(…)
March 25th, 2006
Ministry of Magic
Thinking about that day and how Asmo said that she should still behave and treat him lovingly in front of others - or even alone in public places - makes her nauseous. She's been playing the part well, she knows. No one doubts that her relationship with Asmodeus is non existent. Harry was the only one who came slightly close to seeing how utterly sad she was feeling.
"So, you were just laughing behind my back all this time, huh?" Harry asks.
"In a way." She lies. "Asmo thought hilarious how you easily believed me." She can feel bile in her mouth. This is making her sick. "You really thought I would be able to spend days and nights with you if he didn't know?"
Harry blinks many times.
This.
She hurt him. Badly.
It's like he's coming to terms with the fact that all they shared was a lie. And Hermione can see the little fascination and admiration that lingered in his eyes for her disappearing.
Dust. It's all turning into dust. As if their love never existed.
Harry swallows hard. "I regret the day I met you, Hermione." He says in a low voice, looking down. "I regret letting you in." He looks at her then. It takes her breath away how much hatred she sees there. Well, wasn't that what I wanted? "I ignored everyone who told me to be careful with you and I was an idiot." He steps closer to the bars again, his eyes on hers. "But I won't make the same mistake twice."
She sets her jaw and accio the fake wand to her hand.
"Well," She says, holding back her tears. "Sleep well, D'Angelo, we'll have a nice day tomorrow. Just some fun questions and such." She smiles.
He looks livid.
Without another word, Hermione walks away, fast.
December 20th, 2005
Ministry of Magic
Hermione can hear Harry's footsteps leaving the dungeons. Knowing that he's far away and relatively safe calms her. She clears her throat, her eyes on her father that's just looking at her with deadly eyes.
"Explain." He says through gritted teeth.
"This is Vernon-"
"No!" He yells. "Not that! Explain to me why you've just defied me to protect D'Angelo." Her father narrows his eyes. "I can see that you two are… too close. I don't like this, Hermione. At all."
"You're clearly furious because of-"
"Of course I am!" He yells again. Hermione raises an eyebrow. It's uncommon for her father to be this out of control. "Someone invaded the Ministry! Destroyed the statue and stole from my office!" He hisses. "And you're not giving me answers! You're Head Auror, how are you going to solve all of this?"
"I'm trying!" She says, her tone a bit higher. "I'm doing the best I can-"
"It's not enough!" He yells again, this time taking a step closer to her. "You're a disappointment, Hermione."
She sets her jaw. "Then I don't understand why you keep expecting me to solve everything-"
It's so fast that she can't react. A spell hits her hard. An invisible hand, slapping her face. She presses her lips together, furious.
"Now." Riddle clears his throat, his anger subsiding a bit. "I do hope you bring me all D'Angelo's secrets, do you understand?" He's snarling. "If I suspect that you're protecting him in any way, I'll make you pay, Hermione. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly." Her voice is firm. She's used to this. She knows how to play this game. "I have no reason to protect him, father. But you overreacted right now and I couldn't let you hex one of my Aurors."
He snorts, shaking his head. "Very well. Tell me who is this butchered man behind you."
"This is Vernon Dursley. A Muggle."
Hermione can feel the silent fury her father is exuding. She discreetly raises up a shield around her. This can go bad real fast.
"And how there's a Muggle inside my Ministry?"
"I brought him. With Asmo's help." She smiles to herself for being able to also blame Asmo for this. Now she's glad Harry didn't go on the mission with her. It would be madness.
"Why?"
She can see him clenching his jaw successive times. Utterly furious. "He was the one responsible for the Muggle guns used on the attack at the Fair."
Her father makes a strange face. "And exactly how you got this information?"
"I went to Muggle London, father, of course." She should mind her tone. But she doesn't care.
She feels the invisible spell hitting her shield and she raises her chin, crossing her arms, totally unfazed. Her father is very predictable in a way.
"You disobeyed direct orders." He says in a low voice. "I should demote you, right now."
She snorts. "Do it, then." It would be a favor, really. "I'm sure you can find another Auror that's as capable as me to fulfill the spot." She knows there's no one else. Maybe Harry. Ironic, huh?
He crosses his arms, their eyes locked. "Don't test me, Hermione. Don't forget where your loyalty lies. Don't forget who you are."
"This has nothing to do with loyalty, father. I'm just doing my job, as you asked me to do. If anything, I continue to be completely loyal to you." She can see a glint in his eyes. "And I know pretty well who I am, there's no need to remember what I can't forget." She grits her teeth.
"It's good that even when you defy me, you're still doing the best for our society." His tone changes, he seems calmer. "Did you interrogate the Muggle?"
"I was going to today." She says, shaking her head. "Unfortunately, someone doesn't want us learning what he knew."
Her father sighs. "Call someone to deal with this." He waves a hand. "Come. Let's head back up."
And he extends his hand for her to take. Hermione dispels her shield and take the hand. Her father squeezes hers, then releases as they walk out of the cell.
There's only silence between them.
But it's fine.
Her mind is, as always, on Harry. Specifically on the way he reacted at the news of her engagement. He feels something for her. Something strong. Does he love me? Maybe it's better if she never knows. Deep down she feels that she should end things with him. Let him go before it gets even more complicated, but at the same time… she can't help being selfish.
Harry is… he's everything. He's joy. And maybe, after a long life with so many sorrows, she's having a hard time letting go of him. He makes her happy in a way that Hermione never experienced before, and she tries not blaming herself for not wanting this feeling to end.
She's aware that there's no way of them working out. Not after the Vow she made with Asmo.
The elevator keeps moving. Hermione can tell that her father is watching her closely.
And the binding obedience contract.
She gulps. She needs to find a way to deal with this. Fuck, how?
And the tingle. What just happened between us? It was strong. Stronger than any other time they touched. She felt absolutely powerful and ready to protect Harry at all costs.
I also need to do some research on this.
She should have done it already, but things are so crazy lately that she couldn't find the time for it.
The elevator finally arrives at the Atrium and her father, without a word, goes to the statue. Hermione walks slowly, looking for someone to handle Dursley down there. Asmo comes to her, a smile on his face. She can see Harry in the distance, his eyes going over them occasionally.
She plays the part she has to.
Hermione fears it will come a day that she will lose it. She's feeling on the edge constantly with so many secrets and emotions to juggle.
Sighing, she looks at Harry. He's close to the statue and her father is also near, watching the Aurors trying to put the debris back where they belong.
Harry was the only one capable of mending it slightly. Why? She squints. Was he the one who did this? The one who destroyed the statue?
It could be.
She blinks a few times when she realizes her father is asking Harry to perform a spell to fix the statue. She feels cold, petrified on the spot. She has no time to reach them as Harry raises his wand and-
Nothing happens.
She exhales, relieved. Her father looks disappointed.
Looking at Harry one last time, she heads to her office, her mind focused on the binding obedience. Her father expects something from her and since Harry only has secrets that could easily send him to his death, she wonders what she could do to change that…
March 26th, 2006
Ministry of Magic
Sirius is already at the Ministry when she arrives. She greets him with a nod and enters her office, asking for him to wait outside for just a few minutes.
She needs a moment alone.
Hermione barely slept last night, again. She kept thinking about the conversation she had with Harry and how such a beautiful and amazing thing they'd build for themselves shattered so completely. She said to her mother that she would fight for their love, but she had to say those things to him, she had to act like the backstabbing bitch he was expecting.
She leans on her desk. The fake wand is still there. She snorts. Things worked out perfectly for her to be sure that he truly doesn't care about her now. What surprised her was him asking for a kiss. A kiss that she thought obsessively while lying on her bed and crying. Indeed, she had to get close to him to test the fake wand theory, but she was going to do it without sharing a kiss-
It hurts even more.
I need to keep my distance. Act like a bitch, yes, but keep her distance.
Taking a deep breath, she squeezes the stone of her necklace. It's going to be one hell of a day.
She exits the office and walks in silence with Sirius. She briefly spots Gin and Ron. Hermione prefers not thinking about the way they're looking at her. She hadn't seen Asmodeus since yesterday at the meeting and she couldn't care less where he is.
They enter the elevator and Sirius finally speaks, "What kind of questions will you be asking?"
Hermione clears her throat. "Standard. Just to get a feel of things."
He nods. "Are you giving him Veritaserum?"
She can hear the fear in his voice.
"No. Not today." Not ever again.
Sirius visibly relaxes and she feels calmer that he's the one there with her. She hopes Harry will feel too.
When the elevator stops, she hesitates for a second, steeling herself. Sirius squints and when she takes the first step, he holds her arm.
"Are you okay?"
She wants to cry at his gentle tone. "Yes." Her voice wavers and she clears her throat again.
"I can… conduct this if you feel like it's too much-"
"Why would I feel that?" She raises an eyebrow. "He's just like any other prisoner, Sirius."
She goes past him, but his voice reaches her when he says, "I don't remember seeing you crying desperately for any other prisoner, Hermione. Or having the Perfect Harmony with them."
Hermione halts, her heart beating faster. "I don't remember asking your opinion about this." She says sharply. Stop burning bridges! But apparently she can't.
Sirius says nothing else and she continues walking to the cell, leaving him behind. She needs to find some anger inside her, that's the only way she'll be able to go through with this. Gritting her teeth, she realizes she's furious with herself. Which is good. It's what she can handle right now.
Harry is already up, doing some push-ups on the floor. She blinks a few times, her mind glitching at the sight of his sweaty and bare chest.
He stops and looks up at her. There's fire in his eyes. With a flick of her wand, two chairs appear. One for her, one for Sirius.
"So, I guess our fun day is starting." He says in a low voice, standing from the ground.
She needs to check herself not to stare at his body. Shit. She can feel her own body reacting, an electricity going through her. He opens a side smile, maybe just being cocky or maybe extremely aware of how much he messes with her. She moves her wand again and in a beat he's all dry and with a t-shirt on.
Harry blinks many times, frowning.
Sirius finally arrives. "Harry."
"Sirius." His voice is strained.
Hermione pretends she's not there for a moment while the two men share a knowing look. It seems to give Harry some strength and she's glad.
But well, she's there to ruin the party.
"Counselor Black is here with me because he'll be supervising the interrogations." She says in a serious tone, conjuring an interrogation bubble that's obviously useless for testifying the veracity of his words, but it will keep record of all the conversation. Harry nods to Sirius and they both settle down. Sirius on the chair and Harry on the bed inside the cell. "Now, Auror D'Angelo-"
"Yes, Head Riddle?" He says in a provocative manner. "No Veritaserum today?"
Hermione raises her eyes to him and they share a look. All that hate and disappointment from yesterday are there, stronger now… along with a glint of viciousness. Almost the same look he gives her father. She sets her jaw.
"Maybe today you can answer honestly without it, D'Angelo. Did you kill Lucius Malfoy?"
Harry crosses his arms, snorting. "I don't see why I should answer a question you already know the answer to."
"It's protocol."
"Fuck protocol."
She wants to open a smile at his sassiness.
"Very well." She says, squinting, crossing one leg over the other. "I want it to be in the records that Auror D'Angelo confessed to the murder of Lucius Malfoy-"
"Because Head Riddle gave me Veritaserum," He adds to the record, "illegally."
Sirius makes a noise and Hermione is sure that he's trying to hold back a laugh.
"Legal or not, it doesn't change the facts. But, I'm curious to know your motives, D'Angelo." She says in an even voice. Interrogating suspects is familiar ground for her, and in a way, Sirius' presence makes things easier. So, she's feeling a bit more at ease, ready for this.
"Maybe you should have asked when you had me under the influence, Head Riddle. If you think I'm giving you these answers willingly you're out of your mind." He stands from the bed and comes to the bars, his eyes on hers. There's a fair distance between him and her chair. "I have nothing to lose anymore." He says. "So, I don't really care about your questions." He opens a smile.
Hermione wants to shake her head and scream at him. If he acts like this her father will surely send someone else and then she won't be able to protect him-
"Auror," Sirius says, "I honestly don't think this it the best way to behave in such situation."
Harry looks at Sirius and Hermione lets out a heavy breath she was holding. "Why is that counselor? Am I wrong? Hasn't my sentence be written already?"
"Maybe not." Sirius says.
Hermione presses her lips together, slightly lowering her head. Sirius still trusts her to save Harry. Maybe I've not burned all the bridges.
Harry frowns. He glances at Hermione and she can see doubt in his eyes.
No. Go back to hating me.
She clears her throat. "Hardly, Sirius." Hermione says firmly. "We all know the sentence for what Auror D'Angelo did." Harry sets his jaw, his eyes narrowing. He's angry with her. "We're here because the Minister-"
"Oh, right. The Minister." Harry says in a nasty way.
"The Minister and I," Hermione emphasizes, "think that you still have much to reveal, D'Angelo."
Harry swallows hard, wavering a bit in place. "Really, Head Riddle?" He snorts. "Well, I'm sorry to say that you'll have to force the answers out of me, then."
"Are you sure you want to get to that?" She leans forward on her chair.
"Who knows?" He leans forward too, to her. "Maybe I'll let you persuade me." He presses his lips together, his eyes going over her body, clearly checking her out. He raises an eyebrow. Hermione can feel the heaviness of his look. She can almost feel his touch. His tongue going over her tattoo-
She leans back on the chair and Sirius saves her ass from the embarrassment of blushing when he says, "Maybe you should reconsider, Auror D'Angelo. Head Riddle is conducting this herself in order to keep things… organized." Harry clicks his tongue. "I highly doubt that you want Auror Pettigrew to come down here and… force you to talk."
Hermione feels a chill down her spine. Not the nice kind. All Asmodeus wants is a chance to torture Harry. And she can't let things get to that.
"He can try." Harry says, shrugging.
Stubborn ass.
"Did Lucius Malfoy attack you, Auror? I do remember you saying you were almost chocked to death on that night." She asks.
"Does it make a difference, Head Riddle?" He walks back to the bed, sitting down.
"It could."
"Yes." He makes a face. "He tried killing me that night."
Hermione blinks a few times. "And what motive would he have for that? The night of the Ball was the first time you met Lucius, wasn't it?"
Harry snorts a humorless chuckle. "Aren't you curious to know that, Head Riddle?" He winks at her. "I guess this is one answer Pettigrew can force out of me."
She's honestly surprised by how controlled and firmly he's acting. In this regard, she underestimated him. Hermione thought Harry would tell more, show more, react more. But he's hiding everything, leading this. He's in control of the interrogation. She feels her admiration for him increasing. He wasn't Head Auror for nothing.
"Tell me about the attack at the Fair." She says, completely changing the subject and bringing a wrinkle to his face. Even Sirius seems surprised by her question.
Good.
"What about the attack?" He asks quietly.
"Do you know anything about it?" She talks very slowly, "Who did it? Don't you think it's a huge coincidence that it happened exactly on your first day here? Since you murdered a counselor inside Riddle Manor, is only logical to presume that you were responsible-"
He stands fast. "I have nothing to do with that!" Harry hisses. "I don't care what you think of me, but I wouldn't kill ninety-eight wizards-"
"Relax, D'Angelo." Sirius says, his voice high. Harry blinks and looks at him.
Hermione opens a side smile. She got into his head, broke his expectations. And Harry is realizing this just now. He makes a face at her, Hermione is not sure if he's amused, angry or… fascinated.
"And what about the squib and her mother, Lucinda Summers?" Hermione asks, aware that this is dangerous.
"What can I say?" He shrugs to her. "Apparently Auror Pettigrew is useless. You should fire your fiance. He's a terrible Auror."
She raises an eyebrow, trying not to show her amusement. "Indeed, he led poorly the transportation." She says. Harry widens his eyes, then he narrows them, observing her. "The invasion at Riddle Manor-"
Harry scoffs. "Please. I was just there to dance." He cocks his head.
Hermione gulps. She can feel the hotness on her neck. Sirius is looking from one to the other with a glint in his eyes.
"And-" She begins.
Harry cuts her, "Is your next question about Lucius' funeral? I can assure you I didn't hire a man to kill me. I guess I would be incredibly stupid if I'd done that."
She involuntarily chuckles. Oh, fuck. Harry widens his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. She clears her throat. "You would be," She states, "incredibly stupid, I mean."
"I can't say I haven't been, Head Riddle. Especially when falling in love."
Sirius moves on his chair. Her eyes are locked on Harry's. He's provoking her. Harry wants to see if his words can shake her in any way, see if it's true that it was all a lie.
Hermione's only reaction is a shrug. "What about Vernon Dursley? The Muggle?" She asks instead.
Harry narrows his eyes. "Poor guy." It's his answer. "Maybe whoever killed him will try to do the same with me. If I survive the encounter I'll tell you who it was." He opens a tight smile.
She sighs, changing her crossed legs. "This is not a comedy show, Auror D'Angelo."
"Pity. I can be pretty funny."
It's incredible how she wished she could let go of everything and just kiss him. He's so determined. So brave. This is not an easy situation and he's dealing with it masterfully.
"Since you're not answering my questions and I have a lot to do, D'Angelo, I think what you need right now is more time alone." She stands from the chair. Harry looks at her questioningly. "Maybe in your solitude you'll find the will to collaborate."
"I highly doubt that, Head Riddle."
She clicks her tongue, extinguishing the interrogation bubble. "Well, I don't have all day to waste with you." She turns to Sirius, giving her back to Harry. "Let's go."
Sirius nods and gives Harry a final look, however when they're both walking away, Harry says "Hey, Sirius, how's Sally?"
Hermione presses her lips together, stopping.
"She's well." Sirius says, squinting. "She wished she could visit."
"Indeed. Tell her that it's a pity that I won't live to see next week, but even so I want her to know that I should have asked her to marry me." Hermione closes her eyes. "Don't you think she would have said yes, Sirius?"
Sirius gives Hermione a look, not sure if he should indulge in this conversation. "I think she would, Harry."
"I thought so." Harry says in a low voice.
She gulps and starts walking away, not minding if her attitude shows her jealousy. And then she feels Sirius behind her. When they enter the elevator, he asks, "What did you mean with time alone?"
"We are the only ones allowed down here." She states. "Maybe two days without a visit might crack him."
Reality is… she needs to stall until Matteo and Chiara arrive. She has no real questions to make, she doesn't want to crack him or anything. And coming here everyday for this nonsense is only going to make her suffer.
She's tired of suffering.
Harry is going nowhere for now, he'll be here, safe in a way. And meanwhile, she has a lot to think about. Her priority is trying to find the hidden blood samples Asmodeus has. This could change things for her.
And also… she's been thinking about what her mother did on the night of the Ball. The spell she used was a simple shutting one, but why couldn't they open the windows at any cost? Was there something else to it? Hermione feels that she should question this…
She gives Sirius a side glance. He was James Potter's best friend. For the hundredth time she's baffled by how big her father's ego is. To keep all of the Potters' closest friends as his counselors and expect them to be loyal to him is just-
Cruel.
She looks down. For Harry she's even worse than her father now.
When the elevator finally stops at the Auror's floor, Sirius says, "You're incredibly brave, Hermione." She looks at him, startled, not sure if she should say anything. Sirius opens a tiny smile and winks. She nods to him, going to her office and sighing.
December 25th, 2005
Riddle Manor
Soon they'll be ready to take her pictures with Asmo. Now as an engaged couple.
Hermione groans, looking at the engagement ring. It's indeed beautiful, but in this case, it doesn't matter. Its beauty is not capable of erasing all the ugliness behind this union. She plays with the ring on her finger, her mind on Harry.
It could be us, Harry.
Her eyes go to the Mirror in front of her. She knows better than coming here to look at this image, but sometimes she can't resist.
It's still the same. The little boy in his arms, Harry smiling by her side, her face exuding joy and happiness. She notices now that they have wedding bands on their fingers. She smiles sadly.
She's done a lot of thinking these past days. Maybe she found a way of saving Harry and fulfilling her part on the binding obedience contract.
Hermione couldn't see a clear path before because she wasn't looking at the bigger picture.
When Harry asked for his leave, when he said he wanted to spend time with his family and be there for the upcoming election- it was obvious to her then.
Of course Matteo D'Angelo is the answer.
He's a powerful man that her father can't touch - at least not without bringing war to them. He's Harry's grandfather and certainly the next Ministro. She needs to make a deal with him. Hermione needs to warn D'Angelo of the danger around Harry and make sure that he'll intervene when the time comes. It's the only way.
She wonders what Harry's doing in Italy. She couldn't bring herself to send him a message. Hermione doesn't want to spoil his time away. He deserves to chill and enjoy his family. Of course it doesn't go unnoticed to her that he didn't try getting in touch either… which hurts a little.
Has he already met Chiara?
Hermione makes a face at her own jealousy. This is getting out of hand. She knows she's only insanely jealous of him because they'll never get a chance to live whatever they share for real. And this notion is infuriating. Maybe sharing the Perfect Harmony has something to do with it also. Hermione never heard of a couple that had this and didn't marry. She's sure this possessive bullshit comes from there, from this… bond.
She looks at her engagement ring again. Her left hand. The tingle she shares with Harry… is it a bond? A magical bond? She frowns. It can't be. Magical bonds don't just happen like that. They need something more, they need affinity and trust and probably a spell. This is confusing. Harry has no idea what it might be either and she has to admit that nothing she read had an explanation on something similar. They'll probably need to figure this out on their own.
Glancing one last time at the image in the mirror she closes her eyes and lets some tears fall down her face. Her plan is set. She knows what she has to do. It will ruin everything, but it'll save Harry. Give him a clean slate.
Not looking back she exits the room, ready to smile for the photographers.
After all, she's getting married.
She had sex with Asmodeus.
She felt overwhelmed after the photos and the many congratulations. And she was angry. And sad. And hating herself so much-
It was her worst sexual experience. Ever. She felt disconnected with everything that was happening and she promised herself she won't let this happen again. But it will be difficult stopping it if they marry - she still hopes it won't come to that, still hopes that she'll find the samples before the time comes.
Otherwise he's never touching her again. Not like this.
They're spending the night at the Manor and Asmodeus is sleeping like a rock by her side. Hermione stands from the bed, distancing herself from him and putting on a sweater and some comfy pants.
She exits the room with a heavy heart, still wondering how much she hates herself for letting Asmodeus touch her.
A whole lot.
She wished it was different, but she can't see a future where this won't be her life and it kills her a bit.
Maybe it'll be easier if she just accepts.
Walking fast, she can feel the warm floor under her feet because of the heating spells. She knows her parents are sleeping. It's pretty late and they drank a lot, so, she goes calmly, heading to her father's study.
She already told Asmodeus that she'll be busy for the next days and he just shrugged, saying that he doesn't mind telling whoever asks that she's with him. He'll be on the countryside with some family.
It's all set for her plan, Hermione only needs one more thing.
She opens the door and enters the study in total silence. Murmuring a spell she conjures the fake Cloak she was able to fabricate earlier. Fast enough she takes the real one from the bottom of the drawer. Hermione fills in some details at the fake, feeling its weight and leaving all the measurements just right.
A perfect copy.
She decided that her father isn't worthy of having this.
It's Harry's.
And she'll take care of it. There's no way of knowing if her father will be able to tell the difference just by looking at the Cloak. But she hopes he doesn't try using it. The charm she casted for invisibility on the fake is not meant to last much, so…
She folds the real one and tucks it under her arm, getting out of there as fast as possible.
December 26th, 2005
D'Angelo Villa
She got the apparition point just right. Hermione is one step away from the wards of the Villa and she can see the majestic mansion and its grounds. Indeed, as Harry said, it looks like Riddle Manor, but the whole place is… brighter. Alive.
Hermione begins circling the grounds, being careful enough to stay a step away from the wards. She's under the Invisibility Cloak, so, there's no rush.
When she finally spots the pool, she stops.
Harry is lying there on a chaise, getting a tan, without one worry in the whole world. She chuckles, smiling to herself, admiring him.
Her heart swells and she sighs. Just looking at him makes her happy, calmer. He seems to be in deep thought and she decides that it's time to breach the wards. In a place like this, insanely protected, she can't just tear them apart.
With some very specific spells and a lot of experience at doing this, Hermione finds the weak spot and pricks her finger, letting a drop of her blood mix itself with the ward. This is a nice trick most wizards don't know. Of course the wards are connected directly to the blood of those allowed inside…
Waiting a few minutes, she finally apparates to the other side of the ward.
And it works.
She smiles, putting up a silencing bubble around herself and walking to where Harry is now sitting on the chaise. It always takes her breath away how handsome he is. Hermione is not sure why she's walking to him, she has other motives to be here today, but it seems impossible to stay away.
He looks confused… Hermione wonders what's on his mind-
Harry suddenly sniffs the air, turning his head. He's frowning, looking directly at the spot where she's standing. Hermione widens her eyes. She didn't conceal her smell and she's wearing a perfume he knows well- fast enough she moves her wrist, making her undetectable.
He makes a face, not getting it.
And then, Hermione raises her eyes to the woman talking with him, coming from the Mansion, in a bikini.
Chiara Ferri.
It's a bit intimidating how gorgeous she is and Hermione can't help grunting internally. She's again insanely jealous.
Hermione takes a few steps back, moving away from them. But she pays some attention to their exchange. It doesn't go unnoticed that Harry talks with Chiara in a way that she hasn't seen him talking with anyone else in London. They talk like two people who have history, who know each other from the inside out-
She stops breathing when she realizes what Chiara is giving Harry. The Prophet. She watches closely while Harry looks at the picture. If he feels something, he hides pretty well and she wonders if she's in love with him all by herself…
Hermione sets her jaw when Chiara calls her a bitch and burns down the paper.
She decides that she won't listen to their conversation, whatever they'll talk about, it's theirs, she has nothing to do with this and she doesn't want to intrude in his privacy - not that I haven't already.
But she sets her mind on what she's here to do. Hermione walks fast now, entering the Mansion and mentally scanning everything. She wants to find Matteo D'Angelo's study. He surely has one.
When she reaches some grand stairs she chooses going up. And when she's finally at the second floor, she sees a closed door at the end of one hallway. Hermione knows that in huge mansions like this, only the important rooms have their doors closed. So, she probably found it.
She walks to the door, there's a huge window from floor to ceiling just at the end of the hallway, next to the study, and it faces the backyard, the pool-
Harry and Chiara are kissing.
She blinks a few times, the scene making her stop and her heart beat extremely fast. The jealousy flares inside her. Hermione bites her lower lip, fisting her hands. She's petrified on the spot, watching them. The way Chiara is straddling him and how he's squeezing her waist-
Harry is the one who pulls back, though. Hermione closes her eyes. He still feels something for Chiara. It's obvious. He probably doesn't even like Hermione that much, and here she is, doing all of this out of love. She snorts and shakes her head.
Then, not looking at them again because she doesn't want to see anything else, she focus on the study's door. Hermione performs a spell to make sure that there's no one inside. And with the certainty that she won't meet Matteo right now, she picks the lock. Matteo D'Angelo doesn't strike her as a man that would allow his study to be opened with a simple Alohomorra.
She smiles when the lock clicks open. Now, the tricky part. No one can see the door opening on its own… there's not a soul near her and she enters the room fast.
The study is huge. Even bigger than her father's, which says a lot.
Hermione walks calmly inside, it feels like Matteo just left the room and she wonders where he might be. But she's not really there to snoop around. She doesn't care about his secrets or anything of the sort, so, she goes directly to his huge desk.
Sitting down on his comfortable chair, she takes the golden quill that's laying there. Fancy. And when she finds a piece of paper, Hermione writes down her message:
Hello, Matteo D'Angelo,
I'm Hermione Riddle and I just breached your wards and entered your study unnoticed.
This should be enough to have your attention and show that I mean you no harm.
I have important things to discuss with you and I'll be here tomorrow. Our meeting should take place in the middle of the night. Wait for me here, I'll come to you.
It's about Harry and I want to make a deal. For his safety.
If you agree to it, send me a Patronus at this location.
Hermione gives the directives and with a final look around, she apparates away.
December 27th, 2005
D'Angelo Villa
She knows the second Harry starts sleeping.
By now she's already memorized the way he breathes. She knows she just needs to wait a little longer to extricate herself without waking him.
He moves a bit when she sits on the edge of the bed. Hermione already misses the warmth of his body, his strong arms and especially the way she feels with him. Safe. Always so safe, always so ready to face anything, to be anything.
Mentally apologizing, she casts a sleeping spell on Harry. He can't wake. He needs to stay out of the way.
She sighs, holding her head with both hands, her elbows on her knees. The fire from the fireplace is dying down and the room is getting darker as the hours go by.
Hermione summons her clothes.
She's here for a motive.
When she first thought about this plan, there was no way of knowing if it would work because she couldn't be sure of Harry's actions, but she knew that if he felt the same need to be with her that she feels to be with him… he would invite her over to the Villa.
Things unfolded perfectly.
And while she dresses herself, she knows she's gambling high, dangerously. But she has no other option, no other choice.
She had her doubts yesterday, but tonight it became clear that he loves her.
The dance they shared… their Patronus.
The things he said and the way he looked at her. It told her everything she needed to know.
He's in love with her and Hermione loves him so much she's ready to sacrifice everything just for him.
Without looking back at him and not risking making the mistake of changing her mind, she strides out of the room.
She walks as slowly as she manages, trying to keep her mind from the night she just shared with Harry.
It was perfect.
And the beginning of the their end.
Hermione stops at the stairs. She's about to cry and she can't meet Matteo in this state. She needs to be firm. Sure. Cold. The Riddle she is.
She takes a few deep breaths to calm down. Harry will hate her forever after this. She knows. But maybe is for the best. Maybe that way they won't suffer much when she marries Asmodeus. Maybe she won't cry when he decides coming back to Italy, surely to marry Chiara.
Maybe.
"Miss Riddle." She opens her eyes at the feminine voice. It's Bianca. She's coming up the stairs to meet with her. Bianca tilts her head. "He loves you." She says in a low voice, her eyes soft. "Whatever deal you're about to make with my father… please, consider Harry's feelings."
Hermione gulps. Bianca knew immediately who she was when Harry introduced her as Angela. And she's sure Chiara also knows the truth. Matteo must have warned them about this visit. One that Harry couldn't suspect.
"Harry's well being is the only thing I'm taking into consideration." She answers in a low voice.
Bianca cocks her head, her sharp eyes watching Hermione like a hawk. And to her surprise, the woman takes her hand in hers. "You love him too." She states. "Why not just be together? Why not leave behind all this nonsense?"
She purses her lips as more tears run down her face. Then, Hermione squeezes Bianca's hands. "I need to go. He's waiting for me."
Bianca releases her hand and Hermione feels watched all the way down the stairs, then she takes a deep breath and turns at the corridor.
Matteo's study is right there.
And by the door, Chiara is waiting, fully clothed into an uniform. Hermione grits her teeth, walking slowly. Chiara is looking at her with a deadly glare.
Hermione tries not registering how ridiculously beautiful Chiara is and how amazing and chubby her children with Harry will be. She squashes down all kinds of feelings and jealousy. That's the way she was taught her whole life, that's how she knows how to deal with things.
"If it isn't the Riddle bitch." Chiara sneers when Hermione is close enough, just a few steps from the door.
Hermione opens a nasty smile "It is, indeed." She sighs dreamily. "The bitch who's very satisfied after a night with Harry."
Chiara takes a step forward, her eyes dark, menacing, her whole posture of a skilled Auror, someone you shouldn't mess with. "Oh, please, I've had him way before you did, and I'll probably have him after and forever." A pang goes through Hermione's chest - true words. Chiara shakes her head, snorting. "If you try anything against Matteo I'm allowed to kill you. Wouldn't that be swell? Please, try, give me the satisfaction."
Hermione raises a hand in front of the door. "It's cute that you think you would be able to kill me, but well, we all have our delusional ideas, haven't we?" With a smile, Hermione knocks.
Chiara is still fuming when Matteo allows Hermione inside, and just to piss her off even more, Hermione winks at the woman before closing the door behind her.
Then, she wets her lips and turns to face Matteo D'Angelo.
He looks good for his age. Strong and powerful. White hair, white beard. Lean body. Piercing blue eyes. Intimidating to the bone. But she's used to dealing with men like him. Men like her own father.
So, with a neutral expression, she walks further into the enormous study.
"Hermione Riddle." Matteo says, amused. "Please, sit." He motions to a chair in front of his wide oak desk. "Do you wanna drink something?" Hermione denies politely. "Sure, never drink with your enemy when no one knows you're there." He winks. "Smart girl." Something on his tone makes her uncomfortable. "I have to say, I was impressed by your note."
Hermione crosses one leg over the other. "Mr D'Angelo, I would like to go directly to the point, if that's fine with you."
He snorts, drinking something Hermione can't be exactly sure what it is. "Of course. It's been a busy night after all." She gets the hint on his tone and regardless her efforts, she feels a hotness on her neck, some blush.
She clears her throat. "I know who Harry truly is." She says flatly. "I've known for a long while now."
Matteo clicks his tongue. "You know, Miss Riddle, I think I might have underestimated you." He narrows his eyes. "You know who he is. And what are you going to do with this information? What do you want?"
She sighs. "I have no intention in using this against Harry. But, unfortunately, someone else find out and is threatening to expose him to my father."
The man frowns. "Harry didn't mention-"
"I was the one who received the threat."
"Explain."
"My fiance found out. He has proof. Solid. He knows I…" She looks down, then up at Matteo again, "He knows I love Harry. He's using this to force me to marry him instead. He knows that if my father finds out, he'll kill Harry immediately. Or worse."
"Harry has no idea of this?"
She shakes her head. "I never told him. I was… waiting for him to feel comfortable enough to tell me, but I know that won't happen. Especially after I betray him." She gives the man a pointed look.
"You intend on betraying him?"
"Asmodeus, my fiance, will find a way of putting Harry away. Sooner or later. And then he will be interrogated under Veritaserum. If this happens, the world will know he's Harry Potter." The words out loud have a power to it. "If I manage to be the one in charge of this, of his arrest and his interrogations I can find ways of saving him, and that's exactly when I'll need you."
Matteo takes another sip then crosses his arms, intrigued. "Go on."
"We know you'll win this election." She states and he opens a tiny smile. "I'm not an idiot. You want some control over London."
"Maybe."
"Well, when the time comes, you'll go. And you'll get Harry out of prison."
Matteo actually chuckles. "Miss Riddle. How am I supposed to have this power?"
"I have… proof against my father. Of things you can use. That's how you're freeing Harry. Once he's free, there will be nothing more hanging above his head and with your presence there I know that my father will reconsider. Not just that but… Harry will surely hate me by then and I may find a way of turning things around with my fiance by destroying his proofs."
Matteo stands from the chair, his head down while he snorts. "Are you seriously giving me your father's head? To protect Harry?"
"I'm not handing over my father's head. I'm giving you enough proof to blackmail him and get Harry out."
Matteo pockets his hands and starts pacing. "Why not tell my grandson everything? Warn him? Why all of this?"
Hermione bites her lower lip. And lets out a heavy breath.
"My father only accepted Harry's transference for a reason. To keep an eye on the D'Angelos." Matteo makes a face, but Hermione is sure he already doubted that. "He made a binding obedience contract with me." She waits to see if Matteo will react, the man only squints. "I had to discover Harry's secrets, be close to him. Understand if he's a threat to my father or not. And the thing is, Mr D'Angelo, I don't know if you're familiar with this contract, but I can't betray my father, not directly, so, I can't just tell Harry everything because if I do, my father will know. And he would end him even faster, then." She presses two fingers against her temple. "I'm sure he suspects Harry. And I prefer that he believes I unmasked Harry in every way than having him still on his neck. You see, Mr D'Angelo, this is the only way out of this. I'm certain Harry will have more liberty after that."
"But you'll pay a price, won't you, Miss Riddle? Harry will truly hate you until his last breath."
"I prefer him hating me than having to watch him die or living his life on the run forever." She makes a face at the thought.
"Very well." Matteo says, circling his desk and sitting down by her side on the other armchair. "What are the terms?"
"Harry can't know. We'll Vow on this. On the informations I'm giving you, on the deal we're making."
Matteo nods slowly. Hermione cracks her knuckles, nervous. "And when will this happen, Miss Riddle? When do you plan to betray my grandson?"
She swallows the lump in her throat. "We're investigating the Aurors who took part in the Potters' Persecution together and I want to do this with him before things… blow up. So, in a few months, maybe April. I'll be able to hold things until then." Before she starts getting sick and weak because of the binding obedience.
Matteo is watching her with small eyes, his hands together in what looks like a prayer. "You're taking a huge risk." He states.
"I know." She's been thinking about this for a while now.
"Are you sure?"
Reality is… she's not. If it was up to her she would go back upstairs and curl into bed with Harry. Kiss him, hold him and never let go. Run away with him. Scream at the top of her lungs how much she loves him.
When Chiara said so naturally at the pub that she loved Harry, Hermione wanted to rip the woman's face out. Such jealousy and rage just because she can't say those words herself.
Just because Harry can never know how she feels-
"I am."
The man clicks his tongue. "I'll be honest." He straightens on the chair. "Maybe falling in love with you wasn't my grandson's smartest moment, but, even with our misunderstandings that I'm sure he told you about, I love him. I want Harry to be happy. He deserves it." He gives her a knowing look. "And Miss Riddle, I still think we can do all of this with Harry's knowledge, why hide things from him? Why make him believe you're a monster?"
She lets out a shaky breath. Tears welling up behind her eyes. "Because Harry wouldn't bear living with himself. What loving a Riddle would do to him? What being with the daughter of the man who ordered the death of his parents do to him? And it would never work between us, there are too many things forbidding our relationship." I can't give him children. She swallows hard, tears falling easily now. "I don't want him to carry this guilt. I want him to be happy. Even if- even if it costs me my own happiness."
"Regardless what you say, what you're doing now is certainly not an attitude your father would have. An attitude a Riddle would have." Matteo seems shaken. "But if that's what you want. Then, I agree. Let's Vow on it."
December 29th, 2005
Southern France
Iustitia.
It's written on the wall, just above Lestrange's corpse.
Hermione gulps.
"Oh, Harry."
Now, this complicates things a bit. It doesn't surprise her, she saw how furious he was, saw the way he punched Lestrange and how easily any control was slipping from his hands, but even so she hoped it wouldn't come to this.
She's not judging him. Hermione understands. Deep down she knows she would react the same way if it were her parents - well, maybe not so much for her father, but she would definitely kill for her mother.
And she doesn't care about Lestrange himself. Good riddance.
What worries her is… how this will affect Harry. From how emotional he was yesterday, she can't quite believe that doing this to Lestrange won't bring any consequences.
Was he also the one who killed Karkaroff? He went there alone the first time, only later he told Hermione that the Auror had been brutally murdered… but maybe not. Karkaroff's address was the only one that someone else might have discovered. Someone on the inner circle.
Hermione bites her lower lip, thinking. Should she confront Harry about this? Say she knows what he did and question his motives? It could drive them apart. She makes a face at the thought, rejecting it with all her soul. It seems impossible to stay away. What she feels for him just keeps growing and she wonders if there's a limit to it, if it will stop some day. She wonders if she won't feel so attracted to him, so jealous of him, so hopelessly in love with him.
So, of course, she's having a hard time coming to terms with the deal she made with Matteo.
Knowing that she'll betray Harry and that he'll hate her for it, ending for real any chance of them being together is a bit too much to handle.
Yesterday Harry noticed her attitude and when he said she could tell him anything, she almost did, she desperately wanted to-
Not to mention that lying to him about her relationship with Asmo is hurtful. Harry probably thinks that she's choosing Pettigrew and not him. He probably thinks that he's not enough for her, not what she wants…
There's a lot in her mind. In her heart.
And roughly, she estimates she has close to four months left with Harry.
Only four because Hermione is already feeling the side effects of not fulfilling the binding obedience. When she used Legilimency on Lestrange she felt like her mind was going to split open. Which wasn't normal. At all. When it comes to simpler spells, she's feeling normal, but invading someone else's mind is complex magic, it takes a lot, and she was barely able to do it.
Just like the last time she tried going against the binding obedience, she's losing her magic. More slowly now, but surely. Soon she'll get sick. And then things are going to be… terrible.
Sighing, she apparates back to the top of the mountain and observes the chilly day.
It's not fair to Harry. Any of it.
She should distance herself. Put an end to what they have.
But he loves her and Harry won't accept this end without a plausible reason - which she doesn't have - and inevitably they'll gravitate back to each other, like they've already done.
What if I just… stay with him?
Can't she? Be a little happy? It will hurt more when it's over, but… isn't it better having at least some good memories? Why already kill something that will die eventually?
I'm being selfish.
She's aware.
For her it will be easier. She has time to accept everything, but Harry won't have this time. It will be brutal for him. A searing rupture.
Hermione presses her lips together, crossing her arms.
What should I do?
These questions are troubling her heart, but her mind is filled with other things in a secondary plan.
Vernon Dursley's murder. The statue. The file on the Persecution. What Lestrange said…
Her father already knew where the Potters were…
This is important. If he knew, why he waited so long to go after them? She has no idea. And it unsettles her. It feels like this whole thing is way bigger than what they imagined at first. It wasn't because of their relationship. At all. Now that she's read the file she's sure. If it were, Lily and James would be in Azkaban until this day, rotting inside.
Wishing she had all the answers, Hermione closes her eyes and wonders how all this mess is going to solve itself, because she has no clue of what to do.
(…)
Note: I feel like Oprah with the Vows. 'You get a Vow. And you get a Vow. All of you get a Vow.'