Here's Chapter Five, which would still be rubbish if not for the kind help of ginny37 and OtteryStCatchpole so for you two!

Five: Stunning

“Don't wanna sound full of myself or rude,
But you ain't looking at no other dudes cause you love me (uh oh)
So you think about a chance,
You find yourself trying to do my dance,
Maybe cause you love me (uh oh)”

Jago stood at the bar in the Hobgoblin, watching Hermia dance. The small pub was packed, tables had been moved out of the way and a small stage had been erected in one corner. The Ashwinders were playing their usual mixture of their own material and old muggle covers. Hermia, for a reason that completely escaped Jago, loved these old muggle songs. She had been unable to convince him to join her, so she was dancing on her own, swaying her hips in time to the music in a most seductive way. Jago glanced around the crowd, not surprised that his friend was gathering some admiring glances. The song ended and Hermia stopped dancing to cheer and clap. She worked her way through the crowd and back to him.

“You, Jago Harwood, are going to dance with me before the end of the night!” She laughed as she slid into the tiny space beside him, taking a grateful sip from the glass of mead he had bought for her.

“As soon as they play a song worth dancing to, Beautiful Girl, I will be more than happy to dance with you.” He smiled at her, seeing the happy twinkle in her eyes.

As if they had heard him, the band played the opening bars of one of the few muggle songs that Jago would admit to loving. Abandoning the drinks, he pulled Hermia onto the dance floor singing,

“Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,
Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”

Hermia threw her head back and laughed. Jago pulled her close to dance with him and she swayed her hips again, enjoying having him as her captive audience. She closed her eyes and breathed in his musky scent, feeling content and happy. The song ended and there was more applause, more cheers. She would have missed what Jago whispered, had it not been for the fact that the two of them were so close together.

“Oh no, not tonight.”

Puzzled, she followed his gaze and saw the very last person that she ever wanted to see: Adrasteia Harper. She stiffened as anger flooded through her and a very unladylike flurry of foul language fell from her lips.

“Come on now Beautiful Girl, there’s no need for that. She only wins if you let her.”

“You’re right. Of course you are. Drink? I think it must be my turn to pay.” She forced a smile, the anger seeping away in the face of Jago’s common sense.

“Not by my count.”

“You’ve got an odd way of counting Jago. It’s always your turn to pay.”

“That’s not odd Beautiful Girl, it’s gentlemanly.”

“Careful. You might just end up sounding like a Gryffindor.”

They both laughed. Jago had never set foot on Hogwarts' soil, he had finished his education at Beauxbatons. Hermia watched Adrasteia Harper‘s blond curls bounce as she made her way through the crowd, followed by a tall familiar figure with brown curls. As he pushed those curls out of his eyes, Hermia was surprised to find herself to be extremely jealous.

*****

The warm Parisian sunshine flooded through the windows and warmed the floorboards of the small apartment in Montmartre. Hermia dashed into Thea’s study and closed the door. She hurried over to the desk and pulled Thea’s wand out her sleeve. She stood still for a moment and listened. When she was sure that no-one was coming, she pointed the wand at the lock of a draw in the walnut desk and said “Alohomora” in a confident voice. She heard the lock click open and giggled gleefully. She yanked the desk draw open and grabbed a bundle of letters that she had seen Thea lock away the day before. Stuffing them into her waistband and covering them with her teeshirt, she closed the draw again, slid the wand back up her sleeve and crept to the door. As she reached her hand out towards the door knob, the door swung open. Thea was standing on the other side of it, hands on hips. Tall and willlowy with long blond hair, Thea was an extremely beautiful and talented witch. She was also extremely cross at that particular moment. Her pale blue eyes were narrowed at Hermia.

“Right then young lady, where’s my wand?”

“I don’t know.” Hermia said brazenly.

“So that’s not it up your sleeve, then? That wand shaped thing?” Thea arched one eyebrow with disbelief.

“Oh, this wand, I didn’t know you meant this one.” Hermia passed the wand back to Thea with a cheeky grin.

“How many wands do you think I have? Now, what else have you taken?”

“Nothing.”

Thea’s eyebrow shot back up in disbelief. “So what’s that very rectangular lump on your belly? Some strange new disease? Do you need a healthy dose of potion to make it go away?”

Hermia sighed, admitting defeat. She pulled up her teeshirt and pulled the letters out of her waist band. “I know they’re about me. That’s why you locked them away. You know where my mum and dad are. Who are they from?”

Thea looked down at the nine year old girl. She had been putting this conversation off for far too long. “They’re from my brother, Quirinus. Let’s go have tea in the garden and we’ll talk about it.”

Thea found out that Hermia had been investigating for months. She had found an old latin book with the name Morgana written on the inside of the back cover. Underneath that had been the name Alberich and under that had been Hermia Bellona. The girl had then scoured the apartment for more evidence of these people. Thea had to gently explain that Hermia’s mother had died in a battle and that she didn’t know where her father was. She told the girl that the names were just a coincidence, that the book had been bought years before with those names written in the back. It was a lie, to shield her from the truth of who her parents really were. They had provided for their daughter financially, but that was all. She had been left with Thea one stormy morning in Berlin. The child hadn’t cried as her mother said good bye, she just waved haughtily from the window as her mother walked away. That evening she had curled up in her bed with a book and read Thea a bed time story. Thea found this charming and did not have the heart to tell her that her mummy would not be coming back. Hermia turned out to be a voracious reader and Thea struggled to keep up with her demands. No subject was left untouched, muggle or magical. She never lost the haughty coldness that she had come to Thea with, although she had softened over the years.

“I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“I have twin brothers. Quirinus and Tyr.” Thea repressed a shudder at the thought of her brothers.

“Can I meet them?”

“One day, perhaps, when we move from here.”

*****

Ashtad Djalili walked at the back of the group, directly behind Adrasteia Harper. She had been flirting with him for at least half an hour that he had been aware of but he couldn’t have been less interested. She seemed determined to laugh at his every comment be it a joke or not, so he had stopped speaking. She was batting her eyelashes at him so often that he was tempted to ask her if she had an eye infection. Her perfume was cloying at his throat, suffocating him. He had sent looks at Elspeth Muir that clearly said ‘save me from this over painted tart’, but Elspeth just smiled back, the pleasure she was taking at seeing him squirm sparkling in her eyes. He walked over to the bar, trying to order a drink, just to get away from Adrasteia.

“Your two eyes they speak to me...”

The Ashwinders had stuck up again, this time with a song that seemed to tap into a pulse, an internal thrum that Ashtad had been aware of ever since he had seen Hermia in that purple outfit in the Lupins’ kitchen. Something within him awoke every time he was near her. He wanted to reach out to her and for the first time since he had learned to speak, words had deserted him. He looked across at the dance floor and felt sick.

"My girl she’s luminous
She gives me such a rush
Feels like a teenage crush
But I just can’t get enough

My girl’s a genius
She knows all kind of stuff
Feels like my head might bust
But I just can’t get enough"

There, dancing in the most alluring and enchanting way was Hermia. Dancing with her, his hands close to her swaying hips, lips whispering in her ear, nose close to her sweet scented hair was that blond man. The one who had bought her sapphires and had kissed her in the atrium. Jealousy threatened to rip him in half. It bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He downed his drink in one swallow and decided to leave. He couldn’t stand it anymore and started to make his way to the door. Halfway to the door he felt a small yet strong hand on his arm.

“Leaving without saying hello are we Djalili?”

He span around and to his delight saw Hermia, grinning up at him, sparkling chocolate eyes challenging him, as ever.

“Of course not Smith. Hello.” His voice was husky with want and whiskey. He noted that she had not taken her hand off his arm. “Who are you with?”

“Oh, just Jago,” she said dismissively. She said something else but her voice was lost in the din of the crowd. He stooped to listen, his ear close to her lips. He breathed in her scent, sharp and sweet, like acid poured over cherries.

“I said, are you going to come and dance with me?”

He was stunned by this question. The girl hated him after all.

“Dance? With you?” He was surprised, but from the look on her face she was insulted.

“Don’t worry, forget it. I wouldn’t want you to...” The rest of her sentence was lost in a screech and a flurry of blond curls.

“What do you think you’re doing? He’s with me!” Adrasteia had appeared from nowhere, wand drawn. The crowd around them tried to back away.

“No, I’m n-”

“Put your wand away you silly cow, I could destroy you with my wand hand tied behind my back.” Hermia’s voice was instantly cold and haughty.

“You’ve always been jealous...”

“There was nothing to be jealous of...”

“This is you last warning...”

Their thee voices blended mid-air. Hermia drew her wand and adopted a fighting stance. The two young women glared at each other. Ashtad was lost as to what to do. He drew his wand, he didn’t want to attack either of them but he couldn’t just stand there.

Jago had made his way through the crowd. He stood between the two young women, hands up in a placating gesture. “I really don’t think this is the time or place. Hermia,” Her eyes snapped to him, she was startled by the unfamiliar act of him using her name, “Put your wand away. Now. you too Blondie.”

There was no hint of the usual jokes in Jago’s voice, none of the aristocratic idleness that usually characterised his mellifluous tones. Instead, his voice was heavily with authority and the pair began to obey him, still staring daggers at each other. Jago advanced on Adrasteia attempting to move her away from Hermia, murmuring something in a low voice. Ashtad moved towards Hermia, reaching out to take her arm. He was about to breathe a sigh of relief but from the corner of his eye he saw Adrasteia whip her wand through the air, shooting a stunner at Hermia. Ashtad reacted instinctively, deflecting the spell. There were screams as it hit the ceiling, showering the crowed with chunks of plaster and dust. A silence stretched over the scene until the band played the opening chords of a new song and the sound crashed over them.

“Come one Ashtad, we’re leaving.” Adrasteia demanded of him coldly.

He gave her an incredulous look “You’re leaving, you mean. You just tried to attack a ministry employee in the middle of a crowded bar. I could arrest you. In fact, she could arrest you. I suggest you leave before we have the chance.” His tone was hard and official.

“But - ”

“No buts, leave.”

She threw a contemptuous look at all of them, tossed her blond curls over her shoulder and stalked away.

Elspeth had finally managed to fight her way through the crowd. “Did you just stand in between Hermia and Adrasteia and live to tell the tale? That deserves a drink, on me!” She dragged Jago to the bar.

Ashtad blinked down at Hermia, a smile slowly spreading across his face.

“Smith, did you just get into a fight with another girl over me?”

She blushed. “No! I was defending myself against that loopy mare.” She looked up at him, challenging him to argue.

“I could have sworn...”

“Oh dream on. I still think you owe me a dance though.”

“How’d you work that out?” He tried not to sound pleased, but failed miserably.

“Well, she did seem rather determined to kill me, just like when we were at school and she spiked my tea with Fever Fudge. She knew I was allergic to it.” Ashtad gulped guiltily, but she didn’t notice. “This might be my last chance to dance with the legendary Djalili.”

“Oh, well, when you put it like that, how can I possibly say no.”

Hermia smiled and led him back onto the dance floor, staying close. He saw Elspeth dancing with Jago nearby. She gave him a wink as Jago’s hand snaked around her waist. Well, he thought, it looks like I was wrong there.

The song changed again and this time it was more energetic. Ashtad looked down at Hermia, watching her move so divinely to the music. He was gripped by a sudden wave of daring and he tentatively took hold of her hips, matching her movements, dizzy at the sensation of being so close to her.

"Going away there's nothing to stay for
Everything we do is some disease
Love is hidden by your fear
So don't make the mistake

Can't sit down
And I can't stand up
Cos if I do I know I'm gonna break
I can't stay in, and I can't go out
Cos if I do I know I'm gonna break"

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with something he had never seen there before. He bent towards her and whispered; “It’s a good job your mother can’t see us right now.”

The effect of his words was instantaneous but it was not the one he had expected. He had expected her to laugh, maybe to give him a playful slap on the arm. Instead she stumbled backwards out of his arms, glaring at him coldly. She turned her back on him, hair flying and started to push her way through the crowd.

“Oi, Smith! Oi! Wait!” He did his best to follow her, but it wasn’t easy. Hermia was petite and slid through small gaps, where as he was rather muscular and could not manage to work his way through like she could. Over the top of the crowd he saw her pull the door open and disappear through it. By the time he reached the street she was gone. He turned to go back into the pub and saw that Jago and Elspeth had followed him.

“What happened? What did you say?” Elspeth demanded.

“Nothing.” She looked at him with disbelief plastered over her face. “Honest! I’ve said worse stuff than that to her before!”

“You must have said something.”

“All I said was that it was a good job her mother couldn’t see us. Y’know, dancing like that.”

Jago groaned and Elspeth covered her eyes with her hand.

“Would one of you please tell me what is so bad about that?” Ashtad was genuinely puzzled. “Clearly I’m missing something.”

Jago wrinkled up his face. “For Hermia’s mother to see you dancing, someone would have to dig her up first.”

“Eh?”

“She’s dead, you plum.”

“No she’s not, I saw her at work this afternoon.”

Elspeth frowned. “Who are you talking about?”

“Amelia, Hermia’s mother.”

Jago and Elspeth exchanged a disbelieving glance.

“Amelia’s not Hermia’s mother?” Ashtad swallowed thickly.

“Them having different surnames didn’t give it away?”

“People don’t necessarily have to have the same last name as their mother. They look so alike, their hair, their height, their figures... Oh Merlin, what have I done? I’ve got to go find her.” He glanced at them anxiously waiting for their answer. Jago simply shook his head.

“Mate, she’ll put you in St Mungo’s. Besides, I always got the impression the two of you hated each other.”

“Hated? No, I’ve never... She thinks I hate her?” The whine of panic in his brain was getting louder. “I’ve got to go look for her.” Without waiting to ask where she might have gone, he twisted on the spot and vanished.

Jago rubbed his chin with his thumb. He reached for Elspeth, pulling her into a close, familiar embrace. He kissed her neck and she sighed.

“So Aoife, do you know what’s going on with them? I don’t really know him.”

“Not a clue, I thought they hated each other. Looks like that’s changed.”

Jago kissed her deeply, causing her to sigh against his lips. “I think you might just be right, my celtic goddess.”

The songs, in order are:
Frontin' by Jamie Cullum (I know Pharrell sings it too, but Jamie just sounds so much more, ummm, manly?)
Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel What do you mean you don't know this song? Have you been living under a rock?
Symphony of Sirens by Just Jack I love this song, but it's not got rather grown up lyrics, so ye be warned!
Breakin' by The Music I love this band - they come from just up the road from me! Very cool guys, brilliant live!