voice; locked to unseelie

[thebreakingwave]

Good afternoon, I've been informed that one of our number has recently taken a woman named Hermione hostage. If this is the case, I'd appreciate proof of life and the opportunity to talk with her and make sure that she's being well-cared for. I'll offer whatever surety you need.

[He doesn't sound particularly pleased, but he's making an effort to remain professional.]

Comments

private voice;

[dragmire]

Tomorrow. I will arrange for her to speak through my locket. Be prepared to answer it - I will not bother to make such an arrangement a second time.

private voice;

[thebreakingwave]

I'll be ready.

private voice;

[brainiest]

[ Quiet, hoarse little voice. Forgive her, she's been, er. Shouting a lot. ]

Harry?

private voice;

[thebreakingwave]

Hullo. Are you...I know you're not okay, but are you okay?

[ Harry will forgive her anything. ]

private voice;

[brainiest]

It could be a lot worse, I suppose. At least I have books this time.

[ She huffs out a noise. ]

How are you?

private voice;

[thebreakingwave]

Good. I'd wanted to sent you a care package, but I don't think I can manage to argue for that.

[ He pauses, unsure how to answer her question. ]

I'm well. I'm sorry this took so long, but there was a bit of a scuffle at Redgate and I couldn't get to my locket to chat.

I don't have what Ganondorf wants to trade for you, but I'm working on something for the Queen. You're going to be fine.

private voice;

[brainiest]

Don't worry about that. I'm a prisoner of war, at least of a sort. I don't think he'd do anything to seriously hurt me, not if he wants me to be useful.

[ She sighs, fiddling with Ganondorf's locket. She could abuse this privilege but she suspects he would know. ]

Honestly, I'll find a way out. You don't have to do anything --- I just need a little time.

private voice;

[thebreakingwave]

I know. He wants to present you, whole, to the Queen at the next audience.

[ here's no hope that she'd prefer to switch courts, is there?]

And, I do have to do something.

private voice;

[brainiest]

It sounds a little bit familiar... Presented whole to someone out to get us...

[ She's trying to make a bit of a joke but, in true Hermione fashion, she's failing rather spectacularly. ]

No, you don't. You should do as I tell you for once.

private voice; forevs

[thebreakingwave]

Must be Tuesday.

[ Har, har? Not really, but he's failing too. ]

Would you listen if I told you? And, you needn't worry, I'm not going to do anything rash. Even if I wanted to do something monumentally foolish, which I really do, I can't find you or get there fast enough.

It's miserable, but I think we both have to wait until the audience.

[brainiest]

No, Wednesday. Tuesdays are for life threatening adventures with animals, of course.

[ She sighs, leaning back against the dirty wall and crossing her legs. She wishes she could reach through and slap his side, really. ]

I suppose so. At least then I might be able to use my magic. Honestly, being down here and not able to even feel it is one of the worst things in the world. It's awful, Harry.

[thebreakingwave]

[ Damn it. That's no good. Especially if Ron's going in alone and without any other back-up. ]

I know, Hermione. I spent some time in the mines in Redgate.

[brainiest]

It's - ugh. If there was a way to get around it I'd be able to do something.

[ She huffs, frustrated. ]

None of my reading when I was still a prisoner in the Keep helped much either.

[thebreakingwave]

I'd offer to try and do some research while I'm here, but the town is still in shambles and I'm balancing rebuilding work and some policing that Alyosha's asked me to look into.

[ He pauses again. ]

I've met John. He seems like a kind fellow.

[brainiest]

Well, at least you're keeping busy. It might keep you out of the worst of trouble.

[ She hesitates then before she fiddles with her sleeve. ]

He's lovely. Incredible, really.

[thebreakingwave]

Busy and taking it easy, don't worry. I know how to behave.

[ The admission of 'taking it easy' is just habit. Everyone seems to be worried about how he's healing, and he briefly forgets to hide it from Hermione. ]

Tell me about him? If you don't mind. If you think it's safe.

[brainiest]

You'd better -- because if not, Harry James Potter, I will be coming to get you once I'm out of here.

[ She purses her lips, frowning to herself. Taking it easy indeed. She speaks Harry Potter and she's not pleased about what she's hearing. ]

He's just - well. He's like a Dad, really. Really strong and brave and kind of annoying sometimes?

[thebreakingwave]

[ Harry Potter, Lord of Parental Issues, takes that in and nods - and then he realizes that she can't see his reaction. ]

I don't think he's particularly pleased with me, but I don't really need that to get my work done.

[brainiest]

I don't think he's particularly pleased with anyone half the time, honestly. He's probably in a foul mood with me, seeing as he told me to leave and I said I was staying put.

[ And look what happened. Dad was right. ]

[thebreakingwave]

If it helps, which it won't, we all should've left Redgate.

[ There's a bit of anger right there, but he's trying to keep it contained. ]

Do you know what happened before you were taken? What they did?

[brainiest]

I suppose so. It was a bit of a catastrophe, wasn't it?

[ She hesitates. ]

I - um. Which part?

[thebreakingwave]

Some idiot snuck away into the mines, woke the dragon, it went mad, and brought the damned mountain down.

[ ...and there's the anger he's been bottling up since it happened. ]

We lost a lot of people down in there and in the town itself.

[brainiest]

[ uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. ]

I. Well. I'm sure they had their reasons? And I highly doubt they knew the mountain would collapse like that.

[thebreakingwave]

[ He pauses, counts to ten, and then tries to continue. ]

I spent hours in the mines pulling out people, and frankly, I don't think intent matters. Or matters enough to make me willing to forgive and forget. Would you?

[brainiest]

[ She sighs, heavily. ]

No, it doesn't. But I was on that team, Harry. Unfortunately, I'm a little caught up in their side -- and I was locked up long before the mountain fell.