and insecurity that draws them in. What throws them off is that I don't let them take advantage of that vulnerability and insecurity… Anymore."
Draco furrowed his brow. "That's mad."
"Well, what do you know? Your first girlfriend was assigned to you."
They walked in silence until they reached their next destination.
"I didn't fall for Astoria because she was weak or anything," said Draco. "I mean, her blood curse made her fragile, but she was—and still is—strong. Stronger than I've ever been in my life. She makes me want to be better; she doesn't feed or encourage my bad parts, but still accepts them."
"I think you two are good together," said Hermione squeezing his shoulder. "Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to save my life." She hesitated. "But… what if I die before you can?"
He paled and winced. "I don't know, but I don't think it's good."
"Mm… what if I do a trust fall from a ladder?"
"I don't think that would count and also you would crush me," he said. "I think those Swan Maidens think you're one of them. They're bloody massive."
"Thanks, I've been bulking up," she said, flexing her arm. "I think endurance will be our main advantage. You could stand to undergo some endurance training." She lifted his wrist and flopped his hand. "Look at you, your hands are soft. Like a baby's."
"Shut up."
"Mmkay."
She dropped his hand and went inside the shop to check on the photographer, make sure he had his payment, and knew what they wanted photos of.
After that, they stopped by the officiant to make sure he and the translator knew where to go and for what time.
"We're running a little late to the rehearsal," said Hermione, checking her watch. "But Esperanza and Cecilia are on island time, so it should be fine."
They made their way to the gardens and through the flower tunnel, which was now in full bloom with beautiful wisterias. No doubt in preparation for tomorrow. Sure enough, when they stepped out, every shrub and plant in the area was in full bloom. Tomorrow they would need to decorate first thing before getting ready. Mad-Eye and Sirius volunteered to keep an eye on everything and let guests in through the wards.
Viktor was stepping along the border casting the greenhouse charm he had on his garden back home while Esperanza was behind him putting everything in full bloom. Fleur and Bill were leaning into each other, exchanging sweet words. Cedric sat on the steps of the temple with the sheet music laid out in front of him and Esperanza's guitar in his hands since his was all beat up. Alejandro was next to him with the camera.
"Everything's all ready for delivery tomorrow morning," Hermione announced as she headed towards Cedric.
He scrambled to his feet and grabbed the camera from Alejandro so he could meet her halfway.
"Er, I've fixed it up," he said. "Alejandro said you made him the videographer, so I told him how to set it up. Also, I noticed a bit of static and fixed that too."
"Thank you," she said. "I think we should run through the rehearsal twice so we can make sure we have the proper angles. How many can we have at once?"
"Five," he said, taking out the crystals. "Don't worry about the color, they won't affect the image, I just didn't want to use the white ones."
"I understand," she said. "I think we just need three angles. Let's do the main camera next to the entrance, one here by the statue, and the other there by the first row."
"Low or high?"
"Mm… high enough that nobody bumps into it or tries to grab it. Show Alejandro how to do it."
Cedric set them up while the others arrived.
"Alright," said Hermione. "Everyone line up. Bill, Ceci, you'll wait at the altar. Since Cedric is here, I'll take the lead and then, Cedric you're behind me, lined up with Tonks, and Esperanza you're behind lined up with Henry. How's your hearing aid? Good? Need someone to count you in?"
"Cedric fixed it so it is like the Walkman," she said. "I get why the wizards at Kilokilo made it so any deaf wizard could use it, but this way is so much clearer for me. I don't need a light spell or anything."
"Is that a yes or no?"
"No, I don't need to be counted in."
"Okay. Everyone else, pick a partner, that is your buddy from here until the reception. Come on, line up. Bill, why aren't you at the altar? Go man, go!"
"Oh, we're starting," he said and went to the altar with Cecilia.
"Agathe, wait until Esperanza starts singing before walking down the aisle," said Hermione.
"I don't have any flowers," said the little girl, holding up her empty basket.
Hermione wiggled her fingers over it to fill it with flower petals like sprinkles.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I made roses! ACHOO!" She held an arm over her nose and sniffled. "Here you are Agathe. Now, everyone ready?" When they confirmed they were, she got to the front of the line. "Let's begin."
Cedric played "Hymne à l'amour" on the guitar as they marched down the soon to be aisle. He hit a few bad notes, but she knew he'd have it by tomorrow.
"Beautiful," said Hermione, stepping onto the steps. "Now split here and stand on the second step." She turned around and conducted them. "Go, go, go. Doing good. We are all up. Esperanza?"
Her cousin sang and Hermione beckoned Agathe to start walking. They had talked about a ring bearer, but there wasn't a little boy young enough, so Cecilia was in charge of the rings.
"A little slower," Hermione called. "It's not a race, it's an announcement. Here comes the bride. Hold your breath, because she's worth the wait!"
"And it's your last chance to run," muttered one of the groomsmen.
"I have five more siblings to replace you with," said Bill crossly.
"That's perfect, Agathe," said Hermione, ignoring them. "Keep that pace tomorrow."
Agathe threw the last of her petals in the air and Hermione sneezed into her sleeve.
"Okay, Fleur," she said. "Your time to shine."
Fleur walked down the aisle with Bastien, keeping her pace. As she did, she looked straight at Bill and smiled. Hermione glanced at him to see his eyes shining as if she were already in her gown instead of jeans and a chunky wool jumper. Hermione stepped back to the officiant's spot so the bride and groom could stand together.
"Alright, officiant officiates, the translator translates—ACHOO!—We sing, you repeat your vows, you smash the glass, et voila you're married. You may kiss. Alejandro, how are we looking?"
"Sexy," he said. "But not like we're trying too hard. Sure we're trying, but it's almost effortless."
"Brilliant, and how about the recording?"
"Almost there. Just need to adjust the one at the statue."
Cedric moved it while Alejandro called directions. While they worked on that, Hermione noticed something moving along the trees. Perhaps an animal. She caught flashes of magic, but not a magical signature indicating a person was there. Perhaps magical plants adjusting to the greenhouse spell?
"Left. Your other left. Perfect!"
Hermione blinked back to the current situation and marked the spots for tomorrow.
"Everyone got it?" she asked. "Do we need to run through it again?"
"I have to go potty," said Agathe.
"Did we organize toilets?" Hermione asked, thinking about how far the hotel was.
"Yes, there's signs directing to them," said Fleur, taking her little cousin's hand. "It is not far."
"I think we've got it then," said Hermione. "Everyone can start heading back to the hotel. I'll put markers down for everything so the groomspeople can start setting up in the morning. We have an early set up time, so please don't make me have to fetch you."
"The way you act, Nia, I'd hate to see what you're like for your wedding," Charlie teased.
"Tch!" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Cedric, I need some spray paint and tape."
"What color spray paint?"
"Do you have gold?"
"Yes."
She held out her hand and Cedric gave both items to her. She marked down which pillars would have the garland with tape, then sprayed markings on the grass for the chairs and the aisle decorations. The decorations (aside from the flowers) were all in Cecilia and Tonks' room for safe keeping.
Soon enough, only Alejandro, Draco, and Cedric were left, everyone else having gone back to the hotel.
"Here."
She looked over to see Cedric holding out an allergy pill.
"Oh, thank you," she said and accepted the water bottle.
"I'll make sure you have another one tomorrow," he said. "I can smell roses around here."
She sniffled and nodded. "If you want to wear your backpack, I can charm it so it'll match. I've gotten good at coloring charms."
"Er, yeah, if it's not too much trouble."
"None at all." She swiped her fingers through a lock of his hair, charming it purple. "See?"
"You have gotten good at that," he said. "You've changed a lot."
"So I've been told. You haven't changed a bit."
"I wouldn't say that." He smiled slightly. "I don't need the wolfsbane potion to keep my mind anymore. I mean, I still want it because it helps me manage my pain, but I don't need it to not attack. I found that out when a transformation caught me by surprise. A guy threw stuff at me and I ran away instead of attacking him. No blood lust here."
"How'd you manage that?" asked Hermione.
"The American werewolves," he said. "Their strain is… well, they tend to avoid humans rather than pick fights, unless the humans are causing trouble within their territory. I let them infect me with their strain and it changed me. My senses have been sharper in human form and I have a stronger desire for a pack. I'm told if I train, I can switch between forms like an animagus, but I still won't have any choice on the full moon. They were really great. They're nothing like Greyback's cult. I was sad to leave, but when someone is tagged by a hunter… it puts the rest of the pack in danger and so the tagged wolf has to leave."
"I'm sorry to hear it," she said. "Once we've got the hunter taken care of… you should go back. I think you need a strong community.
"You… want me to leave?"
Oh, and there was that kicked puppy look. She wasn't sure if he just got better at it having to beg for money or if she just wasn't used to seeing it.
"I want you to be happy," she said. "I've made my mess. I don't want to pull you into it."
"This all sounds familiar."
She shrugged. "Like I said, I understand why you left now, but it still hurts."
"I know," he said. "I am sorry I left things the way I did. I regretted it the second I left."
"But you didn't come back."
"No."
"The cops were staking out our houses looking for you anyway," she said.
"Mimi… can I go home with you? We don't have to go back to how we used to be but…"
She furrowed her brow as the purple faded from his hair. She glanced over his shoulder to see Alejandro shoot up to his full size with a surprised shout. She threw down her purse and everything she had put in it exploded out. The same happened to Cedric's backpack, even spewing out of a hole he had mended with magic; he ripped it off and jumped away.
"What the hell is going on here?" Draco demanded.
Hermione spotted a flash of metal and jumped in front of Cedric. A silver bolt embedded itself into her chest. It didn't get very far. All she'd have is a nick. Still it knocked the wind out of her and she stumbled back.
Cedric caught her and inhaled sharply. "No… oh, God. He's here! I knew he would be!"
"Get a grip!" she wheezed and yanked the bolt out of her chest plate. "Look alive boys! We've got company."
The hunter stalked out of the trees, weapon at the ready and looking like the comic book version of Van Helsing. Hermione couldn't see his signature through his massive coat.
"You're right, he does look like Van Helsing," Cedric whispered, squeezing her shoulders.
"Well, well," said Orion. "It's taken more than a year, but I've finally caught up to you little wolf. I warned you not to get anyone involved and now look what you've done. You forced my hand and I'm going to have to kill everyone in that hotel as soon as I collect your head."
Good, he hadn't killed anyone yet. He wasn't a complete idiot. He must've known if he tried to kill everyone before he caught Cedric it would give him a chance to run.
"Oh, wah!" said Hermione sarcastically. "'I'm such a major asshole and can't admit it, so I have to blame my own horrific actions on others so I can sleep better at night.' Give me a break!"
The hunter looked her up and down and smirked. "And who are you? Willy Wonka's sister?"
"Nia the Dragon, who the hell are you?"
"The Dragon Lady?" he said. "Ah! You're my next assignment. That dark lord tripled my fee if I killed you, too. How fortuitous, both my prey in one trap. I'll kill the troll, too, as a personal trophy."
Alejandro growled.
"I think not," said Draco. "I'd never hear the end of it from Blaise. Expelliarmus!"
His wand popped and fizzled. He stared at it, dumbfounded, and shook it.
"Oh, did I not mention?" Orion laughed. "You're within my borders. Magic doesn't work here. You are completely helpless."
Hermione dove into her pile of things and snatched up her scythe, which had grown to full size.
"Alejandro! Guard Cedric!" she ordered and pointed the end of her scythe to the hunter. "This one is mine."
"You think you can fight me and win, little girl?"
"You kill innocent people," she growled, stalking towards him and sweeping her blade along the ground. "And you plan to kill me anyway. I don't go down without a fight and I have the annoying habit of bouncing back."
She slid the scythe forward. He jumped back, but not before she cut the string on his crossbow, the bolt jumped out and fell to the ground. He growled and drew a sword of his own.
"You should just let me kill him!" Orion spat and lunged. Hermione braced her scythe and the blade clanged against the staff. They remained locked for a moment as he tried to press the blade toward her head. "If you think about it, my killing you will purify your defilement by this filthy beast."
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Dude…"
Second base was hardly defilement. Not that setting the record straight would change his opinion of her, nor would it matter.
She kicked him in the stomach and danced back. They fought hard for several minutes. He was good. Skilled. She was doing all she could to defend herself. He nicked her fingers and she gasped in pain. She knew the magic in her splints was dampened and she would not be able to back her punches like usual. That was enough for him to spin her scythe out of her hands.
"Nice weapon. I will be taking it for myself," he said.
"Ah-ha! No you won't." She kicked his sword out of his hands.
He drew a dagger and she sighed before going into hand-to-knife combat. At least her armor was sturdy and made of basilisk-skin. It did not penetrate easily, which he learned when he stabbed down and tore right through her coat. However, if he managed to find where the bolt cracked through the seam, she could be dead before she even realized it.
"This is my third favorite coat!" she yelled. "RULE THREE!"
She brought her boot up, kicking him in the groin.
He groaned and roared in anger, punching her in the face, then kicking her in the chest. On the ground, he jumped on top of her and wrapped a hand around her throat. He tried bringing the dagger down again, but she raised her arm to block him. Her shrimp maneuver would not do good, his entire weight was on her hips so all she could do was kick her feet in vain.
"You're strong," he said, forcing the point of the dagger towards her eye. Her vision was getting fuzzy. "I'm glad the wolf gets to watch me kill you!"
"RAGHHH!"
Alejandro crashed into the Hunter, ripping him off of her. She rolled onto her side, fighting for breath. Cedric appeared by her side to support her. She heard the sounds of a fight behind her and knew they were in trouble when Cedric's face fell in horror.
"I'll finish you last, Troll!" Orion snarled.
Stars danced in Hermione's vision as pain erupted from the back of her head. What just happened?
"ARGH! I OUGHTA SKIN YOU ALIVE WOLF!"
Her vision cleared, but everything was still muffled. Hermione scrambled to her feet and stumbled over to her scythe. She picked it up and turned back to the fight. Orion had Cedric in a chokehold. His screams of agony sounded far away. The hunter had scratches running across his face, thin ribbons of blood streaming down his skin. She swiped at him and he pinwheeled back, dropping his knife. Cedric snatched it up and drove it into their assailant's leg. Orion backhanded him, pulled the dagger out of his own leg, then charged Hermione.
She brought the blade up, but was still sent crashing to the ground.
Orion's face turned bright red and blood dribbled out of his mouth. Her hearing cleared and she could hear the horrible wheezing sound he was making. She could feel something warm and sticky soaking its way into her clothes and her arms were pinned, hands grasping white-knuckled onto the shaft of her scythe. The hunter exhaled and slumped over.
Hermione was too shocked to move.
"Mimi!" Cedric scrambled over to her. There was a deep scar down his face close to his hairline, plus some divots from where he was struck by the rings on the Hunter's hand.
He and Alejandro, who looked entirely shaken from the ordeal, pulled the body off of her and helped her to her feet. She looked over at Draco who was white and frozen in place. She decided he would know he missed his opportunity soon enough. She didn't need to point it out.
She took a deep breath and pulled her scythe out, shuddering at the sensation.
"Help me get rid of him," she said. "I'll slice him up. Bury him separately. Under trees. They'll eat him."
"I never thought I'd see a troll hunter in my life," Alejandro whispered, helping her undress the corpse.
The jacket was heavy, like it was filled with weights. Metal? What was sewn into it that would block her view of magic?
"What are you doing?!" Draco squawked.
"You want us to leave him here?" Cedric demanded. "That'll set the mood for the wedding tomorrow!"
Hermione cut the body up, pretending she was cutting up a very large chicken, and Alejandro carried the pieces away to bury it. He scratched one of the runes the hunter planted away, allowing them to use magic once again. Cedric and Draco dug up the earth and turned it over to remove the blood before regrowing the grass.
"Found his things," said Alejandro, tossing Hermione a bag.
She missed the catch, so she kicked it towards the pile of things from her purse. She funneled everything back in with magic except her emergency kit, which she brought to Cedric.
"Here," she said. "Hold still."
She put one drop of dittany on his injury. It sealed up but there was still a lot of blood.
"Are you okay?" she asked, touching his cheek.
He nodded, but was trembling violently as he put everything into his backpack.
"All done," said Alejandro, stashing his wand away. "It never happened."
Hermione put her scythe away and they returned to the hotel just in time to be spotted by some of their friends heading down to the rehearsal dinner in the hotel ballroom. Fleur screamed upon seeing them.
"Don't worry, it's not mine," said Hermione. "But we need to make new arrangements. I think we oughta move everyone here to the hotel and nobody goes anywhere without an armed escort, just to be on the safe side."
"How many were there?" asked Mad-Eye hurrying into the room. "Heard a scream—GOOD LORD!
"Just one," said Hermione. "Murderer for hire."
"He works alone," Cedric added.
"Right and as long as he doesn't have a daily check-in system, we shouldn't suspect any Death Eater attacks," said Hermione. "Not tomorrow anyway. Nothing is cancelled, the show must go on."
"You're dripping blood on the carpet," said Esperanza. "Go get cleaned up."
"Yeah. Oh, this is his coat. I couldn't see him through it, think you can figure out why?"
Esperanza took it, looking surprised at the weight of it. "Consider it done."
"Are we really going to write this off?!" Bill squawked. "Where was the attack? Where's the body?"
"Bill, look at me," said Hermione, drawing his attention to her face. "Relax. It's handled. Nobody on our side was killed and I took care of my last assassin and Cedric's too. When we return to England, I'll be sending the hunter's hat as a message to the Death Eaters."
"I'll feel safe with Nia there," said Fleur. "Now hurry, before someone sees you and has a heart attack."
"Right. After I shower, I'm going to set up the wards in the cellar."
Hermione apparated to the next floor and hurried to her room. There, she stripped down entirely and stuffed her bloody clothes into a bag. She was sure she looked like the final girl in a horror movie and was glad all of the elderly were in the ballroom and hadn't seen her in her state. She would hate to cause a funeral.
"It's okay," she whispered to herself over and over as she turned on the shower and stepped under the cold spray. She scrubbed the blood off her hands and body, then turned the heat up until she could hardly stand it. "It's okay."
She braced her hands against the tiled wall and stared down at the water until it ran clear. Now was not the time to have a break down. She tried to still her chattering teeth.
It's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.