It had been exactly two and a half months since the incident. Hermione was getting along, just as anyone would and should when such a violation had occurred. She was virtually the same to Harry, only that there was a tinge of sadness within her voice sometimes. At night, she sometimes clung to him as if her last lifeline, other nights, she was distant. She still had nightmares.
Everyone at the firm was impressed with the work she had done, so far. Don had apparently told everyone about her ingenious conclusion about the occult. Hermione, on the other hand, was still waiting for permission to exhume the body from the earth. She was also still trying to translate text from the photos. She had concluded that it was not Sanskrit, but some form of either Thai or Sumerian.
Rupert Corey had not, in fact, come back to help with the case. He apparently got caught up in a case in France, where the Aurors had apparently had another occult-like murder.
Still no word on if the two murders were connected.
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"Harry, I need to exhume those bloody bodies." Hermione whined, as they made their way through the hallways of the Auror headquaters.
"Yes I know, but stuff like this takes time. We have to ask the victim's family, who by the way, is very church going Catholics and seem to think it sacrilegious to raise the dead from the grave." Harry conceded
"Yes but, I seem to think it sacrilegious that some satanic murderer is still out there having a jolly good time, after their loved one was brutally murdered."
"Well, people—"
"Are bloody stupid" Hermione said through gritted teeth.
They entered Don and Harry's office. Don was sitting at his desk, looking over some papers, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"I have some good news." He said, not eve looking up.
"What's that?" Harry asked as he went to his desk and looked through his mail
"Ever been to France any of you?" Don asked
"I have, beautiful there really." Hermione said, sitting down at Harry's desk.
"Well, you two are leaving for it in less than two hours."
"What why?" they both asked in unison.
"Apparently, this murderer gets around. That murder seems to be connecting with this one, and the bodies haven't been buried Ms. Granger, so you might not have to exhume the body here."
"Will Ruppie be there?" Harry asked icily.
Don sighed "No, Rupert was offered a job in the states. Better money I suspect."
"Oh, that's terrible. I'm going to miss him." Harry said sarcastically, receiving a frown from Don and a small smile from Hermione.
Don handed Harry the case file "Be careful the both of you."
"Why aren't you coming?" Hermione asked
"I've business here that needs tending to." He slipped on his coat and put on his black bowler hat. "I suggest you two get back and pack. You're going to be there for a good week and a half. To see if you can catch these guys fresh on their tracks."
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They arrived in a wizarding town outside of Beyeux. It was small, not as large as Diagon alley but it served the purpose. The items were the same, Harry noted, as he passed a broom shop exposing the latest model of Nimbus 2050. Hermione had to grab his hand to get him away from the window, rolling her eyes.
"Something's never change" Harry chuckled.
They made their way towards the wizarding directory, which unfortunately was French.
"Bonjour, bienvenue à l'annuaire français. Créez juste le nom de votre destination et les directions seront là sous peu, avec des images de vous destination pour vos besoins d'apparation" The words displayed in front of their faces. Harry looked over at Hermione, eyes questioning what he should do.
"Sièges sociaux Français D'Auror" Hermione said to the display in front of her. At that, a short piece of parchment appeared in front of Harry's face, with the direct directions of how to get to the French Auror Headquarters and the nearest apparition location.
&((&
"Bienvenue, à où pourriez-vous vous diriger?" The plump woman at the door said cheerily. She had a rather round face that reminded Harry of Dudley's. He shuddered at the thought of Dudley in a wig and makeup on; he would be the ugliest woman ever.
" Er, do you speak English?" Harry asked the woman awkwardly.
"Anglais? Oh, Mr. you should have just announced zat you were English." The woman smiled "Now where are you planning on going?"
"Department of Murder." Hermione said
"Right this vay." She asked them to follow.
The headquarters was basically like the one in London, only with French people. A lot of people noticed Harry, his towering stature and bright green eyes drew them in, especially the ladies. Hermione, thought beautiful, was not as recognizable, because of Harry's star power
They entered a corridor, Auror's were hustling this way and that. Some said a cheery 'Bonjour' to the couple. They walked into an office, a young receptionist at a desk, writing something down on a piece of parchment.
"Ils parlent englais" The woman said to the receptionist at the front desk. She graced Hermione and Harry with her smile one last time before she walked. The young redhead at the desk sighed, signing one last paper before turning to her customers.
"Bonjour. Who might you need to see?" She gave Harry a small smile, her green eyes twinkling.
"Department chairman Celeste D'lano." Hermione cut in. The woman looked Hermione up and down, as if reading her every movement. Hermione shifted uncomfortably.
"Celeste is in a meeting. I'm afraid you'll 'ave to wait." She said quickly.
The two sat down quickly, Hermione taking out her case files, and leaving Harry with nothing to do.
"What are your names?" The redhead asked her green eyes boring into Harry's face.
"Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter? I cannot believe it. You're much more handsome in person." The woman said in her thick French accent.
"Thank you." Harry said.
"My names Hermione Granger." Hermione added in. The woman merely glanced at her, eyes flashing as if to say 'shut up'
"The meeting should be over in 10 minutes. " She smiled at Harry.
"My names Candice." She said slyly, getting up behind her desk and sitting at the corner, displaying her long legs in a ridiculously seductive fashion. She offered her hand to shake to Harry.
"Nice to meet you Candice." Harry smiled at the beautiful woman. He couldn't help but be attracted to this woman. She was extremely, tauntingly hot. He had always liked women with long legs. But, with Hermione right there, his current object of affection, he could not act out on his 'aching' need to get to know this woman 'better'.
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Hermione had to endure 10 minutes of the French tramps giggling, so when the meeting was finally over, she got up quickly and gave Harry a very pointed look that said ' come on you horny bastard, lets get going'
If only looks could say that much.
Much to Candice's dismay, Harry followed his brunette friend towards the office. The office was lavishly decorated, with porcelain knick knacks and beautiful potted plants. Celeste was a tall thin woman with strawberry blond hair, a small splattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. She was in her mid forties, small cracks at the corner of her eyes and creases around her mouth.
" Bonjour!" she said cheerily. "Welcome to French headquarters."
It was hard to understand her; she had a very, very thick accent.
"Thank you." Hermione answered
"I hope everyone has been polite?"
"Yes, they have."
"Now, there seems to be a connection to the murder here, in England? Celeste leaned back in her chair.
"Yes." Harry answered "We think that it has something to do with the occult."
"Really? How so?"
"The markings on their foreheads, and the clasping of the mouths" Hermione handed her the photos of the murders that occurred in England.
She surveyed the pictures closely before putting them down "I will have you start this case the day after tomorrow" She turned to Harry "Harry, I hear that after defeating the Dark Lord, you're a very skilled defense fighter."
" Yes." Harry snorted inwardly, obviously
" I 'ave a case that I would like you to help with. It deals with a murderer. His name iz Merv Halion. He has killed 12, in the most brutal of ways." She handed him a picture of one of the victims. Their head was sliced open, there were magical traces of the Crutatious curse, as he could see from the footnotes.
" We are close on his tail. But, it is said that this man has an extensive back round in the dark arts." She said quickly. " I'm sure you can handle it."
"Should I go with him?" Hermione asked, feeling a little perturbed at being left out of the conversation.
"Yes, you may." She said crisply.
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"Harry, would you like to meet sometime tomorrow?" Candice asked as they exited out the office. The woman conveniently ignored the glare Hermione was sending her way.
"Er maybe.Bye." He said before he exited the door.
They walked in silence, Hermione's simple but elegant shoes clacking on the floor. Harry followed, a little confused by the icy chill that was coming off of Hermione and was being directed at him.
They made their way to their hotel, Le newt, which was the bigger equivalent of the leaky cauldron. They checked in with the man and made their way up to their room.
They had gotten one room.
But Hermione asked for a separate bed…
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Merv Halion was a cereal murderer. All of his 12 victims had two things in common; they all had met him one time or another at bookstore he worked at. He was normal looking person, mousy brown hair, brown eyes and simple bone structure.
The other thing his victims had in common was that they were all men.
He was a mediocre student, attending beaubaxtons and only excelling in certain subjects he had a passion for. Wasn't very social, never attending any balls or other social events. He was 36 years old.
His victims, predominately gay or in failing marriages; most in late twenties or early thirties. All were very good looking.
Merv would ask his victims on a date. He would always order them the same drink, a martini. They would leave together, going back to a nearby love nest.
During the throws of making love and passion, he would use his wand to alienate his lover's body from his head, making it numb to the next curse he used.
He would cast the crutatius on only his victims head, causing it to swell over time from pressure and eventually bursting. He would then, after screwing and killing them, carve into their chest or back, 'whore'.
He would later dump them in a field, but not hidden.
He remained in obscurity for over a year, the French officials trying their best, using every tracking spell they could.
But he remained to be found.
Until seven days ago, a clever wizard found some saliva on a recent victims neck. He used an identification spell on the saliva, and through a couple of tests, it all lead up to Merv Halion.
Cereal murderer.
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Harry, Hermione and 2 other French officials walked along the streets of small Wizarding town outside of Paris. It had just rained, the cobblestone streets were slick with wet.
Merv Halion worked at the Le ver de livre, a small mom and pop bookshop. The place was musty and dusty and filled with things that Hermione would just love to smuggle home.
They entered the bookstore,a small bell above their heads ringing. Merv was at the counter, seemingly oblivious to who had just entered, for he was reading what looked like a wizarding tabloid.
"Merv Halion." Frances, a French auror asked. Merv looked up from his tabloid, his eyes widening when they landed on the auror's face.
"Yes?" He answered, his eyes going towards the door.
"You are under arrest for the murder of Chris Mclean, David Thomas, and countless others." Frances said, taking out what looked like magical handcuffs from a pocket.
Merv was quick, Harry and Hermione soon learned, for he pulled out his wand and shot a curse at Frances and the other French Auror with what looked like the Crutatius curse.
They both pulled out their wands, but Merv had already run out the back entrance. The two soon followed, winding through the many boxes and books in the back room. The entered the back alley, the stench of garbage filling Harry's nose.
The alley was empty.
"Where the fuck is he?" Harry asked.
"Harry language!" Hermione answered." I don't know. Check behind stuff."
"What if he apparated?" Harry asked as he checked behind a garbage can.
"Let's hope not." Hermione said quickly.
Just then, Harry felt a swift punch to the side of his face. He looked around, the alley was still empty, except for Hermione.
"The fucker just punched me!" Harry snarled. He reached his arms out, grasping thin air.
Nothing.
The man had an invisibility cloak. Bastard!
Harry pivoted, looking around frantically. Hermione watched; wand out and ready. Harry turned to her, green eyes flashing.
"Harry watch out!" Hermione screamed suddenly. Harry was then blinded with immense pain. It clouded his mind, blurry.
He fell to the ground, blackness enveloping him. He only remembered was the swift cry of the small woman next to him and a bright blue light.
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" Help!" Hermione screamed, entering 'Arc' healing center in Paris. Harry trailed behind her, floating in midair, unconscious, breathing shallow.
" Help!" She pleaded, med witches running at her, tending to Harry.
"Que s'est produit?" A plump lady asked.
" What? I don't speak English!" Hermione said, getting frustrated. She was scared Harry was going to die because of her lack of communication skills.
God no please.
"She's asking what happened." A silky voice said from behind, almost familiar. Hermione turned swiftly, thankful for the familiarity of her own language.
But she stopped dead in her tracks.
" Malfoy?"
He smirked back at her.
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Whoa, I wrote this fast. Fastest EVER. So anyways, I brought Malfoy into the story and took Rupert out. I love Malfoy, he's just too much fun to write.
And now that he is in the story, I have this CRAZY story line now! He just brought life to the stories. Just like he brings life to the movies; to be truthful I don't watch the movies for Harry, or the others. Just for Malfoy because he is just so awesome. I don't even fin Ton Felton cute; I just love the character THAT much.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In the coming weeks, I'm moving from the beautiful state of New York to the STATE of Pennsylvania. So I wont be updating for a really REALLY LONG TIME, seeing as how I'm retarded with computers, and wont have an internet service…
BUT, I could update before I move, maybe once or TWICE MORE. But, BUT, I need more reviews. Though I love you all so very much, I would really, REALLY like more reviews.
SO IF YOU WANT ANOTHER CHAPTER BEFORE I MOVE, REVIEW….