Harry slouched comfortably into his favorite armchair in front of his fireplace with a thoughtful look upon his face. After Draco had locked himself in his bathroom earlier that day he had made a quick exit with Ron so the blonde could have something that resembled peace. It didn't look as though there would ever be peace for him. The Daily Prophet was still churning out their headlines with gusto and vengeance.

Mystery Still Surrounds Murder Authorities Appoint Malfoy As Prime Suspect

Harry groaned as possible scenarios raced around his mind. Anyone who was a devout Voldemort follower would've wanted Hermione dead. Hell to this day he and Ron received angry howlers filled with death threats and future curses. It had been months since Draco was found huddled in the corner of his house holding a cold Hermione in his arms. Medi-witches had to put him in a body bind because he refused to let them take her body, was actually violent, throwing curses left and right. Shaking his head at the memory of the hysterical Draco, Harry lifted up the paper that was on his lap and began to read.

Representatives from the Ministry of Magic are disappointed to find no clear-cut evidence of forced entry into the Malfoy-Granger household on the evening of her death.  In light of this the only key suspect in the murder of Ms. Granger is none other than her surviving fiancé Draco Malfoy.

Harry threw the paper to the carpeted floor and stood up to be greeted with slight dizziness. His thoughts were raging at him as he began to pace. It didn't make any sense. Anyone in his or her right mind could see that Draco did not murder her. Anyone who saw the ghost of a man walking down the street could see that was clear as day. The Ministry Of Magic was a bunch of fools as far as Harry was concerned. Ignorant and sloppy with their work. As long as Cornelius Fudge was in charge it would remain that way. Harry lifted his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose so he could alleviate some of the pressure that was building.

Harry's eyes were bloodshot and swollen as he walked quickly behind the medi-wizard that was leading him down the well-lit halls of St. Mungo's. The young wizard in front of him glanced back every so often with wild amazement. The Harry Potter was trailing behind him, crying no less. They continued to walk in silence until they came to their destination.

" Right in there Mr. Potter…the coroner should be inside to help you with any questions or arrangements."

" Thank You…"

" Richard Carmichael, sir." He responded eager to aid his childhood idol.

Harry gave a faint smile despite his sadness. " Thank you Richard."

" Anytime, sir… if you need anything you can call on me anytime you need." His boyish face lit with loyalty. Harry nodded in gratitude before entering the room he had been

led to.

The morgue reminded Harry of all the muggle shows he had seen before. Magical gurneys floated side by side under harsh blue-white fluorescent torches.

Harry felt ill immediately as the smell of death surrounded him. It was obvious that the wizarding world had taken some hints from muggle medicine when it came down to embalming.

" Hello Mr. Potter."  Harry snapped back to attention at the sound of a warm gentle voice. "I'm Dr. Gavin Darko." He said stretching out his hand. Harry shook it weakly. The older man seemed to understand.

"You're here to see…" he asked expectantly.

Harry sniffled a little embarrassed of his tears. " Hermione Granger." He choked out miserably. Darko nodded and turned.

" Right this way Mr. Potter." Harry followed the older wizard as he was led into an adjourning room. Hermione was laid out before them covered only in a white cotton sheet from her shoulders down. Harry stepped closer to her body and examined the damaged that had been dealt.

" How did… how did it happen… what killed her?" he whispered while he brushed a stray lock of her hair from her face. Darko summoned up a chart and glanced down at the words.

" She suffered from 2 broken ribs, she was undoubtedly thrown around a bit…" he began trying hard not to set the young man in front of him into fanatics. " When she first arrived she was sweating blood…"

" Cruciatus Curse." Harry murmured to himself. Darko cleared his throat uncomfortably, it was a pity that such a young lad was exposed to such things, regardless if he was The Boy Who Lived or not.

" Yes." He continued. " It was administered a number of times…" Harry shut his eyes in grief, she had suffered more than he could imagine.

"Is that what killed her?"

" No sir, despite the stress Cruciatus caused her heart it was the killing curse that ended her life." Green eyes began to flood once more, but Harry willed his tears back. He had to be strong for Hermione and for Draco. The Coroner spoke again breaking him out of his reverie.

" I would like to give you her personal belongings that she came with, but I'm afraid the Ministry has me under strict orders to keep them here…as future evidence." Harry ran a shaky hand through his black hair and nodded to show he understood.

"A Draco Malfoy is listed as next of kin here…"

" Yes, her fiancé."

" Is he around, I'm sure he'd like to make arrangements for her burial." Harry shook his head slowly.

" Mr. Malfoy is upstairs in the intensive unit." Harry started still looking at his best friend; she looked ethereal under the blue white light above her.

" Oh, I say, was he badly injured?" Darko inquired genuinely concerned.

" No, he found her body."

" I see." Harry looked up his green eyes sad.

" He's on the verge of insanity… they're sedating him as we speak."

Harry shook the memory away before he upset himself too much. It was bad enough he felt dizzy and to top it all off his scar was emitting the same tingling it had earlier that day.

' Breathe Potter, there's no need to work yourself into hysterics.' He thought to himself pacing slower, the dizzy spell was building in strength.

' You managed to face down Voldemort without fainting; a bad memory should be a walk in the park.' Harry started to breathe deeper only to find that it didn't calm his dilemma. The tingling increased to an almost numb unpleasantness much like a limp falling a sleep.

' Hold it together Harry… hold it.' Harry's steady pacing had faltered as he gripped the sides of his head with pressing hands, anything to relive the numbness that was spreading throughout his whole body.  His vision began to blur uncontrollably and Harry threw his specs to the floor in frustration.  The dizziness seemed to come in violent waves unrelenting as it brought him to his knees beside his roaring fireplace.

Harry tried rolled to his side in an attempt to keep consciousness, but the numbness had

taken away any the control he had left of his body. Opening his eyes the last thing he saw was picture on his mantle of Ron, Hermione and Himself before everything went black.