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The Wars of Legends

Sidestory: Reconciliation

One-shot

Beta:

It was late at night in Oxford as Hermione stood at the bus stop waiting for the bus to take her back to her flat after the graduation ceremony for her Ph.D in astrophysics. She should probably have been celebrating her accomplishment as a number of her peers were, but the young woman simply could not bring herself to do so.

Looking at her scroll, all she could think about was what she should study next.

What would impress Harry? What would get her notice?

That had been her raison d'être for years now.

After her disastrous last meeting with her old friend, she'd come to deeply regret her actions and had sought to apologize but she didn't know how to contact her. She refused to beg Ron for help, even though he was still on cordial terms with Harry. Her accursed pride wouldn't allow it.

No, she would prove herself as someone of note to Harry and then when she was forced to acknowledge her she'd apologize. It was this rather warped, and even she could admit that, way of thinking that helped her get up in the morning. It was what had kept her going over the years. It had become her everything.

I'm a wreck. The bushy haired woman thought with a self-deprecating chuckle. But I will make things right with Harry.

"Dr. Granger," a incredibly alluring voice called out to her all of the sudden.

Stealthily sliding her wand into her hand, she turned to see who had addressed her and was left speechless to find the Chiropteran Swarm Queen Diva looking at her with a sultry smile on her face.

Hermione was firmly heterosexual, barring a brief experiment back in Hogwarts, but even she felt a stirring in her loins at the inhuman attractiveness of the Chiropteran sovereign. Thus she could be forgiven as she jumped to her feet and offered the alien queen a stilted curtsy.

"Y-Your Majesty," the witch stuttered out.

Diva seemed amused by her discomfort if the playful glint in her eyes and her smirk was anything but she said nothing just eyed Hermione up in a way that made the witch's skin flush.

"W-What can I do for you?" Hermione said when the Chiropteran's examination finally got too much.

This seemed to be, somehow, exactly the kind of reaction that Diva was looking for and her smile grew predatory.

Should I fight back if the Chiropteran attacks? Hermione thought as her grip tightened on her wand. Harry would expect me to defend myself, but the Swarm Queens are supposed to be some of her best friends. Oh, Harry, what should I do?

"You've impressed me you know, Dr, Granger." Diva said at last, though she continued stalking around Hermione and looking her up and down like some museum exhibit. "Not only did you graduate at the top of your class at Hogwarts, you also went out to get a diploma in magical engineering, degrees in engineering and astronomy and now a Ph.D in astrophysics."

So her efforts had been recognized after all. Just not by the person she wanted.

But if I play my cards right…

"Thank you, your Majesty." Hermione replied. "But may I ask why that warranted you to visit me in person?"

Diva's smile somehow, don't ask her how, grew even more predatory.

"I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'll just be up front. I'm in the market for a new Chevalier and you, Dr. Granger, are the leading candidate."

Hermione's eyes widened at that.

I can work with this.

A day later, found Saya sitting beside her twin and across from the rather fetching Dr. Hermione Granger in the Le Jules Verne restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower. They were alone, having booked the entire venue, save for its staff and their own security detail, notably including Haji and Lucille who were at the bar having drinks and chatting softly. It was thus quite the intimate setting.

"This is where Nimue took Ganos to celebrate our victory over the Ori," Diva was busy explaining to their guest. "Though they were probably celebrating the fact that the victory meant they could properly be together at last."

Diva's explanation caused the genius witch to look around the room with reverence, something that brought a pleased smile to the blue Queen's face.

Saya shook her head at her antics. This was supposed to be part of Diva's charm offensive to convince Dr. Granger to become her Chevalier, but it was clear that particular plan was no longer part of the agenda. Diva hadn't come out and say it yet, but after hearing Hermione's story she at least had given up any ambitions of adding her to the Swarm.

The brilliant young woman's desperate drive to succeed in life simply to attract the attention of the friend she'd spurned in a fit of childish pique in her youth so that she could apologize had moved her. That and the fact that said old friend was Nimue.

Saya counted Nimue as one of her closest friends, and she felt obliged to help her heal this rift between her and her childhood friend if possible

I agree. Diva sent, having read the direction of Saya's thoughts.

You've given up on making her your Chevalier?

Yup. Diva replied, childishly popping the 'p', She'd never agree anyways. Her first loyalty, even now, is to Nimue. She'd never serve anyone else willingly.

That's an impressive devotion.

She's an impressive person

True. Saya agreed. Then can I get Lucille to go collect the present I had prepared?

Go ahead. Diva replied, giddy with anticipation.

Lucille? Saya prompted her Chevalier.

On the way! The former witch replied even as she blurred out of the restaurant.

"So Dr. Granger, mind telling me what is it that you want most of all?" Diva asked the young woman as she finished her visual survey of the restaurant.

"To have the chance to meet Nimue again and apologize," Hermione replied without hesitation.

"And what would you be willing to give to do that?"

"Almost anything," the bushy haired woman admitted. "But I won't become your Chevalier."

Told you so! Diva crowed.

Saya just mentally rolled her eyes. It was never in doubt.

Her sister sent a mental pout in reply.

"Oh, I know that," Diva said verbally, without giving any hint to their telepathic byplay. "But what else would you be willing to do?"

"Like I said, almost anything," Hermione replied, her eyes glowing with honest determination.

"You really shouldn't make such sweeping statements," Saya warned the human.

"I know," Hermione agreed. "But I'm being honest. I'd do practically anything to see Nimue again."

Saya nodded, satisfied that the woman understood what she was saying.

Lucille? Are you back yet?

Right here, Saya. Her Chevalier said as she walked over to the table and handed her an envelope, earning herself a grateful smile in the process, before retreating back to the bar.

"What's that?" Hermione asked curiously.

Diva, if you'd do the honors.

Of course, sister.

"The Swarm will be sponsoring you on a trip to Hogwarts as part of a diplomatic delegation to meet with Nimue." Diva said, catching the witch's attention.

"W-Why?" Hermione gasped in shock. "Why would you do that?"

"Nimue is our friend too," Saya explained with a smile. "Letting you and her, two estranged friends, a chance to reconcile is just us being good friends to both of you."

"Thank you," the witch said, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you so very, very much!"

Diva stood and pulled the crying girl into a hug. "This is the least we can do for our friends."

Saya stood as well and walking over to the still seated Hermione, squatted so she could look the other woman in the eyes and handed the envelope over.

"This contains all the information and documentation you'll need."

Hermione reverently took the envelope and clutched it to her breast like it was the most precious thing in the world to her even as her she burst into sobs.

Diva tucked her into her side.

She feels so good. Diva mused, wistfully.

Saya shook her head in exasperation. Don't be greedy.

It was a beautiful day on Hogwarts when Nimue found herself sitting on her throne in the throne room of the Water Palace as she awaited a diplomatic delegation from the Chiropteran Swarm to be formally introduced to her and her court.

She was frankly a little confused why Saya and Diva were going through such formal channels. Surely if they had something to tell her or business to conduct then they could either just speak to her on the Ascended Plane or hail her over subspace. Even more puzzling, they'd even felt the need to insist on the full formal introduction before the court for this delegation but yet also demand that the whole thing not be recorded.

Was this some set up for a prank? The Ascended Goa'uld mused as she impatiently waited for the delegation. If it was than it was something of Diva's devising. Saya simply had no head for such things, though could be convinced into it. Diva could be very convincing when she put her mind to it, especially at persuading Saya.

"The diplomatic delegation from the Chiropteran Swarm," the court herald announced at last, cutting her musings short.

Guess I'll find out what's going on soon enough.

Watching lazily as the delegation filed in with its leader, a Vizier, at its head, Nimue still had no clue what her friends were up to. That is, until she saw someone in the small procession of diplomats that decidedly didn't belong.

Granger!?

The sight of the witch had her immediately jumping to her feet, static sparking off her frame as she glared down at the bushy haired young woman who was looking at her apologetically from amid the ranks of Chiropterans.

"Nimue?" Ganos asked urgently as she hurried to her side. "What's wrong?"

"That woman," Nimue hissed, pointing to Granger. "Was this whole farce just to bring her to meet me?"

Unfazed by her anger, the Vizier bowed apologetically.

"It is, your Majesty." He informed her dutifully.

This just further stoked her anger, as the tips of her hair began turning into lightning.

What the hell!? Saya, Diva, what the hell are you thinking!?

"Nim," Ganos said soothingly as she turned back to her from ordering the naturally alarmed guards to hold their positions. "You need to calm down."

Completely unruffled by the tense situation, the Vizier continued with his explanation.

"My Queens wish to grant Your Majesty the chance to close this festering wound in the relationship between Your Majesty and this young lady." He said gesturing between Nimue and Hermione. "For good or ill."

Nimue was still upset at being played but she could see the reason in her friends' actions.

Sweeping down the steps of her dais, Ganos following closely behind her, she marched to one of the side doors leading out of the throne room. As she was about to step out, she turned to the witch that was the source of her distress.

"Meet me in the Paradiso sitting room in an hour," she ordered through gritted teeth. "The guards will show you the way."

The specified hour later, Ganos found herself seated between her wife Vivian and her spouse's estranged old friend Hermione.

Despite her obvious anger, it seemed Vivian was as far sighted as always. Her choice of venue for this inevitably tense discussion was inspired. The Paradiso sitting room was arguably one of the most calming places in the whole palace. With its many trickling waterfalls and fountains creating a calming background noise that was accentuated by the tasteful selection of decorative plants, this room's soothing atmosphere would be incredibly helpful for the tense conversation that she was sure was about to take place.

At least it should, unfortunately it seemed to not have been enough and the three of them had been sitting in uneasy silence for over a minute with no sign that things were getting any better.

"You obviously have something important to tell me," Vivian barked at Hermione at long last. "You did go as far as to curry favor with the Swarm to get the chance. So just spit it out!"

Ganos put a hand on her wife's arm and gave it a comforting squeeze, hoping that it calmed her down somewhat.

Tone it down, Viv. Ganos sent her wife telepathically. You're not angry at the girl, you're-

I am angry at Hermione. Vivian corrected her forcefully.

Ganos could only blink in confusion at that. Was she reading the whole thing wrong?

Not privy to the couple's telepathic conversation, Hermione took a deep breath and nodded to herself before complying with Vivian's request.

"I wanted to apologize," the witch said while bowing her head low. "I was a childish bint all those years ago and I'm sorry."

Vivian was stone faced.

Viv, why are you angry with this girl?

Her wife didn't reply, just kept glaring at her childhood friend.

"It isn't an excuse," Hermione continued after gulping nervously. "But back then I saw your decision to distance yourself from me and Ron as a betrayal. It reminded me of all the times in Primary School where people would befriend me just to exploit me and then betray me once it was convenient for them to do so. It was a stupid, childish reaction. Again, it isn't an excuse but that's how I felt at the time."

"You're right," Vivian said with a nod. "It was a childish reaction. You were doing exactly what you were reacting against. You were rejecting me just because I didn't want to be your friend in the way you wanted. That's not how friends treat each other. Friends accept each other, not try to force what they want on each other."

Ganos nodded in agreement and understanding.

She could see why her wife was upset now. Vivian had few friends and the betrayal of one would have hurt her immensely.

"I realized that after the fact." Hermione agreed with a nod. "My foolish actions back then has haunted me ever since, becoming what defined my life. Getting this chance to apologize to you became my life goal. So again, I'm sorry."

Vivian looked at the witch with cool consideration.

Ganos sighed. She could see through her spouse's front and knew full well that her mind was a tumult of emotions.

Must she always try so hard to act cool?

Exasperated, the Lantean woman nudged her wife.

Vivian shot her a look and Ganos nodded towards a contrite Hermione.

For a long moment Vivian hesitated, but ultimately her innate aversion to seeing her loved ones hurt won out over her anger.

"I accept your apology," Vivian offered with a sigh.

Ganos smiled in satisfaction.

"T-Thank you," Hermione said, bursting into tears. "This m-means the world to me."

Vivian froze for a moment but quickly shook off whatever was holding her back and stood up, quickly pulling the younger woman into a hug and pat her on the back.

"Don't call me that," she told the crying woman soothingly.

Hermione, with tears still streaming down her face, turned to look at her in confusion.

"Vivian," Vivian told her friend. "In private, my friends call me Vivian."

Done!

There you have it folks, the tying up of the loose end that is Hermione's relationship with Nimue/Vivian. Hope you guys liked it.

There are a few more loose ends I'd like to tie up so look forward to more of these sidestories in the future. Till then, adieu.