Harper's Folly

By Slytherin Mud Blood and Philosophical Rose


Somewhere on the English countryside...

"I'm home," called 20 year old Hermione Granger Flinch-Fletchley. She set her keys on the table and walked upstairs. "Justin? Where are you?" He had never played jokes on her before like this, but everything was possible. She walked over to her bedstand, and noticed a neatly folded piece of paper. She picked it up and carefully unfolded it. It read:

"Dear Mione,"
We've been through practically everything together, and I love you for making me a part of your life. However, everyday I woke up, I came across the peculiar feeling you had someone else in your mind. Someone that wasn't me. 'Mione, you've been a perfect wife, better than I expected, and I beg you to always leave a place in your heart for me. I now bid you farewell, as to not be a burden in your life any longer. Mione, call 911, then go look in the bathroom.
I loved you,
Justin

She rushed over to the phone and dialed a number.

"Oh God, I need to dial 911. What's the bloody number again? Why didn't he leave the number for 911? He is so selfish, never thinks of anyone but himself! He just killed himself and didn't leave me the number he told me to call!"

Somehow, Hermione dialed the number for the operator.

"Hello," the lady on the other end with a nasal twang.

In a frantic voice Hermione replied "Can you give me the number for 911?"

"Excuse me?"

Hermione repeated herself.

The lady's voice dripped acid. "Don't play games young lady! I have your number traced!"

With that she hung up the phone.

"Damnit! Where's the bloody number?"

In search for 911, Hermione accidentally pressed the redial button.

"Hello, Dominoes Pizza Parlor? How can I help you"

That was where she and Justin had ordered out last night. Hermione burst into tears.

"Do you want Cinnastix or Cheesy Bread with that?"

***

The paramedics stared at Justin. "What's all this commotion about?" barked the Head of Medical Department, who had pushed his way through to the front of the line. A timid girl replied, "I don't know sir. I checked his pulse hours before. He's been dead...for at least three days! But the wife only found him today. I wounder what happened? Do you think that perhaps the wife could have..." The girl broke off.

"We are paramedics, not a homicide office. Just do your job, girl, and let the police worry about the rest."

***

Ginny was still staring at Pansy. It was obvious she'd changed a lot. Where her skin used to be sallow, it was now healthy and tan, and where her hair was pallid, it now was vibrant and shiny. She also had a killer figure; Ginny had to admit, far better than hers. Her thoughts were assured when she looked down.

"So, Pansy, how has life been treating you?" Ginny put on the biggest smile that she could muster.

"Oh, it's been alright..." Pansy grinned genuinely. It was obvious that more than her appearance had changed.

Harry apparently noticed the strained atmosphere, for he turned to Ginny. She felt her heart melt.

"So, Ginny, is school going well?"

"Yes...I'm making honor roll."

"That's great!" He flashed that killer lopsided grin, the same one that she woke up to every morning.

Ginny gave an inner sigh; he was still acting like an overprotective, concerned big brother, and that's what hurt her the most.

"Anyway, Ginny I real-"

There was a tapping on the window.

"Let me get that. It must be Oscar, my owl."

Ginny opened it, grabbing the small brown owl. She read the note attached to its leg, and as her face scanned the parchment, it turned varying shades of white.

"Harry...it's about Hermione...her husband...suicide..."

Ginny choked, slowly realizing what she had said out loud. Harry turned white, as pale as she was.

There was a thud as Pansy fell on the ground in a dead faint.