( open ) ϟ put on your war paint

[brainiest]

Who: Hermione Granger
Where: Building #2, Floor #2 OR Building #1, Floor #3
When: Backdated to a couple of days ago!
Summary: Hermione is being haunted and she doesn't like it.
Warnings: None, apart from nasty spirit stuff!

[ Hermione is staggering through the building, her hands shaking and her eyes wide as she tries to make her way to the one place she actually knows she might be alright - that is, strangely enough, the apartment of one Draco Malfoy. The flashes of her vision are still rocketing through her mind, her busy brain trying to decipher it as best she can while feeling so weak and tired, the shadow still seeming to follow her, looking over her shoulder and taking what little stores of energy she feels like she still might have.

She tried to sleep after she had attempted to help the woman that had appeared before her, reaching out and wanting to talk, to discuss - because Hermione was all too used to ghosts - but the touch seemed to send a chill through her body, twisting her stomach and causing her to falter. Even the woman's words still haunt her, the vision of fire and bright, brilliant light; "O mournful voice of Creation, grant thy humble servant Thy Light that I may use Thy power to quench the unruly flames of those who've strayed."

Even magic isn't making her feel better and, for a long, deperate moment, Hermione wishes she can stick herself in a dungeon and brew a potion to make herself feel better. Unsure what's going on, all Hermione can think is that her sickness, the way she knows that she needs to touch someone even though she had settled with her back against Draco's not so long ago. She doesn't understand, and that frustrates her more than anything else.

Finally making her way to the second floor, she settles down at the top of the stairs and rubs her eyes, feeling her stomach turn. She feels like she's having flashbacks to Malfoy Manor, where the torture had almost broken her spirit entirely - but she can't dwell on that. No matter how much she might want to just wait it out, the negative thoughts rubbing at her mind, she fights back. ]

Merlin, Granger, pull yourself together!

Comments

[spicyworkaholic]

Pepper took the stairs carefully, despite having only one bag of groceries and lacking her usual heels. Casually dressed, she would have been barely recognizable as the CEO of Stark Industries in jeans and a simple but comfortable sweater to block out the fall chill. The caution came from the strange shadows she had been seeing lately, and from what she had read and heard on the network, so had many others.

She wasn't startled by Hermione's presence, but rather by her words, and the fact that she was sitting alone on the stairs. Having 'babysat' a man who was her boss for countless years, it wasn't surprising that something of a motherly quality had rubbed off on her. That, and she simply had a kind heart. Pepper couldn't stand seeing someone in turmoil or pain.

"Hey...are you alright?"

Her voice was tentative but certain, as if willing to give the teen space if that's what she wanted, but also offering possible comfort if that seemed to pan out. Pepper was an expert at being flexible.

[brainiest]

Hermione, taking the moment to gather herself and try to wrap her mind around the vision, the shadows and what they all mean (magical? Were they true ghosts? Or were they just some kind of hallucination because she wasn't touching enough people -- even though she was sure she was safe?) was rather shocked to hear a voice behind her, jumping a little as she turns her head to offer Pepper wide, lost eyes.

Shaking herself from the daze, Hermione stands up and offers a soft smile, brushing her hair from her face and trying to act as though she wasn't seeing spirits and imagining - well, rivers and lakes and fire and chanting. She doesn't want people to worry about her, even if those people are, generally, strangers. They're all trapped her, so it's near enough certain that they're going to see each other again.

"I'm fine, really," She says, eventually, taking a deep breath. "I was just on my way to meet a friend - I think I must have missed my touching quota somehow..." She shakes her head. She had been told hallucinations were a possible side effect, but this fast? "Please, don't worry."

[spicyworkaholic]

The strawberry blonde studied the young woman carefully, eyes taking in more than what the girl was saying on the surface, but she didn't push too hard on the subject. Young people and children weren't exactly a common presence in her day-to-day work, even though she met them from time to time due to the many charities Stark Industries supported. Despite her ignorance though, she was pretty sure she recalled not wanting to be fussed over too much back when she was a teenager - especially if something was actually wrong.

It was off of that assumption, tempered with her own need to still try and help, that Pepper proceeded. Hefting the grocery bag more solidly into the crook of her arm, the former PA held out a hand in greeting.

"That." Pepper said with a small smile, referring to the 'touching quota'. "I'm still pretty new here - but I've heard it can get...uncomfortable when you go too long. Maybe a moment here could help?" A hand shake to start at least. "I'm Pepper Potts, by the way." She left off her title since no one really seemed to know her or the company she ran here, and there was no need to be intimidating. That was sort of the opposite of her point in stopping.

[brainiest]

"Perhaps. I was certain I had held hands with Draco for long enough, but... Maybe I was wrong." She had to do a little more research on the matter, then, if the lengthy times she and Draco had been enduring each other's company wasn't enough. She might ask Zack or Thor to help her if there's some clause that lessens the effect of the touching the more you're with a single person -- though, no one had mentioned that at all...

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Hermione offers a soft smile and reaches to take Pepper's hand, shaking it gently. "It's very nice to meet you, Miss Potts. I'm Hermione Granger." She lets her hand drop after a moment of hesitation, lifting her hands to tie her hair back absently. "You said you were new? How long have you been here? I must have missed you at the introduction day that they have when newcomers arrive."

She had been, at the time, rather pre-occupied with helping a newcomer settle down - she had missed a few people. It was almost a relief, not having to explain to everyone that they were trapped here until they were allowed to go free, especially with the knowledge that they were forced into contact with complete strangers.

[spicyworkaholic]

"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Granger. Or do you like Hermione better? You can just call me Pepper." It's not as if she was anything more here, without her contacts, her cellphone, without...Tony. Here, she was just a woman with a strange overheating problem.

Insistently, she pushed her own problems aside, focusing on the conversation at hand.

"I've been here a few days now. I still don't know what to think of how polite the people are who brought us here. Is it all an act?" Her eyebrows raised slightly, and there was a hint of amusement in her voice, but not enough to be mistaken as actual humor at their situation.

[brainiest]

"Hermione is fine, thank you." Hermione smiles softly, nodding her head. "And Pepper it is, if that's what you prefer." She doesn't want to do anything to make anyone uncomfortable - and while formality is important, so is making people feel welcome here. Hermione knows that things here are a little strange and unsettling, so having someone be nice is - well, it's a good thing.

She stands as straight as she can, breathing out a little and glancing around, almost nervous - she's worried that the spirit might turn up again.

"I don't think so. They all seem to be incredibly helpful and really do want to help us, even if they are kidnappers. They want to make us comfortable and at home here, even if most of us just want us to go home..." She sighs. "It's a little strange, but at least they're not trying to kill us or threaten us into doing what they want."

/sidles up in here

[unionjackoff]

[Hermione isn't the only person who is seeing spirits today. although quite familiar with ghosts himself, England was almost never used to seeing children suffering, no matter how old he was. the images had startled him enough that he had started running himself, even though he knew that these were spirits visiting him.

he'd caught sight of the boys -brothers, he thinks- in the marketplace and had eventually run away after the vision ended. so now he was in a daze, heading back to the apartment since it was the place he called his home now. he could wash his face, maybe? make some tea, try to find a book to take his mind off the scene he'd just witnessed...!

POW.

obviously England wasn't paying attention to where he was going, and he collided with the shorter girl. immediately, he was up and ready to help her, apologies spilling from his lips]

Oh, goodness! I'm dreadfully sorry! Are you alright? I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going!

[brainiest]

[ She honestly didn't even hear England climbing the stairs; her attention was entirely focused on leaving and, actually, finding her way back out and away to wherever the hell Draco Lucius Prat Malfoy was. Hermione hadn't even considered that someone would wander up and run into her - or, as the case may be, trip over her - so she's as shocked as England is when they collide.

Turning, her eyes widen even as she shakes her head out of her grogginess, reaching out to steady both herself and the man, her cheeks flushing a little. At least it puts a little bit of colour back into her skin, even as she forces her hands not to shake as she gathers herself.

Sickness is no reason to be rude, after all. ]

No, no, it's alright - it was my fault. I'm really sorry, I'm just so tired...

[ She offers him a soft, nervous smiles. ]

[unionjackoff]

[the small touch brings him out of his stupor almost immediately, gives him a tiny surge of energy. and once the girl looks at him in the face, England realizes that he knows her. well, knows the actress. so the first thing that comes out of his mouth is]

A-ahh! Forgive me, miss Watson!

[brainiest]

[ That ---

Well. That's a new one.

Hermione offers a soft, almost nervous smile, shaking her head and pushing her hair from her face. ]

I'm sorry, I think you have me confused with someone else. My name is Hermione Granger.

[unionjackoff]

[oh. ....... oh.

let him ponder this for a few seconds. England blinks owlishly at her and then rights himself. he supposed it made sense, since Draco was here. but, still, it takes his breath away]

...I... I'm sorry. [he rubs the side of his head, embarrassed, but also trying exceedingly hard to keep his cool. Hermione!! she was here!] It's been a long day.

[brainiest]

Oh! No, that's alright - I completely understand. It's been a long day on my end, too.

[ He looks almost upset for a moment and it tugs at Hermione, especially since her nerves are so frayed from the spirit that caused this whole nightmare in the first place. ]

Please, don't worry about it at all.

[unionjackoff]

[England is a little upset because of the spirits from earlier. but that is quite possibly slipping from his mind thanks to the girl standing before him. he drops his arm because he realizes how silly and unsure he must look with it up there. he was a gentleman, dammit, and there was a lady present... a REALLY COOL lady]

A-alright... [ahem! get your voice back, man! he speaks with a bit more conviction the next time he opens his mouth] If you're not feeling well, you're welcome to pop into my flat. I'm about to put a kettle on for tea.

[not_really_charlie]

"Hermione?" And suddenly Charlie. Caught off guard, uncertain, trembling and shivering from her own demons - but Charlie. There to try and give help, if shee can manage the next few steps without falling. Her hand is on the wall as she half-stumbles closer.

[brainiest]

Hermione turns at the sound of a voice behind her and her eyes flicker when they land on Charlie. She breathes out a sigh of relief knowing it's not her angry spirit come again and she shifts to push herself up, brushing her hair from her face and swallowing back her fear. She is a Gryffindor; she is brave and strong and smart. Nothing could take that away from her.

"Hello, Charlie." She smiles, reaching out to offer a hand. "Come on, I think - we both could use a little contact."

[not_really_charlie]

She takes it gratefully, a rush of relief coming through her as she gripped Hermione's hand. And not just because she was with her eternal hero.

"You run into a demon, too:?"

[brainiest]

Hermione pets her hand gently before she shakes her head, suddenly looking a little more uncomfortable. Demons as well? That - there's no way that could really be possible, surely? At home perhaps not, but here? Anything was possible. She had learned that.

"No, not a demon. A ghost, I think - I tried to help it and it... It must have taken my energy or something."

[not_really_charlie]

"You're supposed to burn and sallt the bodies," she remarked, drawing out her tablet - flicking through the information. "On my world,. anyway... ghosts tend to go more like Baron than Nick."

"My Latin didn't really work wonders on the demon, either..."

[brainiest]

"Oh," Hermione's eyes widen. She wonders, absently, if she could summon some salt and then cast a spell, but - but she doesn't want to kill the spirit. She wanted to help it, even if it cost her energy or made her lethargic. It's the right thing to do.

"Perhaps mine might?" She suggests, making a slight pun on the understanding that most spellwork finds itself deriving from latin terminology. "Either way I've learned that the ghosts here are nothing like Sir Nicholas, unfortunately."

[substandard]

[Draco's been nervously keeping in his apartment, which is pretty much to the tune of his behavior since arriving, though this time it's for different reasons. this time it's not due to his depression or any sort of sickness or anything like that, but because of fear—he worries he might be going mad, that the stress and the aftermath of the war is just wearing his psyche down and now he's seeing flitting, shifting darkness and—he doesn't want to think about what he sees.

he tried walking out, once. that wasn't much better. in fact, it was much worse.

he stills from his activity in the kitchen, hearing something‐a voice—from the hall. momentarily, his body wells with an urge of flight, his stomach lurching with panic—until he realizes who that voice belongs to. Merlin's sake, it could have been anyone, too. he has neighbors.

the voice was somewhat distant... maybe it's not even Hermione. maybe he really is crazy. why would his imagination assert that, though? that's even more disturbing than his crumbling sanity.

Draco tries not to roll his eyes at himself, and absently, he smooths his palm down his stomach as if to quell it as he makes quick strides to the door. he looks through the little peep hole of his door, then opens it, leaning out of his doorway to check.

he ignores his anxiety, afraid of what he might find.]

Granger? That you?

[brainiest]

[ Admitting to herself that what she really wants is to be with Draco - not like that, Merlin - by his side to find comfort should be far more disconcerting than it really is. She wants to be with someone familiar, someone who might understand that ghosts are supposed to talk and whisper and be a little friendlier, not summoning fire and terrifying her to her wits end before draining what felt like all of the energy out of her skin and bones.

She's taking a deep breath and preparing to force herself the rest of the way up the stairs and throw herself at Draco's door to be let in, to be able to take the prat's hand and try and regain some of her health when she hears a voice, enough to raise her from her stupor and bring her back to the present. Her eyes lift in panic before she realises who it is - Draco sticking his head out of the door, not entirely far from where she's nearly collapsed, calling her name. Thank Merlin.

Rising to her feet, Hermione stumbles down the hall and settles against the wall before she offers him a bleak, bland little smile, urging him to one side and walking into his apartment. She's sure that he'll throw some kind of hissy fit but it isn't as though this is the first time that she's walked in without his permission. It's a rather fun habit, if she's honest with herself, considering how riled up he gets when Hermione dismisses his ridiculousness. She doesn't do it to be mean, just to get him to come out of his shell a little... Even if it is just with anger. ]

It's me.

[ She falls into a nearby chair, completely exhausted and feeling as though her body is going to fall apart under her, hands shaking as she settles. ]

Don't go outside, Malfoy.

[substandard]

Wasn't planning on it, [Draco utters faintly, almost whispering, his demeanor drained and nervous even as he watches Hermione collapse onto his chair.

it's good to know he isn't the only one suffering this onset of madness. this time, there's no hissy fit, no explosions—just Draco warily stepping aside to welcome her in, thereafter watching her collapse into a defeated heap.]

Didn't go so well the last time I tried.

[Draco glances out the corner of his eyes, standing near the chair Hermione's in, and he wrenches his fist, licking his dry lips nervously before he gets the nerve to stare down at her again.]

What the hell are those things? You see them, don't you? That's why you've come, isn't that right?

[Draco's train of thought is derailed when he hears something thump vaguely from a direction he can't discern. it's not actually because of the goings-ons, but something more innocent; however, in his panic, Draco's unable to discern and he flinches, looking up.]

[brainiest]

Good... Good. [ She breathes out, looking around nervously and watching Draco absently before he starts to speak again. She's so tired and he's so close and all she wants is to beg him to come over and hold her hand so she can feel better, for goodness sake.

She listens without really registering it for a long moment, her eyes falling to the ground, before she gathers herself and sits up to try and answer his questions. If she's going to ask for his help she should at least be polite, after all. ]

I see them - or one of them, close up. A woman and a lot of fire... [ She purses her lips. ] I tried to help her and it felt like she drained me. It was horrible.

[ The thump knocks Hermione's words into silence and she glances up, entirely on edge. She's brave, true, but she isn't stupid and she doesn't intend to rush outside to face these things if she doesn't have to. Not knowing what it does to her. ]

I know this isn't the best time but -- could you? [ She holds out her hand with a weak, almost desperate smile. She doesn't want to admit it but she needs to hold him close and share his touch so she can get some energy back - she doesn't even know if it'll work right with how much weaker she feels than usual. ]

And can we stay here? We're probably safer together, don't you think?

[substandard]

[Draco double-takes at Hermione's hand, seeming puzzled only for a second. it's true that she invites herself in often, and it's not the first time they've...initiated contact, but it's always a little awkward.] I...suppose, yeah. [he swallows slowly, glancing away, and without looking at her, Draco takes her hand. he's frightened too, after all. his mind spins around Hermione's brief summation of her encounter, trying to unwind it, trying to make sense of it. with so little information, it doesn't work. but he doesn't want to know more, either.]

Although little contact does little to help, [he says sort of more to the wall 2 yards away more than he does to Hermione, and he sounds irate.]

I guess this is fine, if you're already planning on staying a while.

[brainiest]

[ As soon as his hand is in hers she relaxes, breathing out and feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. It helps, even if the effect isn't instant, and she leans closer to Draco as if to draw strength. While they may not be friends at all, but she takes a comfort in having someone familiar at her side. She glances over, almost laughing at the fact that he doesn't even try to look at her - goodness. ]

Thank you, Malfoy. I - I really do appreciate it. [ She looks down at her lap, breathing out. ] We'll be good - together. I'm certain that we can fight off anything if we really need to.