A/N: Hello guys, welcome to the 3rd chapter of "Dark is all that's left!".

Please pardon me for sporadic updates, I'm basically preparing for interviews, and so its really difficult to concentrate on the fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe, if I did, there'd be no Weasels at the end, and we'd live happily ever after.

Chapter Warnings: Graphic Torture and strong language. Reader discretion advised. Although you really should expect this from now on.

Expect a death or two each chapter, although I don't promise anything, my Hermione will kill without remorse, torture without regrets. You really can't expect a sane person after a stint at Azkaban. Considering she was broken first, and then sent to disintegrate in Azkaban, add to the fact she was a minor. But enough already, let's get on where we left last time.

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Later that night..

Somewhere near the coast of Northumberland, under the stormy sky, a rickety old boat crashed ashore. A dishevelled woman crept out and into the surrounding village. 'Ah! not much changed while I was away I guess' mused as she used her muggle upbringing to blend into the crowd.

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27th July, 1997

Harry is transferred from Privet drive to the order stronghold of 12, Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore's presence allowed the task to be completed without casualties, though a battle did break out before the Death Eaters retreated. Fudge had been replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour, who earlier headed the Auror office, was not a buffoon by any standards. He understood the gravity of the breakout and it's effects. So, it was decided to keep the news under wraps, which meant Hermione had a much easier time hiding in plain sight. A wand really is all you need if you're as competent as the brightest witch of her age, and confunding muggles and wizards into giving up their cash helped her immensely. An insane witch is dangerous, but a smart and slightly insane one, that's how Psychopaths and Serial Killers are born.

Hermione knew she needs to be lethal and ruthless for her vengeance. However, her incomplete education at Hogwarts wouldn't help her anyway. Dark Arts and arcane fields of magic are the only ways, she can fulfill her vow, which is what led her perusing through Knockturn Alley for contraband study material. As she started reading up on them, realized that she had a knack of performing darker spells and had good control over them inspite of the wand not being hers. She needed a better wand, but that's for another time. Learning spells was all fine but practicing mind arts was something she found difficult due to a lack of practice subject. However, the opportunity soon presented itself as she found the tainted ex-minister drunk and slightly tipsy exiting the White Wyvern on a deserted night. It didn't take long for her to stun the portly old wizard and apparate back to her safe house, which was basically an abandoned acid factory at the very edge of muggle London. It still held many tanks with active, corrosive acids, over one of which hung the ex-minister.

"Ennervate!" replied Hermione, as the minister opened his eyes groggily to the acrid smell of foul vapors rising from the bubbling liquid below him. Frantically looking around he realized the source of his bondage, the very witch he sentenced to life a few years ago, though her face appeared hauntingly hollow due to the steady malnutrition at the volcanic island. Gone were the pastel shades she wore at Hogwarts, replaced by a set of brown robes slightly worn, muggle boots and a pair of dark shirt and slacks. The most striking feature being the myriad of scars running down her face healed haphzardly by her magic. Fear crept along his spine as he began contemplating his fate and situation.

"Hello Minister!" Hermione spoke with saccharine sweet voice,"Pardon me, but I found you inebriated in Knockturn Alley. You know it's not nice staying outside so late, right. Who knows what Monster lurks in those shadows", her eyes shone with malice as she finished her statement.

"L..look Ms Granger, I.. I'm not the minister anymore.. please, it wasn't my fault. The Wizengamot found you guilty. Please leave me, I swear to Merlin, I won't tell anyone." stuttered Fudge as Hermione twirled his wand in her hands.

"You know I don't really care, right? I brought you here cause, I need practice. Come on Fudge, I'm just a student, I mean no harm. Look I won't even use an unforgiveable. You'll help me, right? No? Oh! I guess I'll go ahead without permission then. Let's see, ah! here's the book. Ookay! ready now, LEGILLIMENS!" spoke the incantation, as she pointed her wand and looked into his eyes, as she ripped into his mind, gathering information, learning his secrets as his face began sweating due to her force. Half an hour later she exited his mind with all the info he could provide, his face drooling as he lost consciousness due to sheer exhaustion.

An hour later he woke up with a start,"Wakey, Wakey Fudge!" crooned Hermione as if talking to a child, "Sorry, you passed out during my practice. Thanks so much for that! and the information. I really thought why didn't Harry show up at Diagon Alley so far. Now I know, thanks to you. So he's at Order Headquarters, I wonder why Bumbledork told you, but never mind. I've played enough with you, so I'll let you go.."

"Th..Thank you, thank you Ms Granger, I..I..I'll not speak of this to anyone, thank you for sparing me. Could you please get me down, this strange liquid and smell is burning my senses." grovelled Fudge as Hermione spoke again as if scolding a petulant child.

"Oh Fudge! Didn't your parents say its rude to interrupt others while speaking, especially a beautiful Witch! Huh! Well speaking of parents, I saw something that shouldn't have happened, you naughty naughty guy. Apparently someone leaked my parents' address before the obliviators went. And something about stoning them to death." her eyes glinted dangerously and the same crazed look crossed her face as she continued,"Oh you have lost your 'Get out of Jail free!' card. Tell the gate-keeper to hold the gates open, I'll be sending a lot many people over! Don't worry, I won't use the Avada, not my style. Infact, I won't even use a spell for you, you worthless scum."

"Ms Granger, please, I..it was Umbridge. My Undersecretary! Please spare me! I beg you, please have mercy!" begged the ex-minister as he watched in horror, Hermione moving towards a lever of sorts that started lowering him towards the foul liquid. His eyes began burning from the vapors as he screamed for mercy.

"Bye Fudge! I told you, I won't use a spell, but I never promised anything about Sulphuric Acid." crooned Hermione,"and the best part is it burns through skin, bones and flesh alike, there'd be nothing left of you soon. Oh wait! I have an idea!"

Hermione cast the bubble head charm on his body as it was about to touch the liquid and kept lowering him until he was submerged and only protected by the magical bubble separating his imminent and excruciating death.

"I still have a few hours to kill, so maybe I might as well enjoy the show. Wait! I'll get my lunch! Haven't seen a good show in quite a while!" as she got up and took a sandwich and a beer. "Right! that's better! Wondering what'll happen? Oh shut up with your begging, its pretty annoying already. Here, let the show begin" finished Hermione as she magically punctured two holes for the acid to seep in. She watched Fudge get dissolved slowly, painfully into nothing but burnt black goo.

'One down.. a lot more to go'

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A/N: I know, it was a bit OTT, but that's how I believe her state of mind would be. Feel free to disagree, though, this is how I envision her. The way Fudge met his maker, was particularly cruel, and inspired from few Indian movies, where the Hero doesn't end up inside the acid, so I gave the acid tank its 15 minutes of fame. It's somewhat similar to Breaking Bad, but Sulphuric Acid works so much better than Hydrofluoric Acid.

Please review guys, I'm as hungry for reviews as a Hungry Hippo is for those colorful marbles.

Until next time!

Cheers!