Disclaimer : I am not JK Rowling, nor do I claim to be her. This story is rated R because of sex, action/adventure, and my big head inventing this. The characters that you do not recognize from the books belong to me. The characters are about twenty-one and act their age. Then again it's from teenage views. I plan to write a prequel to this story after it ends. The story 'Runaway' will end by the time I reach chapter ten. It will be followed by a prologue called 'Entrapment'. Possibly, I can write a sequel to this - no names yet, but it will be about Monique's life at Hogwarts. Enjoy!
**
"Mister Potter?" The doctor asked, uncertainly. Harry stood up immediately as if to ask 'how is she'. "Miss Granger is to remain with us while we monitor her. She's in a fairly critical condition, but her recovery should be quick. We've managed to heal the wounds, but after a scare such as this, it might be best to leave her in our care." Harry nodded, as his eyes drifted to Monique - in his arms. "You may go in and see her now." Harry nodded again, as he entered the room - closing the door behind him.
**
Ronald Weasley frowned as he scrawled more appointments in his appointment book. He sighed deeply as he looked over his over-whelming week of plans. The fact was that he, Ron Weasley, wasn't happy. He'd over-ranked Percy, his Father, and the rest of the Weasley family who found their way into the Ministry of Magic. He was actually doing well in life, but there was something that didn't seem right.
Glenda came in with her usual bright smile as she laid down the latest issue of the Daily Prophet and several of the owl post that Ron had recieved in the previous days. Since word came about the pranks played on highly ranked positions in the muggle world, the people in the owl post mail room had to be more careful than usual. Ron read the front cover and shook his head in disbelief. "Is there something wrong, Mister Weasley?"
"No, it's just quite hard to believe. One day they're engaged. The next morning she's shot by some idiot outside their apartment - obviously meant to scare Harry. It all just doesn't make any sense what-so-ever." Ron rubbed his chin in wonder. "That's alright, Glenda. I think I'll have a word with B about Mister Potter." Ron got up and packed some files labeled confidential into his folder ; then he walked out of his office on the sixteenth story of the Ministry of Magic building in downtown London.
After apparating to the run-down building that housed The Agency, Ron entered the building - going through the same procedures that the Agents did - for it was for their protection that everyone entering and leaving would be scanned. "Hello Ronald," B stood waiting for him as he exited the scanning area. "My secretary said that you would pop in right about now. Something about Agent Potter." Ron nodded as he followed B through the nearly empty halls. "Agent Potter is currently with his fianceé in the Hospital Wing, if you have any objection to it then please tell me immediately."
"No that's fine," Ron said as he glanced at a lady whom he recognized from Hogwarts. "Who is she?"
"Teresa Potter, Agent Potter's secretary," B replied sternly. "This way please." B gestured for Ron to enter the room. With a final glance at Teresa, he entered the room. "Now what did you want to discuss about Granger or Agent Potter?" Ron shrugged as he propped his right leg up on his knee. "I'm a busy woman, Mr. Weasley. I do keep on my schedule, as I trust that you do yours." Ron flinched, as he was not used to having a rank higher than his own.
"Have you conducted an interview with Granger yet," Ron asked as he looked at the manila file folder that was placed in front of him. He opened the folder to see Hermione's most recent picture - of her in her black and white striped jail uniform from Azkaban. Her eyes had dark circles around them, and she looked dejected - almost on the verge of suicide.
"No. She's been protected by Harry pretty much all the time. It seems that even after all these years there is a fatal attraction between the two of them-" Ron flinched at these words. "I planned to conduct the interview today but seeing as her condition has taken a turn for the worse because of the shooting, it will have to wait. It will probably be two weeks before she is stable enough for us to interrogate her." Ron nodded as he flipped through the medical reports, fingerprint files, and papers listed in 'Hermione Granger - classified'.
"I see," Ron said - almost sarcastically.
"Mister Weasley, I don't see what amuses you so. You must understand that we cannot simply just jump in and counter what the devil has brought before us. This is a suspected criminal who has just been introduced back into the civilized society - under strict supervision. You fail to see that we take care of our prisoners, unlike those in Azkaban. Which is why - perhaps - that all the prisoners sentenced to Azkaban lose their souls , their minds, and their hearts." Ron shifted, uncomfortably. "You take your position as Minister of Magic and do not see the truth. I can tell you care about Granger ; it's clear as day. Perhaps, you're letting your love for her blind your true feelings. Good day, Minister." B stood up and left the interrogation room.
Ron picked up the folder and tucked it into his briefcase. Just outside the door, he ran into someone he least expected - Draco Malfoy.
**
Ginny Weasley glanced at the news paper which portrayed Hermione Granger and Harry Potter on the page. 'Don't be jealous,' Ginny thought to herself. 'You know they were meant to be together, even if she did commit a terrible crime.' Ginny shook her head in disbelief as her thoughts betrayed her emotions. 'Hermione wouldn't kill someone. It had to be someone else!' She glanced down at her almost-empty editor's notebook, where she usually jotted down the ideas of her upcoming articles. She wrote down, in elegant cursive handwriting she learned from her mother, Molly Weasley - 'Hermione Granger , criminal?'
Nodding with satisfaction, Ginny packed up her pen case and notebooks into her Denim messenger bag and scurring out the door. 'Witches' Weekly can wait! I'm heading home.' After apparating from the Witches' Weekly building in Diagon Alley, she found herself at home infront of the Burrow, where the banging from the attic could be heard. The smell of fresh, home-made cooking floated out the open door. Ginny smiled as she heard her mother scream. 'Most likely Fred and George,' Ginny thought smugly.
"Mom?"
"Ah," screamed Molly Weasley. She was obviously still worked up with Fred and George's latest prank. Molly Weasley still looked like she did when she was on Platform 9 and 3/4 in Harry and Ron's first year. It was amazing what witches' makeup could do for a woman. "Sorry dear. Fred and George were just in the room, and they pulled another one of their famous pranks." Ginny laughed with her mother as she helped to pick up the pieces of the broken bowl on the floor. "What brings you by the Burrow today?"
"Well-" She was interrupted by another sound at the front door. She turned around to see Fred and George poke their heads in. "Fred!" She was greeted by a hug from George. "George!" Fred joined in the group hug. "It's been a while," Ginny said.
Ginny left the Burrow to live in a small apartment down in Diagon Alley so she could walk to work instead of apparate. Fred and George didn't object so they wouldn't have to hear about any of the girl talk that Molly often gave Ginny when she was feeling down. "How's the head editor of Witches' Weekly?"
She shrugged. "It's going alright." Fred nodded.
**
"Malfoy," Ron glared as he examined the smug look on Draco Malfoy's face. "What do you want?"
"What," Draco feined a look of innonense. "A man can't walk around in his work place without being interrogated. I should be asking you what you're doing here." Draco didn't give Ron any time to answer his question, but continued. "I'll bet you're here to see the mudblood, Granger. Well she's in the Hospital Wing as B said." Ron blushed scarlet red.
"Why does everyone say that," he said stubbornly, as he gritted his teeth in an effort not to punch Draco. "It's not true."
"Sure and I'm the Sugar Plum Fairy," Draco said sarcastically. "Give it up. She's moved on with Potter and you know it."
"You're going to be in the Hospital Wing if you say anything more, Malfoy. Remember - I'm the Minister of Magic. I'm now in a higher position than your scum father could ever be. Remember that," Ron sulked off towards the main door, where he could finally breathe once more. Draco watched stunned. His provoking hadn't done anything, and he was sure that Ron would start a fight with him.
'Something in that Weasel has changed," Draco thought. Ron used to have a short temper, and if you provoked him, you would find yourself a fight. Usually Draco tended to annoy Harry Potter, but since Draco now knew Harry's weaknessess - which weren't many, it made it harder to annoy him. 'Weaknessess? Let's see.. Hermione. Hermione. Hermione. Oh yes, there was one time that he was scared of You-know-who.' He chuckled silently to himself as he went to fetch Danielle and go home.
**
Two weeks later, Hermione's condition had improved since Madame Pomfrey had sent in some herbal tea that Harry was forced to give to Hermione. Thankfully the wounds hadn't become infected, or it would have been worse. As it neared the Christmas Season, Harry and Hermione began starting their wedding plans.
"I think the lavender should go with.." Harry stared out the window. "Harry?"
"Huh," Harry asked. "Sorry, I was a little bit distracted there. You know. Work's been so stressing, and I just needed to relax for the break. Get a bit of quality sleep in there without having Queen B annoying my arse every time I get time to sit on my bum." Hermione nodded with understanding. "I knew you'd understand." Harry stood up , stretching slightly. He gave her a peck on the forehead and left the shop with the satisfactory ring of the bells as it closed.
"Fianceé?" The lady at the counter asked as she held up several lavender colored lilacs. "The Harry Potter eh? Well, you're a lucky girl. My name's Rosanna Rodgers." Hermione nodded as she shook the young girl's hand. Upon close examination, Rosanna had orange eyes and black hair. The thought didn't scare Hermione one bit. 'After all, it is the wizarding world,' she reminded herself.
After some arrangements, Hermione planned to meet with Rosanna the following Wednesday to go over in more detail what kind of wedding Hermione planned to have. 'Knowing Harry, he'll probably nod and agree with pretty much anything,' Hermione chuckled as she picked up her purse and headed out the door.
Next door to 'Flowers and More', there was an old shop with an intriguing mystery to it that Hermione couldn't help but read the dusty old sign on top. 'Madame Taylor's Tarot and Palm Readings,' Hermione laughed at the thought of Professor Trelawney changing her name to earn a little money in Diagon Alley. An urge burst to find her future, perhaps it was fate.
With a swift movement, Hermione opened the door - where the chimes sang three different tones. "Come in Hermione, I've been expecting you." Just the raspy voice itself sent shivers up Hermione's spine. "Don't be hesitant. I mean no harm," a lady emerged from the back room. At the doorway there was a blue beaded curtain, and the light of the shop was very dark. Candles floated above their heads - like in Hogwarts, but the effect against the black ceiling was fascinating. "You come to get your fortune told?" Hermione nodded. "Come." Madame Taylor took her hand and led her in the back room.
Inside the shop - as far as Hermione could see, there was vast variety of occult items. Not having the chance to browse about, Hermione couldn't help but think that it was just a hoax. Nothing seemed real, like it was a dream. "Sit," Hermione watched as Madame Taylor pulled out a crystal ball. "Would you like a tarot or palm reading?"
"A palm reading," Hermione answered. In the dim light, she could make out the smooth skin which told that Madame Taylor was younger than thirty years of age. However, Hermione didn't want to ask how old she was. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a bun at the back of her head, and her blue eyes sparkled - even though it was hard to see in the shop.
"Ahh," Madame Taylor uttered as she examined the creases on Hermione's hands. "Interesting.."
"What?"
"It seems that you are running from the law. You have doubts in yourself that you are innocent, but have no fear. The fear you should have is for your daughter Monique, and for your fianceé." Hermione arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "You're on the verge my dear, the brink of life and death."
**
Next Chapter : Runaway is 50% done. What else could happen in the next 50%? Think of a little double-crossing. Bad-guys become good guys, and good-guys become bad. Hermione is arrested under more heinious charges by the Ministry of Magic, and Sirius Black makes an appearance to have a man-to-man chat with Harry. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
- D/H Shipper
