Kairos (n.) the perfect, delicate, crucial moment; the fleeting rightness of time and place that creates the opportune atmosphere for action, words, or movement
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Following the discovery of Pomona Sprout's mangled body the majority of the Town closed its doors, families sequestering themselves inside their homes and avoiding the outside world and all the dangers it presented.
However a few stores had elected to stay open, whether because the owners refused to succumb to the hysteria or, like Madam Pomfrey, they felt their services were needed most in a time of crisis. The Apothecary acted as both a store and a clinic.
Pomfrey had insisted Hermione stay home the following day, but Hermione was adamant about helping. She didn't want to hide away inside the cottage with nothing to distract her from her fear.
But in the end the store offered little in the way of distraction. They'd received only three customers the entire day. The rest of the time Hermione spent cleaning and organizing shelves obsessively while sneaking glances out the window, gazing upon the ghost town that lived beyond.
"I think we can call it a day, Ms. Granger," Pomfrey said with a yawn, putting away a stack of papers.
"Alright then." Hermione reluctantly headed to the counter to grab the keys, intent on locking up, when suddenly the door opened and someone walked in.
Hermione spun around, smile at the ready, eager to greet the last minute customer, when she saw who it was an sighed instead.
"Oh, it's you."
"Don't sound so excited."
"Good evening, Mr. Weasley, are you here to purchase anything or have you injured yourself trying to climb the stairs with your hands again?" Pomfrey asked without glancing up from her work.
Ron flushed deeply. "I was seven years old."
"I remember all my patients."
"I'm helping spread an announcement from Kingsley."
Hermione stood at alert. Pomfrey looked up as well. "Oh?"
"He wants everyone gathered in the town square in an hour." He directed his blue gaze on Hermione. "The Church representative is arriving soon."
Hermione swallowed, swaying on her feet.
This was it.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps you'd like to escort us there?"
"Erm," Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd love to, but I'm supposed to knock on the other doors and tell the rest of the street."
"Very well, continue on your mission, young man. And remember, stairs are for your feet, not your hands."
He rolled his eyes. "Yes, Ma'am."
He glanced at Hermione as he turned to leave. "Mione, you okay?"
She blinked. "Oh, yes, Ron. I'm fine. I'll see you there."
His brows drew together as he continued to study her, but he ultimately relented, nodding and exiting the shop, jogging down the dirt path to the next building.
"Why don't you head over now, dear, while there's still light? I will lock up here."
Hermione shook her head. "That's alright, I'll-"
"I insist." Pomfrey pinned her with a stern look. "You've been working your fingers to the bone all day. And I don't want you outside by yourself once the sun goes down. It's okay, I assure you I'm more than capable of locking a door by myself."
Hermione smiled, blushing lightly. "Of course, Ma'am. Thank you. I suppose I'll see you in an hour then."
Pomfrey nodded, going back to her work.
Hermione gathered her bag and slid the strap over her shoulder, descending the stairs outside as she admired the orange and violet sky. She had another half hour before the moon bled the vivid hues away completely.
She walked along the dirt path, gazing at the shuttered windows and barren market place, when she heard someone call her name from behind. Hermione smiled upon recognizing the voice, stopping in her tracks to allow them to catch up to her.
"Hello, Luna. Are you on your way to the square as well?"
The blonde nodded, feathers and beads dancing with the movement of her hair. "Yes, Ron visited the shop a few moments ago."
"Your father kept his store open as well?"
"Daddy said it's silly to isolate ourselves. The culprit only attacks those who are secluded."
Hermione blinked, face paling. "Culprit? Your father thinks it's a person then?"
Luna shrugged lightly, expression free of the dismay Hermione openly wore.
"Miss Sprout was found inside her home. Except for her hand. I don't know any animal that knows how to open and close doors. Except for orangutans. But I think we'd have noticed one walking around by now."
Hermione swallowed thickly. "Aren't you scared?"
The blonde glanced at her with guileless blue eyes. "Yes, I am. But fear shouldn't dictate our lives. I'm also scared of fire but I need it to cook."
Hermione sighed, facing forward as they walked. Many villagers found Luna too outlandish for their taste, but Hermione found the girl's serene demeanour and practical outlook wildly refreshing. Especially in the current circumstances.
"I suppose you're right. But if this really is a person, what could be their possible motivation?" She bit her lip, mind reeling. "And where are they hiding? They've organized three separate search parties to scour the woods. Unless they've taken to the caves, but that's a two day's journey at minim-"
"Perhaps the man will be able to find answers."
Hermione blinked, thoughts scattering. She glanced over sharply. "The man?"
"The man on his way here now."
"Oh. You mean the Church representative?"
Luna tipped her head, studying the leaves as they passed along the foliage. "I don't know. I didn't see anything affiliated with the Church in my vision."
Hermione fell silent, unsure how to continue. Luna's so-called visions were another reason many in the town avoided her.
"Luna," she began tentatively. "You can't mention your visions to the representative. Especially if it's a Priest. They may view it as ev-" she stopped short, not wanting to offend the girl. "They may view it as unorthodox. I don't want you getting hurt."
Luna pulled a berry from a bush and rolled it between her fingers. "Daddy already said the same thing." She turned her head, meeting Hermione's earnest gaze. "I will try and act normal while the visitor is here."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "I never said to do that. Normal is terribly boring. You shouldn't change who you are. Just avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself while they're here."
Luna smiled. "Thank you, Hermione. I'll be careful."
Hermione nodded, directing her attention to the square ahead, seeing people milling about in the distance. Someone had lit a large bonfire in the center, black smoke rising high into the air, blending with the ever darkening sky.
As they neared the edge of the crowd a woman's shrill shouting could be heard above the rhythmic murmur of conversation. Hermione cringed, the voice unmistakable, even if she couldn't see her face.
"This is madness! Where is he? Where is Kingsley?"
Luna tipped her head, mimicking the movements of an owl she watched in the distance, while Hermione spun in a circle, looking for the source of the chaos.
Then the movement of the gathered crowd drew her focus. Villagers parted like the red sea, making way for the enraged figure of Bellatrix Lestrange to march past, fists clenched and black dress billowing.
"Where is the bastard?"
"Bella-"
"Shut up, Rabastan! This doesn't concern you!" She shrugged off the hand he placed on her arm, whether to comfort or restrain Hermione wasn't sure.
"What seems to be the problem?" A deep baritone asked, a tall man emerging from the other side of the bonfire. Kingsley held himself with such authoritative grace it made most look to him in awe.
Bellatrix Lestrange was not so easily swayed. She scowled, spitting at his feet. Women in the crowd gasped.
"You dare go behind our backs and call the Church, and then have the audacity to summon us here? Where do you get off-"
"Perhaps this is a discussion best had behind closed doors, Madam Lestrange."
"My husband has been dead for five bloody days and I still haven't been allowed to bury him! I have every right to be outraged!"
"It is imperative the body be available for examination-"
"The body? He had a name!" She lunged forward, people gasped, Rabastan surged forward and caught her around the waist, pulling her off her feet and carrying her backwards.
"Put me down!" She screamed, thrashing in his grasp. "You all are a bunch of sheep! No one has the nerve to tell this arsehole what they're thinking!"
"Do mind your tongue, sister, there are children present."
Bella fell silent, glaring daggers at the beautiful blonde standing at the front of the spectators, dressed as always in immaculate finery.
Narcissa directed her pale gaze to Kingsley. "Please forgive her transgressions. She is deep in mourning and not in her right mind."
Bella ground her teeth together but remained silent, much to Hermione's surprise. But her dark eyes reflected the wild flames of the bonfire, promising pain and retribution for all in her path. Kingsley gazed upon Narcissa, nodding once.
"Consider them forgiven." Then he directed his focus on Rabastan, still with his arms wrapped around his sister-in-law's irate form.
"Take her home. I won't risk her unleashing her fury on our visitor."
Rabastan's eyes narrowed, and for a moment he looked just as lethal as the woman in his grasp, but Hermione blinked and his face appeared calm once more.
"Of course." He proceeded to drag Bella through the parted crowd towards the road, the darkness cloaking both their forms within moments.
As she watched them disappear from view she caught sight of Draco standing near the back of the crowd. She blinked. He normally stood with his parents. She wondered where Lucius was.
Draco scowled at the retreating figures with such disdain in his eyes it made her skin crawl. She was unsettled to see him acting so withdrawn, so unlike his normally outspoken self.
But she was pulled from her musings by the sudden explosion of the crowd, everyone speaking and pointing at the same time.
A carriage could be seen at the end of the road leading to and from Hogsmeade.
Hermione inhaled sharply, taking a step back as the others surged forward.
She jumped when a hand touched her own.
"It's going to be alright, Hermione," Luna's blue eyes gazed at her knowingly. "Just avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself while he's here."
Hermione blinked. Hearing her own words parroted back to her seemed a dark omen. She swallowed lightly, squeezing the girl's fingers. "We're going to be okay."
The corner of Luna's mouth tipped up in a sad smile before she withdrew her hand and glanced away.
Hermione turned her focus back to the road, the carriage was pulling inside the square now, led by two solid black Friesians, their lush manes and tails gleaming in the firelight, their eyes burning like coals.
Paired with the solid black carriage they made an ominous sight.
Hermione clenched her hands at her sides as the driver pulled them to a stop, face concealed by black robes.
She didn't see the markings along the sleeves denoting a monk, and a priest certainly wouldn't be steering the carriage.
He must have been a friar.
He stepped down from his seat, boots kicking up dirt on impact with the ground, and walked to the carriage door without so much as a glance in the crowd's direction.
The sea of spectators had fallen absolutely silent upon seeing the massive horses, even the nocturnal creatures in the surrounding wood seemed to fall into a trance. The absolute hush was eerie. All she could hear was the erratic beat of her heart.
And then the friar opened the door-
And a creature born of smoke and shadow emerged from the blackness within.
Hermione blinked, the hazy figure taking distinct shape, hard edges appearing, broad shoulders and long limbs.
She released a slow breath.
The stranger was tall, dressed in pitch, and as he unfolded gracefully from the carriage the fabric reflected the glow of the fire.
Leather.
His long duster covered most of his outfit, long dark hair pulled back with a tie, wide brimmed hat concealing his face, though she saw the faint edge of a sharp jawline.
The crowd started to whisper.
This certainly hadn't been what anyone was expecting.
And then a gloved hand rose to remove the hat…
And he tipped his head up, gazing upon the crowd.
The remaining air left her on a long woosh. She swayed on her feet, a heady sense of deja vu taking hold, making her dizzy…
She closed her eyes, heart in her throat, and by the time she opened her lids the strange sensation had passed.
The stranger was only that.
A stranger.
His boots began to pace along the dirt as he swept his storm cloud gaze along the sea of spectators.
His face was all sharp angles, too harsh to look upon for its utter perfection. It seemed perverse, subversive for a holy man to possess such a face and wear such clothes. Her skin tingled as though the air was charged. She rubbed futilely at her arms, trying to dispel the gooseflesh.
The stranger stopped pacing, coming to a stop before the Friesians, placing a hand upon the head of the nearest one. The beast dipped its nose in acknowledgement.
Then his lips slowly curled upwards, revealing a row of gleaming teeth. His eyes reflected the firelight in such a way they seemed to glow in the dark, like a cat.
"Hello."
The single word greeting snapped the tension like a dry twig. The crowd erupted into a flurry of shouting and movement. Hermione lost sight of the stranger, standing on her tiptoes to get a better view.
"Everyone calm down!" Kingsley shouted, pushing his way through to the front of the crowd.
The chaos calmed down enough for the exchange to be heard from where she stood.
"Greetings, friend. My name is Kingsley Shacklebolt. I'm the one who contacted the Church."
A few scoffs could be heard. The stranger didn't bat an eye.
He tipped his head. "A pleasure. I'm Tom Riddle. The Church sent me to investigate on their behalf."
Hermione swallowed thickly, wondering if he left out his official title and ranking on purpose. She didn't know much about the priesthood, but she knew there were levels.
Kingsley pressed on, either not noticing the omission or not caring.
"We are grateful for your presence."
"Not all of us."
Hermione's eyes widened as Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, long blonde hair loose and finely groomed.
Riddle smirked, pinning the man with the ferocity of his gaze.
"I understand your hesitation to allow an outsider into your walls. You are a tight knit community, and are not keen to subjecting yourself to the will of the Church."
Lucius scowled. "We have been operating free from oversight for decades. We don't need any help now. We take care of each other here."
Riddle raised a dark brow. "Yes, I dare say you take care of each other a bit too well."
Lucius's eyes widened. "How dare you!"
"I mean no offense. I'm merely stating fact. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've already had two mysterious deaths occur in as many days?"
Kingsley cleared his throat. "Actually, another body was discovered yesterday morning."
Riddle tipped his head. "Did it follow the same pattern as the others?"
"Not exactly. The first two occurred in the woods a day apart. The third body was found inside her home."
Shadows danced across the man's face as the bonfire raged at his back. "I see." He wet his lips, eyes turning back to the crowd. Everyone seemed as transfixed as Hermione.
"I am going to be candid with you all. The Church sent me here for a very specific reason."
Hermione drew in a sharp breath, sensing something sinister in her midst.
"There has been a steady rise in the practice of black magic. Witch craft." His eyes sharpened to daggers, slicing through everything in their path. "Ritualistic killings."
The blood drained from her face. She was light and heavy at the same time, caught between collapsing and floating away.
"I am here to investigate whether Hogsmeade has been similarly plagued." He began walking, the crowd easily giving way, allowing him wide berth as he slowly cut a path through the middle.
"I assure you, if your village is tormented by a beast, I will find it."
A few women gasped, whispering behind their hands, clutching their children to them tighter.
"If you're plagued by a bloodthirsty killer, I will find him."
The men straightened, glancing wearily at one another, the tension palpable.
And then he came to a stop. Mere feet away from where Hermione stood.
He was too close, his stifling presence too much to endure. She desperately wanted to flee but feared drawing attention to herself.
It didn't seem to matter, because in the next heartbeat his head pivoted and his gaze found hers, rendering her frozen, helplessly at the mercy of his next words.
"And if you're plagued by a witch…" His eyes glowed from within, searing her through to her core. "I will find her."
