To a Better End

Chapter 41

December 4th 1976

It was strange, really. Hermione never foresaw a friendship developing between her and the woman that would torture her. But that was exactly what was happening. More often than not, Hermione would find herself enjoying her time with Bella. The older witch would come by the shop with lunch, which would often drive Antonin away.

So Antonin made a point of coming by in the later hours, just before closing up the shop. He would help with counting the money, cleaning up, and then would help her drink the seemingly endless supply of vodka. It was quite the routine, and Hermione found joy in it. They laughed at each other's jokes, even if she didn't always get his humour.

"You tell jokes like an old man, Mina," he once told her.

In all fairness, the jokes she told were the same ones her father once told her. It was a way that she held onto that part of her life.

There was something else there. When they were together, it was beginning to become predictable. But even in the moments of comfort when they were drunk together in the loft, she remembered the look in his eyes in the graveyard before she sent him to Azkaban and the way he said her name. Mina meant something to him, and Hermione wanted to push away the thoughts that told her he meant something to her.

That night, Antonin came in minutes before closing. His usual smiling expression was gone, replaced by one of worry. His movements were hesitant. Any joy that Hermione had by his entrance was quickly dissipating. With a wave of her wand, she locked the door and turned the sign to reflect that she was closed.

"Antonin." She looked at the way he was twitching a bit. He was... He wasn't okay.

"Mina, I... I want to..." The words never escaped. Instead, they seemed to burrow themselves back into the depths of his throat.

"Tony, what do you want?"

The words suddenly tumbled out faster than she could process. "I want you, Mina. Since that first day... I can't stop thinking about you. I can't stop worrying about you. I can't stop from coming here every day just to make sure you are still breathing. And then after... Fuck, kotenok. Your fucking lips touched mine. It was a taste of what I've been wanting, and it wasn't enough. And now, I'm standing here, spilling this all out and I fear that you don't feel that way." He sighed after all the words were out.

Hermione couldn't move. Her body and mind were frozen. Why couldn't she just stay away from dark wizards? Was there a large neon sign flashing above her that pulled dark witches and wizards?

Even as she stood there, trying to find the willpower to kick him out, she couldn't deny the string that was pulling them closer together. Her feet moved on their own accord, bringing her closer and closer to the wizard who exuded darkness and kindness, light and hatred, all at different times in his life. It was at this moment that she felt less like Hermione Granger and more like Mina Black.

"Tony," she said softly.

"If you're going to turn me down, just do it, kotenok. Now. Today. " Was this a request?

"Is that what you want me to do?"

Closing his eyes, he whispered, "No."

"What do you want me to do, then?" She was pushing him, hoping he would give her an answer she wanted.

"I want you to come into my arms and let me show you how I've been wanting to kiss you."

There was almost no space between them. Hermione just had to press her body into his. A vague memory of someone telling her to have fun flashed across her mind. Maybe a part of a dream was resurfacing. Either way, who was she to disobey a command like that?