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The Paths We Take	By : Luckycharms Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 18436 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That right goes to the AMAZING JK Rowling. No profit is made off this story. Shout out to Scorpia11 for being my awesome Beta!!

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
This is the last chapter before the clue is revealed! Get your thinking caps on everyone, next week the interactive game begins! Rules posted before my break still apply! XOXO
“We are crushed and created, We are melted and made
We are broken and built up, in the very same way
What I thought I could handle, What I thought I could take
What I thought would destroy me leaves me stronger in its wake”
Crushed and Created- Caitlyn Smith

Chapter 20- The Lions, The Snakes, and The Traitor
July 5^th, 1863
“Is this where you heard the noise?” Tala questioned after she had both Draco and Hermione bring her to the location to investigate where they’d heard the branch snap.
“Yeah…” the blonde claimed dejectedly while looking to the ground.
“I heard it come from over there after we saw the Confederates, who were looking for us, enter the town” Hermione added when she noticed how distressed Draco was getting. “I can put up a charm to protect your people…I know you don’t want us to use magic, but if the South is searching for us, we need to do everything we can to safeguard everyone.”
“No…” the Native American stated as she listened to the wind and felt the vibrations of the earth. “It appears that whatever created the noise has passed.”
“You can’t be sure of that” Draco declared adamantly. “We don’t even know if it was an animal or a person. You seriously want to risk everyone’s lives based off of a hunch?”
“The only risk I am taking is by angering the Great Spirit if I choose to allow you to place a barrier.”
“And what if those Confederates enter the camp? What if they attack you and your people? If you don’t want to protect them-”
“I understand your worry, Draco,” Tala gently cut in “however, if those men wish to fight, then a fight we shall give them. We still have plenty of men here willing to defend the land which does not rightfully belong to that army, or any army for that matter. And I will do everything in my power to secure the safety of my people and your group as well.”
“What if they die?” Hermione questioned in a low voice. “What if you die? I can’t bear to even think about it…”
“Then we shall die with honor. But death is not the end, Hermione…It is just the beginning of a new life. We will give back just as nature and the Great Spirit has given onto us. Spirits of the dead have the ability to influence the circumstances of the living, for better or for worse. Our people will hold the Death Feast in memory of those lost, to ensure they are remembered fondly, and to request that the living live out their days undisturbed by the ghosts, as you call them. There is much more to the Death Feast, but it is a way to honor the deceased. And if I shall die as well, then so be it. I am not afraid of death, my dear. When my time comes, I will welcome it with open arms if it guarantees that I get to watch over my family.”
“As noble as that sounds, Tala” the Malfoy heir began while running his fingers through his unruly hair. “It’s not right that you’re also willing to sacrifice lives to protect us. Those men are looking for us because I murdered three of their own to save Hermione. The Shawnee people should not have to bear the burden of what I did. They wouldn’t even be this far north if we weren’t sucked into that amulet. I caused the Confederates to want revenge; I’m not willing to put a bunch of innocent lives in danger because you feel it’ll betray your trust with the higher power you believe in.
“So, I’m giving you three options” he stated determinedly. “One, you allow us to place a charm up around camp, two, I do it regardless because I follow my own rules and don’t necessarily require your permission, or three, I find Ginny and Blaise and my group will figure out a way to make it on our own until the next jump or take the Confederates head on; which we could easily do at the risk of exposing magic to muggles. And I will tell you right now, I could give two shites about exposing my magic if it means I get to protect everyone. I’m done with hiding behind others. I’m not the coward I used to be anymore, and I can’t just stand by if there is even the slightest possibility of a threat.”
Tala intently stared at the blonde Prince as Hermione took his hand and gently squeezed it in support, but the Native American Chief could not allow magic to be used, no matter the cost at stake. Whether her decision to not allow a magical barrier was a gamble, she couldn’t risk angering the Great Spirit, who had given them so much to live off of. It went against everything she and the rest of the Shawnee tribe believed in. And as far as they all knew, the sound could have easily been a deer or another animal. There was no solid proof that anyone but them, were around.
“I am sorry,” she began while holding her head up high and crossing her hands in front of her “but I forbid it. You and your friends are guests of my village and are free to leave at any time; though I do wish you would stay. There is strength in numbers, and I would lose sleep worrying about your safety. However, your lives are not my responsibility; but my people…my people are.
“Though I do feel the Southern Army has most likely moved on to the next town in their search, I cannot stop you if you choose to leave, and I cannot stop you if you choose to place a charm. My only hope is that you respect me and my decision. If you cannot do that, then…then you must go. But bear in mind, Draco, this is not your era…it is mine. You do not have the right to tell me how to lead or alter history to redeem yourself of your past mistakes. I understand the pain you hold but going against me will not aid you on your path of forgiveness.”
“She’s right, Draco…” Hermione stated sullenly as she turned to face the Slytherin doing his best to hold back his anger. “And we really can’t change history. If there was not a barrier before then we can’t place one now. We have to respect Tala’s choices and…I-I’m not ready to be on our own in this time period. Please don’t do this; please don’t put up a shield.”
Draco earnestly glanced at Hermione pleading with him to listen and softened his features with a heavy sigh. He knew she was right, but the chances they were constantly taking seemed to always cause problems. He wanted so badly to go against both of the women’s wishes, but as he gazed into his witchs’ warm brown eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say no to her; even though he knew the consequences if they were all wrong about the Confederates.
“I am not responsible if something happens” he declared adamantly as he removed his sight from the brunette and onto the raven-haired Native. “I will do as you ask and not shield the village, but I am doing it for Hermione’s sake, not yours. I admire you and your courage, Tala, however, I do feel you are making a mistake by denying the magical barricade.”
“Then I, and I alone, will hold the blame… And so, you know, Caleb has told me about your time in Salem. Apparently, your friend Blaise is rather fond of speaking freely and has told him about your torture. I want you to know how sorry I am that you had to go through something so difficult and that there are wicked people like that in this world. However, I want to also say how proud I am of you for not allowing such a horrible thing to consume you and having the strength to push forward. It must have taken much discipline to hold back your self-preservation and deny those people the revenge you surely wished to have taken…Similar to what you are doing now.”
“Thank you, Tala” Draco answered while lowering his gaze to the ground. “But if we’re being honest here, the only reason I didn’t destroy that town is because…because I was scared…My fear outshined my anger and…and I went back to my roots. I cowered. I thought I could do it, I even told Blaise I would, but deep down…I was terrified to go back in there.”
“Fear is a gift, Draco, along with failure. But without them we will never learn how to be wise. Being afraid is a sacred part of showing us that we are still alive. But the horrors we refuse to face, end up becoming our limits. Though being afraid…does not actually protect you from anything. You may have yet to conquer that which scares you, however, no matter the word you wish to call it; fear, worry, doubt, concern…trepidation…it is transient, and it is not real. It is all in your mind.
“Never let your fears decide your fate. You are cunning, ambitious, a strong leader, intelligent, even loyal from what I have witnessed. Be proud of who you have become, Draco. You may be young, but you are a man showing promising growth…Now…let us return to camp. The children are very excited to show you their dancing for the Nikanikawe and there is still much to do to prepare for the celebration of our creator…”
Draco softly smirked as Hermione proudly gazed up at him and Tala warmly smiled before she began to walk back to camp; pleased that she was able to help the Slytherin feel slightly better about his self-worth as she was aware it was a struggle for him.
“You know she just described almost all of the Slytherin traits, right?” Hermione chuckled as the pair began to follow the Chief. “And somehow turned the tables on you. Seems like she knows you better then we all thought. I like her…she’s an incredible human being. Very rare.”
“She does seem to always know the right words to say when someone is feeling down; like one of those damn annoying Hufflepuffs…Though,” he sighed while relaxing his shoulders in defeat “fucking hell, I do think I’m going to honestly miss her, once we leave this era. She has an irritating way of making you like her even when you want to be livid with her…A lot like you actually. It’s fucking infuriating, you know.”
“Well then I guess it’s a good thing I have no Native American in my bloodline” the brunette giggled as Draco rolled his eyes and smirked. “Who knows how much more kindness you can take!”
“Thank Merlin for that” he sarcastically expressed while wrapping an arm around her shoulders and laying a soft kiss upon her head as they continued their trek back to camp.
XX
“Focus” Anoki whispered into Ginny’s ear as the front of her arrow lightly bounced off the wood of the Longbow in her hands. “Breathe; do not hold your breath. Steady your arm…Good” he claimed as she did what she was told. “Center your shoulders, back straight, and open your stance more.”
“Like this?” she queried while adjusting her feet.
“Yes. Lighten your grip and position your three fingers on the string like so…” he continued while adjusting her fingers around the base of the arrow. “Find your anchor point. I find that having the first finger touching the corner of my mouth works well” the Native explained with a smile.
“Anchor point?”
“It is how far you draw the string back to ensure you draw it the same each time. Now inhale deeply and exhale slowly upon release while following through. Like I showed you.” Following the instructions, the redhead exhaled the breath she took and released the arrow as she focused on the tree in front of her. Unfortunately, she had missed her target and the arrow shot passed the trunk, missing it by almost a full meter, and causing Ginny to discouragingly frown. “That is alright,” Anoki smiled warmly. “That was very good. Most men miss by a lot more than you just did the first time they try their hand. But you are overthinking your aiming. Next time try not to try. Do not allow this to dishearten you, Ginny. Learning to hunt takes time and patience.”
“She should not be allowed to hunt at all” Ohiyesa stated with his arms crossed as he scowled at the redhead looking back at him. “She is a woman. She should be gathering with the others at camp.”
“I’m sorry, and you are?” Blaise cut in as he leaned off the tree he was resting against and crossed his arms in annoyance.
“I am Ohiyesa” he claimed firmly. “Soon to be Chief, once Tala and I are wed” he scoffed while glaring at Caleb in animosity.
“Have you gone mad?” Caleb laughed, causing Ohiyesa to scowl at him. “Tala put an end to your engagement days after her father had passed. She is no more yours than mine. Though with the way things are between myself and Tala, I am fairly certain I will be Chief before you.”
“You dare challenge me?” Ohiyesa threatened” You are lower than papikwa on a wii'ši! The Great Spirit should have cast you out ag- ”
“Listen, whatever your name is,” the Italian interrupted while Ohiyesa stepped forward as if to fight the Confederate smirking before him, “how about you do us all a favor and keep your degrading opinions to yourself. Leave Caleb and my girlfriend alone. We are simply here to help your tribe.”
“You bring these strangers into our village,” Ohiyesa stated crossly towards Caleb while ignoring the Slytherin “onto our land and allow them to disrespect our values. They are savages and should not be here. They will take from us like their ancestors of the past” he claimed adamantly before turning his sights on Blaise. “And you…You do not tell a hileni what to do? You are not my Elder or my Leader. You are nothing but mškwaawi on nikiiša.”
“Now wait just a damn minute!” Blaise contested as he uncrossed his arms and stepped forward, but Caleb quickly cut him off and pressed a hand firmly against his chest as Anoki and Ginny watched utterly stunned at the situation playing out in front of them. “I don’t know what the fuck you just said, but who the hell are you calling a savage, you right bastard!” the dark-haired wizard shouted over the brunette’s shoulder. “Sod off, you fucking git!”
“Enough!” Anoki yelled strongly as Ginny, who was still standing next to him, shuddered slightly as she eyed him worryingly. “We have not come here to argue! We have come to forage food for our people. And as long as my cousin is Chief and there is still breath in my lungs, you will follow my orders or Tala will hear of this disgrace. Blaise and Ginny are our friends and we will welcome them with open arms. Do I make my words clear?”
“We will see how long you will remain in charge…” Ohiyesa mumbled under his breath before scoffing loudly and walking away to speak to a few Natives apparently on his side.
“Do not allow Ohiyesa to get under your skin” Anoki stated to both Ginny and Blaise once the man was out of earshot. “He is a cause for trouble but has been through much over the years.”
“Tala breakin their engagement being the main reason for his connipition fit” Caleb added with a roll of his eyes. “He also hates fresh fish like yourselves, and still holds anger for the woman I be sparking choosin me over him. And thinks I have stolen her from his grasp. If that don’t beat the Dutch, he also believes I am a bad egg who brings balderdash to the community…” he claimed in irritation before exhaling sharply to calm himself. “But though Ohiyesa may be an uppity man who Peacocks about, his ability to act on his words are scarce as hen’s teeth. All he speaks is camp canard he wishes will profit in his favor. He is a blowhard who wants to be a bottle washer.”
“I…” Blaise began with narrowed brows of bewilderment. “I have no idea what the bloody hell you just said but…somehow…I think I understood it…”
“Can I get back to learning to shoot now?” Ginny requested as the Italian muddled over the words Caleb had just spoke.
“Yes, Ms. Ginny” Anoki smiled while Caleb watched in amusement as Blaise confusingly tried to decipher the slang he had used.
“Come, Blaise” the Confederate chuckled with a shake of his head. “Before you hurt yourself. I shall teach you over a bottle of pop skull.”
“What?” he breathed out in utter puzzlement as Caleb continued to chortle, tapped him on the back gently with his hand, and guided him towards the temporary tent the Confederate was to sleep in during their trip.
XX
Draco tilted his head back and forth as Hermione stared at him anxiously in the center of her tent. Her right leg began to shake uneasily while she played with the tips of her fingers as he studied her meticulously with his arms crossed in front of him; his brows were narrowed, and he had a deadly look of determination set on his face. She was growing restless by the second as his grey eyes took her in, but she bit her bottom lip as she exhaled a deep breath through her nose and continued to allow him to survey almost every inch of her.
“Do you have to stare at me like that?” she queried while her gaze shifted to the floor.
“I need to see all of you before altering a single strand. Otherwise, your hair may only match your face and body at a certain angle. I want to make sure that no matter how you or anyone else looks at you, all that is seen is flawlessness.”
“It doesn’t have to be flawless, Draco. I just want it out of my face but not too short so I can still pull it back if need be.”
“Hermione…I’m basically a serial perfectionist. Have you seen my hair…?” he questioned before realizing his blonde hair was still a mess as he chose to cut the bookworms’ first. “Well not at this moment, but you know what I mean” he claimed as she chuckled into her hand. “Can you sit still?” he demanded as he rolled his eyes and smiled softly at his witch. “Unless you want a Bob Cut, which I doubt you do” he smirked before leaning over her to place a gentle kiss upon her lips.
“Okay, okay! You’re the expert so…” she inhaled sharply, “I will…” she continued as she anxiously exhaled, “let you do your thing. Can’t live in fear, right?”
Hermione smiled up at Draco before toying with her bottom lip as he took a step back, brought out his wand, and rolled up his sleeves.
“Right…” he agreed with a tender smile. “Because it doesn’t actually protect you from anything…Now close your eyes and let me work my magic. I can easily take hair off, but it’s a lot harder to put back on” he smirked as he pointed the Hawthorne wood at her face. Casting a wordless charm, he had created back in second year to maintain his perfect appearance without the use of products, Draco began to snip and style the Gryffindors’ hair. It didn’t take him very long to obtain the desired length, the ends reaching about two inches passed her shoulders, and layering the locks into soft waves before placing her part slightly to the right. “Breathtaking…” he whispered as he conjured a round mirror and held it in front of the brunette. “Open your eyes…”
Doing as she was told, Hermione slowly cracked open her eyes and gasped in shock while clasping a hand over her mouth.
“Oh…My…You…” she stuttered with a heavy breath as he worryingly gazed at her.
“Is-is it okay?” he asked with a slight frown.
“It…it’s-it’s perfect…” she confessed as tears began to brew in her eyes and she grinned from ear to ear.
“So, you like it?” he smiled proudly.
“I love it!” she exclaimed while squealing happily before jumping into his arms and embracing him in a searing kiss. Stumbling backwards in surprise, Draco chuckled as he held Hermione close before breaking her hold on his lips and grinning as he kept his arms wrapped around her waist. “Thank you” she beamed as a giggle escaped her throat and she lifted the mirror to take another look.
“You’re welcome, Princess” he asserted as he watched her admire herself in his grasp; his own eyes rolled over the woman he had grown extremely fond of. He wanted to say it then, those three little words, but as his heart beat rapidly within his chest, fear that she didn’t feel the same encompassed him and instead he held back as he smiled down at her. “Now,” he began while clearing his throat “I think it’s time I managed the mess on my own head.”
“Okay!” she replied as she walked out of his embrace and sat down; fully enthralled at her new appearance. “I’ve never seen my hair look so good before…” she stated while lowering the mirror to her lap. However, as her thoughts started to ramble, her smile began to turn upside down.
“What’s wrong…?
“I-I just can’t help but think back on all the times I was made fun of because it was so large and unkempt…All the times you hurt my feelings by pointing that out…” she admitted as his lips fell sullenly. “I-I never knew it could be managed so easily…But…it’s not really me now, is it? As much as I love it…”
“Your hair doesn’t make you who you are, Hermione” he declared as he moved to stand behind her with a heavy sigh and placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. “And neither do my words or anyone else’s. If you like it that much, then keep it, and start a new chapter in your life. If not…I can always change it back. I just want you happy, love, and I will do whatever it is you want.”
Hermione stared at herself for a little longer as they both sat in complete silence before opening her mouth to speak.
“I…I think I’d…like to keep it” she smiled softly while nibbling at her lips and glanced up at him as she clasped a hand over his.
“Good, I’m glad…but you should know, I like you regardless of what your hair looks like or how you choose to style it. You’re beautiful, Hermione…whether you have bushy unkempt hair or not” he claimed before kissing the top of her head and walking away to shave while her heart melted from his words.
XX
“Ugh!” Ginny groaned out as she entered the tent she was sharing with Blaise.
They had decided not to expand the shelter, since the sleeping quarters were temporary, and chose to keep it small in case any of the Natives, not aware of magic, betrayed Anoki and Caleb’s trust, and searched the bivouac. Night had fallen upon the hunting group and since it had become dark, the Natives decided to wait until morning to continue their search for larger prey as there was too little of light to see by and most of the animals were now resting.
“What’s wrong?” Blaise inquired as he lowered the book in his hands and sat up right. “Still missing your targets?”
“No, actually” she voiced in irritation as she moved to sit next to the Italian and began to remove her shoes. “I have become rather good at shooting; managed to track and sadly kill a rabbit all on my own. Anoki was quite impressed.”
“So, why the grumbling then?”
“Because that Ohiyesa bloke, is a complete and utter arse!” she complained while unholstering her wand from her thigh and placing a silencing spell around the tent before conjuring her Patronus to send to Draco. “It’s no wonder Caleb loathes him! He’s an arrogant son of a bitch, and I so desperately wish I could hex that smug look from his stupid pathetic face! He had the nerve to tell me I was weak and that the only reason Caleb and Anoki let me come on this trip was because they wished to basically get in my pants!”
“He said that?” Blaise questioned angrily.
“Well not in those exact words because obviously I’m wearing a very uncomfortable dress, but that’s basically what he indicated. The audacity of that man is unbelievable! He has no shame what-so-ever!”
“Do you want me to kick his arse?” the dark-skinned wizard asked with a raised brow and a small smirk.
“No…” she claimed while rubbing her hands across her face. “That would just make things worse…” she stated before looking to her wizard. “But I love that you are willing to do so” she smiled before returning to her task of removing her garments in order to get comfortable.
“Red, can I ask you a question? Off topic from your Ohiyesa problems…”
“You can always ask me anything, Blaise. What’s up?”
“Why were you in such a hurry when Caleb said they were ready to head out? Why didn’t you tell him to wait for a minute so you could talk to Hermione?”
“I…” she paused what she was doing and relaxed her shoulders while releasing a deep sigh. “I’m not ready to face Hermione yet. I don’t even know what I would say to her. She’s such an incredible person and…it’s-it’s hard seeing her like that. She was always the stable one and…to see her so broken, it…”
“It shattered your perception of her…” he finished for her.
“Yeah…She’s also terrifying when angered. I thought Blondie was bad, but Hermione…She would kill me if I told her what we were doing…And I just, I don’t know, I always saw her as the one to hold us all up, ya know? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen her many times when she was upset or angry and I would always be there for her. We would talk all night about our issues, and I will always love her but…seeing her crumble in on herself, especially so soon after she fell apart with Draco…It scares me to know that anything can change who we are as a person in a blink of an eye. To know that even the strongest can disintegrate into nothing.
“And…I mean, where does that leave me? Even Draco broke and if you really think about it, it was only days ago that we saw him give up and had to endure listening to him scream in pain as we tried to heal him. I love both of them, I do, but…we have to admit that they are the toughest of our group and if history is capable of beating them down into its hell…what’s going to happen to me or you when our time comes to be tested or-or tried? How strong can we possibly be?”
“No matter what happens to us, Red, we’ll get through it together” he replied smoothly while rubbing a hand across the Gryffindors’ back. “We’re a team, a family now. Draco and Hermione will both stop at nothing to save us like we have done for them. Yeah, it’s…it’s gonna suck, but if this is what life chooses to do in order for us to change, then we have to accept it. It’ll happen regardless if we want it to or not.”
“What if one of us doesn’t make it passed our era? We don’t even know who’s next or where we’re going? That amulet is toying with our lives and…I’m scared that I’m going to lose you…”
“Ginny, I-” Blaise began nervously as she went back to stripping down to her knickers and transfiguring her skirt into a long t-shirt. He had wanted to speak to her for a while now and tell her what was on his mind, but since she was out hunting all day, he had barely seen her since that morning. But he felt in that moment, that it was the perfect time to confess what he had been holding back as Ginny showed she trusted him with her deepest feelings. He just hoped she wouldn’t leave him once he said what he had to.
“And now we have to also deal with Ohiyesa on top of everything!” she cut in as her mind went back to what the Native had said to her. “I just can’t believe he would say something so callous!” she added while pulling the shirt over her head and removing her bra from underneath it.
“Ginny-” he tried again as his heart raced rapidly within his chest.
“Like who says that to someone? Especially someone they don’t even bloody know! If he knew what we were all going through or how weak he really is compared to me then-”
“I love you…” he stated rather quickly before she had a chance to interrupt him again. The redhead swiftly turned her attention to the Italian as her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. The pair stared at each other in silence for what felt like forever, until Blaise anxiously broke through the still air surrounding them. “D-d-did you hear me?” he queried, followed by a sharp rigid inhale.
“What?” she questioned in shock as her chest rose in a fast pace.
“I-I said I love you…I-I wanted to tell you after we arrived on the mountain, but I couldn’t find the right time. Not with everything going on…But I wanted t-to for quite some time and I’m not asking you to say it back or anything, I just thought you should know that I-”
“What?” she repeated, still stunned at his bold admittance.
“I-I…I shouldn’t have said it, I’m sorry, I-I don’t know what came ov-”
“Wh-wh-wh-” she breathed out, all the while never taking her eyes off of him “why? When? Why are you saying this?”
“I just told you when…And I-I can’t really explain why in words that make sense, but I do. I love you, Ginny and I…You deserve to know. It’s n-not the same love that you have for Draco or Hermione. I…It’s like I can’t breathe when I’m around you. My pulse races and my hands get all clammy whenever I look at you. I’ve liked you for a while now but a-after you kissed me in Jamestown it made me really think about my life and what I want to do with it. And then all the bullshite that occurred after that; I just think that life is too short to hold anything back anymore and if you don’t feel the same that’s alright, I just-”
“I love you…too” she confessed while interrupting his rambling.
“Y-you don’t have to-to s-say it back if you don’t feel the same…” he stated apprehensively.
“I’m not saying it because you said it first, Blaise…” she claimed as the pair stared deep into each other’s eyes.
“Y-you’re not?”
“I’m not…” she smiled while biting her lower lip.
“So, you-you love me too?” he inquired as his heart pounded in his chest.
“I love you too” she answered, causing a large grin to form across his face.
“Okay…good” he continued to smile, but an uncomfortable quiet began to engulf the tent as neither of them really knew where to go from there.
As they sat in the awkward silence for a brief moment, Blaise finally glanced away from the redhead and picked up his book to continue reading. Suddenly, the tome was thrown from his hands as Ginny pounced on him, knocking him backwards while pressing a searing kiss against his lips. She pushed him back against the ground as her hands wound around the nape of his neck and she ran her tongue over the seam of his lips as she straddled his lap. His mind raced a thousand miles per second as his witch greedily snogged him, but he was able to break through the rambling thoughts and envelop the Gryffindor in his arms; pulling her flush against his chest while he kissed her hungrily in return.
She began to grind against him, causing him to gasp against her lips as a growl escaped his throat. He then lowered his fingers roughly down to her hips and pulled her tighter as he snogged her with vigor. Her hands roamed down the column of his neck to the buttons on his shirt where she slowly started to undo each latch while trailing her lips down his chest, over his abs, and down to the apex of his thighs.
Glancing up at her wizard, who’s breath had instantly caught as he balanced the upper half of his body on his elbows, Ginny smiled at him with a wicked glint in her eye as his widen in surprise. Knowing she had his undivided attention, she lowered her head and boldly unfastened his trousers with her teeth. She then pressed a soft kiss against his stiff member before removing it from his boxers as Blaise watched in utter amazement.
Pumping her hand gently around him a few times as she slowly ran her tongue over his tip, he moaned weakly while tilting his head back slightly in excitement. Though he quickly went back to watching when the redhead rolled the top of his dick around her tongue before engulfing him, causing his eyes to roll back as he bit his lower lip to stifle a loud moan. Ginny reeled in the pleasure she was providing her man and kept looking up at him as she bobbed her head up and down, sucking him harder and taking him in deeper with each pump until he touched the back of her throat. His eyes shut tight in sheer bliss as the witch continued her momentum over his erection, but as he felt his release brewing, he swiftly reached down, grabbed the back of her hair to stop her, before yanking her up by the biceps and roughly kissing her.
While he pressed into her again, Ginny pushed his shirt from his shoulders before she found herself flipped over with her back laying against the hard ground. Blaise proceeded to kick his pants off while nipping over her collarbone as she squealed happily under him, thankful for the silencing charm she had placed earlier, before the dark-skinned wizard roughly pulled her tee from off her body. Taking a moment to admire her plump breasts, the Slytherin smiled in elation before gazing up into Ginny’s eyes.
“I love you” he breathed; however, he didn’t let her respond as he grasped a breast in each hand and took his time to suckle each peak.
Unwilling to wait, she pushed him away, causing an audible pop when he released her nipple and she shoved him onto his back before crawling up his body...dragging her tongue over the ridges of his abdomen. Before he could think of anything better than the feel of her tongue against his skin, Ginny spelled her knickers away, opened her legs a little wider, and eased onto his hardened staff, causing him to growl in satisfaction. Holding his chest down with her hands as she took control, she tossed her head back as she forced them both towards completion.
Although, Blaise was not the type of man to not show his strength and wanted to prove to her that he could take control as well. Rather than climaxing too soon, he quickly rolled his thumb over her clit as she moaned in exhilaration, driving her to cum and causing a wetness to lubricate them both. But before she could even come down from her high, he pushed her to the side and commanded her to get on all fours. Trembling in the aftermath of her orgasm, Ginny complied to his demand, thrilled someone was able to give her what she needed, but gasped in surprise as he leaned down and ran his tongue over her thighs before diving deep into her damp slit; roughly groaning in delight at the taste beneath him.
It was a new experience for her to be treated like the woman she knew she was, and she felt like she couldn’t get enough of Blaise and the pleasure he provided. But her thoughts swiftly vanished as he slowly pulled back, grabbed her hips while lining himself at her entrance, and slammed firmly into her.
Bending down, Blaise pressed a kiss on the middle of her spine as his right hand slowly worked its way up her side, pulling her back flush against his chest while he pumped into her over and over again. His left-hand then slid around to her front, rubbing over her clit while the other teased her nipple as he tried to propel her closer to a second orgasm. Continuing with the steady pace, he gently bit her pulse point as her head lulled on his shoulder and they moved in unison with hard thrusts and passionate cries.
After several minutes of heavy breathing and strong penetrating pumps, Ginny reached a hand up and wrapped it around his neck as she rocked her hips against his hand and came undone. Her delicate cry in his ear, caused his pelvis to press hard against her as he moaned while he pulled her closer to his body and released his seed deep within his witch.
Their breathing was ragged as they stayed connected, reveling in the ecstasy of their orgasm, before Ginny removed herself from the wizard and rotated her body in order to straddle his lap. Cupping his face in both her hands, she passionately kissed him as he laid her down on the blankets and had her curl up next to him.
“I love you, Blaise…” she whispered after he had pulled a quilt over them both and held her tightly in his arms.
“I love you too, Ginny” he replied with a small smile before placing a tender kiss on the top of her head and letting sleep overtake them both.
XX
“No” Draco declared stubbornly while he looked into Hermione’s pleading eyes as the sounds of men singing in call form, rattles made of box turtle shells, and woman stomping on the earth, filled the night air. “I said ‘no’, Hermione; I’m not doing it. I don’t care how much you beg, it’s not happening.”
“Please, Draco” she implored before turning back to watch the Shawnee move in a counterclockwise direction around a large bonfire with deliberate stomping steps set to the rhythm created by the women with their shell shakers. “You said you wanted to make up for entering my mind earlier and-”
“You said taking that hit was payment enough! I’m not doing it!” he argued as she wrapped her arm around his waist and gazed up at him.
“Please…” she pouted as she gave her best puppy dog eye impression.
“That won’t work on me. Red already tried and failed” he claimed as he placed his hands in his pockets, refusing to hold the witch clinging to him in order to show he was serious. But the Gryffindor continued to pucker her bottom lip as he looked away from her to avoid caving. However, he didn’t expect the brunette to stand on her tiptoes and leave lingering tender kisses along his neck and ear, causing him to inhale sharply as he did his best to ignore her. After a few moments his tolerance wore thin and he finally gave in to her tactics, removed his hands from his pockets, and pulled her flush against his chest. “Keep that up, Princess…I dare you” he growled with narrowed brows.
“What are you gonna do?” she grinned wickedly while nibbling at her bottom lip. “Duel me?” she quipped as her hands found their way under the bottom of his shirt and she lightly guided her fingers over his lower back and across his ribs.
“If it gets you to stop doing that out in the bloody open, then fine. I will join the stupid dance with you.”
“Brilliant!” she beamed while clapping her hands together and breaking the alluring charm she held over him.
She then began dragging him to a Native, who handed her shakers to place around her ankles and offered them both ‘touch medicine’, made from specific roots and plants, intended for the physical and spiritual benefit of the members of the dance at the ceremonial ground. However, Draco refused on both of their behalf’s, and in irritation, allowed his witch to pull him into the circle around the fire.
As the pair danced, even though the blonde rolled his eyes many times throughout the songs and barely moved his body while Hermione eagerly did her best to follow the others lead, Draco finally had enough and stepped out for a break. The Golden Girl continued to stomp as a small boy took the Slytherin’s place, in order to keep the male to female balance, while the Malfoy heir took a seat and rested his arm on his propped-up knee.
He watched as the wavy-haired witched laughed and couldn’t help but smile at how happy she was, though he wasn’t thrilled that the Nikanikawe was to go until dawn. The last two times he had stayed up so late was during his sixth year when he had the unfortunate task of fixing the vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement, and the time after that was the night before he was to board the Hogwarts Express because he feared returning to the school he had a hand in destroying. He didn’t know how his peers would react when they discovered a former Death Eater was repeating his seventh year but found comfort in knowing that no one in his shared common room blamed him any longer. No one except Weasley, that is, however, that was to be expected.
Although the redheaded git did eventually tolerate his presence, most likely due to his friends telling him to stop with his antics, Draco still felt like an outcast. It wasn’t until December that he began to feel like he belonged after Hermione had offered to buy him a Butterbeer, while out in Hogsmeade, to make up for Ron purposely spilling his drink on him. However, they didn’t really speak to each other as she vanished away the Firewhisky staining his robes, but as he thought back on the memory and when she smiled at him for the first time after he thanked her, he realized how elated he felt to experience her kindness directed at him.
“That was fun!” Hermione expressed while breathing heavily as she sat beside him and leaned back on her hands; interrupting his trailing thoughts and causing him to look over at her with a small smirk resting on his lips. “They’re taking a wee break until the next song leader is ready” she claimed before turning her gaze to him and realizing he was fondly staring at her. “Are you okay?” she inquired with a wide grin while still trying to catch her breath. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m okay, I just…I was just thinking about the first time you smiled at me, is all.”
“Ah, you mean that day at the Three Broom Sticks after I watched Ron toss his drink at you and then he tried to play it off like it was an accident?” she chuckled softly.
“You remember when you first smiled at me?” he questioned with a raised brow as she crossed her outstretched legs and extended her bare toes to release the tension from the dance.
“You think I wouldn’t remember the first time you thanked me for helping you?” she giggled as she turned her attention to the children running around the bonfire playing. “You may have been a prat for most of our lives, but you didn’t deserve what Ronald did to you. He was an emotional mess for the better part of the year, until visiting his family over Christmas break where Harry told on him. His mother was furious; I thought she was about to pull his pants down and give him a right spanking then and there.”
“That is oddly an image I really didn’t want to picture…” he chortled while shaking his head.
“Yeah well, he didn’t listen to me after I yelled at him for doing what he did, so Harry took it upon himself to sneak in a way of telling Molly what he did, but making it seem like he wasn’t outright tattling on him. Ron can be a bit of an arse and would have fought with Harry if he found out he did it on purpose and defended you.”
“Why did you stick up for me? You and Potter both could have easily ignored the problem and pretended I didn’t exist like everyone else in the school. Well, except for Luna…She’s the only one, besides Pansy, Theo, and Blaise, to treat me like I was a human being…no offense.”
“None taken. I wasn’t as nice as I could have been to you. My parents always told me to be the bigger person but after the war…I don’t know, I just…I just wanted to stick by the people I knew liked me and were my friends. But after I saw what Ron did and you voluntarily thanked me when you didn’t have to, I felt that you had changed just enough that you weren’t the slimy dolt we all knew you to be. I wasn’t expecting friendship from you or anything, but…it was nice to see another side of you. Though I didn’t fully trust you, which is why we kept fighting back in China…”
“When-when did you begin to like me?” he queried nervously once he realized he was basically interrogating her for answers to make him feel better about himself.
“Umm, you’re gonna think it’s silly, but…in February…” she answered with a small blush.
“February? I could have sworn you started fancying me after snuggling up to me in that cave to help keep me warm…” he chuckled in confusion.
“Draco,” she began after inhaling a deep breath and sat up in order to play with the tips of her fingers “do you know why I allowed you to touch me in the museum or why I tried to share my body heat with you?” she asked, and when he shook his head ‘no’, she continued. “I may not have trusted you or believed you fully changed but…I knew you were the one who sent me that Valentine with the ruby necklace after I had that big fight with Ron. You didn’t sign the card or leave any trace that it was you except…I knew it was. For one, you’re the only one I know that has enough money to buy a piece of the Timber Ruby that was set in a necklace for Queen Victoria in 1853, but also the fact that your family is the only one that could convince anyone to even allow you to buy it…”
“I didn’t convince anyone…” he admitted with a slight tilt of his head. “My mother did-well tried to. She ended up duplicating the stone without any of the guards knowing so that I could give you the real one…I thought you deserved it and…it was my way of telling you how sorry I was without having to actually say it, and to thank you for helping me clean my robes back in December. Plus, Weasley was being a tosser and I didn’t think you should have had to go through Valentines’ Day without a gift.”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend anymore, Draco. And even if he was, he wasn’t going to get me a gift anyway. But that necklace isn’t what caused me to like you.”
“Well I figured that out pretty much myself when I noticed you never wore it” he scoffed while lowering his sight to his leg.
“Because it’s extremely valuable, you dumbarse!” she laughed as she playfully shoved him. “And historic! You’ve seen the shite that has happened to me in my life. You honestly believe I would have worn it just so I could lose it?” she claimed with a shake of her head. “Listen, I-I really appreciate you giving me it, but I didn’t start liking you because you secretly bought me an expensively rare gift. I started liking you and paying attention to you more because…because you went out of your way to try and cheer me up, instead of bringing me down. I don’t care about how much money you have or the reputation of your name…I care that you cared enough to make a stupid holiday mean something to me. That’s all a girl wants in life, Draco. Although, you can’t buy someone’s’ affection or gratitude, you have to earn it. In all honesty though, you could have given me just the card and I would have been just as happy.”
“I don’t do small gifts, love. If I’m going to buy you something, I’m going to go all out whether you like it or not. But…it would make me really happy if…if you wore it at least once.”
“I’ll tell you what,” she grinned while she rested her chin on his shoulder as she hugged his bicep tightly “when we return home, if you still want to be with me, you can take me to one of your fancy Balls or whatever,” she giggled lightly “and I will wear it then. Sound like a plan?”
“You, my lovely Princess, have yourself a deal” he smiled warmly while gazing happily into her eyes before placing a tender kiss upon her lips.
“You know…as much as I hate that we’re stuck in the past, jumping through different timelines, and dealing with death defying feats…I’m actually really grateful for all of it…” she stated as they both watched the dancing before them.
“Yeah? Why’s that?” he asked while snuggling closer to her and placing a hand gently over the one hugging his arm.
“Because we finally get to be ourselves and…because without the time travel, I never would have realized what I was missing in life.”
“And what, pray tell, were you missing?” he inquired slightly puzzled as she paused for a brief moment.
“You…” she claimed as she turned her eyes to gaze up at him and softly smiled.
“Are you two going to sit here all night or are you going to dance with us?” Tala cheerfully interrupted before bending over to grab the couple by their forearms and dragging them to their feet. “And no more brooding, Draco Malfoy!” she continued while lightly smacking the wizard in the chest.
“Are you sloshed?” he chuckled as he quickly reached out and steadied the Chief.
“I think it’s actually that medicine they take four times a night in order to not only stay awake but feel more connected to the ceremony” Hermione replied as Tala began to stomp her feet to the rhythm of the new dance. “My history book did say that in the native Muskogee language, the Nikanikawe, which they call Opvnkv Haco, means ‘drunken, crazy, or inspirited’. I think Tala is just feeling the exciting, yet meditative effects the event has on everyone.”
“Soooooo, in other words she’s basically plastered…or high…” he laughed as Tala began to drag the couple back to the bonfire.
“Draco,” Hermione chuckled before reaching the circle “you do know the herbs she gave you to burn while I was asleep was Skunk, right? To help ease stress and help me sleep. It’s most likely what is also in the ‘medicine’ they take.”
“Skunk?”
“Cannabis!” she shouted over the noise of the ceremony, causing Draco to stop dead in his tracks as his witch laughed aloud at his shocked face, before moving her body to the beat of the stomping.
XX
As the night passed and darkness turned to light, Ginny awoke in Blaise’s arms and smiled as she cuddled closer to him and took in his warmth. It wasn’t long until he opened his eyes and glanced down at the beautiful woman nestled against his chest, before he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Good morning, darling” he whispered as she scrunched her face and closed her eyes.
“How about just morning? There’s nothing good about waking up this early” she groaned while throwing her head back and moving to sit up.
“There is when I get to wake up to you” the Italian smirked as he placed an arm behind his head and watched the Gryffindor dress her naked body.
“You are so tawdry!” she giggled as he sat up and left a lingering peck on her bare shoulder.
“You love it” he smirked.
“I do actually” Ginny claimed while turning and kissing his lips. However, Blaise quickly pulled her into his embrace and laid back, as she squealed in excitement, and held her close as he brushed her hair gently from her face with the tips of his fingers.
“How about we just stay in here for another hour; have some fun? They don’t need to take you away from me right now” he requested amorously. “They can wait.”
“You know if I don’t go, someone’s going to come in here to make sure I’m up.”
“Ehh, let’em watch” he grinned as he pulled her chin closer to him with the side of his fingers and placed a succulent kiss upon her lips while his other hand delicately slid down her side.
Yet as soon as the red-headed witch was about to give in and say ‘yes’, the sounds of arguing could be heard outside their tent, causing the couple to gaze at each other in confusion before sitting upright when the squabbling turned into shouting. Swiftly dressing as fast as they could, Ginny emerged first from the tent to witness Caleb being held back by three Natives while Anoki, and two others, did their best to restrain Ohiyesa.
“What in the bloody hell is going on?” she demanded before rushing up to Caleb, who was bleeding from his left brow as a large reddened bruise began to form under his right eye.
“Mind your tongue, Waapa Kweewa!” Ohiyesa declared as he wiped the blood seeping down his lip with the back of his hand while Ginny looked over the Confederate to see if he was alright.
Blaise could see the fire in her eyes as her cheeks flushed a crimson red and her brows furrowed in anger. But both he and Caleb, who could also see the rage boiling within the Gryffindor’s irises, weren’t quick enough to stop her from flinging her body around, while reaching for her wand, and pointing the wood directly at the man malevolently scowling at her. Her famous Bat-Boggy hex was just about to leave her lips when a wide-eyed Blaise and a terrified Anoki, raced over to her and constrained her the best they could. She began to yell and scream at the Native as the Italian grabbed her wand from her hand and forced her to take a step back.
“I’m fine!” she yelled aggressively as she shoved her wizard off her. “I’m fine…” she repeated in a lower tone in order to convince the Slytherin to let her go.
Though as soon as the men released their grips on her, Ohiyesa muttered something so insensitive that was loud enough for all to hear.
“If I had you alone, I would do to you what those savages did to your friend. Or maybe I will just go and pay her a visit; see how she is doing” he chuckled mirthlessly. “Worthless maneto…”
But before anyone knew what was happening or could stop the witch, who forcefully pushed passed the men guarding her, she rapidly wound her right arm back and slammed her fist directly into the Natives’ nose, causing him to yell out in pain while his body flung backwards, into the arms of his friends holding him, and blood to pour down from his nostrils. She then promptly reached around his neck, pressing her middle finger into the pressure point like Draco had once showed her, compelling him to bend over, and kneeing him firmly in the stomach; forcing him to double over as the air escaped his lungs.
“Nice…” Caleb muttered under his breath as Blaise grabbed the screaming witch, kicking her feet in an effort to continue attacking the hunter.
“Get stuffed, you stupid fucking abortion!” she screamed, but her words ended up causing everyone around her to raise a brow in puzzlement as she reamed out the Indian. “I grew up with six brothers; I learned to fight in the fields, and I know how to play dirty, so bring it on! I’ll gladly teach you a thing or two about respect of human beings, you smeg cheeky little shite!” she shrieked as Anoki enforced Ohiyesa’s hunting companions to begin directing the man away from the raging Gryffindor. “I’ll kill you if you touch me or my friend! You hear me, you pathetic coward! I’ll fucking kill you!”
“Whoa! Alright Gin! Blimey, I think you made your point” Blaise announced as he tried to hold the fiery redhead back and Caleb could be heard maliciously laughing over Ginny and at Ohiyesa, who was glaring hatefully back at the redhead while holding his injuries with both hands.
“Ha!” Ginny scoffed while her chest rose and fell rapidly. “This is a right sack of shite and you know it, Blaise!” she yelled at him before looking over his shoulder and pointing a finger at the bigot Native American. “That daft, arrogant, son of a bitch, is off his trolley if he thinks he can talk to anyone like that! Threaten my friend? We’ll see who’s the last one standing if he ever tries to lay a hand on Hermione!”
“Trust me, love, he would need to get through me and Draco first, in order to get to either of you. I promise; he won’t ever get close enough…But…I have to ask…abortion though? Really?”
“I meant to say he should’ve been a stupid fucking abortion! My mind was all over the place, alright. All I saw was red; leave me alone” she huffed while crossing her arms.
“Sorry” he chuckled lightly. “I just thought it was a bit odd, is all.”
“Tala will here of his deceit” Anoki furiously interrupted as he began to pace back and forth. “This is not the first time he has caused problems within this tribe or with young Caleb here. I guarantee it will not be the last. He will not hinder you or us any longer. When this trip is over, he will be shunned from the community, for this I am sure” he claimed while halting his sauntering. “Tala does not condone violence. Perhaps when he controls his temper, we will allow him to return. You and Hermione will be able to sleep soundly until your departure. We will not let him near either of you.”
“I will stand watch until he is long gone” Caleb added through his heated scowl. “If he tries anything-”
“I cannot allow magic…” Anoki cut in, in a hushed tone as he glanced around at the men returning to their morning chores. “I am sorry, Ms. Ginny…Blaise. However, you have my word that Caleb can and will protect you. You have nothing to fear.”
“No offense, Anoki, or even you, Caleb,” Blaise stated while taking his witch tightly into his arms “but if it comes down to it, we will do whatever it takes to defend ourselves. Whether you allow magic or not.”
“I need to warn Draco” Ginny whispered into the dark-haired wizards’ ear, causing Blaise to nod his head and release his grasp so she could head back to the tent and conjure a Patronus in secret.
“I cannot stop you” the Native claimed with a small bow of his head. “But for the time being, please restrain from causing more problems. I do not wish to anger my cousin more than she already will be when she is to be advised of this situation. A meeting of the elders will be held, and his actions will be accounted for.”
“See to it that it does…” the Italian glowered. “Or the last thing that walking abortion will see, is the bright green light at the end of my wand. The Killing curse, if we’re being technical here” he declared scornfully with a scoff before walking off to check on Ginny.
The day went on as planned, with the redhead taking her anger primarily out on trees while practicing her archery, as Ohiyesa refused to return to the hunting camp, worrying everyone on his whereabouts. After the sun had set and stars shone brightly in the dark sky, the couple decided to head to bed early when Anoki announced they would be moving further North, at Dawn, in order to track larger game. Both Ginny and Blaise were too exhausted after last nights’ excursions and that mornings’ debacle and found themselves passed out as soon as their heads hit their pillows.
However, an hour before Ginny’s wand would sound a second time, so that she could send the blonde Slytherin her Patronus, Blaise abruptly awoke to a hand clasping his mouth. Startled and confused, he began to fight off his attacker before realizing the person hovering over him was Caleb and relaxed his body. The Confederates’ finger was pressed against his own lips, hushing the dark-skinned wizard, who narrowed his brows in a mixture of anger and confusion, before he looked over to Ginny, sleeping soundly.
“Wake her…quietly” he mouthed while slowly removing his hand from the Italian and looking back to the opening of the tent in concern.
Doing as he was told, Blaise gently shook Ginny, who groaned and swatted his hand away before snuggling back up to her pillow. He tried once more and thankfully he watched as she cracked open an eye and scrunched her face in annoyance.
“What?” she whined before quickly sitting upright in fear that she had missed her alarm, but hastily scrambled backwards when she noticed someone else in the tent. “What the-” she began, though her words were swiftly cut off as Caleb reached out and covered her mouth in the same manner that he had done with Blaise. Having had enough of the covert behavior, Blaise reached for his wand and placed a silencing spell around the tent while Caleb stared at him in shock.
“It’s a silencing spell” he began to clarify. “It prevents anyone from hearing us…” he added as Ginny smacked the Confederates’ hand away from her mouth.
“What the bloody hell?” she expressed irritatingly; her eyes darting back and forth between the two men.
“We have been found” Caleb explained while peeking out the entrance. “Two men, Confederates; they have found the camp. Anoki and the others have them occupied for now, but we have to leave.”
“I don’t understand…” the redhead stated perplexed as Caleb began handing the couple articles of clothing. “Why are they way out here?” she questioned while putting on her skirt under the blanket. “And why are there only two of them? They must know we out number them…”
“Oh, no…” Blaise uttered with widened eyes. “Fuck!”
“What? What is it?” Ginny inquired as she finished buttoning up her blouse and Caleb glanced to the wizard confounded.
“We have to get back to camp. Now! They’re either scouting or worse…a distraction.”
“A distraction…?” the brunette muggle queried while staring unseeingly at the ground.
“There’s absolutely no way only two Confederates would venture into a camp full of Native Americans and think they could take on the lot of them just to find us. My guess, and, Merlin, I hope I’m wrong…they’re trying to keep the hunters, who are also the strongest of the tribe, occupied.”
“Meaning the rest of the army they’re scouting for, is back at the main camp searching…” the Gryffindor stated in a morose tone, her breathing growing heavy as panic began to settle in. “Hermione…”
“We need to find a way out of here” Caleb claimed while once again peeking out of the tent entryway. “We are not too far from the rest of the Shawnee. About five miles out. If we hurry, we can make it back in an hour or two. We just need to find a way to sneak passed everyone…”
“Why not go out the back?” Blaise suggested while looking behind him at the fabric. “I can easily rip through this material and then mend it like it never happened.”
“Good, let us do so…”
As the trio snuck out the rear of the shelter, not realizing that someone was watching them from deep within the woods, Hermione sat on her cot reading her history book the night after the large celebration.
“Hermione…?” Tala called out from the other side of the entrance. “May I come in?” she questioned, causing the wavy-haired witch to glance at Draco’s empty cot and sigh before allowing the Chief access. “I do not mean to intrude” she began while stepping in and pausing for a moment as she took in the size of the bivouac. “I uh…I…This…this is amazing” she expressed in utter astonishment.
“It’s magic…” Hermione replied as she set her book down and smiled up at the Native. “How may I help you, Tala…?”
“Oh…” she chuckled before turning her attention to the brunette. “I do not mean to disturb you at such a late hour, Hermione, I saw your lantern on and felt we needed to speak. I simply wanted to inform you that Aiyana’s fever has broken. And to thank you and Draco for retrieving her medicine.”
“That’s great news! Hopefully her recovery won’t take much longer now” the Gryffindor beamed. “And it’s no bother at all. I couldn’t really fall asleep anyway. Not with Draco out.”
“We can only pray to the Great Spirit that the recovery is short” Tala smiled softly. “I believe the ceremony preformed last night helped very much. By the way, where is Draco? I wish to thank him personally. I also wanted to give you both these to give to your friends. One is for Draco as well” she stated while handing over three Dreamcatchers.
“Thank you. I’ll be sure they get them. And um, I don’t know where Draco is actually” the brunette admitted with a small shrug before tucking the items into her bag. “He said he would be back later though. He probably went out to aid one of your tribesmen with wood. I know he was asked earlier.”
“Of course. That man is always doing his best to aid us in any way he can, even when he should be asleep. We are very appreciative of him” the Chief responded pleasantly before gazing around the tent once more in wonderment.
“Was there anything else?” Hermione queried as she studied the Native American walking around the shelter.
“Actually, there is” Tala sighed while touching the rim of the metal tub in the center of the room before turning around and entwining her fingers in front of her. “I thought about what Draco had said in the woods yesterday and I feel he may be right.”
“You want to place a barrier up?”
“No,” she claimed softly. “However, I have taken it upon myself and stationed one of my best men outside of your tent. Paal does not speak much English but is strong and has been keeping an eye on you since your arrival.”
“Paal means Guardian, doesn’t it?” the Golden Girl questioned while crossing her legs under her.
“You are correct, my dear. You are as smart as Draco says” she grinned proudly. “Nevertheless, I did not want to alert you before, but after our discussion I feel it is best that you know it was Paal who caused the disturbance. I have asked him, and he has told me what he had witnessed. He claims he did see a Southerner following you but has deterred him in the wrong direction. Although, to help ease your mind, I have commanded Paal to no longer hide in the shadows and allow you to know of his whereabouts. I will also be moving the entire camp at first light. I have sent word to the hunters to let them know so that they may find us when they are finished.”
“You want to make sure the South doesn’t find us…” Hermione stated with a hint of worry embedded in her throat.
“Yes. If someone was following you, it will not be long until they track the earth and locate us. As a leader, my people come first. You and your friends are a part of my family, my tribe. I will do everything in my power to protect you all while you are still with us.”
“Thank you, Tala. You don’t know how much this means to me-to us. I am extremely grateful for everything you have done for me.”
“And I with you. You have brought back many memories of my mother and the lessons she has taught me. I am thankful for meeting you…I will let you rest now. Please let Draco know that I wish to speak with him. I am willing to wait until morning if he is wearied.”
“I’ll let him know as soon as he gets back…Good night, Tala.”
“Good night, Hermione” the Chief smiled with a slight bow of her head and exited the tent.
After about an hour of silence, Hermione continued skimming through the history book as she wondered why Draco wasn’t back yet. Finally setting the tome down, she turned around and removed the Dreamcatcher from above her cot and studied the Eagle feather she had added to the hanging string. She then thought back to when she had found it and to the conversation, she had with the Leader of the Shawnee tribe, before noticing something was off. However, it had nothing to do with the sacred talisman in her hands.
Sniffing the air in confusion, she placed the Dreamcatcher and her book in her beaded bag before standing up to investigate the strange burning-like smell. Walking across the length of the tent she studied the fabric intently until she saw dark smoke begin to seep through the material and stepped back in a jolt as it suddenly caught fire. Rushing to the opening, she stepped out in shock as Paal was nowhere to be found and screams…filled the air.
@Saxman66- Thank you for the birthday wish! And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and I think after this one, your question about Ginny and Blaise being the first to accept their relationship, is correct. I also hope I did good in the steamy department...It's been awhile since I have written smut haha. As for Pansy and Luna, thank you for that as well. I really like writing for those two and figured they needed to grow their friendship. I'm also glad you liked the twist with Dramione. It was a bit difficult to get the idea from my head onto my screen but with my betas' help I managed to make it work, which of course, made the chapter longer but everyone seems to like long chapters now a days lol.
@1_Luv215- Thank you too for the birthday wish and you're not an iditot. My brain has been mush all month and I forget to do the smallest things lol. I'm glad you're enjoying Hansy, they are becoming a top favorite for me, but will never outshine Dramione, of course. Luna is a sweetheart and next to Tala, a friend we all need in life. I hope this chapter answers your questions about Blinny and I can't wait to see your reaction to 21! Your praise each week is amazing and always puts a smile on my face. You're adorable in your reviews. Now as for Dramione, Thank you for saying that. I try my best to make this story as realistic as possible and not adding in the stress and heavy emotions they all carry is not realistic. They all have things they are dealing with and it has to be shown, even if it might be boring at times. Unfortuntately, this story does have to end at some point lol. I have two really good fics I know you all will love, already planned for when this one is done, but I will tell you that this story is only a little over half way done so we still have plently of time :)
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The Paths We Take