In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 56: Working
"So," Aunt Cindy said to Hermione in the kitchen, "JJ's your boyfriend?"
"Yes," Hermione said "Nice, I mean. Sure, he's pressing how boys like to, but gotta keep him a bit hungry, enough to keep him behaved."
"That is the challenge," Aunt Cindy said as she stirred the bowl.
Knock! Knock!
Hermione walked through the living room, past Mark hunched over at the computer, to the front door. Bluish green eyes, JJ was there as she opened.
"So you got some time—" Hermione started.
"Can I warm up inside you?" JJ asked, his eyes on her knickers.
"Bad idea," Hermione said, "Don't want to have to amputate."
"Was able to steal out on a break," JJ said, "They're having me pull another double shift—maybe tomorrow?"
"Guess that'll have to do," Hermione said.
"Lets me afford our dates," JJ said.
"Thought you'd be doing your church," Hermione said.
"Duty calls," JJ said, "Later."
JJ kissed her on the cheek, turned around, and left. Hermione went back to the kitchen, where Aunt Cindy was dropping round bits of batter to the large sheet.
"That him?" Aunt Cindy asked.
"Working," Hermione said, "Though, it's not like cheeseburgers cost that much."
"Could be saving up for more," Aunt Cindy said as she put the sheet of rounds into the oven, "Thought…he's in retail?"
"Yep," Hermione replied.
"On a Sunday, should be limited hours," Aunt Cindy said.
"Maybe he's got two?" Hermione wondered, aloud.
"At his age?" Aunt Cindy said, "Gloria's son, right? Thought she gave him a sizable allowance, shouldn't need to pull a double shift."
"Maybe he wants to earn it himself," Hermione said, "Take on the responsibility, likely good for him."
Ron returned to the bedroom on Blackfoot Yard, nearly noon as he made his way down the steps. He came into the living room, where Sirius was at the small dining table.
"Hello," Ron said.
"Going to spend your entire holiday—?" Sirius asked.
"It's more—" Ron said as he came to the table, one leg onto the chair, "Guess Harry's doing the same."
"Which is—?" Sirius started.
"I came because you asked me to," Ron said as he grabbed The Daily Prophet and spotted the article.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Warning Potter, Reform NOW!
Harry James Potter is henceforth on notice that he needs to reform his ways immediately and abandon the Dark Arts. We, who wish to remain anonymous, pledge to protect the Wizarding World by any means necessary.
"You see the danger?" Sirius asked.
"Can't change the fact that I don't know where he is," Ron said, "Hiding him underneath a rock ain't going to change the bullshit going on."
"But he'd be protected," Sirius said.
"You've not found him," Ron said, "Ministry's not found him, nor has the Death Eaters. I think he found a good spot to hide, and I trust that he remembers to come back, because nothing we do will change that."
"You don't know until you try," Sirius said.
"I also know when to butt out," Ron said "Now, excuse me, I need to wank."
Ron went for the bathroom.
Hermione woke Monday morning, realized she'd missed seeing JJ there, him seeing that she woke up well. She moved her legs, jumped off the top bunk to the bed, and went down the stairs.
"Morning," Mark said, his eyes focused on the screen, his back hunched over.
Hermione entered the kitchen, took a yogurt from the fridge, and entered the small dining area of the conservatory.
"At least JJ's industrious," Aunt Cindy said.
"Hi Hermione," Trenise said.
Hermione ate at the yogurt.
"He is," Hermione said to Aunt Cindy, "He seems to stay fit, but doesn't overdo it. Think he'd do fine in the bedroom, he's certainly eager for it."
Hermione imagined JJ standing there, with his deep blond hair, the blend of a childish to an adult face, from one who refused to loose his boyish charm.
"Better or worse than the other?" Aunt Cindy said.
"Better in some ways, worse in others," Hermione said, "He's a boy, can't always reason with boys. Still—his mother's Gloria, right?"
"Yes," Aunt Cindy said.
"Think I'll…" Hermione started as the thought came to her mind.
Hermione left the conservatory, grabbed her pink jumper from the rack, and went out the front door. Both arms into her jumper as she walked in the cold, blustery, weather. She went to the red door, and knocked.
Hermione thought it time to move on from Ron, to jettison him as a boyfriend, and there was only one way she knew to do it. All she needed was JJ's work and lunch schedule, knew boys didn't particularly care where or when, she'd have to show up, seal the deal.
"Hello?" asked the woman, a towel over her chest, with similar blond hair.
"Gloria, right?" Hermione said, "I'm JJ's girlfriend, think you've seen me around?"
"Um…yes, I'm his mother," Gloria said.
"Wondering if you could tell me where he's working today," Hermione said.
"He's working?" Gloria asked.
"That's what JJ told me," Hermione said, "Thought I'd go over, surprise him."
"How long has he been working?" Gloria asked.
"Since last week," Hermione said, "Retail, from what I could gather. Figured he was working today."
"Um…think you've got the wrong house," Gloria said, "My son's out with his friends, doesn't have a job despite my pestering him to do so."
"Are we talking about the same JJ?" Hermione said, "Blond, bluish green eyes, fifteen, and this tall?" She lifted her hand to the right height.
"Sorry," Gloria said, "You must have him mixed up with somebody else, or he's filled you with that tripe, my JJ doesn't have a job."
Hermione felt her wrath starting to brew.
"Sorry to be a bother," Hermione said as she turned.
Hermione returned, removed her jumper, waved at Mark, before she entered the conservatory, where Aunt Cindy was helping Trenise with a lesson.
"He doesn't have a job!" Hermione grumbled.
"Never mind," Aunt Cindy said, "Aunt Cheryl called while you were out. Police have what they need, service on Friday with a family luncheon on Thursday."
"That's not important," Hermione stated as she left, went up the stairs.
Hermione sat on the chair of the desk, tried to bring the quill to her diary, couldn't. Instead, a glint of silver, that locket in the duffel bag, Ron's locket. She grabbed it, sat on the bottom bunk.
"Your parents are important," Aunt Cindy said a few minutes later as she entered.
"Boyfriends," Hermione said, "You think you've got them figured out and they pull something stupid. JJ lied to me, now has that in common with Ron."
"It's healthy to want a distraction," Aunt Cindy said, "However, time doesn't always fit that. Anyways, we'll leave early Thursday and we'll be booking a room for two nights."
"Ta," Hermione said, realized it was closer to when she'd have to bury her parents.
Ron went down the steps around noon, down into the living room, where Sirius and Professor Lupin were. Sirius on a chair by the table, while Professor Lupin was standing.
"Mr. Eddie Baird," Professor Lupin said as he read The Daily Prophet in his hands, "Advocates for the kiss to be used on three teenagers before it's too late."
"Have you ever considered a career in advertising?" Ron said as he held up an envelope. "I've already read that. A witch named Voss recommended we be stewed in a pot. Think I'll go with being forced into drag before being hung, drawn, and quartered."
"This isn't funny," Professor Lupin said.
"This puts Harry's life into jeopardy," Sirius said.
"As opposed to You–Know–Who?" Ron said as he leaned back against the lip of the table, "Nah, I knew what you were going to ask because it's been the same bloody thing for weeks! So, if you insist on bothering me, it simply keeps you from searching for him."
"Way you're speaking—I'd expect you to be—" Professor Lupin started.
Ron, however, spotted the tip of the wand dropping from the sleeve. Ron's arm extended, wand in it, as he cast as that other wand settled into the hand. Professor Lupin's wand flew into Ron's hand.
"Blimey," Professor Lupin said, "Where the bloody hell are you keeping that thing?"
Ron grinned as he set the Professor's wand on the table behind his back, and banished his own wand back into its holster.
"I promise to teach Harry the same when he gets back," Ron said, "But as to you—sorry, you missed it."
"Forgive my friend," Sirius said, "When Harry's life is on the line and you're boasting, you're coming across as a—"
"Death Eater," Professor Lupin said as he came over, reached behind Ron.
"I've told you repeatedly, the same bloody thing," Ron said, now pointing to Professor Lupin with his own wand, "It ain't changing until I see Harry myself, alright?"
"Months ago, I had you pegged as a good candidate for the order when the time came," Professor Lupin said, "I think you still can contribute."
"Should I pick a troll's nose with this?" Ron asked Sirius, holding up Professor Lupin's wand.
"Think of better uses," Sirius said, "That'd work fine."
"You know I taught you," Professor Lupin said, "Not helpless without a wand."
Ron felt the snow sprinkle down over him.
"Stand still and I'll show you a full moon," Ron said as he stood, spun around, fingers to his waistband.
"Peace," Sirius said.
Ron turned back around, leaned against the table ledge, his legs crossed. Ron crossed his arms.
"Simply put," Professor Lupin said, "Anybody fighting Lord Voldemort should be a member, that includes you and your friends."
"And dump their brains?" Ron said, "Doing as Dumbledore dictates might be fine for you, but you can count me out of that. I support Harry—"
"That part's clear," Sirius said.
"I do," Ron said, "I also let him run his life as he sees fit, if Harry needs help, I'll be there. What you're describing here, because of demons in the paper, isn't urgent. I'll stop by in a week, so until then, have fun."
Ron handed Professor Lupin's wand back, went out the back into the courtyard. A touch of his wand to the Portkey, and he was pulled to Noigate, landed in Gia's bedroom.
Meow
Ron sat on the bed, held Hermione's cat in his lap, and petted.
"Oh, you," Richard said as he came in a short while later, "Was about to—" He tossed a letter aside. "Hermione's folks, the police released their bodies, the service is Friday."
"Thank you," Ron said.
Tuesday Morning, Hermione woke to JJ standing there, his hand gently shook her awake, the sun already piercing through the window, illuminated his green jockey underwear.
"Hermione," JJ said.
Hermione rolled over onto her front, head over the edge of the top bunk, stared at the bulge in green.
"Your Mum denied you're working," Hermione said, "You lied."
"I lied to her," JJ said, "Sorry, wasn't even supposed to tell you."
"Oh," Hermione said, "Robbing banks?"
"No," JJ said as he snorted, "Nothing that illegal."
Hermione felt his hands on her back, his armpits exposed, and his nipples at near eyelevel. His hands worked circles into her back, massaging into her, before he patted her arse.
"Good morning," JJ said, "Guess I shouldn't have woken you for that."
"Not too appreciated," Hermione grumbled, however, she did move to climb out.
JJ held her hips as she climbed down the ladder. She turned around, faced him. He trembled slightly as her eyes went over him, his bare toes on the carpet, the legs, the clear arousal beneath the underwear, the naval, the stomach that was toned but not full of abs, the nipples, and back to the face. A nervous grin between his lips, a tooth within, those bluish green eyes beneath his deep blond hair.
"Thought I'd invite you to the party tonight," JJ said, "My place, after work, this evening?"
"Um…sure," Hermione said, "Be lovely."
JJ left. Hermione sat down at the desk, brought her quill to the diary.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Dear Diary,
I was tempted, about ready to commit. Think I'll take JJ's suggestion, it'd be good for midnight. I love him, he loves me, that's very clear, and it feels right to take that next step. A bit of mistletoe would go lovely with this plan.
Though this brings us to the next step, where to go from here. Maybe, go to Professor Dumbledore, see if I can have the same deal Harry has … and do I reveal myself to Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jarod? I mean, there's only so much a muggle can swallow before it's too much. A generic St. Mary's is one thing, when I'd vanish for six months, but to come back day after day, they'd think I'm skipping or it's close enough to drop by and check it out for their kids. JJ, too, should know who he's dealing with.
Tonight, JJ, and I'll figure the rest out before I have to go back to Hogwarts. Tomorrow, figure out the best way to let Ron down without jeopardizing my friendship with Harry.
Hermione went out the door, down the stairs.
"Hermione," Aunt Cindy said as she entered the kitchen. Aunt Cindy had a red dress on, with pearls around her neck, the apron over top of the dress. "Was wondering if you had a dress for the service?"
"Um…" Hermione muttered, not really thinking it, her dresses were back at home, now gone.
Hermione grabbed a green bowl, added in the scoops of the oatmeal, went into the small conservatory acting as the dining room.
"A little shopping should help your mood," Aunt Cindy said to Hermione, "Talk about JJ."
"Um…sure," Hermione muttered.
"After you're ready," Aunt Cindy said, "Of course."
"Ta," Hermione replied.
Hermione finished her oatmeal, grabbed her pink jumper, and followed her Aunt out of the house.
"I wish the whole thing was a nightmare," Aunt Cindy said as they climbed into the light blue station wagon, "That your Mum would call up and say it's all been a huge misunderstanding, but, know that's not happening."
"No," Hermione said.
"Makes you treasure the time you do have," Aunt Cindy said as she put the car into drive, "Taking you shopping as she can't."
"Ta," Hermione said as she felt a tinge of guilt. If she'd been home, maybe it wouldn't have happened, a bit of wand work likely could've rescued them, or even prevented the tragedy; instead, her last words to her mother were cruel, and she couldn't take them back.
"Mark's been better behaved since you showed up," Aunt Cindy said, "Always good to have a big sister type of role model."
"Wouldn't know," Hermione said.
"Best types are where you don't even see it as a burden," Aunt Cindy said, "Your Mum's the big sister to me, always will be."
"Thought Aunt Cheryl is the oldest," Hermione said.
"She is," Aunt Cindy said, "But there's a difference between being an oldest sister, and your personal big sister."
They parked outside the discount retailer, got out.
"So, what school do you go to?" Aunt Cindy asked as the car returned to the house, hours later, bags in the back seat.
"It's in Scotland," Hermione said, not wanting to lie.
"A boarding school?" Aunt Cindy said, "Bit far to drive."
"Bit of a ritual to go to King's Cross and take the train, however, I go back Tuesday," Hermione said, not wanting to cover the suspension either, "Haven't decided how I want to break it to JJ, though, there are options."
"Knowing Linda, it's the best school in the kingdom," Aunt Cindy said, "Would they accept JJ? Or Mark for that matter?"
"They lack the requisite … talent required," Hermione said.
They came to a halt as Aunt Cindy parked. Hermione got out, went for the front door. Hermione took off her jumper as she entered the house, held it as she went up the stairs, into the bedroom. She sat at the chair, and brought her quill to her diary.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Dear Diary
Gia loves to flirt with boys, simply getting them to turn their heads, and give her flattery—something that infected Harry, in a good way. Maybe I'm doing the same with JJ? Still, we'll bang, tonight and sleep it off.
Hermione glanced out the window, the deep blond hair on the boy as he walked past, shouting at a blonde girl a dozen feet ahead of him. JJ grinned as he paused for a moment, before he ran. Hermione understood, JJ's home early from work, that was his message that it'd be good to come over. Hermione put the quill down, stood up, and went for the door.
An hour later, Hermione returned to Trenise's bedroom, sat at the desk and brought a quill to her diary.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Dear Diary
Discovered the truth behind Jailbird JJ's "work" today. Should've been suspicious earlier, the insistence on secrecy for the employer should've been the give away. Wonder what Alice has in mind to bust him? She did have some lovely tattoos.
Perhaps I should get more serious with Harry when I get back to Hogwarts, I doubt Gia'd mind. Still, why hasn't he bothered to contact me? News of the fire should've reached him by now. I could borrow his books until I can get to Diagon Alley. I mean, trying to explain to Aunt Cindy that I have to go to London when there's a bunch of bookstores and a library nearby! May as well explain magic!
Her mind drifted to Harry, so she reached into the duffel bag, pulled out the Witch Weekly her Mum had allowed her to pack, one with a picture of Harry with his bottle green eyes beneath the black hair.
Alice followed Hermione as she left JJ's house late that evening.
"What did you do?" Alice said, shivered.
"Kicked him in the balls," Hermione said, "No, your gift and he'll remember it for life."
"Tattoo removals are a thing," Alice said.
"And explain that tattoo to his Mum to get permission?" Hermione said, "I'm over him, so if you want, he's yours. I head back…back home later this week."
"Who are you?" Alice asked.
"A witch," Hermione stated.
"Never to be crossed," Alice said.
"Thank you," Hermione said, "He needed the lesson, bye."
Hermione turned, went the few houses, and entered. Lights were already off when she went up the stairs, turned into Trenise's bedroom. She removed her pink jumper and climbed onto the top bunk, when she hesitated. She still had a family, Harry didn't, she had Aunts, an Uncle, and cousins who loved her. She fell to sleep.