The Fire Within

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Page count: 8

He felt fabric being wrapped around him and when he opened his eyes and looked down at himself, it was to see him once more wearing his t-shirt but a different pair of jeans than before.

He lifted his eyes to survey his surroundings, glad to see that there appeared to be no damage and nothing had caught fire. Hearing movement, he turned his head slightly towards the kitchen, his eyes widening when he caught sight of Hermione. She looked the same except for her having marks of black soot along her jaw and some on her neck. She had soot on her clothing, but holes looked to have been burnt into her blouse and trousers, but there was still more than enough fabric to keep her modesty.

She slowly approached him with two mugs in her hand and she smiled at him softly.

"He didn't hurt you?" He questioned, sounding surprised even to his own ears.

"No, he didn't hurt me," she confirmed. "Actually, he was really sweet."

He was sure he imagined the blush in her cheeks.

"He was?" He replied, feeling both his eyebrows raising and almost disappearing into his hairline.

"Yes, he was. He said he would never hurt me. We had a little chat and I believe we understand each other, well, mostly, some of what he said was a little jarring and it's still sinking in."

He watched her carefully as she placed the mugs on the coffee table and then took a seat on the couch, kicking off her shoes and pulling her legs up to rest against the cushions. He moved over to the couch, sitting himself down on the opposite side, a single cushion being the only thing that separated them.

"So, Deputy, a deal's a deal, what do you wish to ask me?"

He picked up his mug and settled back against the comfortable couch, turning his body to better face her, and she picked up her own mug and turned to face him, too.

"I've noticed some things," he started, and she gave him a nod of encouragement to keep going. "I don't know how to explain it but you're different. And I don't just mean because of your magic, I can feel the difference in your magic to other witches and wizards."

She bit her lip and titled her head to the side and he had to remind himself to remain focused.

"The others feel like an electrical current, it buzzes and tingles, but you, you feel like fire. Like heat and flames and crackling sparks." He frowned slightly. "And I've noticed that people seem to be not quite afraid of you, but cautious. And I've heard mention of 'your fire' several times by others. You're hot, too."

"Thank you, Deputy," she replied amused, sending him a wink.

"That's not what I meant," his cheeks flushed and she chuckled at him.

"I know, but I couldn't resist. I'm sorry; I'll keep myself in check. Please continue."

He cleared his throat and shuffled slightly. "Your body temperature is hotter than a regular human's, it's not quite as high as my own, but I noticed it. And on the flight during takeoff, your temperature increased and you left soot marks from your hands, as you did on the desk in your office. And I've seen your eyes change colour; I've seen them flash amber when you're angry. So, what I wanted to ask you is, what are you? Why are you different?"

She sipped at her tea, he'd noticed over the time he'd spent with her that she preferred coffee in the morning and during the day, but in the evening she much preferred tea. She nibbled at her lip in thought, he assumed she was deciding whether or not she should tell him the truth or lie to him.