Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Marvel
Chapter 1
Pale fingers twirled a black wand between them as their owner waited for her spell to take hold. The last strand of dark hair shone a bright golden before settling into a dull blonde color.
"Thank Merlin," Alana let out a breath of exhaustion, " That seems about right. Agh, that took way too long." She shook her head running her fingers through her hair trying to take out the tangles. It would have been much easier to cast a singular glamour spell than doing small sections but from her experience, and she had much of it, it lasted longer when done this way.
"Alana! Are you done yet?"
Alana rolled her eyes a little at her friends' exasperated shout, they wouldn't be getting late if she hadn't forgotten to wake up Alana because dear old Hermione was busy doing paperwork. Who enjoys paperwork? Honestly!
She gathered up her hair and twisted them at the top of her head into a messy bun. Securing the bun with a pin, she stilled as she ran her hand down her neck not feeling the thin chain that was always present there.
"Sorry!" She shouted back, " I'll be down in a sec. Gotta find my locket, misplaced it somehow." She mumbled the last part looking around for the silver glint of its chain. She wondered how she could have misplaced it when she never ever took it off.
She checked under the pillows first wondering if it somehow came off while she was sleeping but it wasn't there.
"Misplaced what?", came the reply.
"My locket," Alana answered absently as she ran her hands over the duvet searching with a little bit of panic budding in her chest. She threw the duvet on the ground right over the pillows.
"Your what?"
"Hermione, why don't you make it easier on both of us and come up here so you can hear me?" Alana huffed and shouted back while checking her own clothes, hoping that if the locket did fall off, it got caught on her clothes or something.
She pushed down the feeling of wrong that threatened to drown her. There was a slight burning at the back of her eyes, Alana blinked rapidly to clear them. She elected to ignore how panicked to was becoming, more focused on her task.
"Please, please, please. " She chanted to herself, almost like praying to an unknown entity. She threw another pillow on the ground after checking it and turned to the mess on her bedside table instead.
Hermione who had just stepped in the room quickly stepped aside to avoid a frankly large tomb thrown over Alana's shoulder. "Okay, that's just disrespectful." She looked sorrowfully at the 'The magic and the healing' that lay crumpled on the floor.
"Alana, what exactly are you doing? We need to get going!", She strode across the room and grabbed Alana's arm before she could pull out the drawer she was looking through.
With that, she tried to pull her best friend with her only for her to dig her feet into the carpet trying to stop her, "No, I need to find it. I need to find it! "
Maybe it was something in her voice or her face but Hermione's face softened and her grip became slack. Feeling the hold loosen a little bit, Alana pulled her arm away from Hermione's hand and rushed to the cupboard instead.
"What did you lose? "
"I didn't lose it!" Alana insisted, "My locket. Its just...missing, that's all."
Hermione didn't point out the error in that logic. She looked at Alana dashing about, then at the watch encircling her wrist, then back at Alana and crossed her arms over her chest. "Just Accio it." She advised.
"That thought never, ever, ever crossed my mind." Alana spoke from where she was almost halfway in the wardrobe, "Thank you so much Mione' whatever would I do without you."
"Cause an international feud by insulting the wife of French minister?", Hermione retorted.
There was silence then a chuckle, " Got me on that one, though if you ask me she deserved it for poking her nose where it didn't belong. ", A few more clothes were checked and thrown out.
Hermione let out a small breath of relief, she hoped the laugh meant that Alana wasn't at the edge of a panic attack anymore.
"Implying that she must have nothing else to do in her life if she was so concerned with yours? Really Alana."
"She kept asking about my supposed 'secret marriage', how was I supposed to know who she was?"
Hermione shook her head with an amused smile. Alana was inside the wardrobe now. And the clothes were on the floor, "Not here," She declared, coming out of the wardrobe.
"Does it have a non-summoning charm on it?"
Alana hmm'ed leaning against the cupboard, her eyes unfocused as she ran her hand over her neck.
"Did you check under the bed?", Hermione's voice broke her out of her thoughts.
Alana turned unimpressed eyes towards Hermione who shrugged in return, "Fine." she placed a hand on the cupboard and pushed off a little.
She knelt next to the bed and stuck her arm under grimaced when her hand touched a sticky Berties Beans instead. There was a slight burning on the side of her forearm now, she absently wondered whether she'd get a carpet burn again. Last time she got one on her knees, it was near the time she'd moved into the apartment.
"I am going to help. We'll find it." Hermione finally declared,
Alana made a noise of approval and continued looking under the bed. And with that, the hunt for the locket continued.
About half an hour later, Hermione was looking through the jewelry box again, "When did you last see it?" There was a slight clink of jewelry as she pulled out each piece and put it to the side in a pile.
Alana blew a stray hair off her face, stepping out of the bathroom. "I don't remem-aaaa" A small shout escaped her lips as she slipped.
She fell into a pile of clothes with a thud "I am fine," She told, more to herself than to her friend. She calculated whether or not she wanted to make the effort to get up. In the end, she decided not to and scooted a bit to lean against the wall instead.
"I can't find it and we're late" Alana frowned a little, she put her head in her hands her elbows resting on her knees. "We're so late."
Hermione draped the jacket she had picked up over her arm and sat down beside Alana, "Let's just not go to the fair okay?" she said soothingly and Alana's eyes snapped back to her.
"Not go to the-Hermione what the hell are you on about. You've been talking about this fair for weeks!"
Hermione just shrugged, "I know you don't like going out, anywhere, without your pendant."
Alana stared at Hermione for a while, she wondered what she'd done to deserve such a good friend. In the end, the decision was quite simple. She took a deep breath and with one hand she grabbed the jacket Hermione was holding while she pushed herself up with the other.
"Let's go." She held out a hand for Hermione.
Brown eyes looked at the green with shock before they narrowed. Alana forced herself to keep her gaze steady and clenched the jacket tightly to stop her hand from shaking. Even a small indication of her discomfort would make Hermione cancel the plan. She wouldn't go, not even for the releasing of some limited edition book.
It took a lot of control to not let the rising panic show on her face. Alana did the same thing she always did, she pushed down the feeling until it was only a shadow of its actual intensity. I'll come back to haunt her later but it was the right option for the time being. She didn't want to take this away from Hermione.
"You sure?" Hermione asked again, taking her hand and pulling herself up at her nod.
"Yep, "Alana pulled the jacket over her arms, zipping it halfway. "and if we leave now we might just get there in time for that book of yours."
The girls locked their rooms and their apartment, taking the stairs two steps at a time and jumped into Hermione's car.
Alana swallowed a few times, she felt so exposed and in some way, vulnerable. She bit her lip until she could feel the slight sting, it kept her mind off other things.
Hermione turned the key in the ignition, she glanced at Alana and a peculiar look came over her face. It was somewhere between what-the-hell and should-have-expected-it look.
Alana tugged at her zipper self-consciously, "What?" she finally asked.
"Your hair."
"What about-" Alana stopped as she realized she could see a red strand from the corner of her eye, "Seriously! it took me an hour!" She groaned looking at her dark-haired reflection in the side view mirror.
"Are you sure you did the spell right?"
"Well, yeah. I've been using the same spell for my hair for...a year I think? And it never failed"
Hermione pursed her lips, she thought for a while then carefully said, "There are some cases where objects develop immunity after constant exposure to magic."
"It could be" Alana shrugged, slumping back into the seat. "or maybe it's just my luck messing with me again. First my locket, now this. So much for taking one step at a time."
"If you want-"
"Nope. Just drive."
"Are you-"
"Hermione, I love you but if you ask me that one more time I swear I will scream."
Hermione laughed, pulling the car out of their parking spot. A smile found its way to Alana's lips as well. Silence enveloped them for some time.
Alana loved how she didn't have to force herself to talk to Hermione. They never had to force a conversation. They were too comfortable with each other for that
Alana turned on the radio to play some music.
"So," Hermione began.
Alana internally groaned knowing what was coming.
"Draco was asking about you again,"
"Really. And what exactly did Malfoy want?"
"Oh you know," Hermione feigned nonchalance," He wanted to know when you'll be back in town. For a coffee or something."
"Hermione," She took a deep breath, "I'm pretty-wait no, I am definitely sure that you're not the head of the department of Alana Potters love life. So I don't know why you keep trying to do this. I mean Malfoy. Really?" She rolled her eyes.
Hermione stifled the desire to shoot a scathing look at Alana and kept her eyes on the road,
"Draco is-"
"Reformed," Alana cut in and sniped, "Yeah you've told me that once or twice before." If she didn't know better she'd think that Hermione liked Malfoy with how much she gushed about his change.
Apparently, he decided that the only way to go forward was by doing things opposite to what his father would've done.
Alana took a strand of hair in her hand and twirled it around her finger. She could feel the guilt rising up her throat. It's not like Hermione was doing something wrong, she was just worried about her. The more Alana thought about her, the guiltier she felt. Finally, she turned towards Hermione who was staring straight ahead pursing her lips.
"I am sorry, Mione'"She finally blurted out, "Its just that-I've barely been here a month and I can't-I just can't do this right now. All I can think about is Teddy and-"
"I know." Some tension seeped out her Hermione's body, "I'm sorry too. I just thought that maybe going out will take your mind off of things."
"We are going out Mione'"
Hermione threw a quick glare at her, "Stop butchering my name." There was no real heat behind it.
Alana laughed," Sorry, Miss Granger."
"Its Deputy Granger for you Potter." Hermione turned her nose up, in a perfect imitation of a stuck up higher up.
Their eyes met and both burst out laughing.
Hermione calmed down in time to park the car, the fair was a bit further out but the parking was kept away so that there is no sudden onrush of people.
Alana tried not to duck her head to hide her face while walking, she needed to do this. She needed to face the crowd again, her crowd. And what better way to get back into the wizarding society than attending small events to get used to it again. Though this trip was more for Hermione's sake than her integration into the wizarding world.
Speaking of, " So what's up with the whole 'no magic' thing. Kind of weird really."
Hermione hmm'd as she looked down at the map in her hand making sure that they were going the right way, " Ah, it's a security thing as well as a marketing technique."
"A marketing technique?" Alana looked away from a group of teenagers dressed as clowns to focus her attention on her friend again. She really was curious why they had to take a car instead of simply apparating at the event.
"Yeah. It is unusual so it bought people's attention to the fair. They wanted to create hype about the new book. It's a limited edition of 'The art of retransfiguration', you know the book Minerva got me last year?"
Alana nodded her head, Hermione had said something similar before but she hadn't paid much attention.
"It was a really informative book, it revolutionized the transfiguration concepts. It has many spells designed to contain or limit magic at a place, the same spells are used in ministry holding cells. Plus the limited edition happens to be the unedited version so it has all the notes of the author which will be a great insight into the thought process behind the theories he proposed."
Alana staggered a little and her eyebrow raised as Hermione explained her reason for excitement, " I have no idea when you got so interested in Transfiguration, Hermione." And wasn't that just sad, she had no idea what was going on with her best friend. Alana felt a heavy weight settle in her chest.
Maybe Hermione sensed it because she rushed to clarify," Because I never did. I mean, it's not that it's not interesting but no I am not that passionate about it. I want to gift the book to Minerva, after I've read it once, of course."
"Oh," Alana whispered slowly, the weight still remained in her chest even if it lightened a bit. Moments like this showed how much she'd missed, how many things she'd left behind.
A hand clasped her own and Hermione smiled at her, her eyes offering comfort. Alana allowed herself to be dragged around with Hermione and slowly the tension left her shoulders. She could almost say that she was enjoying herself.
They were at a cotton candy stand when Hermione checked the time and jumped a little.
"They'll be opening the hall in 5 minutes!" She then looked at Alana, "You want to come, Al?"
Alana thought over it for a while before shaking her head, "Nah, I wanna explore the jewelry stalls for a while. I'll pass." The last book releasing she'd been to, Lockhart's, ended up in a fight. She didn't want to test her luck. Plus, the crowd.
Hermione looked like she wanted to try to convince her, she opened her mouth but then closed it again. She then took a small breath and shook her head, "I'll meet you back here?" She asked.
Alana nodded, " Yeah. In an hour?"
Hermione nodded a little before grinning and running away while trying to look as if she wasn't running.
Alana allowed a fond smile to appear on her face. Her best friend's inner child shone through her strict exterior whenever she was near books. It was kind of endearing.
Shaking her head, Alana started exploring the stalls. She wasn't lying when she said she wanted to look through all the jewelry and trinkets. She pulled her jacket tighter to herself when a sudden chill enveloped her.
Rubbing her hands together to let the heat seep into her, she let her eyes wander over the different stalls. She lingered at some of them to admire the wonky trinkets on them, things that seemed like they would have been home in Dumbledore's old office.
She was looking at a bronze bell that according to vender rang whenever you forgot something, a modified remember ball really when a golden glint caught her eye.
The vendor's voice carried itself to her ears and his words fell clear, "Ribbons, a variety of ribbons, made from purest of the silk threads."
There was something rich and dark in his voice. Like luxuriant dark chocolate, bitter and enticing. Her legs followed their own course and she couldn't look away if she tried.
Pushing past the crowd she stepped towards him. Before she knew it, she found herself before him.
"Ribbons, varieties of ribbons, made from purest of silk threads," he recited the well-versed words.
Alana's breath hitched a little as she took in the wide display of ribbons; Red, purple, magenta, lavender, pink, green, blue, violet, yellow, silver, white… and gold. Her eyes stayed on the golden one for longer than needed.
She reached out a hand before stopping herself. The ribbons must have some sort of magical property. There was no other reason why she'd feel so attracted to a bunch of ribbons. They didn't feel malicious, just different.
Alana had come across many such weirdly attractive artifacts in her travels, the vendors sometimes cast spells on their products to make sure they sold easily. It wore off after a week or so. But it Alana was intimately familiar with such spells and this felt nothing like that.
Pointing a finger at the one that she couldn't keep her eyes away from, she whispered, "That one," she was unreasonably worried that someone else would buy it if she bought too much attention to it.
The vendor followed her gaze and his mouth twitched into a knowing smile the moment he saw the ribbon she was pointing at.
"You may have that for free," he said, spelling out each word slowly. She absently noted that he was American.
"No, I couldn't possib..ly" Alana shook her head, turning her attention to him for the first time she had stopped at his stall, and her eyes stayed there fixated.
Only the vendor's eyes and jaw were uncovered, nothing else showed under the black mask he had on his face. His eyes were deep chocolate brown but she could swear she saw a glimpse of green in them. His smile widened at her reaction.
"Free; only for you dear," he spoke in the same smooth voice.
"Beautiful," it escaped her mouth before she could suppress it.
"It is, isn't?" He replied gesturing to the ribbons.
She stumbled back a little and heat crept up her neck. When did she start getting so flustered in front of men? She cleared her throat looking away from him for a second. "Yeah, it is. But I'd like to pay for it."
"Oh come on, Miss Potter." Alana's eyes snapped to his, "Consider it a gift." He removed the ribbon from the stand pin and put his hand forward for her to take it.
Over the years thousands of people had sent her presents and after returning the first few she realized that it was better to accept the presents (no matter how much she didn't want to) because the people got incredibly hurt when she didn't. And if they felt like they were repaying her (not that there was anything to repay for) by giving her gifs then who was she to rob them of that.
With that thought, She stared at him for a while then cautiously extended her hand and pulled on the ribbon slightly. She then tugged on it and took hold of it fully, as the grip of the vendor loosened.
Her eyes finally broke away from his and she looked at the soft ribbon in her hand. Remembering something that an acquaintance, Ria, had once told her, she messaged the silk ribbon between her fingers marveling at its softness. When it warmed up after a while, Alana allowed a small smile to appear on her face. Ria had told her that real silk warms up to the touch.
Now that she had it, she wondered what it was meant for. Did it have any magical qualities? Or was it just a plain silk ribbon to decorate things. Her lips parted almost forming the question but she stopped. She decided not to ask, it was always fun to figure out what an artifact did.
With a nod to herself, she took out the only pin that was holding her bun. Her hair came cascading down her back. Then she gathered all of it again and tried to tie the ribbon around her hair instead. What was the use of buying the ribbon if she wasn't going to wear it? The vendor's stare bore into her.
"Come on," she grumbled a little when a few locks escaped her fingers before she could tie the ribbon.
"May I?", the vendor's voice interrupted her inner monologue and she raised her eyebrows at him. He pointed towards the ribbon with a small smile.
Alana contemplated the wisdom of letting a stranger get so close. It wouldn't be rude if she disagreed, would it? After all, she had to allow him into her personal space for him to tie her hair. Maybe it would be better if she just left her hair open and tied them when she went home.
The vendor was very patient. He was looking at her with soft, knowing eyes and Alana knew he wouldn't mind if she refused. It was that acceptance that probably made Alana hold out the ribbon to him. It didn't even cross her mind that they were standing in a public area for it seemed like they were in their own personal bubble.
Brown eyes shone with happiness as he took the ribbon and Alana turned a little. Strong fingers combed through her hair gathering them into a ponytail, Alana let out a little sigh. His hands felt like heaven in her hair. She always did love people playing with her hair. Touch starved, Hermione would say.
She inhaled a little deeply taking in his frosty scent. He somehow smelt like ice, aftershave and...motor oil.
"Alana Ivy Potter! Don't tell me you fell asleep standing in the middle of all this noise. " Alana's eyes snapped open hearing the teasing voice of her friend. She saw Hermione standing in front of her, one hand on her hip and the other holding a package, most likely holding the book. Then
the words registered in her mind.
"Hermi-what? I am not Ron!"
Hermione laughed a little, "Well you're emulating him pretty well."
"You're emulating him pretty well." Alana mocked grumpily making Hermione laugh harder.
"Then what exactly are you doing standing here all alone, with your eyes closed."
"All alone? What do you mean all alone? I am here with the.." Alana turned around to point at the stall,"..vendor?" There was nothing there. No stall, no vendor. There before her was an open space being crowded with people, walking and few running.
Hermione gasped, "And what did you do to your hair?", She grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her to face her.
Alana shook away the shock to answer her, " The ribbon? I bought it from this vendor that was just here. But somehow he just disappeared. I thought you said there was no magic allow-"
Hermione cut her off, "No, not the ribbon! I meant the golden color. Your hair is golden Alana!"
"What?" Alana frowned, " No it's not."
Hermione huffed before reaching behind her and pulling the hair from her ponytail to the front.
Alana's eyes widened. Her hair was golden. Like the ribbon.
"Oh my god!"
Okay. I know I have three other stories already and I should finish them first but this little bunny just wouldn't leave my mind alone. So I decided to post this first, Its been haunting me for quite some time and I needed to get it out. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing its outline. I've never written a pairing before so its the first time for me, I hope it'll turn out okay. In the end, please let me know what you think of the start and whether you'd like to see me continue it. -Marey
Edit:29-05-2019