Chapter 5 – Unmasked

PREVIOUSLY:

Joker laughed as he began dragging her towards a van. Several fake guards moved out of it as he climbed in, jerking her into a very compromising position on his lap. The cuffs he'd had around her neck fell away and Hermione sucked in air, her throat feeling bruised. He grabbed her hands and the cold metal fell against her skin as he handcuffed her. She attempted to move her legs from around his waist only to have his hand grab her thigh, nails digging in through her jeans. He growled at her before looking at his driver who was staring at them, "Drive, keep your eyes on the road."

The man, dressed as a guard, did as he was told and they were off to where Hermione assumed was the direction of the ferry.

The Joker let go of her thigh and stared at her momentarily, his tongue flicking over his lips again before speaking. "Hate to mark up your pretttty face but can't have you seeing where we go now, even though," His voice dropped low, almost husky, "I do like the …ahem..position I have you in." Her face burned red, unable to move from his grasp, forced to straddle his lap, and he grabbed her ass with his free hand to emphasize his point.

Hermione yelled out, "You bastard!" She struggled in his grasp.

He laughed, clearly enjoying this and the last thing Hermione saw was his fist coming towards her face before blackness consumed her.

Her head hurt and she felt like her lip was completely swollen, touching it softly she flinched. It was swollen and suddenly everything flooded back to her. She had thought perhaps it was one horribly realistic nightmare but upon seeing the room she was confined to, the cuff that secured her to the bed, it all came crashing down.

"Hellllooooo sunshine." The voice of the Joker drifted in the room and she jerked her head in the direction it came from to see him leaning against the doorframe. His purple jacket hanging off of one shoulder and if not for the scars around his lips and grotesque clown makeup she could have almost mistaken him for one of those muggle men back in the fifties, all he needed was a top hat of some sort.

She groaned and blinked, still jerking against the handcuffs to no avail.

He chuckled and came around the bed, sitting next to her as though this were just a normal day and she a mere guest. "So…" He licked his lips, pulling out the wand concealed in his jacket pocket, "Care to explainnnn?"

"Why? So you can kill me afterwards? I don't think so."

The Joker growled, throwing the wand on the bed as he flicked open his knife, placing the cold blade dangerously close to her throat.

Hermione sighed and sucked back a sob; if she was going to die by the hands of this muggle then she was not going to do it crying. She'd faced the dark lord and Lucius Malfoy multiple times and at least if this was the way she went it wouldn't be quite as messy.

The clown suddenly withdrew his knife; his eyes flickered with an unnamable emotion, momentarily losing their darkness. In her he saw a lifetime of fighting, in her he saw the bravery and the anguish, in her he saw the part of him he thought long since dead and that scared him. But he wouldn't let this bushy haired girl know any of that… no. not. at. all.

He sneered at her, placed the knife back in his pocket and picked up her wand much to Hermione's surprise as she stared at him, "You've killed…." He smacked his lips, "Peeeeeooople."

"Only those that deserved it."

"We aren't so different you and I."

"I'm not crazy."

"Neither am I little witch."

"Why do you …." A sudden bang cut her off in mid-sentence.

The Joker laughed loudly as he pulled out a gun from the drawer in the nightstand next to the bed, "Ahhhh the big bad bat has come to save the dayyyy." And with that he aimed the gun at her and she continued struggling against her restraints as a blur of blackness shot at the clown, knocking him over as the gun fired at the ceiling.

She watched in horror as the two fought until Batman shoved the Joker, watching him fall over the railing outside the room which Hermione presumed to be a staircase of some kind.

The costumed man turned to her and with some sort of tool he sliced through the ropes and he wasted no time throwing her over his shoulder before racing to the only window in the room just as she saw the Joker running back into the room. She let out an ear piercing scream as they plummeted out the window and fell at heart dropping speed.

Suddenly it was like he had wings and they began to glide through the air, him dropping her into bridal style as they swooped downwards, "How many times must I save you?" His deep and raspy voice pierced her thoughts of how in merlin's name she was ever going to get her wand back now.

"Sorry …. Batman. But thank you for saving me, again."

"Of course."

And with that they glided in silence until he reached Wayne tower once more and landed in front of it. "Once more, alert Alfred of what has happened, Bruce should be with you shortly."

She smiled at him and he smiled back before swooping back out into the night. She gingerly rang the doorbell and waited until the old butler answered it, telling him everything that had occurred. He ushered her inside and escorted her up to the same room she'd stayed in previously.

"Master Wayne will be with us this evening Miss Granger, he was very worried about you and so you can tell him all about what happened to you tonight. In the meantime, why don't you have a bath and get out of those clothes." The old man gestured to her obviously cut up and bruised self.

She smiled and nodded, "Sir I don't have any other clothes though."

"Ah well Master Wayne generously provided you a closet full of clothes for the duration of your stay." And with that, Alfred moved over to the closet door and swung it open to reveal what had to be at least fifty or more outfits hanging neatly in the small room.

Hermione clasped a surprised hand over her mouth, "I don't know what to say….this is wayyyy too much."

"Nonsense Miss Granger, he just wished for you to be more comfortable until you return to your home."

She nodded as he walked out of the room and she ran a hand through the clothes, trying to decide what to wear. With a smile she pulled out jeans and a nice purple sweater.

Drumming her fingers along the counter top, she stared out at the sky momentarily before making her mind up. With a sigh she walked out the front door and greeted the driver standing outside.

"Nearest library please sir."

He nodded at her and proceeded to open the car door.

She felt insane for doing this but since she was going to be stuck here at least until she got her wand back, she felt she might as well do some investigating of her own rather than just sit back and do nothing. She was Hermione Granger and if there was one thing she loved doing more than anything, it was research.

They reached the library in no time and she hopped out, thanking the driver before moving inside the old building.

Hours went by and she felt like she'd accomplished absolutely nothing. She went through book after book about the history of Gotham city and still nothing.

Ready to give up, she decided one last try, sitting at the nearest computer she began to put his name in.

Article after article scrolled through the screen and she sighed, nothing on who the man behind the mask was.

She glanced at the time and realized three hours had already passed. Sighing once more, she got up and headed out of the library, disappointed at the uneventful turn out.

Two days had come and went and Hermione had to explain to the billionaire who was so kindly allowing her to stay at the manor that she would not be going back home for a couple more days, trying desperately to allow herself time to somehow find the elusive man otherwise known as Joker and get her wand back before heading to England. Needless to say he was more than willing to allow her to stay a while longer at the manor and found himself rather enjoying her presence there when he wasn't running around at night protecting the city.

Bruce Wayne stood in the hallway in deep discussion with Alfred when Hermione strolled by heading back up to her room to relax since she'd spent yet another day attempting to scour the library for anything on the Joker, coming up with nothing once again She flashed a small smile on her way up the long staircase at the men.

The playboy billionaire cut the old man off in mid conversation as he ran towards the stairs, "Miss Granger."

She turned, "Yes Mr. Wayne?"

"Call me Bruce please, and I'm having a get together tonight with some of the locals of Gotham, I'd be honored if you'd join us; this is one of my annual masquerade balls I throw from time to time, I promise you'll enjoy it." He flashed her a smile she imagined must have gotten him many a lady.

Tempted to say no, but then realizing this could be another learning opportunity that might actually turn successful about this mysterious crazed clown who still held her wand captive.

"I would love too." She smiled back at him and continued up the staircase.

"Great, be ready by 6." His voice traveled up the stairs and she continued smiling as she made her way down the hallway to her room, "I've left a dress on the bed for you."

She shook her head, arse had gone ahead and decided for her ahead of time that she would no doubt say yes to going tonight.

Damn muggle, damn handsome filthy rich muggle.

The dress she wore did not feel like her whatsoever, it felt extremely uncomfortable. Granted it was a beautiful shade of royal blue and she dearly wished Ginny could be there to see it. The gown clung to her curves and flowed downward towards the floor like a waterfall. The top was strapless and almost a bodice, pushing her somewhat small breasts upward and she pulled it up a little more, not at all used to this much skin showing. She turned and grabbed the matching shawl lying out on the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders as she put the mask that lay on the bed still and drew it over her face. It really was rather lovely, a beautiful white and blue mask with ornate designs drawn in a silver glitter and feathers on one side of it, just enough to cover her eyes and the top part of her nose. She looked in the full length mirror hanging on the wall and while she thought the outfit to be beautiful she just didn't feel like herself at all, she couldn't believe the man had actually selected this for her and laid everything out on her bed for her, knowing he obviously assumed she would agree to go. She shook her head and sighed as she adjusted her heels one more time.

Breathing in and out she squared her shoulders, ready to head downstairs and attend this ball.

This is strictly for research, only research….

With one final glance in the mirror which hung over the opposite wall, she quickly exited the room, heading down the hall to the formal staircase where she could hear a series of voices getting louder and louder.

Here goes nothing Hermione, you can do this.

Reaching the top step she saw Bruce standing by the bottom step, sipping on champagne in what she always referred to as a penguin suit. He straightened up upon seeing her and flashed a brilliant smile at her as she descended the steps.

Holding his hand out, he waited till she grasped it and he pulled her to his side. "You look stunning Miss Granger."

She smiled a shy smile, "Thank you Mr. Wayne, you look very handsome tonight yourself."

He grinned a goofy grin as they walked into the living area where people of all ethnicities, ages, and obvious statures stood in conversation while waiters and waitresses floated in and out serving drinks and finger foods.

"Drink?"

Hermione nodded, "A butterbeer would be…." Upon seeing his eyebrow raised she realized her mistake and backtracked, "I mean a ….." She racked her brain for a common muggle drink, "A martini would be lovely."

He smirked, "A lady after my own taste." Snapping his fingers, a waiter appeared by his side immediately, "Two martinis for the lovely Miss Granger and me."

The waiter nodded and walked off.

Hermione groaned mentally, she hated martinis and yet it was the first thing that came to mind when she thought of muggle drinks, she would just have to 'grin and bear it' as the Americans would say.

"So Mr. Wayne,"

"How many times must I ask you to call me Bruce?"

"Bruce. So tell me about this Joker character, I've seen him all over the television and being that he kidnapped me, have unfortunate one on one experience with him. Who is he?"

Bruce looked decidedly uncomfortable at the topic and cleared his throat as the waiter came back, handing them their drinks. He took a large gulp of his martini, "He is insane, just a psychotic and delusional man who needs to be locked up."

She studied him as he spoke and she could tell by his mannerisms that he had had some kind of one on one contact with him, "That really doesn't answer my question though. Who is he? Before he became this clown, this Joker, what was his real name? The reason he does what he does? Surely the police must have something?"

"No, they have nothing on him and that's what makes him even more dangerous. He doesn't exist other than as the Joker. They've dusted each crime scene for prints, they've tried just about anything and everything, and nothing comes up. He is like a ghost."

Hermione took a sip of her martini, trying not to grimace at the strong and almost bitter taste. So no one knew the man behind the mask? Only that he goes by Joker, his calling card, and he is a psychotic crazed lunatic…..it just didn't make sense to her. Even in the wizarding world, they knew who Voldemort was, what caused him to go crazy. Everyone had a story and she was finding her curiosity getting the better of her especially since she had no choice but to somehow find the man once more to get her damn wand back.

"So on that note, shall we go on the balcony with our drinks?" Bruce asked, clearly uncomfortable with the topic at hand, attempting to change it.

"That would be lovely." Hermione smiled and followed behind him, still full of unanswered questions.

Joker twirled the knife in his hand as he pocketed his gun. This was the tenth hmmm or maybe fifteenth goon he'd shot in the past two days. The past two days since he'd captured the little witch. To say he was pissed off was an understatement and the current pool of blood forming underneath one henchman who lay unmoving across the room stated it all.

The four men he had left remained frozen in place on the opposite side of the room, glancing warily between their boss and the fallen goon.

"Soooo I will ask…." He smacked his lips, "Agaaaain….who here has information for me regarding my latest victimmmm?"

One of his underlings in the back spoke up, voice meek and hesitant, "I … I scouted the area, saw her staying at that billionaire's place sir, and I overheard from a few people nearby that Wayne is throwing a masquerade party tonight."

Joker turned to the goon speaking and smirked, "Goood jobbbb you just saved everyone else's lives." He cackled, "Well then ladies I believeee." Tongue lashed out, "We have a ball to attend."

They stared out in silence at the view of the night sky and city life below, Hermione completely lost in her thoughts, wishing desperately she had her wand or at least some sort of means to let Harry and Ron know she was ok, there was no doubt that by now they were going crazy with worry.

"Dance with me Hermione."

His voice broke her thoughts and she turned, "I am a horrible dancer."

"Nonsense." Was his response as he grasped her hand, leading her back inside and onto the dance floor where a new song had started, couples gathering around, dancing and drinking.

His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her close as he adjusted the sleek black mask he wore, smiling at her as he twirled her around.

"Mr. Wayne….Bruce…." She attempted to think of something, anything to get him to give her a moment's time to mingle with the guests and attempt to find any more information she could on the crazed clown who still had her wand and it was obvious the handsome billionaire wasn't planning to leave her side anytime soon. "Do you think we could get another drink?" She held up her now empty martini.

He smiled and nodded, taking her glass, "I'll get it for you." And with that he disappeared into the crowd.

Hermione sighed in relief and turned, deciding to go towards the buffet being served to start asking questions at whoever was lingering by when a hand tapped her shoulder.

"Bruce I …." She turned only to see the playboy hadn't shown up yet. A tall man stood behind her, dressed in a deep purple suit complete with a purple and white mask over half his face, hair tied back and white coloring to his skin where the mask failed to cover. "Oh I'm sorry," She apologized and he lifted his hand as if to excuse her.

"No worrriessss." He all but purred as he held out a gloved hand, "I came to ask the ….prettiest lady here, to dance with me." Tongue flickered out over his lips as he spoke.

She cocked her head to the side, she couldn't place it, but he was decidedly familiar to her, something about him. Well this was a masquerade so of course the purpose was meeting strangers and she had wanted to find out more about the Joker so what better way? She hoped Bruce would understand and not be upset at her dancing with someone else as he did seem a lot more interested in her than she was in him.

"I'd love to sir." And with that she grabbed his hand and allowed him to maneuver her around the dance floor. He was surprisingly graceful like the billionaire who owned the place. She felt more at ease and let him take the lead as she began to speak to him.

"So what is your name sir?"

"J…."

"J? Pleasure to meet you, my name is Hermione." She smiled at the stranger as he continued gliding her around the dance floor.

"The pleasureeee," His lips smacked, "Is all mine, I assure you."

The voice sounds so familiar and yet she just can't place it, "I have a question, this might be a little unusual but I am … doing some research about that clown, the one who calls himself the Joker….."

I dream of rain

I dream of gardens in the desert sand

I wake in vain

I dream of love as it runs through my hand

I dream of fire

Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire

And in the flames

Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

The music nearly drowned her out as it grew louder; couples moved all over the dance floor to the melodic beat of the song that played aloud. He twirled her around and soon she forgot her own question, staring up at the beautiful and intense emerald green that was this stranger's eye color.

He smirked beneath the mask he wore, adjusting it swiftly with one hand as he continued moving around the floor with her in his arms, allowing himself a moment of normalcy, enjoying the feel of her clutching him for support as he lead her. He almost forgot himself, almost.

This desert rose

Each of her veils, a secret promise

This desert flower

No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this

And as she turns

This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams

This fire burns

I realize that nothing's as it seems

She swayed and maneuvered, following his every move, completely forgetting everything but this strange man, enraptured by the odd yet inviting scent that was him. Her eyes flickered momentarily and she could see the billionaire watching her as he danced in the arms of a woman dressed in a pink ball gown. She silently hoped he wasn't offended that she was dancing with someone else when he had gone to get her another drink.

He noticed her eye stray and followed, seeing the host of the party eyeing her as well as he lead another woman around the floor. A clenching feeling, a foreign feeling gripped him as he looked back at the bushy haired girl in his arms, a possessive feeling, something uncontrollable. And if there was one thing he hated, it was not having control.

"So may I ask what you know if anything about the man who's always on the TV, that Joker character?"

He dipped her low, face inches from her own before bringing her back up, swinging her outward and back into his arms, "What do you…" He clicked his tongue, "Wish to know about him doll?"

"For starters does anyone around here have the slightest idea of who the man beneath all that makeup is? What made him become …. Well for lack of a better word, crazy?"

She failed to notice his expression falter at the choice of words as he responded to her, "No one does sweetheart….that's part of the mystery, what makes him…the Joker!" He chuckled softly.

She stared at him, the sound of his light laughter was familiar to her but she couldn't place it. He successfully distracted her, twirling her in and out of his arms once more as he guided her away from the crowd.

Hermione failed to notice that they were headed for the balcony until it was too late.

He released her from his grip and watched her as she smiled brilliantly at him once more before turning and grabbing a glass of champagne from the waiter who had come up behind them.

Smirking beneath the mask, he grabbed a drink as well, drinking it back quickly before setting the glass down on a table nearby.

She turned, facing the railing of the balcony, staring out into the city. "So what makes you so …." He licked his lips again, "Interested in the Joker anyway, Misss Granger."

"I suppose it would be that he is an enigma and it's intriguing because I for one believe anyone and everyone can be saved." She spoke, her voice laced with the horrors she had seen and survived, "No matter what, no matter how far gone, if they have something to believe in, they can be pulled out of darkness even when it seems impossible because anything is possible."

The emerald eyed man stared at her, for once in his life, completely speechless and …. Confused….and boy did he hate being confused.

"Most of Gotham would …." He hissed, "Disagree with you doll."

"Well I am not most of Gotham."

"No… no you certain…ly are not." He finally regained his footing so to speak and snapped out of his momentary state of shock.

"Hermione!"

Both parties turned to see Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon walking towards them. "I see you've been enjoying yourself?"

She smiled at the billionaire and nodded politely.

He gestured to the officer, "This is my good friend Commissioner Jim Gordon, Jim this is the woman I told you about who is visiting from England."

The officer smiled at her and she couldn't help but think of how he sadly reminded her of Sirius. She smiled back and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you sir."

"And you as well Miss Granger, I hope you have a safe trip back to England tomorrow."

She nodded and they turned to her companion of the evening, "Ahhh com..iss..oner Gordon." Mr. J spoke his name in an almost snake like way.

The officer eyed him and nodded, "And who might you be?"

"Mr. J."

"Mr. J? Are you new in town?"

He smirked, "You coulddd say that."

The officer opened his mouth to question him further when a woman came up to him, kissing him on the cheek. He turned to her and she asked him to dance with her. He smiled at his wife and walked hand in hand out to the ballroom floor.

Bruce smiled at the strange man and Hermione before turning and following the couple back inside, grabbing another drink on the way in.

Hermione turned to place the now empty glass of champagne on the table nearby as the strange man looked in the ballroom, gesturing at the men that filed in, dressed in an array of stolen suits, nodding at them before moving behind his new obsession.

She found herself momentarily caught up in her thoughts, wondering how to alert her friends that she was alive and still in the same time period when she felt someone move behind her, seeing it was Mr. J out of her peripherals.

"Why so serious?" A voice that almost seemed made of silk whispered in her ear, making her blood freeze as she felt a hand on her bare shoulder. She whirled around, her eyes widening as she realized exactly who she was dealing with this entire time.

"You!" She gasped and suddenly screams erupted from the room as his goons unsheathed their weapons, turning them on the guests.

He let out a round of laughter and grabbed her, drawing her close as she struggled against him, "Me!"

She shoved him away from her with, watching as he stumbled before catching his footing and glared at her, his mask falling to the ground and revealing his paint covered face.

"Where is my wand?" She yelled at him.

"Hermione!" A loud voice rang out interrupting her and she turned back around, to her horror, she saw Commissioner Gordon drawing out a muggle gun and aiming it at the other man, Bruce coming up behind him.

Now most people would have gladly allowed the Joker to get shot, let the officer kill him with a round of bullets but not Hermione. This was not the way she operated, her Gryffindor bravery and view of redemption would not allow her to stand aside and just let him be shot just like that especially when said man still had her wand somewhere.

"NO!" She screamed and before anyone could say anything else, the bullet was fired and the young bushy haired woman knocked the man behind her out of the way, the bullet plunging into her shoulder.

The Joker fell towards the ground, catching himself before he hit the concrete face first at the girl's hard shove. With a growl, he pushed himself back up to his feet, slightly in shock at what she'd done. His mind raced, once more completely thrown off his game as he looked over, he saw the girl lying on the ground barely moving. The bullet meant for him was buried in her bleeding shoulder that she clutched onto in pain with her other hand. He looked up and realized this was a prime opportunity….a sinister smile graced his white face as he quickly moved towards the strange girls side, scooping her up into his arms bridal style before drawing his knife and holding it to her throat as the Commissioner and Bruce attempted to get closer.

"Ah ah ah, I wouldn't come any closer if I were you…you wouldn't want this lovely young lady to come out with more wounds than she already has thanks to you, now would you?" As he spoke, he backed himself up towards the edge of the balcony, glancing over he saw his henchman pulling up just as planned.

Hermione attempted to struggle but loss of blood made her weak and she felt her eyes drooping closed, giving in to the blackness of the night.

Both men lunged at the Joker, missing him by a mere second and hitting the floor instead.

His cynical laughter echoed off of the rooftops as he dropped from the balcony, landing in a dump truck below full of foam mattresses. His henchman put the pedal to the metal as they peeled away into the night.

Joker looked down at the unconscious woman in his arms, licking his lips like a serpent as he ran a gloved finger across her cheek. His dark eyes drifted to the deep blood red stain forming on her dress and skin from the wound, that would defiantly be problematic to his plans if she were to die from blood loss…no fun in that whatsoever.

His thugs pulled up to his current hideout at the top of an abandoned building nestled within the little downtown area and began unloading stuff he had stashed in the truck as he stepped off of it with Hermione in his arms, heading inside the building.

This woman was going to be a pain; he could just tell…but no matter, he wanted his new toy alive, she intrigued him.

As he set her down on the ground near his own personal 'work' area, he turned to his available henchmen. "Who here has a first aid kit?"

"A first aid kit? Why wo…"

"Wrong answer." The Joker shook his head as a shot rang out, echoing throughout the building; the man who'd spoke up dropped to the floor, dead.

"Anyone else want to have a shot?" He cackled his trademark laugh, gun aiming at the ceiling for the moment.

One man stepped forward, "We have one here."

"Good answer Hodgkins, bring it to the girl and tend to her; I have things to do and a world to conquer." Joker laughed once more before walking out of sight.

What felt like days but was merely an hour, Hermione woke up groaning at the pain in her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open, blurriness at first was all she saw, a hazy figure in front of her; she felt something prodding her wound and let out a yelp when her vision came into focus. A horrible looking clown man knelt beside her, patching up her sore shoulder. It took everything in her power to keep from screaming outright at the ugly mask he wore.

Oh how she wished she was back home, back in her time with her friends, her family…her eyes swam with unshed tears, would she ever get to see them again? Would she ever get back home?

A sharp pain rang through her injured shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts as she felt the goon pushing down on it and then a cold hand ran over the length of her bare thigh. Her eyes widened in horror and she let out a terrified scream, struggling to get away.

The henchman placed more pressure onto her wound, the pain seared through her body and Hermione thought for sure this was it, she was going to pass out from the intense pain and he was going to rape her.

"Please stop!" She whimpered, desperately trying to move out of his grasp to no avail.

The goon acted as though she'd said nothing and let his hand trail up to the curve of her breasts before reaching for the top of her dress, intending to rip the fabric off of her body.

Hermione shut her eyes, tears spilling onto her cheeks as she felt him touching her body; suddenly the clown lurched forward, eyes wide in surprise, falling on top of her. Hermione screamed again, feeling his lifeless body unmoving on her, nearly crushing her beneath him.

She felt his body being removed from her and watched as he was tossed aside as though he were nothing more than a ragdoll, a butcher's knife protruding from his backside.

"So hard to find good help these days, I do apologize." Laughter followed the statement.

The voice she had heard so many times, spoke, and she looked up, her chocolate eyes meeting the emerald green she now recognized as the Joker's eyes.

A\N: I hope you all enjoy this :) and I do not own the song on here, it's by Sting and called 'Desert Rose'. Please read and review, thank you all for the wonderful reviews I have gotten on this.