A/N: I tried to get this chapter up with the last one, but it was too late. I was tired, and I had to get home. I don't have a computer anymore because it crashed. So, I had to come to my mother's house to use her computer. That's one of the reasons why it took so long to get more chapters up; I never had a chance to get over here to post these damn chapters. Excuse my language… I have a very bad potty mouth…
Anyway, let me know what you all think! There isn't much more left to this, I'm still trying to decide what I want to happen between Remus and Hermione. Should I keep them together, or have them go their separate ways? I dunno. I'll figure something out. Okay, I'm done boring you with nonsense, time to bore you with the story. (I hope it doesn't bore you! I've worked really hard on this, I hope you all are enjoying it!)
Chapter Six
The sun intrusively glared through the window, unwelcome as a flower to someone with allergies. Trees stood still, no clouds in sight and of course the sun, shining brighter than Severus Snape's greasy hair.
From indoors it looked like a perfectly normal summer day. In fact, it did start as a normal day, as close to normal as it could get, but it wasn't summer at all. It was a cold winter day in January.
The sun threatened to melt the day old snow that covered the ground. The clocks chimed the hour. Shops were opening for the day. And people were making their way into those shops.
So, what started out as a normal day would end very differently. At least for Rita Skeeter.
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Later that day ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rita Skeeter sat in a secluded corner in the back of the Hogs Head, quietly drinking a fire whiskey. Little did she realize that she was about to be approached with a very generous offer for a very malicious act.
From Rita's point of view~*~*~*~*
She walked up without introducing herself and sat down. Her face was covered, only her eyes were visible.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Is this seat taken?" Her voice was oddly familiar. There was almost a caustic tone in her voice.
"It is now." I replied. "Do I know you? Can I help you in some way?"
"Yes, I do believe you can help me." She paused and pushed back her hood a little so her face was only visible to me. "And, yes, I believe you do know me."
I did not recognize her at first, but, in fact, I did know her. "How is it that I can help you?" I asked.
"I have a… sort of proposition for you." She said carefully, turning her head to make sure that no body was listening.
When I look back on it now, it seemed so obvious. I should have known what I was getting myself into. I shouldn't have been so greedy. I know that now. And I am haunted by the ghosts of people who aren't even dead yet. The people I have hurt just because I was blinded by money. I hear the little boy screaming, begging for his mother. I hear their voices screaming at me: "Why? Why did you do this? Why are you ruining our lives?" I don't know how much longer I can go on with this. I knew from the beginning that she planned to kill. I just didn't know if she would actually go through with it. And I will remember this for the rest of my life; feel guilty for the rest of my life, unless I do something to stop her.
"I don't understand."
"Let me make it clear for you. You help me, I give you money. Is that clear enough?"
"How much money, and what do I have to do?"
She explained to me what would be involved. I was in shock. "You're joking, right?" I asked, trying to force a laugh.
"This is what I'm willing to offer you." She pulled a small piece of parchment out of her robes, and slid it across the table. "I don't think you'll take this as a joke."
I took the parchment. One thousand galleons. I blinked, thinking I read it wrong.
"That's just for one…er, 'mission'…shall we call it?"
I stared at the parchment, too stunned to answer. Was she serious? Is she crazy? Why does she want to do this? All kinds of questions were running through my head. All kinds of questions that were, so far, unanswered.
"It looks like you need some time to think about it." She stood up and adjusted her hood. "I will be in touch."
And then she walked away.
Two weeks later she contacted me. I accepted her proposal.
My first 'mission', as she called it, was to kidnap Hermione's son, Lucas. She did not tell me why. But, I did it regardless.
I left a note in the room from where I took him. She ordered me not to read the letter, but I did. I instantly felt guilty. But, I had to do this. I gave her my word. And if I backed out, she would kill me.
Then, she ordered me to attack Harry and Ginny. After what I did to Lavender, I realized what a mistake I was making. I wanted out. I was making a terrible mistake. I was assisting with a multiple homicide. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stand there and watch her kill. I didn't care how much she was paying me.
After she explained a little more about why she was doing this, I decided to tell everyone the truth, tell Hermione how to get her son back, and tell Harry how to revive Lavender.
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During the five days that Lucas has been missing, Hermione, Remus, and Harry have been practically going crazy. With no help from the ministry, it has been hard. They've been going around town questioning everyone. Every shop, every park, every muggle school, basically everywhere.
No one was able to help them. At one point, they almost broke down and went to the ministry for help. They would be able to do a lot more than what the three of them have done so far.
Harry was sure that Rita Skeeter was behind this. He had no doubt in his mind. So, he searched everywhere for her. No one knew where to find her. It was as if she disappeared without a trace. Her family was also no where to be found.
Five days. Hermione couldn't think of a worse torture than waiting. Waiting for her son to be found, to be back home.
After Hermione received the anonymous letter about her son, she almost felt relieved. She didn't have Lucas back yet, but he was still alive. Of course that could change within a few hours, but she had to stay strong.
Lucas was still alive, she knew it. She could feel it. She knew everything would be okay. She had to be optimistic.
She hoped Lucas was staying strong. She couldn't bear to think about what he has endured in the past few days. It had to be awful for him, and she couldn't stand to think about that. She just hoped that he can stay strong, and know that everything will be alright.
It was nearly nine o'clock that night when there was a knock at the door. Hermione and her guests were trying to enjoy a late dinner when they heard it. When Hermione vacated her seat everyone followed suit, ready to draw his or her wand.
Hermione opened the door to what looked like a woman in a hooded cloak. Her face was completely hidden.
"Can I help you?" Hermione asked.
The woman removed her hood. Hermione went numb with fear. It was the last person anyone expected to see.
Everyone, except for Hermione, pulled out their wands.
Hermione thought she was going to pass out. She needed to sit down.
"Rita Skeeter? What are you doing here?" Harry asked, pulling Hermione out of her stupor.
"Please…I'm not armed." Rita said nervously. "I just want to explain. I sent you that letter. I want to help."
"Help? You want to help?" Remus stepped forward, his wand at the ready. "You kidnapped my son and now you want to help us?!"
"Please…let me explain…I can tell you everything…" Her voice was shaky and she looked as if she was close to tears.
Hermione was desperate. She needed answers. She needed to have her son back.
"Put your wands away." Hermione said slowly, as if convincing herself that it was the right decision.
"What?" It was like a ringing in her ears. Everyone spoke at the same time.
"Put your wands away." She said, with more confidence this time. "I want answers, I want her to explain."
They reluctantly put away their wands and Hermione led Rita inside.
Rita explained everything she could, while everyone sat quietly and listened. She told them about the night in the Hogs Head, and everything else she knew. No one dared to speak because they wanted to hear everything, they would ask questions later, if anything was left unanswered.
"I didn't know her whole story and I still don't know everything." She continued. "She's desperate for revenge. She wants to kill you for what you did. It must have been terrible, because she went insane with rage."
"She's going to trick you. She's trying to get you all together to kill you. She wants you to watch as she tortures and kills each of you starting with your kids. I didn't tell her about your children, Harry. I wanted out. I wanted to stop her. She threatened to kill me."
"I cannot begin to explain how sorry I am. I want to help you. I know where Lucas is. I can try to help you get him out of there. I want to help you. He's hurt, he's not eating…"
There was a long period of silence. Hermione wiped tears from her eyes. Remus held onto her so tight as if she would crumble to the ground. Harry was red with frustration and rage; he was clenching and unclenching his fists so hard that his knuckles were turning white.
Hermione was the first to speak. "Who is this 'she' that you're referring to?"
Rita sucked in a breath of air. She was risking her life. She just hoped that she would be able to help, rather than get herself killed, along with everyone else.
"This 'she' that I'm referring to is…"
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Ready to find out?
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Are you sure?
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Okay, I'll tell you…
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In the next chapter! Did you really think I'd tell you now? I guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out! Don't worry, it shouldn't be too long!
Sorry!
Anyway, let me know what you all think! There isn't much more left to this, I'm still trying to decide what I want to happen between Remus and Hermione. Should I keep them together, or have them go their separate ways? I dunno. I'll figure something out. Okay, I'm done boring you with nonsense, time to bore you with the story. (I hope it doesn't bore you! I've worked really hard on this, I hope you all are enjoying it!)
Chapter Six
The sun intrusively glared through the window, unwelcome as a flower to someone with allergies. Trees stood still, no clouds in sight and of course the sun, shining brighter than Severus Snape's greasy hair.
From indoors it looked like a perfectly normal summer day. In fact, it did start as a normal day, as close to normal as it could get, but it wasn't summer at all. It was a cold winter day in January.
The sun threatened to melt the day old snow that covered the ground. The clocks chimed the hour. Shops were opening for the day. And people were making their way into those shops.
So, what started out as a normal day would end very differently. At least for Rita Skeeter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Later that day ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rita Skeeter sat in a secluded corner in the back of the Hogs Head, quietly drinking a fire whiskey. Little did she realize that she was about to be approached with a very generous offer for a very malicious act.
From Rita's point of view~*~*~*~*
She walked up without introducing herself and sat down. Her face was covered, only her eyes were visible.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Is this seat taken?" Her voice was oddly familiar. There was almost a caustic tone in her voice.
"It is now." I replied. "Do I know you? Can I help you in some way?"
"Yes, I do believe you can help me." She paused and pushed back her hood a little so her face was only visible to me. "And, yes, I believe you do know me."
I did not recognize her at first, but, in fact, I did know her. "How is it that I can help you?" I asked.
"I have a… sort of proposition for you." She said carefully, turning her head to make sure that no body was listening.
When I look back on it now, it seemed so obvious. I should have known what I was getting myself into. I shouldn't have been so greedy. I know that now. And I am haunted by the ghosts of people who aren't even dead yet. The people I have hurt just because I was blinded by money. I hear the little boy screaming, begging for his mother. I hear their voices screaming at me: "Why? Why did you do this? Why are you ruining our lives?" I don't know how much longer I can go on with this. I knew from the beginning that she planned to kill. I just didn't know if she would actually go through with it. And I will remember this for the rest of my life; feel guilty for the rest of my life, unless I do something to stop her.
"I don't understand."
"Let me make it clear for you. You help me, I give you money. Is that clear enough?"
"How much money, and what do I have to do?"
She explained to me what would be involved. I was in shock. "You're joking, right?" I asked, trying to force a laugh.
"This is what I'm willing to offer you." She pulled a small piece of parchment out of her robes, and slid it across the table. "I don't think you'll take this as a joke."
I took the parchment. One thousand galleons. I blinked, thinking I read it wrong.
"That's just for one…er, 'mission'…shall we call it?"
I stared at the parchment, too stunned to answer. Was she serious? Is she crazy? Why does she want to do this? All kinds of questions were running through my head. All kinds of questions that were, so far, unanswered.
"It looks like you need some time to think about it." She stood up and adjusted her hood. "I will be in touch."
And then she walked away.
Two weeks later she contacted me. I accepted her proposal.
My first 'mission', as she called it, was to kidnap Hermione's son, Lucas. She did not tell me why. But, I did it regardless.
I left a note in the room from where I took him. She ordered me not to read the letter, but I did. I instantly felt guilty. But, I had to do this. I gave her my word. And if I backed out, she would kill me.
Then, she ordered me to attack Harry and Ginny. After what I did to Lavender, I realized what a mistake I was making. I wanted out. I was making a terrible mistake. I was assisting with a multiple homicide. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stand there and watch her kill. I didn't care how much she was paying me.
After she explained a little more about why she was doing this, I decided to tell everyone the truth, tell Hermione how to get her son back, and tell Harry how to revive Lavender.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
During the five days that Lucas has been missing, Hermione, Remus, and Harry have been practically going crazy. With no help from the ministry, it has been hard. They've been going around town questioning everyone. Every shop, every park, every muggle school, basically everywhere.
No one was able to help them. At one point, they almost broke down and went to the ministry for help. They would be able to do a lot more than what the three of them have done so far.
Harry was sure that Rita Skeeter was behind this. He had no doubt in his mind. So, he searched everywhere for her. No one knew where to find her. It was as if she disappeared without a trace. Her family was also no where to be found.
Five days. Hermione couldn't think of a worse torture than waiting. Waiting for her son to be found, to be back home.
After Hermione received the anonymous letter about her son, she almost felt relieved. She didn't have Lucas back yet, but he was still alive. Of course that could change within a few hours, but she had to stay strong.
Lucas was still alive, she knew it. She could feel it. She knew everything would be okay. She had to be optimistic.
She hoped Lucas was staying strong. She couldn't bear to think about what he has endured in the past few days. It had to be awful for him, and she couldn't stand to think about that. She just hoped that he can stay strong, and know that everything will be alright.
It was nearly nine o'clock that night when there was a knock at the door. Hermione and her guests were trying to enjoy a late dinner when they heard it. When Hermione vacated her seat everyone followed suit, ready to draw his or her wand.
Hermione opened the door to what looked like a woman in a hooded cloak. Her face was completely hidden.
"Can I help you?" Hermione asked.
The woman removed her hood. Hermione went numb with fear. It was the last person anyone expected to see.
Everyone, except for Hermione, pulled out their wands.
Hermione thought she was going to pass out. She needed to sit down.
"Rita Skeeter? What are you doing here?" Harry asked, pulling Hermione out of her stupor.
"Please…I'm not armed." Rita said nervously. "I just want to explain. I sent you that letter. I want to help."
"Help? You want to help?" Remus stepped forward, his wand at the ready. "You kidnapped my son and now you want to help us?!"
"Please…let me explain…I can tell you everything…" Her voice was shaky and she looked as if she was close to tears.
Hermione was desperate. She needed answers. She needed to have her son back.
"Put your wands away." Hermione said slowly, as if convincing herself that it was the right decision.
"What?" It was like a ringing in her ears. Everyone spoke at the same time.
"Put your wands away." She said, with more confidence this time. "I want answers, I want her to explain."
They reluctantly put away their wands and Hermione led Rita inside.
Rita explained everything she could, while everyone sat quietly and listened. She told them about the night in the Hogs Head, and everything else she knew. No one dared to speak because they wanted to hear everything, they would ask questions later, if anything was left unanswered.
"I didn't know her whole story and I still don't know everything." She continued. "She's desperate for revenge. She wants to kill you for what you did. It must have been terrible, because she went insane with rage."
"She's going to trick you. She's trying to get you all together to kill you. She wants you to watch as she tortures and kills each of you starting with your kids. I didn't tell her about your children, Harry. I wanted out. I wanted to stop her. She threatened to kill me."
"I cannot begin to explain how sorry I am. I want to help you. I know where Lucas is. I can try to help you get him out of there. I want to help you. He's hurt, he's not eating…"
There was a long period of silence. Hermione wiped tears from her eyes. Remus held onto her so tight as if she would crumble to the ground. Harry was red with frustration and rage; he was clenching and unclenching his fists so hard that his knuckles were turning white.
Hermione was the first to speak. "Who is this 'she' that you're referring to?"
Rita sucked in a breath of air. She was risking her life. She just hoped that she would be able to help, rather than get herself killed, along with everyone else.
"This 'she' that I'm referring to is…"
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Ready to find out?
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Are you sure?
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Okay, I'll tell you…
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In the next chapter! Did you really think I'd tell you now? I guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out! Don't worry, it shouldn't be too long!
Sorry!