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Chapter 5

AN: Hello you lovely, lovely readers! :) Thanks so much for checking out my story. Here's another chapter for you, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Just as Duke started towards his boat after bidding Audrey goodnight, he heard a sound that had him quickening his steps to a jog. Only one thing made that sound, Hermione's appearance. Duke was even happier that he had only had the one drink with Audrey because the only reason Hermione would show up at such an hour was due to having found something significant.

When Duke stepped into the galley, it was to a beaming and bouncing witch. Taking a moment to appreciate the vision before him, Duke knew he was a goner and then he suddenly had his arms full of said witch and couldn't help tightening his arms as he inhaled her scent. Yep, his heart was completely hers.

"So what brings you here at such an hour?" he chuckled.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't think about the time!" Hermione gasped with widened eyes.

"Don't worry about it, love. Tea?" Duke replied

"Please." Hermione answered, smiling when it dawned on her the term of endearment he had used.

Then she began telling him what she had found. Showing him the book and opening it to the pertinent chapter. Duke listened intently as he made her tea and him coffee, his mind running a million miles an hour. The author, Alex Tellall, seemed to know way more than anyone alive. As Duke thought about it, he wondered if Audrey was the Trouble Whisperer. She certainly had a knack dealing with those affected. His thoughts then went to Vince and Dave, curios if they may be a part of the group of protectors.

Vince he would believe but Dave seemed too...passive...to be included. Not that Duke thought Dave was clueless, not at all; just not part of such a group. It also made sense why they would run a newspaper. A better cover to have Duke knew not. No one would suspect them asking questions; it was their job after all. It would also explain why none of the Troubles were ever reported on in the paper.

Duke wondered if the mysterious woman from so long ago was the reason for the Troubles. The real question was if she knew she was spreading them or not. If she did it intentionally, why? To what purpose would someone give anyone such atrocities Also, where did she disappear to? And the male, did he disappear with her or just at the same time? Would they see either of them again? Duke's thoughts jumped tracks when Hermione brought up possible ways to get rid of the Troubles.

"It's a long shot and we'll need someone we can trust to work on. I don't know how long it will take for me to figure out what works, if anything. So the person we choose needs to understand it might not work at all." When Hermione looked to Duke, he was rubbing his chin in thought. "You look like you have someone in mind."

"Well, I was thinking Nathan but he's busy dealing with whatever comes up. As much as I don't want to, the person we really should ask would be Chief Wuornos. He would know and he would keep your secret without hesitation or judgment." Duke sighed.

Hermione smiled at his look of resignation. "You know I could speak with the Chief myself."

"You could, but he needs to know I'm involved." Duke explained. "It wouldn't be in your best interest for him to find out any other way."

"If you're sure, I get why you don't care for the man." Hermione replied.

"Yeah, we don't see eye-to-eye but the Chief is a good man. We'll go see him tomorrow." Duke told her.

"Okay, then I should let you get some sleep then." Hermione said as she slid from the booth, not realizing until then how close they had been sitting together.

"Probably." Duke agreed as he gave her a lopsided smile as he stood. When she walked close to him to get her bag she had dropped, Duke's arm snaked around her waist to bring her body against his as he leaned down to kiss her.

Later, as they both dropped into their respective beds, both fell asleep rather quickly with smiles on their faces.

It was mid-morning when Hermione apparated to the galley. Her breath caught when she saw Duke leaning against the sink, coffee in hand, in shorts and nothing else.

When his eyes met hers, he smirked, winked and gave her a once over. Blushing, Hermione averted her eyes. However, it was difficult to not swoon when Duke made sure to walk by her with barely any space between them. Once he was out of sight, Hermione fanned herself and sighed. The man was deliciously dangerous to her...well…to her.

After Duke reemerged dressed for the day, he led them to his Rover. On the drive to the station, Duke forewarned Hermione of the Chief's demeanor.

Of course, as they entered the precinct, Audrey and Nathan were heading out.

"Morning Duke!" Audrey greeted cheerily.

"Audrey, Nathan." Duke returned.

"What are you doing here? Who's your friend?" Nathan asked coldly.

"Hermione, right?" Audrey interjected as she held her hand out to the petite brunette.

"It is; a pleasure to meet you both." Hermione answered as she shook Audrey's hand and gave a nod in Nathan's direction.

"Well, we'd love to chat but we really must be going." Audrey said as she grabbed Nathan's arm, pulling him out with her, not in the mood for the argument that would've happened.

"Pleasant sort, isn't he." Hermione commented once they were out of earshot.

"That's Nathan for you." Duke answered as he used his arm around her waist to guide her to the Chief's office. They were bid to enter after knocking.

"Crocker, what do you want? Come to confess?" Chief Wuornos asked as way of greeting.

"Chief, and no, I have nothing to confess to." Duke replied with a smirk.

The Chief snorted before asking who the female was.

"My name is Hermione Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

The Chief eyed her for a moment, noting her "battle ready" stance. He smirked at her, liking her already despite her being with Duke. "What can I do for you Ms. Granger?"

"I would like a moment of your time, Chief Wuornos, to speak to you about the Troubles." Hermione informed him, keeping her expression neutral and her voice low.

"Close the door and have a seat." The Chief replied after he took in her words and body language.

For the next several hours Hermione and Duke explained what they had learned as well as informing the Chief about her world. She even took out her wand to give him a visual of what she could do and prove that she was very serious. She also pulled out Hogwarts: A History for him to peruse.

Once the Chief was satisfied that she didn't have a Trouble and was indeed truly magical, he told them who they could use...

"I'll be your test subject." When Duke gave him a surprised look, the Chief added, "This doesn't go past these four walls, Crocker."

"Sir" Duke responded with a slight nod and neutral face.

"So where do you want to do these tests?" the Chief asked.

"My flat would be best as I have wards up for protection." Hermione answered.

"Alright, how 'bout we start at lunch and go from there?" the Chief suggested.

"Sounds good to me. Just remember, please, I may not be able to rid you of your trouble." Hermione stated.

The Chief gave her a nod and she gave him her address.

Over the next two weeks, Hermione tried various spells on the Chief and in between she researched every book she had as well as flooing to Hogwarts to speak with Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape. She wanted their take on what should be tried that wasn't in her books.

Poppy gave her some healing spells she had learned while Severus suggested a few potions to try, some alone, others in conjunction with spells. Both reminded her that it may be something that had to be done in stages, which was why she would do only one at lunch and then one after the Chief called it a day at the office.

AN: As you can tell, Garland Wuornos didn't explode at the end of season one. I hated him leaving and played with that a bit here. :)