I am so sorry for the delay. As soon as I posted the third chapter, my sister went into labor. While she was in the hospital, my health started spiraling back out of control. It's as fixed as it can get right now. But I'd like to thank my Twitter bird fanatic friend for making me write again. She wanted a fan fic that wasn't full of smut but didn't sound like it was from an 8 year old.
Harry ran a frustrated hand through his hair. In the last hour, a team had to Obliviate ten Muggles alone. Auror Thicke's body was gaining the interest of the Muggle police department and it would only be a matter of time before Shacklebolt would have to meet with the Prime Minister about this. Shacklebolt had to smooth over many bumps after the war with Voldemort and the visibility of this case would only worry them that another dark lord was on the rise.
Older Aurors blanched at the sight of their colleague's body. They had seen atrocities during the wars with Voldemort, but nothing like this. The Killing Curse had been a favorite of most of the Death Eaters, though Bellatrix Lestrange had a penchant for knife play. While the Death Eaters were killers, mutilation of bodies was something even beyond them.
A woman in green robes apparated near the scene. Harry immediately recognized her as the healer from St. Mungo's who was in charge of the autopsies for the case. With a slight wave of his hand, he caught Healer Smythe's attention. Catching his eye, Healer Smythe grimaced and made her way towards Harry.
"It's definitely the same person. They left the same signature knife wound in the left buttock. The knife wounds are shaking and from an amateur. Judging from the slices into the skin, the person was unsure of where to make the cuts. The sutures in Weasley's chest were ragged. Less clean than even Pye's sutures to Arthur Weasley's neck after his attack. They are improving though, which worries me. Since it's Muggles who use instruments to open bodies, I can't rule out anyone who might be a healer. No magic was used for the dissection.
"I think we may need to consult someone who is a Muggle on this case. This is unusual, seeing as how magic is generally used for killing in our world. From what I have researched since this case has started, this isn't unheard of in the Muggle world. I think they may have more of an insight on this case than we give them credit for."
"Was anything missing from Thicke's body like the chest organs from Ron's body?" Harry asked, wondering how he was going to convince his bosses to consult Muggles on this case.
Smythe pulled out her notes. "Weasley's body was missing his heart, liver, and spleen. Obviously Thicke's small intestine was removed from his body but we also found that his heart was missing. His liver and spleen were still intact though. Besides the mark on the buttock and the unsure knife marks, the heart is the only common denominator."
"Do you think the culprit had any healer training, Healer Smythe? I know you said you couldn't rule a healer out, but do you think that's the avenue we should be investigating?"
"I can't say for sure, Auror Potter. The person who did this has some familiarity to the body, but anyone with a few extra galleons can pick up an anatomy book."
Harry digested the information. "Why is this different from Draco Malfoy? I don't remember any cuts being made to the chest cavity. He was slit at the throat and his right ring finger was missing."
"That's what I don't understand. From what little information I could gather, Muggles call these people serial killers. There is usually a trophy taken, which would explain the hearts. However, Malfoy's organs were still intact. Is there any thing that stands out about him from the other two?"
"Not one of them had the same relationship as the other. Thicke only knew Hermione as her status as a war hero and through the investigation. Ron had been her friend since we were eleven and dated her off and on for the last three years. Malfoy has known Hermione since we started Hogwarts, but he's held nothing but contempt for her. The only thing they had in common was knowing Hermione."
The two sat and digested the information that was passed between them.
"If that is all, Auror Potter. I need to return to St. Mungo's. Pixie Flu is in full swing and we are a bit understaffed," Healer Smythe said.
"I'll contact you if I think of anything else. Thank you, Healter Smythe."
With a resounding crack, the woman in green robes apparated and Harry was left with his thoughts on the investigation.
"I think it's time we move Hermione and her parents to a safe house. Something that is secret kept," Harry said during his meeting with Minister Shacklebolt. "He's escalating and we do not have the resources to have a guard on her house and investigate."
Shacklebolt nodded. "I agree. I talked to the Muggle Prime Minister and he is worried. We have to do something to stop this now. I also think Healer Smythe is right to involve a Muggle in this. We have absolutely no understanding of murders such as these."
"I am inclined to agree, Minister. We are at a loss as to who –" a knock on the door interrupted Harry.
"Minister, I have a list of professionals the Prime Minister's office promised," said a short man.
"Ah, Cole, come in, come in." Taking the folder from the man, Shacklebolt turned to Harry. "You remember Titus Cole, right? I believe he was a year below you.
"How is your mother doing, Cole? I have missed our Saturday afternoon meetings."
"Oh fine, sir, fine. She's in Germany right now."
"Good, good. Thank you for this. Let me know when the next file comes in, please."
With that, Cole left the room.
"He's a quiet boy but he's efficient at his job. I went to Hogwarts with his mother and we rekindled our friendship shortly before the war. I hired him on as a favor to his mother," Kingsley explained.
Harry nodded. Nepotism was rampant in the wizarding world. Harry's place in the Auror department would not be as solid had it not been for his own status. It was definitely a world that depended on who you knew.
"Anyway, I want you to review these people. You know far more about the Muggle world than I do. While hopefully one of these individuals knows of our world, I have permission to violate the secrecy statue for this as long as we Obliviate the individual afterwards," Kingsley said as he handed Harry the folder.
Taking the folder, Harry rose from his seat and made his way to the door. Before opening the door, Harry turned back towards the man at the desk.
"I'll let you know who we choose. Same time on Wednesday?" Harry asked.
Kingsley nodded. Harry opened the door and left the office with a grim expression on his face.
"I can't deal with this, Harry. I faced Hogwarts and our years there. You and I survived the Forest of Dean. We survived the Battle of Hogwarts. But… there's too much someone can take, do you know what I mean?" Hermione said while shakily holding a coffee mug in her house.
Hermione had lost considerable weight. Her skin was pale and her hair was oily and thrown up into a messy ponytail. Harry had never see Hermione this bad off in his entire life.
"Frankly, between the two of us, I am surprised neither one of us has hit a psychological breaking point. We lived through things in one year that most of our other peers wouldn't even have nightmares over. This is my point. I thought I was done. I had prepared for everything and being terrified I was not a good enough witch. But, this is something I never thought I would have to deal with," Hermione continued.
Harry knew how bad things could get. He hit a low point during his Fifth Year at Hogwarts with the death of Sirius.
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand. He noticed how shaky it was. "What are you going to do? You're scary good at making people disappear. I say that with your parents. Don't you want to fight back?"
Hermione shook her head. "I've fought enough. Now it is time for me to find a life somewhere. I can't abide to how morose I've been since this whole thing started. I had been thinking about moving to Canada or the United States and making a new life there. No offense, The One Who Lived, but I like to be less profile. I want mates who don't look at me knowing I helped take down a Dark Lord. "
Hermione grabbed both of Harry's hands. "I'm leaving tonight. We already have it arranged. Mum and Dad are going back to Australia. I'm sorry Harry."
"What?! Hermione, you can't leave me. Ron is gone and I can't let you go too."
"Harry, Ginny is here. James is beautiful and I bet you want more. They don't need crazy Aunt Hermione who went made from a maniac in their lives. You would always be welcomed to visit, but I need to make it quick. Do not tell anyone I've left for three weeks. I want a long head start."
Hermione gathered Harry into her arms and held him. Here, her first best friend in the world. Him, his second best friend and only remaining living one.
"I'm going to miss my flight if I don't leave soon. I thought traveling Muggle would help. Mum and Dad are leaving in three weeks and I am hoping this stalker thinks I'm heading off to Australia with them."
"I will miss you, Hermione."
"Forever in my heart, Harry. You were my first best friend. I will never forget the place you hold in my heart."
AN: So Hermione is moving away. I wanted to explain the weakness she was showing. Mentally we all have our breaking points. For Hermione it was the fact that she could fight to show she belonged as a witch. She passed that right of passage. This is a new ballgame, and one where she doesn't have the capability to emotionally deal with it. Write me in the reviews if you disagree. XXOO