No Longer Helpless

Chapter Twenty-One
A Lesson Learned

Hermione just gaped at Draco. “This was your plan?” What did he expect her to do?

Draco just stood there with his arms crossed and head held high in his usual ‘I’m better than you’ manner. His grey eyes seemed to dance with what Hermione perceived as mischief.

Grinning, he retorted, “Your audience grows impatient, my dear.” Now he bowed slightly and waved an arm out, gesturing to Blain, who was practically jumping up and down.

Casting the blonde a dark look, she muttered under her breath, “He wants a show, I’ll give him a show…lousy no good… outta tell him where he can shove this plan.”

She walked towards Blain. The only thing to see from an Angelus was their wings. Because of this, Hermione knew what Draco meant by putting on a show.

Blain was still very creepy to her, so it was a little difficult to relax and concentrate when he was dancing from foot to foot no more than six inches from her. Glancing at Malfoy, she looked for reassurance, needing to know she could let her guard down without getting hurt.

Draco watched, grinning as Hermione passed by, hearing each word she muttered angrily. His feisty lioness never did like being ordered around, but she looked so cute when she was angry, so he did it anyway. When she reached Blain, she looked from the vampire to him. Her eyes conveyed the message, ‘I need to concentrate, don’t let him do anything while I’m not paying attention.’

He gave the smallest of nods.

Sighing, Hermione rolled her head around and shrugged her shoulders to release some tension. Only once before had she been able to do this on her own, without Moody there to throw her off the highest tower. This was how it would be done. ‘Though, some of those trees looked pretty tall.’ She shook her head at the ridiculous notion of freefalling once more.

A small chuckle escaped Draco as he watched her begin. Though too far away to be heard, he still raised a hand to stifle it and cover it as a cough. He wondered if she was considering jumping from a high branch. The last time she’d done this it had taken her a while, and Blain looked rather impatient. Telling her this would only make matters worse.

In truth, he’d set this up not only because it had worked out for the students, but because he wanted another chance to see her wings. He couldn’t explain it, but every time she released even a tiny bit of raw magic, it trilled through him. Every fiber of his being felt it, and it was nothing less than euphoric and intoxicating. Somehow, he didn’t think this was a normal reaction, since Moody seemed unaffected.

Time passed quickly as the moon rose in the sky and poured light into the clearing. Several times, Blain had started chanting little rhymes, only to be hushed by Draco and once by a very aggravated Hermione.

As the grass started to collect dew, the mist from the forest started to seep into the clearing, remaining still on the outskirts. It seemed as though Draco had forgiven Blain for his earlier misconception of the difference between a male and a female, apparently Blain didn’t know any better.

Now, both vampire and rookie auror sat Indian style across from each other playing a game of reflexes. Draco held his hands out, palm down, while Blain held his just an inch beneath, palm up. Blain had been most amused by the game as he tried to slap Draco’s hand before he jerked it away.

When Blain actually managed to slap Draco’s hand he cried out in victory, “I win, I win! Victory is mine, but please dear sir, do not pine! Your turn, try me, I’m faster, you’ll see!” Following the rules, they switched roles.

Hermione was concentrating so hard she was entirely unaware of their little game. She was getting closer, she just knew it. Before, she had conversed with the Angelus within her and asked to use her abilities.

While it had been difficult for her to accept originally, she now knew there was another part of her. It had begun as a different entity all together. Lately though, she started to feel more whole and complete, which was part of the process of fusing with her power, or ‘the kitten’ as Moody and Malfoy called it. Still, she found it almost impossible to reach that part of her unless she was sleeping.

But, she was close. Echoes resounded in her head. Whispers from far off started to become slightly more discernable from her own inner voice. Never had she felt more like a schizophrenic in her life as when she heard her own voice clear as day in her head.

‘My dear girl, how can I help?’ came the voice, which was her own but different at the same time.

‘Err, I want to use your magic for bit, if I might,’ she requested.

Laughter followed. ‘Oh my, oh my. You mustn’t feel like you need to ask. It’s yours to use. I’m rather content, and quite the same as you now. It won’t be long before you won’t find me any separate from yourself. The bonding is nearly complete, as I told Draco I had no qualms being with you.’

‘Oh, right, well, okay then,’ she answered, totally unsure how to actually use the powers still.

‘I’ll give you a jump start if you do me a favor,’ came her voice, but in a rather sly manner.

‘Sure, anything.’ She had spent too long just getting this far, and she still needed help, so she was desperate.

‘Once your done, give me a few minutes with Draco.’ Now her voice sounded eager.

‘Okay,’ Hermione agreed uncertainly, wondering what the hidden motive was that she detected.

‘Perfect. Alright then. You ready?’

‘Yeah…’

“Ow!” Draco yelled, as Blain slapped his hands so hard he thought they might bruise. He had been distracted, giving the vampire the chance to catch him off guard. The hairs on the back of his neck had tingled slightly, now a shiver ran down his back. As his eyes drooped slightly in pleasure, he commented, “She’s ready Blain.”

Not less than a second after Draco had pronounced the last syllable on Blain’s name did the vampire vanish, reappearing in front of Hermione. Still wary about the questionable sanity of this particular vampire, who seemed to have been a touch more isolated than others, Draco rushed to Hermione’s side as well.

He was afraid that in eagerness, Blaine might touch his partner. No one was allowed to touch her except for himself. Though, he doubted anyone could actually accomplish the task without her express permission.

The air seemed to pulse around her, kicking up a breeze that played in her hair and gently whipped her shirt about. Each vibration seemed to come in sync with Draco’s heartbeat.

Draco was becoming excited too, almost as much as Blain who was wringing his hands and staring intently. Another shiver ran through him, and he felt compelled to do something. He didn’t know what, but something. It felt like he couldn’t stand still, but no action seemed to be the answer so he stepped closer before stepping back again.

A final burst of magic stirred the air, sending a harsher wind out. The mist receded, out of view, back into the dark forest.

‘Merlin I could get used to seeing this,’ Draco thought with an inward groan as he watched Hermione.

Blain was simply ecstatic, leaping into the air as he bound in a small circle about her. “Wings, wings, white wings, wings! Touch and feel and soft and smooth!” the giddy creature exclaimed.

Then the vampire stopped right in front of her and became completely still and calm. His eyes bore into hers as she looked up. Tilting his head to the side, he blinked. Next he turned his head to Malfoy and blinked again. “Touch, touch, TOUCH! Angelus I see, Angelus for me!”

Blain wanting to actually touch her was not something Draco had counted on, though it should have been obvious. He was more than hesitant to allow it. He wouldn’t allow it. There still seemed to be something about this vampire that he didn’t like.

“Go ahead,” came Hermione’s voice. It was her decision after all. As Blain stood before her, she detected something hidden within him, hence the creepy feeling she got from him since the moment they met. But his gaze didn’t disgust her like Fabriano’s.

Besides, the sooner Blain was satisfied, the faster they could be done and out of here. Not to mention, Hermione was a little irked that somewhere along the line Draco had convinced Blain that he was her keeper. Since when did Draco give permission regarding who could touch her?

This was sufficient enough for Blain, as he reached out and put his palm to Hermione’s cheek, causing her to wince ever so slightly. Blain’s eyes narrowed, and his overall expression became far more serious and level headed. “Beautiful,” he muttered, in a tone that was not like any they had heard before. It was deeper and not on par with his previous lilting.

Blain trained his eyes on Hermione’s, staring intently, never breaking contact. A veil seemed to fall, clouding her eyes and making her whole stature relax. Now she was putty in his hands, simple fools could not see through a simple playful act. Oh the joy he had felt when he first smelled her power. That magic that ran through her veins would taste so sweet.

The smirk that played across the vampire’s face was all it took to set Draco off. His body was reacting as quickly as his mind, which suited his purpose for urgent speed quite well.

Blain was mildly surprised that the young man had managed to move so swiftly between him and his quarry. This just wouldn’t do. He was certain he’d pegged them correctly. Though the Angelus might have held a few cards up her sleeve, certainly the blonde one was simply another wizard. He grinned in response however, still quite amused and not worried in the least.

There were a couple things Draco needed to do before he felt confident about facing off with Blain, and he didn’t know if he could do it fast enough. The first was to snap Hermione out of her trance. The damn vampire dared to hypnotize her. It was painstakingly obvious. He should have seen this coming.

After tearing Blain away from her and thrusting him backwards with such force that caused Blain to use his speedy movements to prevent a hard landing, he shook Hermione’s shoulders.

“Granger!” he shouted, pleased at the fast recovery she made. The sharp inquisitive look came back to her previously dull eyes. Now they were alight with that fire he so enjoyed watching, as she scanned the area piecing the unexplained together with ease.

“I say we’re finished Malfoy,” she stated, more than ready to leave.

“I’d have to agree,” he answered. Then he leaned closer and whispered, “You may want to become slightly less conspicuous.”

Rolling her eyes Hermione willed her wings away. For some reason the process was a cinch when done in reverse.

“Dear friends, dear friends, please let me make amends,” Blain said, as he took a slow predatory step sideways, continuing on a path the circled them.

“Listen Blain, we’ve upheld our end of the deal, now we’re done,” Draco said.

“It was nice meeting you,” Hermione chimed in as parting words. This earned an incredulous look from Draco, which she shrugged off, asking, “What?”

“‘It was nice meeting you’?” he asked accusingly. At this point they seemed to have become slightly enraptured in their own little world, which they were often prone to doing, just not under such circumstances.

“Well, yeah, he’s creepy and all, but I’ve never met a vampire before. It was a learning experience, nothing like what I’ve read,” she defended.

Rolling his eyes at her, Draco scoffed, “You’re not in school here, Moody isn’t going to ask you what you learned when we get back.”

“Some people like to learn for themselves Malfoy, maybe I’ve been trying to improve and do better because it’s something I want, ever think of that?” she shot back.

Their little debate was ended abruptly however, as they sense a shift in the atmosphere. Something was coming.

They turned to Blain who stood looking rather amused watching them.

Upon seeing the fair-haired boy’s questioning expression, Blain supplied an answer to the unasked question. Picking up his cane and twirling it mechanically, he smiled his smile and then grinned quite maniacally.

“Take care dear child, you’re out of your league.
Some words of advice, you so desperately need,
My friends have arrived, much more than quite near.
Apparently before you chose not to hear.
I am never alone when hunting at night.
These woods are quite deadly and lacking in light.
Now you’re surrounded, nowhere to turn.
I will finish my lesson, in death shall you learn.”

‘Shit!’ Draco thought as he realized what the shift in pressure had been. His bloody friends had finally arrived. ‘How fashionably late,’ he thought wryly. ‘How many?’ he wondered.

“There’s four of them,” Hermione said almost under her breath.

Grinning, Draco turned around. “Now this is what I have been waiting for,” he said as he raised his arms and took his stance, ready to fight.

Hermione just rolled her eyes and turned around as well, making it so they were back to back. She too took up the familiar fighting stance, though her confidence was slightly less and her stomach did a couple of apprehensive flips. After all, she was the lesser trained and not quite so adept at fighting, most especially without a wand.

Choosing to take on five vampires at once without using magic was definitely the cockiest decision Hermione had ever made, but she was following Draco’s lead and secretly hoping to show Moody up for his lack of confidence that they could do it.

Briefly, her mind wondered if their mission would be considered complete by now, therefore giving them leeway to use their wands.

This musing was cut short however as she vaulted forth, dodging the first blow. ‘They don’t play nice do they?’ she thought, having expected at least some courtesy of a pre duel declaration. Perhaps a clichéd ‘En guard!’ or ‘Prepare to meet your doom!’

‘Well, that’s just fine. If that’s how they want to play, then I’m game,’ she concluded, combining a leg sweep and flash step together, to knock the feet out from the one who’d just tried to punch her.

Hermione didn’t have time to watch Draco’s progress, considering she was having a trifling time staying on top of her game. For the most part she spent her time dodging. The only time she attacked was when she was able to read a move far enough ahead, to dodge it and have time to place a well-calculated blow.

Though the numbers were not in their favor, Hermione had an advantage. Any direct contact with her scorched them painfully. Sadly, the same could not be said for Draco, which caused them to gang up on him.

Damn it all, if the four new arrivals didn’t take Draco on, while Blain kept her busy enough to not allow her to assist. Blain was by far the most formidable of the lot.

Upon hearing a few injured noises from Draco she called out, “Malfoy?”

There was really nothing she could do, as she attempted a roundhouse to Blain’s head, but was met with air and a vacant spot. Then she heard a sickening thud of a body against one of the trees on the border. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried her best to concentrate on where Blain was going to take his next mark. She couldn’t falter, and yet Malfoy was possibly in a bloody heap at the foot of a tree with four vampires looming over him.

Blain had landed. She narrowly managed to guard his punch with her forearms, earning a screech from the smiling maniac as he pulled back a burned fist. Another sickening noise sounded, off to left this time.

It was the sound of a breaking bone, and the howling voice of the owner of the now cracked marrow. The howl didn’t come from Draco, much to her relief.

“What is it Granger?” he called, shortly before he grunted at something one of the vampires had done.

“I think,” she called from one side of the clearing, before dodging quickly and finishing while on the other end, “we should call it quits!”

“I hate to agree.” He was suddenly right beside her. “But, we may be slightly outmatched.”

Blain lunged forward, desperate to grab hold of the Angelus, regardless of the possibility that doing so would cost him his hand. The two had been playing all along, not intending to commit anything to the fight. Their escape was always possible, since wizards had that damnable apparation. That was why he had told his friends to just keep the hits coming, one after the other, not giving either enough time to convene or concentrate long enough to leave.

Outraged, Blain grasped air and was faced with the realization that he may have underestimated his opponents just as the one called Malfoy and Draco had underestimated him.

Hermione and Draco apparated away from the clearing. This was an escape, untraceable by other creatures. Their destination had been Hogwarts of course.

It was funny how different the weather could be in different locations. Where they were coming from, whether they had the chance to admire it or not, had been set under a clear starry night sky, lit by the full moon. Now, rain came down in torrents, even past the dense trees of a far more welcoming Forbidden Forest.

As much as they wanted to deny it, they were not fairing as well as they had hoped. Another lesson learned was not to overestimate one’s own abilities or underestimate your opponent. Although this was something Moody had already impressed upon them, it was a small tidbit better learned through experience.

If in their hasty departure they were off their mark by a mile, it was made worse that neither had enough in them to correct it and take them back to an area closer to the school grounds.

Hermione was beginning to feel the effects of having unleashed raw magic, something she was far from overcoming since she was still far from even being able to release the magic easily in the first place, let alone build stamina for its aftermath.

And, Draco had received a far more brutal beating than she had. None of Blain’s attacks had been intended to harm her beyond an incapacitating manner, but Draco had been target practice. Not to mention, he had four of them on him for the most part.

Wearily they began their trek to the school, both in a foul mood.

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