A/N: Sorry, FFN is being such a b***h. A lot of typos in the last few chaps. So sorry. Oh and in that scene where Hermione and Viktor were talking. She whispers that long line from Mary Poppins. Thanks for reading! ^_^

Harry Potter stood on the grassy front lawn of a large manor. Looking around, he thought the house deserted as there was no sound or lights shining from inside the windows.

Harry approached the door, trying to look presentable as he pulled on his robes and tried to flatten his unmanageable black hair.

Just when he was about to knock, Harry noticed that the door was ajar. No. Not just ajar but the handle was broken and the knocker ripped off violently.

Harry pushed open the door slowly and peeked in. "Hermione?"

Silence greeted him as he stepped inside.

Harry felt a strange tingling in his feet and arms as he walked further inside the house. As if his whole body had gone numb. Then just as quickly as it happened, the numbing sensation left him.

Confused and bewildered, Harry looked about the house.

The house was pitch black, only dimly lit by the glow of the streetlights. The place was a complete mess, with broken chandeliers and sculptures littering the floor, ripped papers, shredded books and furniture turned over. Five broken chairs lay crippled against the wall as if they had been slammed against it. Harry thought he smelled something burning and he looked up to find that where there must have been a giant portrait before, now there was nothing but charred ash hanging within the blackened gold frame.

On the other wall, Harry saw a dark green symbol carved on the wall. A symbol Harry knew all too well. It was the symbol of the Death Eaters. A green skull with a serpent coming out of its open mouth.

Voldemort's former followers who scattered after his defeat became roaming psychopaths on the loose with minds not entirely their own after being poisoned beyond hope by the Dark Lord's magic. Only very few of them were left on the run, since most of them were already rotting in Azkaban, but those still free were mostly in hiding. It was very rare to find them openly engaging in some abhorrent activity... but then again peculiar cases involving them came up every now and then as well.

Harry looked to his right and saw a faint silver light shining from another room. He pulled out his wand and cautiously walked in to find a dark figure hunched on the floor.

Harry pointed his wand at the figure as he slowly approached.

"Who are you? Where's Hermione?" Harry asked with his wand held high.

The figure slowly turned around and Harry gasped when he saw it was Hermione herself. She wore a midnight blue dress robe that was ripped in all places and her brown locks tumbled down her fair shoulders. There were deep gashes on her forehead and shoulders.

But Hermione didn't seem to be as hurt as Harry thought she would be. She smiled devilishly when she saw Harry and coyly placed a finger to her lips.

"Shhhh..."

Harry lowered his wand, curious as to what she was up to.

Harry saw that she had conjured a patronus, a shiny silver otter.

Turning back to face it, Hermione whispered in a frantic voice, "This is Hermione Krum! Please! Send help! There's a Death Eater in my house! I've placed a disapparation charm on him and tried to immobilize him, but his power overcame mine! He's coming! He's at the door! I can't stay much longer! Please help! Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

Hermione screamed and made a flicking motion with her wand making her patronus disappear into thin air.

Hermione faced Harry with a sadistic smile and said, "I've already timed them. My patronus is delivering my message to the Aurors at the Ministry. They'll be here in two minutes. Put this on."

Hermione tossed Harry a dark black cloak and a mask.

The clock in the room made an ominous sound as its second hand ticked.

Harry looked at the items Hermione gave him and started to chuckle slowly when he finally realized her plan. The whole thing was a set up. All this was a game and he was the pawn set to make the next move. The whole thing was... bloody brilliant Hermione's handiwork: from the Dark Mark to the demolished house to the fake wounds to the disapparation charm. A disapparation charm! What a fool he was not to have recognized it when he came in!

His chuckles slowly turned into loud laughter as he leaned back on the wall, utterly overwhelmed by the brilliance of the trap.

Hermione easily joined him and soon both of them were in complete hysterics, their laughter resounding in the silent house.

1 minutes and 15 seconds left.

Harry looked to his right and saw that there was still one beautiful Ming vase left unbroken atop a table. Looking at Hermione, he held up his hand.

"No!" Hermione said through her laughter, "That's my favourite vase from China! Please... It cost millions of Gall—"

Harry lifted an eyebrow mockingly and knocked it over without hesitation and it broke into a thousand pieces on the floor.

Both Harry and Hermione doubled over in laughter.

Hermione recovered first after a few moments. Taking two breaths, she whispered, "Ten years is a long time."

30 seconds.

"Yes, a very long time." Harry answered back smiling.

They stared at each other in silence.

5 seconds.

Harry heard the sound of voices coming from the outside. He grinned even wider when he recognized Ronald Weasley barking commands.

Hermione kicked a broomstick towards him and then biting her lip, Hermione taunted, "Fly, Potter."

Harry grabbed the broom, tugged on the black garment and smashed through the glass side door.

As Harry ran outside and jumped on the broom, he could Hermione screaming inside the house.

"VIKTOR'S FIREBOLT 1000! HE'S TOOK IT! OUT THERE! HE WENT THAT WAY!"

Good old Hermione!

We were back in the game!

Pure, raw, explosive pleasure!

Harry laughed out loud in to the night air as he flew over the trees. Finally! The freedom and the adrenalin he craved for all these years were surging through his veins. His heart was pounding wildly in his chest as he held both his fists up in the air.

The cold night breeze was smacking his face as he sped up, leaning forward on the broom. He could hear the Aurors coming after him on their broomsticks and he pulled on the mask with one hand.

Better than firewhisky!

Better than goblin smack!

Better than pop-blow-fuck-jizz-crack-sniff-shots-potion-licking-cauldron-snorting-black-giants on speed!.

Better than sex, orgies, porn, giving head, eating out, 69, wanking off, Kuma Sutra and Thai doggy style!

Harry screamed in wild abandon and laughed with his head thrown back as he flew through clouds and past a flock of flying geese. The Aurors hot on his tail, almost upon him.

Jets of red and green lights flew past Harry as the Aurors were close enough to throw hexes and curses at him.

Better than chugging down 20 different Bertie Bott's flavored beans all in one go!

Better than taking down a ten foot troll in a bathroom or spearing a basilisk with a sword through its mouth!

Better than being chased by mad werewolves and giant spiders! Flying on hippogriffs! Turning back time!

Better than stealing dragon eggs! Eating gillyweed! Getting lost in a maze! Dancing like a loony at a stupid ball!

Better than breaking prophecies! Falling into pensieves! Destroying half the Ministry!

Better than Felix Felicis and Amortentia! Breaking rules! Destroying evil psychopaths' distorted souls!

Harry felt a burning pain on his arm as a red flash of light grazed his side. He took out his wand and started shouting curses back behind him.

Better than Marauder maps! Butterbeer! Unicorn's blood! Ton-tongue Toffees! Skiving Snacks! Canary Creams! Fake lockets! Flying Ford Anglias! Elder Wands!

Better than sorcerer stones! Secret chambers! Azkaban prisoners! Fire goblets! Phoenixes! Half-ass princes and Dead Hallows!

Better than freedom, better than life!

Harry felt two more curses hit him and he groaned in pain as he struggled to regain control of his broomstick which was spiralling downwards.

Harry saw that he was nearing the ground fast. Below him was a small farm and from above Harry saw that he was headed straight for the barn.

The Aurors saw the dark figure spiral and crash into a barn below but just before they could land and seize the perpetrator, the entire barn abruptly burst into flames.

Weasley halted his team as the fires roared and grew bigger, engulfing the wooden building.

"Stay back! Don't go in!" Weasley ordered.

"Aguamenti! Aguamenti!" The Aurors tried putting it out by conjuring up water but the flames had grown too out of control.

"Leave it!" Weasley growled, staring up the billowing black smoke.

"Sir! Look there's someone coming out!" one of the Aurors cried out as they saw a figure crawling out of the burning barn. It stopped and seemed to lay down a few feet away.

Two Aurors ran towards the figure. Seamus Finnigan was one of them.

As Seamus drew near, he noticed something glowing on the ground. Stopping to pick it up, he held up a spotless crystal ball, gleaming red and orange... same as the hues of the blazing fires that were razing the barn down.

Viktor had just arrived and was talking with Aurors.

Hermione was standing at the window staring outside when she suddenly spotted a giant barn owl headed straight towards her. She immediately flung open the window and the barn owl landed on her windowsill, a note attached to its leg.

Hermione gasped when she saw the emblem of St. Mungo's on the seal of the envelope. Taking the note from the owl's leg, she hurriedly tore open the letter.

This letter is for Mrs. Harry Potter.

Your husband is with us right now in the emergency ward. He has been in a terrible accident. He requests your immediate presence. We shall not speak of the extent of his injuries in this letter as per his wishes but we urge you to come as soon as you can.

Yours sincerely,

Healer Dermtrod

"Are you alright, Hermy?" Viktor asked as he approached Hermione.

Hermione looked up to face him and said urgently, "We have to go to St. Mungo's!"

(Five minutes later)

"I do not understand, vhy did he send YOU the letter meant for his vife!" Viktor argued as he and Hermione strode through the front doors of St. Mungo's.

"He must have given the wrong address." Hermione reasoned as she approached the front desk to ask where his room was.

"He's on the sixth floor in the fire victims ward." Hermione said after she had talked with the receptionist.

"Vhy are vee here, Hermy? You vere just attacked by a Death Eater!" Viktor grumbled as they entered the elevators.

"I told you, Viktor! He's my oldest friend. We go way back. Besides, I'm fine!" Hermione said as she crossed her arms.

"Oldest friend? And you have never introduced us?" Viktor prodded.

Hermione ignored him as she watched the numbers light up on their respective floors.

"Hermy-oh-ninny!" Viktor said opting to call her his own version of her full first name which meant he was serious, "Who is this? If it is who I think, I vill kill him!"

"Too late for that." Hermione retorted as she exited the elevator.

"Stay here." Hermione instructed as she headed for the fire victims ward. When she turned a corner she overhead a few wizards in black Auror robes standing outside a door conversing in a low tone.

"That Potter's a hero!"

"Yeah, I heard he took on that Death Eater all by himself before that no good Death Biter burned the whole damn barn! Mighty lucky Potter got out! Shame we didn't get that D.E. though."

"Was Potter with the team? Didn't see him show up."

"Didn't notice either. But Weasley says he must have turned up at the last second. Not like Potter to miss a Death Eater chase, eh?"

"Yeah, he's a right impulsive one, that Potter is. Look where it's got him now."

Hermione's heart started to beat more quickly as she bypassed them and headed towards the fire victim's ward.

When she opened the door, she saw a line of curtained beds on both sides of the large ward.

A crystal ball that was sitting on one of the side tables caught Hermione's attention. She walked towards the table and picked up the crystal ball. It felt cool in her hands despite what it had just been through. Placing it back down, Hermione turned towards the curtained bed.

She gripped one side of the curtain and slowly drew it to the side.

"Oh Sweet Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed as she took one look and then turned around gasping for air as she covered her mouth with both hands.

The figure lying on the bed was burnt completely from head to toe. The skin was the color of charcoal and the face was unrecognizable.

Hermione pushed the curtains closed and then hurried out of the fire ward as fast as she could, starting to feel a sickening feeling in her stomach.

She didn't even take a second glance back as she almost sprinted back to the elevators, almost collapsing into Viktor's arms as he led her back into the elevator.

To be honest, I was real mad at Hermione for that one

I swore that once back on my feet I would pay her back.

And over time, you forgive, laugh about it even.

After all... it's only a game.

Harry Potter drew back his curtain after Hermione had rushed out of the room. He was guffawing silently, holding his stomach as he rolled out of bed. Still trying to keep in laughter in considerable volume, he managed to stand and walk towards the bed on the opposite side of the room, taking the crystal ball from the table.

"Sorry about that, mate." Harry chuckled as he addressed the patient behind the curtains, "Had to pay a friend back, you see. Hope you're feeling loads better, though. Cheers!"

Harry tossed the crystal ball in the air a few times as he laughed at his brilliant attempt at revenge.

When Harry saw the Healers wheel in a completely burned man who had barely survived after a cauldron accident at his home, Harry couldn't pass up the opportunity, it was too good to resist! Harry knew that his wife was already on his way but he persuaded Healer Dermtrod to send a note anyway. Harry secretly changed the address when the healer turned his back and winking at the hospital's owl, whispered, "Hermione Potter, my wife, you know where she lives don't you?"

And the owl took flight before the Healer had a chance to give it instructions.

Harry's armand ribs were in bandages and the only third degree burns he suffered were on his back and on the side of his right arm. All in all, he was a lucky bastard to manage to survive falling 150 feet and crashing into a barnyard roof. The haystack broke his fall slightly but crushed some of his ribs in the process. But over all, he was alive and well.

He knew he couldn't outrun the Aurors for long, so after his fall, he tore off the Death Eater costume and set the barn aflame. Harry also knew he had to come up with a cock-and-bull story to save his arse from getting sent to Azkaban.

So, after deliberately burning himself, he crawled his way out of the barn and collapsed outside.

When he came to, he saw that he was in St. Mungo's with Weasley standing above him snorting like a threatened bull, ready to grill him about the incident.

Harry was relieved that Veriteserum wasn't forced on him as he began his fabricated tales.

According to Harry, he had heard about the incident and was actually following the squad from the ground. He saw the Death Eater about to crash into the barn and so slipped in before the Aurors landed, which explains why they didn't see him. The Death Eater had been injured from the fall but still made good use of his wand, casting Incendio on the hay intending to burn Harry alive with him. Harry had reacted too late, hitting the D.E. with a disarming spell after the fire spell had been cast. Harry could not get to the Death Eater as the flames spread too fast but he did manage to escape... barely with his life.

So, as far-fetched as his story might be to his own mind, Weasley and the other Aurors gobbled it up readily and believed him. Not only DID they believe him, they were going to persuade the Ministry to give him a medal for "Exceptional Bravery and Service to the Wizarding Community" as well as a promotion for a higher rank in the department. Weasley wasn't bent on giving up his post as Head Auror but did propose giving Potter more authority as well as his own office with the title CHIEF AUROR ADVISER AND DARK ARTS SPECIALIST.

Harry just couldn't believe his luck! So he was in high spirits as he exited the fire victims ward. The other Aurors saw him coming and started giving him congratulatory slaps on the back and teasing him jokingly.

"Potter! There ya are, mate! We were just talking about you!" Seamus said as he playfully tapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Yeah!" Dean chimed in, "I was just saying how your bloody impulsivity almost got you KILLED but landed you a promotion AND a bigger raise anyway, you lucky git!"

His wife Cho suddenly appeared around the corner, sighing in exasperation when she saw her husband, "Harry, where were you? I've been looking everywhere."

"Sorry, forgot something." Harry mumbled in excuse after the other Aurors bid Harry goodbye and good luck, wishing him well on his promotion.

"Are you okay?" Cho asked checking the bandages on his back.

"Yes, I'm fine. Brilliant, actually." Harry said with a grin.

Cho led him over to a vacant gurney inside an empty room and expertly peeled off the thin sheet covering her husband's burned back.

She started to swab some herbal salve on his back, "This is going to sting a little."

Harry sucked in his breath but chuckled afterwards as he was lost in a daze, "No, that's nothing."

Healer Dermtrod suddenly appeared in the doorway, "Ah, Healer Potter. There you are. I have your husband's potion ready. How is he?"

"As good as can be expected." Cho replied grimly as she placed back Harry's bandages.

"Here you go, Harry." Healer Dermtrod said as he handed Harry a bubbling brownish potion.

Harry gulped it down with a grimace. It tasted like rotten cabbage. But then as he lay back down on the gurney, he started sniggering to himself.

"A night in the hospital for our tenth anniversary." Cho grumbled as she passed an annoyed look to Healer Dermtrod.

Harry continued laughing as if someone had just told him an extremely hilarious joke.

"What did you put in that potion?" Cho asked as she looked at her colleague curiously.

Healer Dermtrod shrugged, "Nothing. It's probably the aftershock. It happens sometimes even to the best of Aurors."

Harry was caught up in his own world. Completely oblivious to anything but his well played prank, but then taking out the crystal ball from his pocket and snickering while staring at it, his laughter slowly faded when he saw something within the crystal ball.

Harry stared intently at the glass orb, holding it up for a better look. And there she was.

Hermione's face was there in the mid of the swirling and shifting hues. She was laughing that gorgeous laugh with her brown hair fluttering with the wind. She was looking directly at Harry and beaming with her brown eyes full of joy... and love.

Love... Desire... My heart's desire...

Memories of what his mother had told him long ago when he was a little boy came rushing back and Harry suddenly felt as if he had woken up after a long, long sleep. His face in anguish...

"Merlin! What have I done? Hermione... Hermione... Hermione forgive me!"