Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, but I do own the story plot.
Note: Oddly, I love writing mystery and horror. Hmm.. Could it be Voldemort??
The Horror of the Unknown
Chapter 02 - The Camera
**
"Too late kid." The figure muttered, as it left Colin under the pots and pans of the kitchen. As it departed, he took the ax with him. Climbing the towards the Astronomy Tower, where it pulled aside the map of the constellations and stars to reveal a hidden staircase. Slowly climbing the staircase, he pulled off his mask and pointed to the board on the wall. "You're next.. Hermione Granger."
**
"Professor! Professor! Come quick!" Dobby the elf came to tug on Professor Dumbledore's purple robes. The Professor looked down kindly towards the creature, and smiled.
"Surely, Dobby. It can wait. I am in the middle of an important meeting." He said, trying to release the grasp of Dobby on his robes." Dobby's eyes widened in shock.
"B-But sir. Tis about Colin Creevy. He's near d-dea-death i-in t-the k-k-k-kit-kitch-kitchen." He managed to gasp out. The Headmaster furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought. "I tr-tried t-to te-tell y-you, s-sir."
"Alert Madame Pomfrey and I shall go investigate for myself. This is the second murder this week, and I shall stop this." Professor Dumbledore walked quickly to the kitchen, where he found the near-death Colin lying under the pile of pots. His camera was firmly grasped in his hand. 'Hmm.. This may be a clue.' Professor Dumbledore thought, becoming more like Sherlock than ever.
**
"Professor, did you happen to find out who the murderer was?" Harry asked, earnestly. "I think it's the same person who has been plotting to kill Colin, and also has killed Cho." Hermione nodded, before nudging Harry to ask Professor Dumbledore what he was really after. "Did you find the pictures of the murderer in Colin's camera?"
"The negatives were not there because whoever is guilty took the original roll." Harry's shoulders slumped, and he looked at the floor. "But not to worry because wizarding cameras always have duplicates. Thankfully I was able to find the duplicates in a pot or.. was it a pan? Somewhere in the kitchen." Harry beamed, and Hermione just frowned still stumped.
"Headmaster, may we possibly see the negatives?" Hermione asked, anxiously.
"I left them in the manila envelope over there. Take a look. If you find anything be sure to tell me." Professor Dumbledore said, before stepping back out of the room. Hermione grabbed the envelope pouring out the five pictures that were displayed. It was a scene in a movie, only taken in pictures. She stacked them and flipped through the photos.
'Poor Colin. He must have taken these before whoever it was smacked him in the head.' Hermione thought, sadly. She looked over the pictures, which were mainly black because of the fact that it was rather dark in the room. 'There's a rip in the glove.' She examined the picture, which had a red gash on the camera lens. Apparently, Colin had attempted to stun and possibly injure his attacker before he was knocked out.
**
Hermione Granger took off her black Hogwarts robe safely in her dormitory. 'Whoever this murderer is must be someone close. It's not Harry. Or could it be?' She heard an abrupt knock at the door, and opened it to find Harry and Ron. "Hey guys. What's up?"
"He's been here! The murderer! Took out Draco Malfoy outside in the hallway!" Hermione pushed past Harry and Ron, who were puzzled in her haste to reach the crime scene. Albus Dumbledore was bending over what was Draco's body. Tears streamed down her face as she bit her fingers to avoid crying out.