Chapter 12: Moonstone Heights

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AN- See not so long this time? Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

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Hermione didn't really have anything in mind when she burst into the hospital wing, she simply hoped that the sight of an auror would scare them enough for her to make arrests, Later she would curse herself for being so uncharacteristically impulsive but she acted on her instincts and burst into the little hospital wing.

From there it was a blur in her mind- Tiffany's gasp of surprise, the tall young boy she'd barely got a glimpse of before his wand was directed at her, her own bad reflexes as her wand shot out of her hands, a falling silver chain before everything went black

*

Now, as she awoke to bright sunlight and a pounding head, Hermione tried to get everything clear in her head but not for the first time in the past month, her brain usually so good at solving puzzles would simply not align the events.

Opening a cautious eye she discovered herself to be in a nicely decorated room. Simple but clean with a large king sized bed and soft blue coverings, several bookcases holding not books but pretty glass ornaments the sort that weren't really very valuable but pleasing to look at, a cheerful multi-coloured mat at the foot of the bed and beyond that large windows with bright white curtains that had been drawn fully back.

It wasn't what she'd expected, though she'd hardly had any time to think about what she expected, but surely the clichéd idea of a dungeon all slimy and dark would have been more appropriate for a crazed mass-murderer!

Infinitely confused Hermione sat up, she noticed with alarm that she was incredibly stiff and it seemed to take an unreasonable amount of energy to get up and walk to the windows. What she could see was, like the rest of Britain (presuming that's where she was) covered in snow, a few bar trees stood out against what seemed to be an endless white wilderness. She certainly was no longer at Headquarters where she would have seen long walkways and Celebration Wood, planted at the end of the first war against Voldemort containing tributes to heroes died fighting him in both wars.

She reached out and touched the glass, as she had expected, it was hot and she recoiled quickly her hand glowing from the burn. It made her heart sink; it meant the windows were spelled with all sorts of anti-escape charms.

Feeling very weak and extremely unhappy she went back to sit down on the bed wrapping the blue coverlet around her. Although she told herself it was no good feeling sorry for herself, she'd just have to think a way out, tears formed as desperation welled up. Defiantly she reached up to wipe the teas away and was surprised to find that her face was burning which didn't make sense considering she was shivering from the cold. Obviously the room had no central heating

It was like she was getting ill again, like she had only a week ago when she'd foolishly ignored the signs convincing herself that she was just over-worked. Besides, hadn't Ron given her that pendant to protect her against the illness? She reached up to find it but when she dug beneath her robes it wasn't there

She had a sudden fleeting memory of the chain falling, and remembered that she'd had difficulty fastening it. If her current situation, prisoner with no real idea of where she was or who was holding her wasn't enough cause to panic the necklaces' absence was. She knew that with the poison so recently in her bloodstream and the fever still baying at the edges there was every chance that the illness would take hold again and without the antidote.

She couldn't, wouldn't think about what that might mean for her! She needed to get herself out- help would be a long time coming, she was supposed to be going up to Newcastle first thing on boxing day morning to see her parent's. How long would it take before they realised she was missing?

It must be boxing day now. She muttered fitfully to herself, Remus was going to the Weasley's there's no chance of him dropping into the office not that he'd bother to look for me, he thinks I'm in Newcastle.

She also realised that it was likely her parents would assume she was still unfit to travel and so not be too alarmed when she failed to show up. So how long would it take for them to ring the alarm bell? And how would they do it? They were muggles after all! They had the Weasley's address but the Weasley's didn't have a telephone number! Ginny, had she given them Ginny's number? Ginny owned a mobile phone after Hermione had shown her how easy they were to use- they tended to talk every day, how long would it take for Ginny to get worried when Hermione didn't call her?

Hermione refusing to give up hope lay down knowing it was best to conserve her energy- it would hold the fever off for longer. Covering herself up, Hermione plotted- sooner or later someone would come to her and then she'd take her chances. Hermione Granger was not one to be locked up!

*

Harry was surprised when their mission in Singapore was short and easy. He wasn't at all offended by the fact that it was the sort that trainees were usually given. Kathryn was probably just trying to give them a break.

He was not surprised however by Ron's dark mood and although he was better at not showing it Harry felt pretty much the same way. Although he had more reason to be cheerful than Ron did.

Ginny who he'd spent a lot of time with during those awful hours when Hermione lay ill, had admitted that she still felt the same way for Harry and might even be able to forgive him for abandoning her. Harry, sitting in his cramped little room at headquarters smiled at the memory.

When he'd asked her if he still had a chance he hadn't really been expecting a positive answer but when she'd given him one he'd been elated. He'd told her about Kathryn's move to break down the barriers between auror divisions and the possibility of filed aurors being allowed personal lives and families. She'd promised that when this came through they could try again.

He contemplated writing to her, even though it was strictly against the rules and was nearly ready to get out his quill when Ron burst into the room looking agitated.

Don't we knock anymore? Harry asked sarcastically.

Er Sorry mate Ron said dismissively and walked over to the window. Harry was suddenly concerned this wasn't just his bad temper over what had or hadn't happened with Hermione, no this was Ron's furious mood. His hands were clenched and he was visibly shaking with rage.

What is it? Harry asked cautiously.

Ron turned to him and held up a fragile silver necklace from which a delicately wrought snowflake hung.

Isn't that the necklace you were sending Hermione? Harry asked.

She sent it back? Harry said, confused, surely she wasn't heartless enough to do that?

No- Neville found it when he went to visit her this morning. She wasn't there. Ron said, his face flushed red.

But she was going to visit her parents? Harry said.

Yes but Neville didn't know that and anyway he didn't find the necklace in her room, he found it in Tiffany's!

What was he doing in there?

Going to talk to her about going to Hogwarts- but she wasn't there either.

Maybe Dumbledore Harry began to suggest but was cut off.

No she's been kidnapped and Ron's voice cracked, And I think Hermione has been too.

I ranger her parents- they haven't seen her. Neither has Remus or Ginny I checked everyone!

Harry frowned- a sudden feeling of dread building up in his stomach.

But who? We caught Malfoy He said.

Ron shook his head, Hermione wasn't convinced. I could see it in her eyes when she woke up and I told her what had happened.

What did she say? Harry pressed.

Nothing she just seemed really doubtful I should have paid attention Harry! She's trained in that sort of thing

What are we going to do? Harry interrupted.

Kathryn's given us permission to go and look for her. Ron said.

What are we standing around here for then?

*

Hermione found that her situation was hopeless, no-one had bothered explaining why she was where she was but for two days had lain getting weaker and weaker in that room. Twice a day she would be fed, wholesome meals that appeared on a small desk from no-where. Twice a day she would be escorted into a long marble passageway to a cramped bathroom and allowed to wash and use the toilet.

It was two surly, male youths, who did this, holding her at wand point and guarding the bathroom door. Although Hermione couldn't see their faces she was pretty sure that neither was the one whose voice she'd heard. Neither spoke very much except to chastise her for being too slow.

They were both much taller, and much stronger than her- she couldn't hope to over power them especially feeling as weak as she did- besides she'd opted for the public relations and witness protection course instead of the muggle fighting arts cause... like Ron.

Now that she was trapped, the only thing that punctuated her roundabout thoughts on possible escape was Ron. Now that she was in this hopeless situation the fact that she missed him seemed all the more trivial- she'd been missing him for years and had recently had the chance to set things right with him. Imprisoned and lonely she wished more than ever that she hadn't broken off their romance.

It wasn't until half-way through her third day of captivity that she was visited by the mysterious Diamond.

She'd been sleeping fitfully when he entered. The opening of the door had caused her wake and sit up quickly. Despite her weakness.

Inspector Granger, isn't it? The boy said amicably, Let me introduce myself, I'm Diamond.

Yes, I know. She'd said icily meeting his eyes and shivering.

They were clear and sparkly the only colour in them the black of his pupil/ it was so unnerving that she had to look away. His strange white hair was unusually long for a boy and the way he wore it in a ponytail reminded her of Bill Weasley. He was tall and gangly will pale skin and paler lips which were twisted into a mad smile. His long flowing black robes contrasted starkly with his otherwise pale, luminescent appearance. Large diamonds sparkled on his boots and hung from his ears. Dangling from his robes was a watch, like the ones the male victims had carried only bigger and holding the largest diamond Hermione had ever seen.

Ahh you find me unsettling, He said, his voice was still quite high even though as Hermione reasoned he must have been sixteen like the rest of the watch carriers.

Defiantly Hermione met his eyes again, feeling slightly dizzy.

She responded coolly, Not at all. I'm just wondering why I'm here

Well really, for someone who is famed for her intelligence that's a stupid thing to say He laughed sarcastically and Hermione felt her temperature rise.

No, I realise why you've got me here, but I still don't know how I was stupid enough to let you catch me. She said keeping her calm and trying to be as sarcastic as he was.

He said sharply, Contrary to popular belief you're not the cleverest person ever to walk the planet.

Oh I know that, she said determined not to let the conversation go the way he wanted it to; If I was I might have worked out why you killed your friends.

At this, his eerie, ethereal faces bent into a scowl, They weren't my friends.

But they were like you. She challenged.

You don't know anything about it alright? he said drawing himself up to his full height and suddenly sounding like the teenager he was.

Grimly, Hermione smiled, she was getting somewhere, So are you just going to keep me here?

He snapped back at her, For as long as it takes!

Takes to do what?

Make you ill again, He replied cold eyes glittering maliciously.

Wouldn't killing me be easier? She asked.

He replied idly, conjuring a chair seemingly with just his hands out of nowhere and sitting in it.

She couldn't help it: she gasped.

He asked, Never seen wandless magic before?

She replied, Just never so casually.

He laughed his high pitched spiteful laugh.

Anyway, the matter at hand. By making you ill again I can take a sample of the poison from your blood stream. It's a fairly simple muggle process- you see the bacteria inside your body the one that's part of the poison hasn't been cured by normal means, antibiotics that is- there's no existing bacteria that can do it and so with no resistance, no antidote the bacteria will carry on multiplying and the poison will regain it's potency in your blood.

Hermione laughed appearing more confident than she felt, But that makes no sense whatsoever. Poison and bacteria are completely different things!

Yes, so they are, He said, But you see, our dear old headmaster, Mr Malfoy which your FA friends so kindly removed for me, his replacement is far too nice to suspect me, anyway our lovely Mr Malfoy wasn't nearly as good at making potions as he had thought.

What do you mean? She asked.

Well he made a rather vital mistake and the poison which should have killed you was turned into a nasty but not really fatal mixture of bacteria and poison.

She challenged.

He told us once, you see Inspector you didn't get a doze of deteriorating poison at all you got sort of a half measure with a bacteria contained. It probably doesn't make perfect scientific sense but that's how magic works.

But I would have died if my friend, Professor Longbottom hadn't created an antidote.

You're right you would have, and now without it you will do now. You see Professor Longbottom did come up with an antidote for deteriorating potion but he wasn't aware of the bacteria's presence or the fact that it was that he was suppressing and not the deteriorating potion! This is why my dear Master Draco was able to trigger off your illness again. The bacteria had merely been suppressed by Longbottom's antidote and began to work releasing toxins left over from the poison at the same time.

The bacteria halved the strength of the potion- that's why I lived. She said finally finding an answer that had been evading her for years.

Oh yes, she you really are quite clever aren't you? He said patronisingly.

So why do you want the poison or bacteria or whatever it is, anyway? She asked changing the subject quickly.

Her grinned, So that I can infect the entire ministry of magic with it.

Yes, you see, now that I have control of the school, yes there's that ministry replacement but she doesn't notice anything, now that I have that I've set my sights higher. I'm going to take over the ministry and things will be run my way. What's the use of having all the power I took from the other stone bearers if I can't use it?

And you'll kill the other two because of course Tiffany's not really a witch is she? Hermione asked bitterly.

No, no Tiffany's just some squib who was brought up in the school; don't ask me why because frankly I don't know. Diamond said dismissively.

You'll kill the others though? Hermione asked.

Oh yes, given time, I will. He said.

You're twisted, Hermione spat at him, all control ebbing away along with her rapidly vanishing strength.

Oh that's harsh. He said smiling and unnerving her even more.

Hermione didn't reply as she felt a fresh wave of despair wash over her. It was over, at least for her. She didn't believe for one minute that Diamond would succeed in his misguided scheme, for a start there was Neville's antidote, but she didn't doubt for one minute that Diamond would kill the other two students, who were probabley the ones escorting her to the bathroom every day. Then there was the surety that the illness would probabley kill her once Diamond had got his sample, that she wouldn't see any of her friends again, or her parents, or Ron. Wouldn't have the chance to tell him how she felt

I'll leave that to sink in shall I? Diamond asked reading her face.

Hermione didn't say anything and didn't look up again till he'd gone. During this time she was making a decision, it was time to chance an escape. If they killed her trying, well, it wouldn't matter. If she got away- somehow- any way then she'd warn people and maybe those students wouldn't have to die- and maybe she'd get an antidote and maybe she'd she Ron again

*

The obvious place is Moonstone Manor. Ron said again.

But why Ron, Malfoy's not even there anymore? Remus Lupin asked patiently from behind his desk.

Ron answered, But I don't think Hermione was convinced that he was Diamond.

What did she say that makes you think that? Remus asked.

Ron said feeling useless, It was just a look

Even Harry was sceptical, A look?

I know Hermione better than anyone in here- even you Ginny, Ron said furiously glaring at his sister who had been about to interrupt, I know when she isn't happy about something I just know it.

Ron, Hermione's changed, Ginny said gently, You might have just imagined it.

And by going to Moonstone Heights we are probabley just going on the wild goose chase that whoever took her wants us to go on! Harry said quickly before Ron could explode at his sister.

Yes, it's probably just some crazed relative of someone Hermione's had convicted, Remus Lupin said in a calming voice.

So why hasn't there been any ransom note? Ron demanded.

It hasn't really been long enough for that, Remus said.

Nearly 3 days she's been missing and you don't think that's long enough? Ron asked furiously.

In past cases, it's been up a month before any ransom demands have been made, Remus said.

Ron didn't reply. He didn't know why, but he was sure that Hermione would be found at Moonstone Heights and her certainly didn't like the idea of waiting a month for a ransom note. She could be dead by then- had they forgotten how ill she was?

He stayed in the background as the other three immersed themselves in files compiling lists of possible suspects. Eventually he slipped away, grunting that he was going for some fresh air.

Once outside, he found himself looking up the co-ordinates for Moonstone Heights and with no real plan in his head he apparated. If they weren't going to listen to him, well he'd just have to find her on his own!

AN- Please, please, please review!

Random quote- Let the wookie win Threepio, the annoying but loveble gold robot from Star Wars A New Hope.