Discover Top Posts Tagged with #hermionexoc

Breath of Life

Breathe of Life: Ch.1

Pairing: Hermione/OFC

Rating: T

Summary: Ron goes away and has someone stay with Hermione.

"Honestly, Ronald," Hermione sighed as she ran a hand through her wavy locks. "You're only leaving for a few weeks, I hardly think I need a babysitter at my age." It had been three years after the war had been won and Hermione and Ron had been living together as soon as she had finished her final year at Hogwarts two years ago. It was expected of them and honestly, Hermione was rather content living with her best mate and thought eventually they'd be wed.

"But did it have to be McHale?" The brunette groaned as Ron chuckled and stood up straight before placing his hands on the girl's shoulders. Jade McHale was a twenty-four year old auror Ron had been mentored by when he had started his own training and they had become good friends since he and Harry ended up being sent with her on many missions. "She's so…serious all the time."

"She's a damn good auror, Hermione." Her boyfriend answered as he pulled away from her and grabbed his luggage. "I trust her to keep you safe since Ginny is out of the country with quidditch and everyone else is busy doing their own thing. You could always go stay at the Burrow, y'know." Hermione shuddered at the thought of Mrs. Weasley doting on her for a month as a small whimper sang into the air from the bassinet that was next to the couch. Hermione walked over and picked up a little bundle wrapped in a light pink swaddle. "Besides," He continued as he looked down at the small baby girl with strawberry blonde fuzz on her head. "I want someone here to look after little Rosie too." Even though they weren't married yet, life happens unexpectedly, and Ron and Hermione became early parents of a little girl, just six months old. Ron, of course, wanted to marry immediately, but Hermione being the independent and practical woman she was, wasn't ready to settle down at such a young age. "Just indulge me, ok?" Hermione nodded as she set the little girl back down as her boyfriend kissed her forehead, then walked into the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder. "I'll owl you when I can." He smiled and without another word, green flames engulfed him and he was gone. The brunette sighed heavily and she sat down with a huff on the plush leather couch before opening a book on her lap. She was nervous having Jade staying with her while Ron was gone, but the girl was a trusted friend of the red head's and Hermione really didn't like staying home alone, as much as she had protested to the company earlier. Suddenly, the fireplace lit up and a lean, black haired woman stepped out with a large dufflebag and a leather satchel over her shoulder.

"Afternoon, Hermione." Jade greeted in her smooth, calm voice as her blue eyes glanced over to see Rose in her temporary bed. "A special hello to you, little one." The baby cooed as Jade smiled and then turned her gaze back to her new housemate for the month. Hermione gave a small smile at seeing Jade address the baby. The blue eyed woman had been to her home a handful of times over the past two years of knowing Ron and the brunette hardly knew anything about her, but the way her gaze softened when she looked at Rose made her feel a little better. "Ron leave then?"

"Just a moment before you arrived." Hermione answered as she closed her book and rose from the couch. "Come, I'll show you to the guest room so you can put your things away." As much as Hermione felt awkward around the dark haired American, she was equally enthralled by her nature and the fact that her appearance rivaled that of Fleur Delacour-Weasley. Jade followed silently up the stairs after the brunette and down the hall to the room that was two doors down from her host's. "Roses's room is next to yours, that won't be a problem, will it?"

"Of course not." Jade answered as she set her bags down at the food of her bed and slipped off her cloak. "Can't very well request things in someone else's home."

"Right." The brunette sighed as she averted her gaze to the ground. "Well, I'll be in the study if you need me. You know where the kitchen and everything is?" Jade nodded silently as she glanced at the girl over her shoulder. "Great, well…see you in a bit then." She didn't notice the smirk on Jade's face as she left and headed back downstairs to do some work. Hermione had gotten a pretty cushy job in the Department of International Magic and Cooperation as well as helping write laws in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Jade sighed as she looked out her window at London before grabbing her satchel again and heading down the stairs. She passed the study on the way to the living room and saw Hermione scrawling feverishly on a scroll. Jade paused for a moment and groaned.

"I know you don't really fancy the idea of me being here." Jade cursed inwardly at herself for letting her speech slip into British idioms, but how could she help it after living in England since she was thirteen? She even went to Hogwarts with the Golden Trio, albeit three years ahead of them. "But this is a favor to Ron, so perhaps we should try and get to know each other better. I feel like I know Rose better than I know you." That being said, Jade continued on to the living room and sat down on the couch. The older woman had heard of Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley being the best friends of Harry Potter, but other than that, all she knew of Hermione now was the same as when they were in a school, a bookworm/know-it-all. Jade sighed as she flopped down on the couch and opened her satchel to pull out some paper work of her own she needed to file by tomorrow. Her ears perked up when she heard Rose gurgle in the bassinet to her left and smiled when two, very tiny hands reached up into the air as another coo filled the room.

"Hang on, Rosie." Hermione's voice rang from the other room. "I know you're hungry." As if the child could understand her mother and just didn't have the patience to wait, she let out another whiny screech that caused the blue eyed woman to jump slightly. Jade smirked and stood up before gently lifting the baby up from the crib and into the air.

"Impatient." The blue eyed woman whispered as she looked into baby blue eyes of Rose that resembled those of Ron. "Just like your father. Surely you can wait a moment until your mum gets out here?" Rosie squealed as Jade lifted her over her head a few times and Hermione walked out of the study. She paused when she heard her infant giggling as Jade lifted her up and brought her back down. Something stirred in her at that moment, seeing the older girl playing so well with her daughter, a gentle flutter in her chest as she noticed the bright, toothless smile of her Rose and the gentleness in Jade's bright blue eyes. "See? Forgotten already how hungry you were. Let's hope you don't have Wheezy's appetite or you'll eat your poor mum out of house and home." Rosie just cooed quietly as Jade looked at the baby straight in the eye and smiled warmly. "You must have your mother's intellectual prowess to understand me so."

"Let's hope so." Hermione intervened as she walked forward as both Jade and Rose turned their heads at the brunette's voice. A slight blush dusted Jade's cheeks as she cleared her throat and offered the child to Hermione. "If you don't mind holding her for a bit longer so I can get her bottle?"

"Uh…sure." The taller woman mumbled quietly as she cradled the bundle in her right arm. "Take your time." The younger woman nodded as she walked past Jade and into the kitchen to pull out a bottle and waved her wand to warm it.

"Would you like some tea?" She called as she pulled the kettle out and began filling it with water.

"Sure." Came her guest's short answer and with another wave of her wand, the kettle lifted itself onto the stove top. Hermione sidestepped over and ignited the burner as she pulled out two mugs and box of assorted teas. Jade came into the kitchen with a squirming baby that was smiling and reaching towards her mother. "I think she wants you." A brights mile crossed the younger witch's lips as she extended her hands and took her little girl into her arms. There was an awkward silence for a moment as they sat down at the table and Hermione fed Rose her bottle, waiting for the water to boil. "So…how is almost married life treating you?" Hermione smiled a bit as she noticed Jade's apprehension in making small talk.

"Pretty well, very busy." The younger witch answered as she peered down at the baby falling asleep in her lap. "With my job and this little one, I hardly get time for myself."

"Ron doesn't help?" Jade asked quietly as the kettle began to whistle. Hermione made to get up, but Jade held out her hand to keep her still. "I'll grab it, wouldn't want to wake the little flower." The brunette wasn't used to getting much help from her boyfriend and watched the raven haired auror as she stood up and took the kettle off the stove. "What sort of tea do you want?"

"Earl Grey, please." She answered as she heard water rushing into mugs and spoons being clinked as they stirred tea. Jade returned a second later, placing a steaming mug in front of Hermione. "Thank you."

"Bugger," Jade hissed as she waved her hand and a bowl of sugar cubes floated to the table. "Sorry, forgot to ask if you take sugar, but anyway, does Ron not help out?" Hermione plopped two sugar cubes into her mug and stirred it lazily as Rose began to snore softly.

"He's usually pretty tired when he gets home." Hermione said flatly as she sipped her tea. "I'm just lucky I can work from home or I'd be very on edge. I don't think Ron was ready to be a father quite yet." Jade nodded as she blew on her tea. "What about you? How's life been being a single, top ranking auror?"

"Busy." The older woman chuckled as she ran her hand through dark locks. "The auror part at least, being single is sort of boring at my age, dating is rather tedious." Hermione nodded as she listened to her guest. "But it's hard to find a bird around here willing to date someone with such a dangerous profession." The brunette almost spit out her tea as she started coughing and Jade smirked.

"You…you fancy girls?" She managed to get out before clearing her throat.

“Very much so," The blue eyed woman nodded as she leaned back in her chair, making the old wood creak. "Is that a problem?"

"No!" Hermione squeaked as she shook her head vigorously. She didn't have a problem with lesbians or gay men, seeing as Percy Weasley came out not a year ago and Luna Lovegood had been seen with countless witches. "I…just, well…you're…so, uhm…"

"Too dashing to be a lesbian?" Jade laughed again as she sat forward and sipped her tea. "Well, I do have some tomboyish tendencies. Besides, women are too beautiful to ignore." Hermione couldn't help, or stop her blush as she stared at her mug. Jade just chuckled as she set her empty cup down and smirked. "Don't worry, Hermione, you're not my type." Hermione nodded as she gave Jade a nervous smile. After tea, Hermione had laid Rose down for a nap and came back downstairs to see Jade sitting on the couch, hunched over the coffee table filling out some papers.

"How come I didn't know?" The brunette asked quietly as she sat down on the couch, a space between her and the older witch. "I've known you for two years now and didn't find out until today."

"We've known about one another since Hogwarts, Hermione." Jade mumbled as she set her pen down and rubbed the back of her neck before leaning back into plush cushions. "But you didn't actually know me, we were barely acquaintances up until recently. Definitely not good enough friends for me to be telling you about my personal, dating life." Hermione nodded, she understood that and really it was none of her business, but for some reason this made her all the more curious to learn more about the overly attractive girl. "Besides, it's not like it would affect anything, right?"

"Right." Again, the former Gryffindor nodded.

x-x

Across London, in an abandoned warehouse there was a gathering of three dark figures with white porcelain masks covering their faces.

"You're sure those two aurors are gone?" One man with a deep voice said firmly as a shorter one nodded.

"They left this morning." He hissed as the taller man turned and folded his hands behind his back. "What are you going to do? They're just chasing after a decoy after all, eventually they will figure it out and come looking for you sir."

"Then we should cause some havoc before then, shouldn't we?" The two other men looked at each other for a moment before looking back at their leader.

"What did you have in mind, sir?"

"We are going to hit them where it hurts the most." The man said with an evil chuckle. "I hear the red headed bloke has a family, perhaps you and Jacoby should pay them a visit soon."

x-x

A week passed swiftly for Hermione since Jade had agreed to watch Rose while she went into the office to get some work done. She hadn't actually been into the Ministry for almost two months since Ron had been busy with this new dark wizard that had been causing the aurors some hassle. Her boyfriend had owled her earlier that week, not giving her much information, but assuring he was all right and promising to contact her again when time was willing.

"Bonjour, 'Ermione!" Fleur greeted as she entered the brunette's office in the Department for Regulations and Control of Magical Creatures and set a small stack of papers on her desk. "It's good to see you back at the office. Is someone watching Rosie?"

"Hullo, Fleur." Hermione smiled at her friend as she flipped through the pages of newly submitted complaints and law adjustments. "And it's good to be back. I dunno if Ron told Bill or not, but he's having Jade McHale staying at the house while he's gone. He insists on extra protection and she agreed to babysit since I haven't been into the office for a while."

"Ah, that's so kind of 'er." The blonde witch mused as she sat down for a moment in the leather chair in front of Hermione's desk. "That's great, do tell 'er I said 'allo."

"You know her?" The younger witch asked as she set down her quill and looked into Fleur's pale blue eyes.

"Of course!" The Veela smiled brightly as she brushed her bangs out of her face. "We dated for a few months when I first moved 'ere."

"You dated women?" Hermione asked, not trying to hide her shock and Fleur chuckled before nodding her head. "Since when?"

"Since I can remember, mon amie." Fleur looked up and tapped her chin in thought. "It's different with Veela, 'Ermione. We don't discriminate between sexes when we date since our chosen mates could be male or female." Hermione nodded as she ran a hand through her wavy hair. She learned something new about someone every day, it seemed.

"Well, was she good to you in your time together?" The brunette's curiosity got the best of her as she found herself wanting to know more about Fleur and Jade's past relationship. "I mean, you broke up obviously, was it messy?"

"No, no," The Veela waved her hand dismissively and smiled at her younger friend. "It was a mutual decision, we both 'ad wanted something different. I was ready to settle down and start a family and Jade just wasn't." The brunette's mind started to wander to images of Jade and Rose over the past few days and how well the older woman handled her daughter. "She was an extraordinary lover though."

"F-Fleur!" Hermione squeaked as she began to feel her cheeks get hot as images of Jade and Fleur in bed began manifesting in her mind before she could stop them. Fleur just laughed at the witch's expression and stood up to leave.

"I forget 'ow conservative you English can be." She teased as she winked at Hermione before heading out the door. "Au revoir, 'Ermione." Thoroughly flustered by the imaginings in her head, Hermione stood up to stretch her legs and look out at the busy street below her office. She suddenly found herself replacing Fleur in her thoughts and her blush deepened as she felt a pressure building in her stomach and the flutter in her chest. Her curiosity towards Jade had grown exponentially over the week and she found herself wondering what it would be like with a woman, specifically, her boyfriend's good mate. She had never had these thoughts before, but being around the raven haired auror and seeing how well she treated her daughter made it easy to like the older woman.

"Knock, knock." Hermione whipped her head around to see the object of her less than appropriate thoughts standing in the doorway with a diaper bag over one shoulder and Rose in her other arm. "I think she wants to see you. She's been fussy ever since she woke up from her nap." Jade's clear blue eyes narrowed slightly as she noticed the amount of blood accumulating in Hermione's face. "Are you all right? You look a bit flushed." Hermione cleared her throat and smiled at her daughter, ignoring the older woman's question.

"Hello there, lovely." She mused softly as Jade handed the little bundle to her mother. "Did you miss mummy?" Rose cooed happily as she touched Hermione's face with her little hands. "Oh, I've missed you too! I haven't been away from you for this long in a while."

"I figured we could grab a late lunch before I head back, you have a break right?" Jade adjusted the diaper bag on shoulder as Hermione's brown eyes glanced at her and couldn't stop the small smile that was creeping on her lips. Seeing the usually serious looking Jade McHale, who was dressed in black straight fit jeans and a grey button up dress shirt while slinging a sea foam green and brown diaper bag was a rather charming image. Jade blinked a few times as she noticed Hermione eyeing her closely. "What?" The younger girl hadn't noticed she'd been staring and shook her head slightly.

"Lunch sounds great." She smiled as she rested the infant on her hip and Jade stepped aside so Hermione could lead the way. "Thanks for bringing her in, I could use the break."

"No problem," Jade shrugged as the trio reached the elevators and the brunette pulled the lever for the first floor. "I think she's been missing you." The cage door closed and the elevator lurched backwards, causing Hermione to lose her footing and stumble forward. "Careful!" The taller woman exclaimed, Hermione's breath hitched as an arm wrapped around her waist to keep her and Rose from crashing into the metal cage. Jade's other hand was clutching the handle above her head as the elevator stopped abruptly and Hermione gently crashed into Jade's chest. The brunette was rested safely in the crook of the blue eyed woman's elbow as her hand was rested on Rose's back to keep her steady. Hermione was blushing furiously as she felt that familiar flutter in her chest intensify as Rose seemed to find hilarity in the situation as she reached up and grabbed Jade's chin.

"Th-thank you." Hermione whispered as the elevator slowed to a stop and Jade removed her arm so they could step out. "Uhm…there's a deli across the street, is that all right?" The blue eyed girl nodded silently, an expression playing in her eyes that mixed between confusion and disappointment. Hermione sighed as she walked to the phone booth that would take them up to muggle London. As they reached the busy streets, they moved to a crosswalk and Rose started to wiggle in her mother's grasp, reaching out towards Jade. "I think she's grown tired of me." The shorter woman smiled as she handed the strawberry blonde baby to the older woman.

"Oh, she's just getting used to me is all." Blue eyes lit up as Hermione watched her fondly. "Besides, I think she just likes being up high." Jade flipped the baby so she was facing her mother and placed her up on her shoulders before Rose took two big handfuls of ink black hair to hold herself steady while Jade held her legs tightly. The child squealed wildly as she tugged Jade's thick hair and wobbled back and forth.

"What a happy baby." An elderly woman who was waiting for the light to change looked up at Rose and then to Jade. "How old is she?"

"Erm, she'll be seven months next month." The auror answered smoothly as she smiled at the woman and jerked slightly when Rose pulled her hair and leaned backwards. "Her name is Rose."

"Well you have a beautiful family." The woman said when she noticed how close Hermione was standing to the blue eyed woman. "Is she the biological mother?" Blue eyes grew wide as she nodded, wondering why she would ask such a question. "I think it's wonderful you've started a family together." She flashed another bright smile before winking at Jade and a blushing Hermione.

"Wha?...W-wait!" Jade called as the traffic light changed and the woman walked away. "We…we're not! I mean…she's not my baby! She's…"

"She's just as much yours as hers in my opinion." The woman said as she nodded towards the wavy haired brunette. "It's clear that child adores you." Jade glanced down at Hermione whose face was beat red which caused the taller girl to blush even more, realizing the elder woman's implications.

"We're just friends!" The older witch called as the woman melded with the crowd and Hermione cleared her throat. This was unreal, the woman had mistaken them for a couple and Jade sighed heavily as she shook her head. How embarrassing. Rose, however, seemed to find the situation very entertaining.

"Let's get going." Hermione murmured as she walked on, not looking back to see if Jade had followed. Rosie giggled loudly and gurgled as she kicked Jade's shoulders as if pushing her to follow the brunette.

"I bet you're getting a ruddy kick out of this, aren't you?" The raven haired auror mumbled as she glanced up at the baby on her shoulders. "A big joke to you, looking all cute and innocent." The infant squealed and slapped the top of Jade's head as the woman walked faster to catch up to Hermione who had just entered the deli. It wasn't very crowded, but Jade hadn't really noticed since she was lost in thought. The silence between them was stifling as Rose kept squealing animatedly and Hermione ordered her food.

"What do you want, Jade?" The auror froze at the question as she looked at the brunette who was looking at her. It was sort of a loaded question, what did she want? Being around Hermione and Rose felt natural, great even as the baby tugged her hair again, trying to bring her back to reality. But did she want the life or did she want Hermione? "Jade?"

"What?" Jade shook her head slightly as she the brunette nodded towards the cashier who was waiting to take her food order. "O-oh yeah, uhm…just a ceasar salad, please." She dug in her pocket to retrieve her muggle notes, but when she found the money, Hermione had already paid. "You didn't have to do that, Hermione." The younger girl had to fight back a sigh as that smooth voice spoke her name so close behind her.

"Well, you've been babysitting all day." She retorted as they went and sat at an empty booth as Hermione grabbed a high chair on the way over. "Come here, baby." She smiled brightly as Jade bowed down and the little girl super-manned towards her mother who grabbed her and set her down in the high chair. Jade smiled at her friend and the happy baby as Hermione strapped the infant in. "That woman was right." Hermione murmured quietly as she sat down and looked at Jade tentatively. "Rosie loves you."

"I am charming, aren't I?" Jade smirked and ruffled Rosie's hair. Hermione rolled her eyes, a smile tugging on her lips as their order was brought out. "It's easy to fall for me when you're around me all day." The statement didn't come out as flirtatious, but regardless of the nature, Hermione still blushed and began pushing her food around aimlessly.

x-x

After their late lunch, Jade had bid Hermione farewell and taken Rosie to a small park that was a few blocks away from the brunette's home. There weren't very many people there which was ideal so she could focus on the little one playing in the sandbox. She had so easily let herself become attached to the infant whose pale blue eyes ignited every time she smiled. The urge to protect that child was overwhelming the first time it had reared its ugly head. It had been a couple days ago when Jade was at the grocery store buying formula, when someone had tried to pick Rose up from the cart without asking and Jade's more malicious nature appeared. Without going into detail, the woman couldn't get away fast enough while apologizing profusely as Jade scowled at her. She sighed heavily, her eyes never leaving the strawberry blonde baby's figure. The sun was setting over the buildings around them and Jade noticed Rose's energy beginning to wane as her eyes began to droop.

"Come on, little flower." The woman chuckled as she stood, took a few steps and hoisted the infant up. "I think it's high time we get you home." The tired baby fussed as Jade tucked her safely in her arm before slinging the diaper bag over her shoulder. "I know, you had fun, but I don't think Hermione would be very happy if I don't get you fed again before you fall asleep for the night." Rose just whined as the raven haired woman held her in one arm and the baby nuzzled her face into her shoulder groggily. The walk back to the flat was uneventful as the streets seemed rather empty for five in the evening. A gentle breeze blew as Jade drew closer to Hermione place and a scent wafted into her nose that made her falter. Jade's eyes glanced around to see if anyone was following them and then made the decision not to go back to Hermione's flat. So as she reached the end of the street, she turned left, keeping her pace steady so as to not alert whoever was following her. The scent got stronger and was stinging the woman's nose as she scowled and felt a growl rumble in her throat involuntarily at the presence of possible danger. The hair on the back of her neck was bristling as she made her way around the block and back towards London's inner city where more people were bound to be. That's when the scent started to fade and Jade let out a sigh before realizing that that meant someone had for sure been following her.

"Hermione." She whispered before holding Rose firmly against her and running back towards the Ministry phone booth where people were coming out after the day's work. She didn't spot the brunette for several minutes as Jade paced anxiously until she saw the familiar silvery blonde hair of Fleur Delacour. "Fleur!" The woman called as the Veela spotted her and flashed a bright smile. "Did you see Hermione in there?"

"'Allo, Jade." Fleur greeted cheerily and then noticed the sleeping baby in her arms. "And to you Rose. No, 'Ermione left a little while ago, why? Is everything all right?" Jade's eyes narrowed slightly before she took a deep breath to try and calm herself.

"Y-yeah." She stuttered as she began walking back towards Hermione's flat. "Thanks Fleur, I'll see you later!" The Veela waved as Jade walked briskly down the street trying to pick up the brunette's scent on the breeze. She cursed as she caught faint whiffs of Hermione's sweet scent and then lost it again. "Damnit! Hermione, where are you?" It was starting to get dark as her eyes scanned the streets and looked around frantically for any sign of the younger witch. Suddenly, a high pitch scream rang into the air to her right and blue eyes widened as Jade looked around for a well hidden area. She swaddled Rose tightly before attaching the baby to her body so that she was resting on Jade's back before sprinting off in the direction the scream came from. Her heart was racing as she heard the sounds of a struggle and a loud bang as a spell crashed into a brick building. "Hermione!" Jade yelled as she turned down an alley and saw the brunette slumped against a wall, a tall dark figure standing over her with his wand drawn. He was wearing a white mask that had no mouth and no nose. "Hey!" The figure's head whipped around as the blue eyed girl flexed her muscles and narrowed her blue eyes. The shadowy figure momentarily forgot about Hermione and turned towards Jade who was gritting her teeth tight.

"Stupefy." The masked man hissed as the spell flew from his wand and Jade deflected it easily with her hand. The man grunted as the blue eyed woman rushed at him, surprising him enough to throw him off balance as her fist connected solidly with the mask, shattering it and projected the man back. As the man fell to the ground with a heavy thud, Jade knelt down next to Hermione who had a trickle of blood flowing slowly from her forehead.

"Hermione." Jade gently shook the brunette to stir her. "Hermione, come on, snap out of it!" She hissed as she heard the man groan and try to shuffle to his feet. Brown eyes fluttered open as Hermione blinked her eyes a few times and stared into bright blue eyes that were glowing dimly in the dark.

"J-Jade?" Hermione grabbed her head as she felt a sharp pain resonate as she spoke. "Wha…what happened? My head…"

"There's no time right now," The older woman grunted as she unwrapped Rose and handed the baby to her mother. "You need to hold onto Rose, ok? I can't fight knowing she's in danger." Hermione looked down at her baby with a dazed expression. "Hermione!" Jade snapped to bring the brunette back to reality. Hermione shook her head slightly and nodded. The blue eyed girl opened her mouth to say something else, but she didn't get to as a spell collided directly with her chest and sent the girl sprawling backwards.

"Jade!" Hermione screamed as she watched the raven haired woman's face contort in pain as she hit the ground. Her eyes turned back to the figure, his mask had been broken at the bottom when Jade's fist had made contact and Hermione clutched Rose tighter to her chest as the baby whined as she stirred. Soon, Rosie was crying as the man approached and Hermione cowered to protect her child, forgetting her wand as she held the infant closer to her chest.

"You and your friend have been a real nuisance so far." The man hissed as he raised his wand to strike them, but he paused when he heard a deep growl reverberate in the air. "What the bloody hell?" The figure turned and froze as Hermione looked up to see the man backing away from something. Her brown eyes glanced over to see a very large, very white wolf standing near her with glowing blue eyes and baring its gleaming teeth ferociously as fur around its neck bristled. The wolf snapped its jaws and snarled as the figure held out its wand, ready to attack. "Sectumsempra!" The spell flew and the wolf dodged as it launched forward and grabbed the man by the arm with its jaws. The figure wailed in pain as the wolf mangled his wand arm before shaking its head and releasing him. There was a sickening crack as the man's arm broke and he hit the brick wall hard. Hermione gasped as she stared at the man's body and Rose began crying hysterically which seemed to catch the wolf's attention. The brunette froze as bright glowing eyes fell on her and the beast turned to face her. Then, something happened Hermione wasn't expecting and the wolf laid down at her feet and began to shrink as ink black hair grew from its head.

"J-Jade…" The younger witch whispered as the blue eyed girl was crouched down in front of her wearing nothing but her slightly tanned skin. The moonlight was playing along Jade's soft curves as her hair hung over her shoulders and shadowed the right areas. Brown eyes wandered the taller girl's lithe body, the light accentuating her hips and long curve of her spine as Hermione couldn't stop her gaze from grazing over the curvature of Jade's breasts. Her breath caught in her lungs as Jade lifted her head and looked into deep brown orbs that were filled with shock. Her blue eyes were still glowing dimly as the woman extended her arm and summoned her robe before wrapping it around her naked body tightly and stood slowly. Jade waved her hand and a summoned a wispy apparition of a wolf that sat calmly at her feet.

"Get Gawain." She ordered in a gentle voice as the wolf stood and bounded off into the night. Hermione was still shocked as she watched Jade's patronous disappear and she felt a gentle pressure on her cheek as her eyes glanced forward to see Jade's face only inches away from her own. "Are you all right?" A warm, gentle hand was cupping her face as Hermione got caught in crystalline blue eyes. She nodded silently as she tried hard to stop herself from leaning into Jade's hand. The older woman's other hand moved up to softly move her bangs away from her face and inspect her wound. "He got you pretty good, does your head hurt?" Hermione hadn't really thought about it since her injury, but shook her head either way as Jade closed her eyes and sighed in relief. Her eyes opened again and were trained on the small bundle in the younger witch's arms. "And Rose?" The baby was still whimpering softly and cuddling into her mother's chest.

"I think she'll be ok." The younger woman answered as she looked down to inspect her child. "She was more scared than anything." Jade nodded as a soft crack resonated through the air and Gawain Robards, Head of the Auror office, along with another auror Hermione didn't recognize, appeared and began walking towards them. Jade stood immediately and faced her boss.

"What happened, McHale?" The bearded man asked as she stopped in front of her and glared at the unconscious figure on the ground as the other man went over to inspect the figure.

"Hermione was attacked." Jade answered as she stepped aside so Gawain could inspect the attacker. "I think he is with Dorcha gang." Gawain's expression became hard as he waved his wand and the man was bound in heavy chains. "I guess Ron was right to have me stay with Hermione."

"I suppose you're right." Gawain said firmly as he rubbed his chin and sighed heavily. "Don't let her out of your sight while he's gone, understood?" Jade nodded as he turned towards the brunette and offered her his hand. She took it graciously and stood up on wobbly legs. "Miss Granger, I expect Ronald has told you about the dark wizard he and Mr. Potter are after?" Hermione nodded silently, still not sure if her voice would work. "Then I suspect you know the reason for this attack?"

"He's trying to get to Ron," She looked down at Rose who had calmed slightly as she gripped her mother's shirt. "By trying to hurt us." Gawain nodded as he ran a hand through his hair.

"You're lucky McHale was here, I'm afraid of what might've happened if she hadn't been." Hermione nodded again as she glanced over at the blue eyed woman who was watching her with a gentle gaze. "You should both get home, make sure to ward your house properly and, if you don't mind, don't tell Ron. I'm afraid it will distract him from his job. As long as McHale is with you I'm very confident nothing bad will happen to you or your daughter."

"Of course," Hermione whispered as Gawain nodded and then put a hand on Jade's shoulder as he walked over to the unconscious man and put his hand on him before apparating away. There was a resounding silence between the two woman as Jade rubbed the back of her neck. "What are you?" The brunette asked finally as she found the rest of her voice and Jade chuckled softly before running a hand over her face.

"I'm…well," Jade fidgeted slightly with her hair before releasing a groan and looking Hermione directly in her eyes. "I'm a lycan Hermione, it's like a werewolf, but I can take on any form of a wolf. Whether fully or more like a werewolf being half wolf and half human. Come on, let's get you home." Hermione had heard of lycans before, but had never seen or believed they existed. What she had seen Jade turn into though was proof enough. The oversized wolf's shoulders far surpassed Hermione's five foot and six inches of height. "Let me take Rosie, ok?" The younger witch hesitated slightly, not sure if she could trust her daughter with the lycan who gave her a confused look and then her blue eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "I'm not going to hurt you or Rose, Hermione. I never would." Rose seemed to agree as she cooed happily as she looked up at the blue eyed woman and extended her small arms out towards her. How could Hermione argue with that? She sighed and handed the infant over to the taller woman who tucked her safely in her left arm before she held out her hand to the brunette who stared at it for a moment before taking it. Hermione was shocked at the warmth as their hands touched and the auror gently squeezed her hand as they walked out of the alley and turned towards Hermione's flat. The walk was relatively silent as brunette's mind was racing with the thought that there could be another attack in the future and the creature that Jade could change into so easily. As they neared the house, Jade stepped forward and waved her hand to unlock the door.

"Homenum revelio." Hermione whispered as she flicked her wand and when nothing happened, Jade finally let her enter the dark house. With a flick of her wrist, the blue eyed woman turned on all the lights and sighed heavily as she set the diaper bag next to the stairs. Hermione groaned as she sat on the couch with a huff and Jade went up the stairs to put Rose to bed. As the adrenaline was wearing off, Hermione's head began to throb and she massaged her temples as Jade came back down a few moments later. The older woman sat down next to Hermione and gently cupped her face, forcing her to look into blue eyes as she inspected the brunette's head. "Jade…" Her cheeks started to burn at the close contact and she forgot about her headache as the thudding in her chest got stronger.

"Stay still." Jade whispered as she gently brushed a brown curl away from Hermione's forehead. "I want to make sure your wound isn't too serious." Hermione inhaled sharply as fingertips brushed against the gash on her forehead. The taller girl apologized as the brunette inhaled again and this time got a deep whiff of Jade's enticing scent. Her eyes fluttered shut as Jade gently manipulated her head to get a better look at the cut and then sighed as she let her hands drop from the witch's face much to Hermione's disappointment. "It's not very deep, looks like you just knocked it against the wall. Just make sure to clean it before you go to bed, ok?" The brunette nodded as she opened her eyes and gasped at how close Jade's face still was to hers. Jade's eyes widened as she blushed while brown eyes grazed over her face and then down to Hermione's hands. "Uhm, you should get to bed, you need the rest." Hermione nodded again as Jade stood up and made her way up the stairs.

x-x

Hermione was lying in bed silently, staring at the ceiling as she heard Jade's footsteps below her as the lycan went through the house for the third time in the past two hours checking the wards while Rose's steady breathing could be heard through the monitor on Hermione's dresser. The brunette rolled onto her side and groaned, sleep had been avoiding her thoroughly for the past two hours which was starting to annoy her, but her nerves were shot from that nights encounter with the dark figure. She was shaken and now worrying herself to death at what could have happened if Jade hadn't been there. The dark haired woman had saved her and Rose's lives and she found herself wishing that Jade was there now to try and calm her down. Suddenly there was a knock on her door.

"Hermione?" Jade's muffled voice could be heard on the other side of the door and Hermione sat up in bed, a little startled that she had wished for Jade and now she was knocking on her bedroom door.

"C-come in." The brunette stuttered as she made sure that her night shirt wasn't revealing anything. Jade opened the door slowly, only the dim light from the nigh light in the hallway illuminating the blue eyed girl's lithe figure. "What is it, Jade?"

"Are you ok?" Blue eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the brunette sitting in bed, hair mussed up and dark circles forming under her eyes. "I could hear you tossing and turning down stairs." Hermione rubbed her arm shyly as she bit her lower lip and Jade swallowed hard at the amount of skin showing as the younger witch was only wearing a white cami.

"I'm just worried." Hermione admitted as she let out a sigh and ruffled her messy brown curls. "And I can't seem to get to sleep now." Jade chuckled as she left the door open a crack and sat down at the foot of the bed. "I feel like I should tell Ron about what happened.

"You know there's potions for that?" She teased gently as Hermione shot her a glare and shook her head. "There's nothing to be worried about Hermione, I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you or Rosie, all right? And I've known Ron for two years now, if he knew someone was trying to get to you he'd fall right into and come home leaving Harry to his own devices. It's better if he's oblivious for the moment." Hermione nodded as she looked into bright blue eyes that were staring warmly at her. "You trust me, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Before Hermione knew what she was doing, her hand shot forward and fell gently on Jade's. She jumped slightly as she felt a small shock in her palm and blushed when Jade gently squeezed her hand. "You've been so good to me and Rosie since you've been here. It's just...I just thought that by now, all the horrible things that accumulate around me would be waning. First Voldemort and now this new threat, I just want to not worry about my life for once."

"Well, then let me worry about it." Jade said gently as she caressed the back of Hermione's hand with her thumb. She knew she shouldn't be letting herself get so close to the younger brunette who was currently dating a good friend and colleague of hers, but seeing the anxiety in dark brown eyes was making her weak. "I know you're worried, and with Rose, I'm sure it's a lot worse than when you were in school, but I won't let anything happen to either of you." A warm smile spread on the older witch's lips as she leaned forward and tucked a stray curl behind Hermione's ear as the brunette's gaze lingered on her comforter. "Get some sleep, ok? You need it." Jade went to stand up, but Hermione tightened her grip on the lycan's hand to keep her still. Blue eyes glanced back at the brunette whose gaze was glued to the bed as she gripped her hand.

"Will you," Hermione whispered as she started pulling Jade back towards her. "Will you stay with me, please?" Jade tensed as the shorter witch looked up with pleading brown eyes that melted the lycan. "I just…I don't want to be alone tonight." The blue eyed girl couldn't deny her friend the company as she nodded and Hermione pulled the sheets back to expose that she was only wearing a pair of very short boxers. Jade swallowed hard as her heart started to beat faster and she pulled her t-shirt over her head before crawling into bed after removing her belt and socks. She laid on her back with an arm folded behind her head and pulled the flat sheet to cover up to her waist. Hermione shifted so she was lying on her side facing the raven haired girl, her eyes looking anywhere, but Jade. Taking a deep breath in, Hermione shuffled over and rested her head on Jade's shoulder as her hands gripped the tank top the lycan was wearing. She couldn't deny the attraction anymore that was constantly pulling her towards Jade. Hermione found herself needing to feel the auror's warmth and longing to be as close as possible to her. The way blue eyes looked at her was hypnotizing as any touch from the older girl would send a shockwave through her nerves. Nothing was making sense anymore as she felt Jade wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her closer as Hermione's body pressed flush against the lycan's side. Lines were blurring, boundaries were being broken as she wrapped her arm loosely around Jade's slim waist, but that didn't matter as her forehead rested perfectly in the curve of her bedmate's neck. Goosebumps erupted on her skin as she felt Jade's chin rest gently on her head and Hermione fought hard to resist the urge to plant kisses along the woman's lissome neck. All that mattered now was that she felt safe and calm as her eyes fluttered shut and sleep finally took her as the sound of the lycan's heart beat steadily in her ears.

#hermionexoc

Trending Tags

Recently Viewed Tags

#hermionexoc