Hermione fell onto the soft ground with a thud. Untangling her legs out of the lush green bushes, she stood up and dusted any twigs and specks of dirt from her clothes. She examined her surroundings and was surprised to find herself standing in front of a luxurious mansion poolside.
Hermione huffed. She had told Ron there was no treasure map!
“Look at all the clues, Hermione! Look at all the riddles! Do you think George can come up with all that on his own?” Hermione groaned at the way Ron had enticed her.
She should have known that the book was a Portkey. Hermione prepared to Apparate, but she spotted three people emerging from the mansion. She quickly crouched behind the bushes. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the jeering looks on two of the faces told her everything she needed to know. Their pretentious attitude that showed they were greater than anyone around - she had seen it all in Draco Malfoy. Then again, she should have known that the sense of entitlement wasn’t exclusive to the Malfoys.
Hermione was shocked when they pushed the petite woman into the pool. Their ringing laughter showed no regret in their actions. Hermione, however, felt a rush of hot rage.
The moment the two disappeared into the house, Hermione ran towards the woman who was swimming towards the edge of the pool. Holding the metal railing, Hermione extended her hand and pulled the petite woman out. While the woman coughed out the excess water, Hermione grabbed a fresh towel from one of the nearby poolside chairs and offered it to her. “Thanks,” the woman said, giving Hermione a little smile. The woman took a few deep breaths to steady herself but seeing Hermione still standing beside her, she asked, “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. Who are you?”
Hermione paled. In the bid to help the woman out, she hadn’t thought about concealing herself. Before she could reply, she was interrupted by a man walking out of the mansion. Based on his pristine appearance, Hermione assumed him to be someone of importance.
“Hi,” he spoke, maintaining a distance from her. “You must be journalist Maria D’Cruz, here to cover the wedding. I was informed by your agency that you will be coming in today.”
Hermione silently thanked her stars. “Yes, hello,” She extended her arm for a handshake. Shaking her hand, the man introduced himself, “Angre. I’m Mr Raisinghania’s manager and a close friend.” When Hermione showed no reaction, he elaborated, “You’re here for the wedding right?” Realization dawned on Hermione, “Oh yes, of course! Please accept my apologies. The travel here was, well, quite turbulent.”
“That’s understandable. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.” He smiled. He looked at the woman beside Hermione, and asked, “Riddhima, what happened to you?”
“I fell into the pool,” she answered. Hermione wondered why she was lying.
“Well, change your clothes. The bride shouldn’t get sick before her big day.”
Angre excused himself and went back into the mansion. The two people who had pushed Riddhima came back. Glancing over her shoulder at the man behind her, the woman scoffed, “I told you she’ll still be here.”Angered, Hermione said, “You know that was a very horrible thing to do.”
The woman looked disgustedly at Hermione. “And who the hell are you?” Crossing her arms, Hermione answered with a slight smirk, "A journalist, here to document, and publish your every little deed.”
The woman gritted her teeth. The man beside her spoke, “You’re going to do no such thing! We prefer to keep our family matters private.”
“Sorry, but abuse is abuse. It doesn’t differentiate between private and public. If you continue to hurt her, I will publish your antics for the whole world to see.”
The two jeered at her and huffed away, clearly not pleased with what transpired.
“Why did you do that?” Riddhima asked. “They were bullying you,” Hermione answered, perplexed at Riddhima’s reaction.
“So? I can deal with them myself. I don’t need a saviour,” she replied matter of factly.
Hermione watched Riddhima walk into the house. She could Apparate back home right this instant, but the interaction she had with the duo, however brief it was, left a knot in her gut. She hated bullies!
She didn’t know Riddhima too well, but Riddhima was wrong to think that bullies should be ignored. Rather, they should be dealt with appropriately at every opportunity, else their behaviour could escalate into something bigger. She involuntarily shivered as memories of Voldemort tickled the back of her mind, but it had been years now. There was nothing to be afraid of. He was gone.
Looking back towards the mansion, Hermione thought, but people like him were still here, and she could handle them.
*****
A little while later, Hermione was watching the two bullies from afar. Pulling marbles out from his pocket, the man rolled them in Riddhima’s direction, causing her to fall. The wicked two hooted, inviting a murderous yet vain glare from Riddhima who was assisted by a domestic-help to her room.
Exasperated with their actions, Hermione placed the Trip Jinx on them. The punishment must fit the crime after all.
The man was the first to stumble over, while the woman beside him elicited a peal of astonished laughter. She failed to sustain the laughter for long, however, since the same happened to her. Seeing the two bullies bumble around made Hermione extremely happy.
Her satisfaction was short-lived, however, as she felt someone watching her. A tall man, with an eccentrically straight posture, approached her. Hermione noticed how his beard mimicked skilfully clipped bushes, and his face resembled that of an impassive pumpkin.
“My apologies, I didn’t recognize you,” he said, with suspicion reflecting in his eyes. Hermione extended her hand for a handshake, “I’m Maria D’Cruz, here to cover the wedding.”
“Looks like someone’s already teaching you dandiya.” When she showed no response, his eyes gestured towards her wand. “Although it is odd that you only have one. Typically, they’re played with two.”
This dandiya must be a game that they play during the wedding, Hermione thought.
“Allow me to show you a simple move.” Before Hermione could say anything, he took the wand from her. She panicked as wands in the hands of Muggles always brought catastrophe.
“Stop! YOU CANNOT!” She shouted a bit too loudly, inviting a stare that unsettled her more.
“Why?” He asked.
Hermione responded, “I’m an independent woman. I prefer learning things on my own, instead of having someone teach me.”
She couldn't tell if the man bought her excuse. Rather than returning her wand immediately, the man took a moment to scrutinize the stick. Eventually, he remarked, “I always thought women loved intricate and embellished objects. And here you chose such a plain and boring dandiya.”
Hermione felt offended. What was it with this place? Was it a congregation of elitist bullies? She defended her wand, proud of it being chosen for her and what it meant to her, “I like it just the way it is, it's perfect for me.”
“Interesting. Very interesting.”
His poker face bothered Hermione greatly. She wanted to perform Legilimency on him but controlled herself as she didn’t want any more unnecessary trouble. She was already breaking laws by practising magic in front of Muggles.
After what seemed like an eternity, the bearded man returned the wand to her, instructed a house-help to take care of Hermione, and departed. It was only then she got to know that she had been talking to the groom, Mr Vansh Raisinghania this whole time.
Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “That was a close call,” she whispered to herself. Though Hermione tried hard to maintain a relaxed expression, inwardly she was bristling with self-directed rage. How could she have allowed herself to make such a stupid mistake? If Vansh had seen her openly performing magic and word had gotten out to the Ministry that she was performing magic in front of Muggles, then she would have lost her job, for sure!
Shaking her head to ward off such thoughts, Hermione decided that it was best for her sanity to keep away from Vansh’s scrutiny.
“Maria!” she heard a voice call out. Hermione noticed the female bully waving at her and signalling for her to come inside the house. “Maria!” she exclaimed.
Hermione quickly recovered from her initial confusion and flashed the woman a brief yet cringe-worthy fake smile. Her lips trembled as she desperately tried to maintain the smile, which was threatening to turn into a sneer. “I’m sorry,” Hermione called out as she walked towards the woman, “I had zoned off and didn’t hear you call me.”
Ishani rolled her eyes and gestured her hand towards the man standing beside her. “Then maybe get yourself checked! I would like you to meet Sabyasach, one of the most famous fashion designers in India. He designs outfits and jewellery for Bollywood celebrities.” Hermione nodded her greetings, failing to understand the importance of this meeting. “Sabya will be working together with Manish to design my outfit for Vansh Bhaiya’s wedding,” Ishani boasted. “I hope you are writing it down because that’s what we are paying you for!” She snorted, as Hermione continued to stare in bewilderment. “I want the world to know that we don’t settle for anything but the best.”
Hermione made a show of writing everything down onto her notepad. She had conjured it when she had first entered the Raisinghania mansion. Don’t turn her into a toad, don’t turn her into a toad, you’re better than this Hermione! She scribbled furiously on the notepad. Ishani signed at her to keep following her, as she continued gloating, “I told Vansh Bhai that I refuse to wear any footwear unless they are hand-stitched personally by Jimmy Choo himself.” Hermione stifled a yawn. Maybe turning her into a toad wasn’t such a bad idea. Umbridge would like some company in this world! “You do know who Daniel Bauer is right? He’ll be doing my makeup!” Hermione had no inkling about these people and was starting to grow impatient with the tedious conversation. “But of course, I told Daniel that I refuse to have anything other than Chanel on THIS face,” stated Ishani as she touched her face.
Hermione had zoned out of the conversation long ago, using any remaining brain cells to continue fighting against the overwhelming urge to succumb to an open-eyed coma. Snapping out of her reverie, Hermione noticed Riddhima walking down the staircase and called out to her, albeit sounding a tad too desperate, “Riddhima, come join us, you’re the bride, and it is your wedding that we’re discussing.”
Ishani, who was talking about Nora Fatehi dancing at the wedding, abruptly stopped. “Riddhima, I must say that you would benefit from listening to our conversation. It isn’t every day that I give a behenji like you some free fashion tips,” Ishani mocked.
“Behenji?” asked Hermione perplexed by the word.
Ishani tilted her head back and let out a smirk, “Behenji is someone who dresses like a prude, but, when you come to think of it, she dresses more like an illiterate village girl, so the word gawaar suits her better.”
Riddhima scoffed at Ishani’s comment and retorted, “All the money in the world and yet you’re still dressed like you’ve been wrapped in cheap pink confetti.”
Ishani rolled her eyes, said, “Talk to the hand, peasant,” and walked away.
Hermione felt her left eye twitch with barely suppressed rage. It was time for Ishani to have her vanity and narcissism handed back to her on a silver platter. Already coming up with a plan to teach Ishani a valuable lesson, Hermione excused herself under the pretence of going to the restroom but instead spoke to one of the housekeepers, who directed her towards Ishani’s bedroom. As soon as she walked into the room, Hermione wasted no time in heading to Ishani’s dressing table. Retrieving her wand, Hermione pointed it at the bottle of Coco Chanel perfume and chanted “Furunculus.” She continued to place the Pimple Jinx at various objects, including Ishani’s foundation, primer, and moisturizing cream. She designed it such that every time Ishani spoke something vile about Ridhima, pimples spelling that word would break out on her face.
“What are you doing here?” Hermione turned around and found herself face-to-face with the male bully. She thought she remembered hearing his name: Aryan or something like that.
“Oh,” Hermione said, “I was lost trying to find my room when I noticed all these amazing products sitting on this dressing table.”
Aryan crossed his arms and replied, “So you decided to snoop around and touch other people's belongings without their permission?” Hermione let out a little laugh, “Well Ishani was talking so much about these products, it had felt like I have known this Chanel bottle for years.”. Aryan was not amused by her smartass comments, “Since you are a guest, I am only going to say this once. Do not walk into any other bedroom without permission and do not touch anything that is not yours.”
Hermione replied with a thumbs up, “Got it.” Satisfied with her subdued response, Aryan looked over his shoulder and yelled “Raghu Kaka!” Within a few seconds, an elderly man appeared at the doorway awaiting further instructions. “Please direct Miss D’Cruz to her bedroom,” Aryan commanded.
Hermione allowed herself to be escorted out of the room. Mirror mirror on the wall, will Ishani continue to believe she is the fairest of them all, Hermione mused with a smile.
*****
The delicate fragrance of freshly prepared sweets infused the Raisinghania mansion as Hermione walked down the stairs. The mansion was decorated like a newlywed Indian bride. The view is pleasant, maybe it’s for another ritual of the marriage, Hermione thought.
After the events of the past day, Hermione realized that she needed to stay here for some days to put things into place, but she had to inform Ron and Harry before they threw a panic fit.
She hid behind a large pillar, and once she was sure no one was around, she muttered, “Expecto Patronum!”
*****
London 7:00 AM
“Harry!” Ron exclaimed loudly, and Harry rushed to him.
“Look at that,” Ron gestured towards the otter Patronus.
“Hermione!” They exclaimed together.
“I am staying with a nice family in India, Ron. I am safe here but will have to stay back longer because there are a few bullies I need to take care of,” The otter spoke in Hermione’s voice and vanished in thin air.
Ron and Harry looked at each other. “You sent her to India?” Harry asked, shocked.
“I...I...What...Did...” Ron babbled, unable to form a proper sentence. He cast his Patronus, and the Jack Russel Terrier appeared in front of him and Harry. “I know she won’t come back before accomplishing her task. I just hope she is fine. All the best, Hermione.” Ron said to the Patronus who galloped and vanished. “She’s fine,” Harry said, assuring him, keeping a hand on his shoulder.
*****
India, 12:00 PM
“Is this one of your marriage functions, Riddhima?” Hermione asked as she joined everyone at the dining table.
“No,” Riddhima replied with a smile. “It’s Raksha Bandhan, an occasion that symbolizes a sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being,” Riddhima explained, and Hermione was pleased to learn something new. “A sister ties a rakhi on her brother’s wrist so that the sacred thread protects him from all evils. And that rakhi reminds a brother that he has to protect and take care of his sister.” Daadi continued explaining. Hermione was impressed with the description about the festival.
“Look at this,” Aryan showed his phone to Ishani. “His wife is so gorgeous!”
“Of course, he is such a renowned businessman. His wife has to be beautiful, after all, all men with money have beautiful wives.”
“But not all are unlucky like our Vansh Bhai,” Ishani continued. “I wouldn’t even touch a rakhi from someone with such an ugly face.” Aryan sneered.
The two burst out into laughter while Daadi rebuked them. Hermione fumed in anger. How dare they taunt someone for their looks? And who the hell were they to make such remarks about Riddhima?
Aryan was laughing when his gaze fell on Ishani's face. “Eeww!” He exclaimed. “What’s that?”
“What?” Ishani asked, still laughing.
“On your face,” Aryan said, and everyone turned their gaze towards Ishani.
“What happened to my face?” Ishani turned the front camera of her phone on.
“Aaahhh!!” She screamed, looking at her face. She had broken out in a rash of pimples.
Everyone looked at her in amusement, while Hermione tried her best to control her laughter. She taunted, “Didn’t someone just say that he wouldn’t even touch a rakhi from someone who had an ugly face?”
Ishani looked at Aryan, and he looked back at her in terror. She left the place in anger. “Listen, Ishani...” Aryan followed her. “I didn’t mean that.” While everyone shook their head, Hermione crossed her arms against her chest and smiled happily. Serves them right! She thought.
*****
Riddhima looked at the mirror. She was getting ready for her Haldi ceremony. Her heart wept, she was completely shattered and was not prepared for this relationship by any means. The thought of being someone else’s wife suffocated her. She felt disgusted. Even though Kabir had promised to save her from this hell, if he failed to stop this marriage, her life would take a 360-degree turn after marrying Vansh.
“Ready, Riddhima?” Hermione asked as she entered her room. “Wow! You look so beautiful!”
Riddhima wore a plain yellow saree and jewellery made of jasmine flowers. She looked mesmerizing to Hermione.
The girls walked down the stairs, while Hermione had a pleasant smile, Riddhima had a forced one. Riddhima sat at the podium, and Daadi started the ritual. While some applied the turmeric paste on her happily, a few others just to show off. Daadi explained, “This ritual makes the bride glow brighter.”
“Wish this Haldi could cleanse people's blood too,” Ishani taunted, leaving Ridhima in tears.
Hermione had had enough. Miss Princess Pink Bubble-gum would never change, she realized and she needed to be taught a lesson repeatedly. She would render Ishani to a state such that no matter how much she tried asking for help, no one would be there to listen.
*****
“What’s going on?” Hermione asked as she saw all the family members gathered in the hall with dandiya.
“We are practising dandiya,” Vansh’s mother said and invited her, which she accepted with a smile. Seeing Ishani on the sofa nearby, she smirked. “Ishani, will you join me?” she asked, innocently.
“Me? No way,” Ishani said, arrogantly.
“Ishani!” Vansh spoke in his stern voice. “Go!”
Ishani tried resisting, but Vansh raised his eyebrows at her. Irked, Ishani dropped her phone on the sofa and picked up her dandiya sticks. She muttered, “As if that’s all I have left to do; help a cheap journalist with dandiya.”
Ishani taught her a few steps and stopped when Hermione stopped responding. She was standing straight and smiling at her. After that, she whispered, “Silencio.”
Ishani tried speaking in order to attract someone’s attention, but Hermione had non-verbally cast the Disillusionment Charm on her. Ishani was now camouflaged, and no one could see or hear her. Hermione, meanwhile, asked innocently “Where did Ishani go?”
She stepped outside the dandiya circle and surveyed the scene. Everyone was so busy enjoying themselves that no one had noticed that Princess Pink Bubble-gum was missing.
To keep up her pretence, Hermione focused on scribbling notes on her notepad and didn't see where she was going. She bumped into someone and almost fell but was saved from hitting the cold floor by Aryan who grabbed her shoulder to steady her. Hermione realized this was the perfect opportunity as now she needn't place the charm from a distance.
“Hey, journalist!” Aryan said. Hermione used the moment and muttered “Confundus”. She pulled herself back and straightened her clothes. As if on cue, Aryan’s eyes latched onto Riddhima, and like an overly excited puppy, he ran after her.
Riddhima, who was heading to Vansh’s office, was startled when someone pulled on her arm. She took a second to calm her nerves before speaking. “Aryan?”
Aryan was beaming with excitement, “Happy Raksha Bandhan Riddhima!” She stepped back, stunned. Assuming it to be a prank, she rolled her eyes and decided to head back towards the dance floor. Half-way across the dance floor, she felt another tug on her arm. It was Aryan, only this time he was holding a pink rakhi.
“Look what I have!” He squealed. “Tie it on my wrist, Riddhima Didi.”
Riddhima looked around in confusion, but everyone was happy to see Aryan welcome his Bhabhi-to-be so sweetly. “No! I don’t want to!” Riddhima stepped back.
She turned to leave, but Aryan refused to take no for an answer. He darted in front of her and shook his head. “Please!”
Riddhima backed away slowly, and finding the chance, made a run for it but Aryan kept following her with a stupid grin and the rakhi dangling in his hand as if he was desperate to tie the mangalsutra of siblinghood on her.
Riddhima, in her eagerness to get away, lost her footing and stumbled right into Vansh’s arms. Vansh glared at Aryan, contemplating what his cousin was up to, but redirected his attention to Riddhima after sensing her glance.
“Bhai! Move! Riddhima needs to tie this rakhi on me!” Aryan exclaimed. Vansh stared at him coldly, as Riddhima straightened.
“Bhai. She is my only sister. It’s my right.”
Vansh pushed him back slightly. “You have two other sisters who are alive and here.” Aryan scowled. “They aren’t my sisters.”
Hermione chewed on the cap of her pen. "Interesting,” she muttered to herself, with a sly smile on her face. "Very interesting.” She cursed herself for picking up on Vansh’s line already. To wash the Raisinghania off her, she would have to go through a purge when she got back. Then she inaudibly cast the Confundus charm again. She wanted to keep things interesting.
Aryan reached out to Ridhima, but Vansh stepped between them. Aryan grabbed Vansh’s hand instead and tried tying the rakhi on him. Vansh pulled out of his grip and strictly told him, “Enough Aryan. I’m tired of your bullshit. Learn to behave yourself.”
Aryan giggled instead and grabbed Vansh’s finger. “I got your finger! Now you have to let me tie the rakhi, Bhai.” He again tried to tie the rakhi around Vansh’s wrist but failed to do so.
“Angre!” Vansh thundered. The man quickly stepped forward. “Get him out of my face!”
Angre immediately grabbed Aryan and dragged him away. “Can I tie a rakhi on you, Angre?” Aryan’s voice faded as they left.
Vansh towered over a petite Riddhima and rebuked her, his eyes flaring. Riddhima looked on as Vansh disappeared around the corner with bloodshot eyes.
*****
The past few hours had been turbulent, but interesting. Hermione had tried her best to teach two bullies a lesson. But it wasn’t just about the bullies. How long could actions be blamed on upbringing and education? Or the lack of it? How could people judge someone they didn’t know?
With these questions buzzing in her head, Hermione approached the staircase.
"Why doesn't this door open?" She turned and saw Riddhima trying to open the door to Vansh’s office with a key.
She smiled as she thought about how that little key was enough to uncover secrets. Secrets that were meant to be kept locked away. Hermione watched Riddhima with an amused look. Seeing her getting frustrated, Hermione cast the Alohomora spell and the door opened for Riddhima to slip in.
She looked at her wrist watch and realized that it was late. It was time to go back to her magical world, and leave behind this crazy, rich family. She reached out for her wand. Making sure that the coast was clear, Hermione Apparated, but as she did, she felt an odd jerk and realised that something had gone wrong.
Riddhima’s heart began to beat frantically. She felt the blood pulsing in her ears. Slowly, she opened the last drawer of the desk from which she pulled out a small box, roughly carved, closed by a gold padlock. She reached into the drawer again and pulled out a small key that shone in the moonlight filtering through the window. She put the key in the lock and opened the box.
The moment Hermione’s feet landed on the floor, she felt a droplet of rain on her face and came face to face with dark brown eyes that gleamed with anger.
With coldness in his voice, he uttered, “What the...”
Edited by WildestDreams - 4 years ago
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