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

[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.

[thebreakingwave]

I'm not mad at you. Not at all. But I am angry. Really upset and I can't seem to turn it off.

[ There's the sound of him shifting around. He's unsettled and feels the need to move. ]

I'm sure they didn't mean to leave so many dead or maimed, but that's what's happened. I don't know, maybe I should be more willing to move on, but I just can't do it right now. I'm sorry, Hermione. I really am.