A New Enemy
Act 2
Chapter 12 – I Love You...
Hermione opened her eyes. She was laying in bed, the covers forming a warm cocoon around her body. She let the soft morning light stream into the bedroom, and she rolled onto her side. On Hermione's bedside table was a picture if Harry and her. They were standing apart slightly, but as she watched the moving picture, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, kissing her cheek. The Hermione in the picture then pulled Harry's face down into a kiss.
She felt a tear roll down her cheek, and Hermione sat up, taking her eyes off the picture. Using the back of her hand to wipe the tears away, Hermione swung her legs out of the bed. She crossed the room to the wardrobe and opened the door, choosing what to wear. Eventually she chose some jeans and a plaid button-up shirt. Taking the clothes and her underwear with her to the bathroom, Hermione had a quick shower.
She emerged from the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen, magically drying her hair in the process. Hermione made some toast and opened the window, to allow the owl carrying the Daily Prophet in. She sat down, took a bite out of her toast and then promptly dropped it.
Hermione had seen the Daily Prophet's headline.
Dark Wizard Captured!
Hermione started to read the article in disbelief.
Late last night the Dark Wizard that has been terrorising much of Europe and England for the past few months, turned himself in. He arrived at the Ministry where the Head of the Auror Department, Draco Malfoy, arrested the Dark Wizard. Details are sparse but we believe he is called Joe Callidus.
There were two other wizards with him, most likely accomplices, one was killed after he murdered an Auror that had arrived with Mr. Malfoy. The other and Callidus were arrested and taken down to the interrogation rooms. Mr. Malfoy spent most of the night questioning Callidus, to be sure he could be tried by the Wizengamot this morning.
There had been much speculation as to the whereabouts of Mr. Harry Potter, who was captured four months ago. However an anonymous source from within the Ministry says that it is possible that Mr. Potter had been gravely injured by Callidus. They say he was brought to the Ministry when Callidus turned himself in, and that he was 'encased in a large glass box'.
This has lead to many theories that Mr. Potter might have been killed by the Callidus. However this has yet to be proven and Mr. Potter's whereabouts and welfare have not been confirmed by the Ministry.
Hermione didn't read anymore of the article. The tears that had fallen from her eyes had stained the newspaper. She didn't want to believe that Harry was dead. She couldn't. All the hope she had been holding onto would mean nothing if he was dead.
Hermione abandoned her toast and rushed to the front door. She didn't bother to put on a coat or jumper, and she was out of the apartment. Quickly locking the door, Hermione apparated to the Ministry.
She arrived just outside the entrance and rushed in. There were crowds of people, all holding the Daily Prophet, but none of them noticed Hermione as she pushed through the large throng. She broke into a run, and hurtled into an empty lift. She stabbed the button that would take her to the Minister's office, and waited impatiently for the lift to start moving.
When it finally ground to a halt, Hermione pulled the grill open and hurried out. She started banging on the Minister's door, ignoring the protests of his secretary. The door opened and Hermione hastily entered.
The Minister was sat behind his desk holding his wand, having opened the door magically. Hermione moved right up to his desk and, her voice shaking slightly, said,
"Where is Harry?"
"Mrs. Potter, I-"
"Minister, please tell me where he is. I haven't heard from him for months." Hermione pleaded with the Minister.
"I suggest you sit down," Hermione's face hardened, and she reluctantly took a seat. "Mr. Potter was killed by the Dark Wizard, Joe Callidus."
Hermione didn't move. She was beyond tears now.
"Where is he?" She whispered.
"Mr. Potter is-"
"No, Callidus?"
"He is on trial as we speak." Hermione jumped up and before the Minister could say anything to stop her, she had disappeared from the office.
Hermione moved quickly back to the lift, thinking about what she was about to do.
'He killed Harry. My Harry. He needs to die. He's done too much wrong. I'm going to walk in to the court room and kill him. I can do this.'
The lift Hermione was in clattered to a halt. She was faced with the long, dark hall that lead to the court rooms. She could hear voices from the court room furthest away. She walked slowly, as if possessed. She passed the interrogation rooms, where she heard faint voices from behind the doors.
The court room was getting closer. The sound of the voices was filling Hermione's head. Her hand moved to her pocket, checking her wand was still there. She reached the door, and stood there for a moment, looking around.
In the middle of the room was a large chair, with a man bound too it. There were benches lining the walls, and in them sat the members of the Wizengamot and reporters. Hermione moved forward, into the room. She didn't register the volume change, as the voices died down. Every eye on the room was watching her, apart from Callidus' who could not turn around.
Hermione walked slowly around the chair, her eyes not moving from Callidus, as if she were stalking her prey. Eventually she was stood in front of him and the room was silent.
"You killed him?" Hermione spoke in a quiet voice; almost a whisper. Joe Callidus looked her in the eye.
"Yes. I did kill him." A pained expression formed on Her face and she spoke again, a little louder,
"Why?"
"Because I- I-" Callidus couldn't finish his sentence. Hermione couldn't control her temper any more and shouted,
"BECAUSE WHAT? WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU THAT WAS SO BAD THAT YOU HAD TO KILL HIM? WHY DID YOU TAKE HIM FROM ME?"
Callidus gathered himself, and spoke in a monotone, not responding to Hermione's shouts.
"Because he took you."
"TOOK ME? FROM WHO?" No one that was sat on the benches had moved since Hermione had entered the room. Many of them had lost family members to Callidus as well. They knew Hermione's pain.
"From me."
"FROM YOU? HARRY DIDN'T TAKE ME FROM YOU! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU! AND I SUPPOSE YOU THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME, AND THAT WAS WHY YOU DID ALL THESE HORRIBLE THINGS!"
"I'm sorry."
Hermione shook her head, and screamed, "SORRY DOESN'T FUCKING CUT IT! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Several things happened at once. Hermione whipped her wand out from her jeans. Members of the Wizengamot attempted to stand from their seats and subdue her. And Draco Malfoy ran into the room, shouting.
"Hermione! Stop! Don't kill him!" Hermione's eyes quickly glanced at Draco, but ignored his protests. She raised her wand, and Draco looked at her desperately.
There was only one thing that might stop her in her tracks.
Draco bellowed at the top of his voice.
"HERMIONE! I LOVE YOU!"
