Two Worlds of Magic, ch. 14-15
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Hermione and Wilson walked to Wilson’s office. On stepping in, Wilson immediately approached the balcony door drew the curtains, preventing House from watching them from his office. He made a long-suffering sigh and sat on his chair finally.
“Did he tell you why was he really here?” Wilson asked her wearily.
“No, but I don’t really have to be extra smart to understand the real reason.” She answered, sitting down on a chair opposite Wilson. “Merlin, I’m so tired of that all…” she groaned, rubbing bridge wearily. “I’m thinking of… you know, discharging.”
“No way!” Wilson said hotly, even getting a little up from his chair. “You can’t just walk away from your problems! They won’t leave you this way! You are not some Meredith Grey, after all!”
“Sorry, who?” Hermione repeated, confused.
“Meredith Grey,” Wilson murmured, embarrassed. “The TV show, House made me watch with him several times…” Hermione chuckled at this. “But the point is - she always runs away from all the problems! That’s just… cowardly!” Wilson said firmly and immediately regretted this, because Hermione momentarily rose from her place, her eyes flashing dangerously.
“Don’t. You. Dare. Ever. Call. Me. A coward.” She enunciated her words clearly, looking icily at him.
“Hermione, calm down, please,” Wilson pleaded, a little afraid of her, only a little. “I never called you a coward, and I’ll never will, I’m just saying here that running away from here wouldn’t solve anything. You really think Malfoy would stop following you? Of course not!”
Hermione’s expression softened. She sat down again, relaxing.
“But what about Dr House?” she said reasonably. “How long would it be till he finds out everything?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Wilson said. “I assume you, he wouldn’t believe in such nonsense as magic even when you shove it under his nose. He’s too cynical to that.” he convinced her.
Hermione tried to think this through. Did she really want House to be in the dark about that? Yes, of course. But some part of her, some tiny part, wanted him to know everything. She desperately wished to finish lying to everybody, especially House. Merlin knew how she was tired of all of that!
But at the same time, she understood it was impossible. If House knew something she would be obliged to oblivate him immediately. He was a muggle, he couldn’t know the secrets of Magic. She had already had to oblivate House because of Lupin. Next time, she was afraid he won’t be able to transmit it. It was very dangerous. The spell wasn’t tracked by the Ministry for nothing, after all.
She looked at the window. There was a snowstorm outside, so hard, she couldn’t see anything through it. Her car was probably drifted, she thought indifferently.
“Are you Ok?” Wilson asked with concern, watching her.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” She answered a bit too quickly, but Wilson let it pass. “I should go now, thanks for everything” she said warmly, smiling at him. Wilson nodded. “And sorry for that, nerves, you know…” Hermione finished and left the office, not knowing where to go.
She just couldn’t stay with Wilson anymore. He made her feel somewhat needy and pathetic. She shook her head - she must forget it. There was no point in feel sorry for herself.
She also couldn’t go back to the diagnostic room to find those two still arguing. So may be she should went down to the cafeteria, then? Since they had no case to do, she was just bored with the work. But now there will be now way to feel bored with Malfoy as a doctor.
By the way - Malfoy - a doctor? Plastic surgeon? She chuckled slightly at this. That was so Malfoy-like. What else could he choose? Definitely not oncology - it was too predictable for him, not ER it was too simple, not cardiosurgery - too messy for him. So plastics fit perfectly. Perfect job for a perfect aristocrat.
She entered the cafeteria and looked around, amused. It was absolutely empty. She felt slightly guilty for hanging around, feeling bored, while other people were working hard. But she occupied the chair, closest to the corner, and sighed heavily. What else was she supposed to do?
On buying a cup of tea, she sat in the corner, thinking over the whole situation.
House was knocking the floor with his cane, and it made loud unpleasant sounds. What the hell was he supposed to do now? It was so hard to deal with his feeling for Hermione, but now, having that Malfoy git around, and the jealousy he couldn’t quite control - it was fucking impossible.
He couldn’t also throw that owl thing from his head. It was just freaking him out. Was she some sectarian or just crazy women, fancying herself some… illusionist? That was mad. Shit load of secrets and lying. She didn’t even tried her best to hide it!
Grabbing his cane, he stood up, wishing to walk around the hospital, when Cuddy entered the room.
“No no!” He said. “Here is no Dr House here! I’ll go look for him” He said trying to walk past her but she wouldn’t let him. She made a face.
“House, please, be of some competence and take this case.” She said wearily, giving hit a file. He looked it through. The juggler guy? Was he worth his efforts?
He had nothing to do, after all, and that seemed to be quite interesting for him.
“Ok,” He said, finally managing to pass Cuddy. “Now, bye.”
“Hey hey hey!” Cuddy called him, and he turned to her, a grimace on his face. “Stop you there! What was that all I’m a-jealous-jerk-who-has-no-rights-for-a girl-i-have-a crush on thing? You know how pathetic it looked?” She said quirking an eyebrow.
“I guess”
“Well, then stop it, House. It spoils all your reputation.” She finished self-satisfied.
“Can I go now, Mommy?” House whined like a five-year-old, getting rolled eyes from Cuddy. When she didn’t respond, he turned and walked away, leaning on his cane heavily.
On walking in the almost empty cafeteria, he saw Hermione sitting all alone in the corner. Not quite thinking of his actions, he immediately made his way to her table and sat on the chair next to her.
“Like focuses?” He said, watching her closely. She raised an eyebrow.
“What d’you mean?” she said, not really wanting an answer.
“Focuses. With cards, disappearing ladies, cut-in-several-pieces ladies…” He began to enumerate.
She chuckled for some reason before answering him, her eyes having dancing twinkles.
“Yeah” she said merrily. “Love all that stuff.”
“Wrong answer,” House stated, looking smugly. “You obviously have one of your secrets concerning my question, which you’re going to keep, but then you should answer me ‘no’ to avoid next questions. But you still said you loved ‘em so it means you want me to ask you further till I reach some border and you become all serious and secretive again. So that means you want me to know your secrets but not all at once but you consciously or unconsciously give me clues to solve your puzzle!” House finished triumphantly.
“Yeah,” She said sarcastically after some moments of silence. “You’re absolutely right. Should I tell you now an algorithm of my logical process?”
House smirked. “Anyway, you were saying you love that stuff. Wanna to see a trick?” He asked her, not accepting negative answer. She nodded as ‘yes’ but he was already taking out a pack of cards he had taken from the patient some time ago. “Now, pick a card.”
Hermione sniffed loudly and rolled her eyes before taking a card form a pack and then putting it back but not in the same place.
“Look now!” House exclaimed dramatically. “Now you can look at your…” He didn’t finish.
“At my wallet, I know” Hermione interrupted, not looking amused. “That’s just too banal.”
“Oh well, then show your trick” House said, pretending to be offended.
Hermione became all thoughtful at once, before finally a tiny almost invisible smirk appeared on her face and she nodded as if to herself.
“Ok,” she said spitefully. “Watch me.”
She waved her hand slightly, and all of a sudden, a cane disappeared in his hand. He looked around immediately, shocked, until he saw it in Hermione’s hand. She was smirking smugly.
“That’s not cool,” He said, trying his best not to sounding amused. “You probably had dome threads to it, and then you pulled them and-”
“Ok,” Hermione interrupted him again, smiling widely. “Watch this.”
He suddenly felt sharp pain inside his throat. He opened it quickly to cough but a bird - a real alive bird flew from his moth. It flew up to a ceiling, made a few circles around the room and flew through the opened window.
House coughed wildly. He couldn’t help being afraid of some completely unrepentant thing suddenly appearing inside him.
“So?” Hermione asked him annoyingly smugly. “Do you like it?”
He didn’t respond but gave her a murderous look, which said ‘i-still-think-you-suck’. She sniffed again and muttered “Wilson was definitely right.”
“What?” House repeated, finishing coughing.
“Nothing,” she sighed. “So what do you think?”
“Do something more effective!” He said with disbelief. She sighed again.
“Ok, then. Take that!”
She stood suddenly and raised her hands as if she wanted to hug him. In a second the room burst into flame. Terrible fire rang them, it was deeply red, it became hot quickly. He was starting gasping, when it disappeared as abruptly as it became.
He just stood there, glaring around nervously, unable to move from shock. He glanced at absolutely calm Hermione. He was starting to think that may be it was part of his imagination when Hermione laughed suddenly.
“Oh if you could only see your expression!” She choked between giggling. He stared it her. She had fun while he was at the point of fainting?
Her pager beeped suddenly and he started feeling terribly nervous. She glanced at it then looked up at him, still grinning.
“Sorry to leave you here all… shocked, Dr House, but I really should go now.” She said, tapping him on the shoulder slightly and he immediately felt warmness spreading at the place she touched him. With an another smile, she turned and walked from the cafeteria.
For the fuck’s sake - who the hell was that woman?!
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That’s all guys, hope you liked it. REVIEWS REVIEWS REVIEWS!!!!
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Chapter fifteen.
Sorry for such a long no-update, but I really didn’t have a free minute…
Anyway, here’s another chapter and guys, PLEASE DO ANSWER TO MY PREVIOUS QUESTION ABOUT THE STORY ENDING IN REVIEWS!!
Special thanks to charmed-san! Thanks for supporting me!
Now read, enjoy and review :D
House hang around the hospital for an hour and a half after the little trick show Hermione showed him, with the mixture of both shock and disbelief. That was really… effective, he couldn’t get another world. He’d always thought with pride he knew the secrets of all the focuses, but, dammit, she disproved everything. How the hell did she do that?! She couldn’t of course, put some inflammable all over the room, then how - just how?!
He didn’t notice himself stop deep in thoughts. Sudden voice snapped him out of his trance.
“What d’ya want, House?” Cuddy demanded, and looking around he found himself at the door of her office. Oh, shit…
“Wanna see you… your boobs, really, since you’re the only one in the hospital who displays them so obviously.” House replied sarcastically. Cuddy frowned slightly.
“House, say it already, and we’re done” Cuddy said wearily.
“I have nothing to tell you, oh, Busty Mistress!” House aid with mock respect.
“Then go away, House” she said annoyed, and when he turned she said suddenly. “And who’s the guy, who came to Dr Granger?” she asked him curiously. He stopped sharply, immediate heap of jealousy shot through his veins. Oh, God! Another one? Who the hell are all of them and why can’t they visit her after the workday?! First Blondy, now…
“I dunno,” he said quietly. “but I’m gonna find out right now.” And he quickly walked away, leaving Cuddy slightly confused.
House went straight to the office, hoping to see the new friend of Hermione.
He saw him from the corridor and started automatically. It was the man you can never forget. He was dressed in all black, his straight black hair reached to his shoulders; he had large hooked nose and deep black eyes, glaring murderously at everything. His skin was too pale to look healthy, with some sallow tint. His features said themselves he was far from being all sugar and nice kind of person.
He was dressed in long black coat, looking like some robes. He reminded House of both vampire and a bat.
“Hello, Mr. Batman!” House greeted him, immediately noticing Hermione cover her face with her hands with embarrassment. The bat guy slowly turned to him, shooting House murderous glare that made him start. He made an impression of looking straight to his soul. It was highly uncomfortable. He didn’t want anybody to look into his soul. He built the wall separating him from others for years, not for some greasy-haired git looked into him.
“I believe, you’re the famous Dr House.” He spit out in such a murderously contemptuous tone, Malfoy could be envious. His lips twisted, and his face had an expression of high condescension as if he was looking at some retarded.
“Yup!” House said cheerfully. “And you will be?”
The guy didn’t bother to answer him. Instead of him, Hermione said:
“It is professor Snape,” she said respectfully. “He used to be my… chemistry teacher.”
Snape guy smirked contemptuously.
“I guess your students shit at the sight of you” House stated.
“Dr House!” Hermione exclaimed warningly.
“Oh, believe me, you’re incredulously lucky that you’re not my student, because the expression ‘shit’ as you just said is far from truthful description of their reaction.” Snape said indulgently.
“What do you do? Bite them? Punch or kick them? Make them dress in all black?” House said sarcastically. That guy really did irritate him, his manner of talking like he came from fifty years ago, his glare, his hair… everything in Snape irritated him.
“Oh, that would be great undoubtedly to make that morons wear proper clothes instead of their t-shirts with some idiotic inscriptions,” He paused significantly, looking at House’s t-shirt with the ‘everybody loves my monkey’ words, and House suddenly felt incredulously embarrassed about it. For the first time, he wished he were clothed in an official shirt. “But unfortunately, the headmaster doesn’t allow me to act this way, but I anyway prefer… mental punishment” he finished smugly and House felt a bit terrified. He saw Hermione start.
Hermione definitely didn’t like that git, too.
“So, if you have some… psychological problems, I’d be glad to help you to solve them” He continued staring House at the eye.
“Ok, professor Snape!” Hermione suddenly exclaimed as if she was snapped out of her trance. “Let’s go ant talk somewhere else.”
Snape turned to her, sadistic expression on his face. He then shot House a glare that made him start, and without a word left the room.
“Who the heck is that bat git?!” House exclaimed hardly had Snape left the office.
“He was my teacher” Hermione answered somewhat defensively. House still had that unpleasant wet sticky feeling of not fear, but… hostility. He shook his head to get the Snape git out of his head, but his glare seemed to stuck in his mind forever.
“I’d gotta go now,” Hermione said with sympathy, apparently understanding his reaction for Snape.
He nodded silently and she walked away after Snape.
Standing alone in the middle of his office, dazed a bit, he didn’t know what to think this time. He really hadn’t felt this way for a long time. Not that he was scarred, but he did feel uncomfortable.
Where was his team, by the way? He remembered not seeing them for quite a long. Since they didn’t have any case for almost a week, he had to spent most of his time alone, because Forman preferred going home to staying on work when he had free time, and Chase and Cameron seemed to have some relationship again.
He smirked. For God’s sake, Cameron was so obviously still in love with him! What was she trying to prove? Was she trying to make him jealous? How pathetic.
He stopped thinking that abruptly on remembering that he felt absolutely the same way about Hermione. Well, he was as pathetic as Cameron.
Not knowing where else to go, he headed to Wilson’s office to find his friend buried in some papers.
“Hey, Jimmy boy!” House said tapping Wilson on the shoulder. Wilson looked at him, looking tired.
“What is it this time, House?” He asked him wearily.
“Nice to see you, too, my dear friend” House said sarcastically. “I just missed you and decided to visit my old buddy, what’s wrong with that?”
“Well, a normal person would do that but not you, House.” He murmured, putting away his papers and raising from a chair, stretching himself. He shot House a dark glare and headed to a door.
“Hey!” House called. “Where d’ya go?”
“I’m going to the cafeteria, don’t know about you.” Wilson said, opening the door and waiting for House to follow him.
House grabbed his cane immediately, feeling glad for having something to busy himself with, finally. He went through the door waiting for Wilson to lock the door.
“Why d’ya do this all the time?” He asked Wilson archly.
“What d’you mean?”
“Locking the door.” House explained.
“Why?” Wilson said, confused.
“Not that someone would like to break into your office for the sake of stealing your dear patient’s gifts.” House said with a smirk.
“Oh shut up, House!” Wilson said, irritated, walking past him, and House suddenly noticed a new leather wallet jut out from Wilson’s back pocket of the pants. Oh, yeah! That was too good. He couldn’t keep from a temptation.
“There are lots of very important documents in my office” Wilson continued, not noticing House approach him and stretch a hand to his pocket. “Patient files and-”
“Fuckity fuck!” House exclaimed as the wallet literally bit him in the hand. He examined it closely: there were several cuts, bleeding a bit. He looked at Wilson’s confused face, watching as realization suddenly come to his friend. Wilson suddenly burst out laughing.
“Oh… well… so, it does work…” He said between gasps and giggles, wiping away tears from laughter from his eyes.
“What?! What works?!” House exclaimed in a tone mixture of shock, confusion and offence, hoding his hand close to the chest.
“That wallet is a Hermione’s present for my birthday!” Wilson said, giggling. “She said it would be of a great importance. So I see now.” He calmed down. “Hey! You had an intention of stealing my money!” Wilson exclaimed accusingly.
“Oh how unpredictable of me!” House said sarcastically as if stealing friend’s wallets was a normal thing. “That Snape git must have an influence on me.”
“What?” Wilson asked him sharply, stopping. “Snape’s here?”
“Yes.” House said, confused. “You know him?”
Wilson had a thoughtful expression. He frowned deeply and then said:
“I gotta go. See you later.” And he ran away to the opposite site of where they were going.
“You all are mad un-fucking-believable people here!” He muttered, not knowing what to do now. Go after Wilson and demand of the explanation or find Hermione and… just find Hermione?
He hang around the Hospital for the next two hours, thinking and sucking for his lollipops. What else could he do. He did try to find Wilson or Hermione, or at least someone from his team but they all seemed to disappear in the air. He thought of going home but his damned curiosity prevented him from it.
So he was really surprised when he entered his office for the third time for the last half an hour and found there Hermione, sitting at the table, stooping.
“Hello there.” He said, feeling like embracing her tightly to comfort her, smell her hair, burry his face in them… He shook his head, angry with himself for such thoughts. But she looked so sad and lost that he just couldn’t help it. He momentarily felt the anger with Snape for making her so sad, he wished to kick an ass of that bastard.
She looked at him, sad expression in her eyes. She was about to say something when something completely inexplicable happened.
For a second the air in the room began to shine and the next moment a silver stag appeared in the middle of the room. House stares at it in absolute shock. It wasn’t material; it was something like ghost - gauzy and shining, and beautiful. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from it.
And then it opened its mouth and said with a man’s voice.
“Hermione, there are Death Eater attack on the Ministry!! me and Ron will apparate there in a minute. immediately apparate there! immeadiately! Percy weasley and arthur were killed!! Need your help now!!”
And with that the animal disappeared. He was about to swear when he saw Hermione and all words stuck on his tongue.
She was deathly pale and looked like she was about to faint. There were silent tears running down her cheeks, but she didn’t seem to notice them.
But the worst were her eyes. He shrink as he looked into her eyes. There was a storm of emotions: fear, grief, anger, hatred, hurt, denial, disbelief. She made him feel hurt himself by looking at her eyes.
“God, god, god, god, not again, please, god, not again…” She whispered like mantra, screwing up her eyes.
“What was that?” He asked her in a too high voice for him. She opened her eyes sharply.
“Farewell, House.” She said, running from the room. He tried to follow her but when he turned round the corner, she was already gone.
Farewell?! What was that supposed to mean?! What was that stag thing?! So much freaking questions!
And most important - was Hermione a witch?