Teenage Detective

Chapter 9: The Outburst

The Panic Room…

Over thirty percent of the households in the world have a panic room including apartments, buildings, and offices and not to mention castles. Built to be proven tough against any sorts of mass destruction, the room can be considered the safest room.

But in Hogwarts, a Panic Room was wrongfully utilised by Dr. Gerrard Smith in order to revive a love one. A capacious room, lit only by the light of their wands, they could see it was made of the strongest clay, filled with the smell of rotting bodies. There were several metal spring beds, worn and uncomfortable looking, and a rusty silver-colored desk. To one side of the room were several surgical tables. On the far side, opposite the door, were three large metal cages, where several people could be heard calling for help.

Everyone stared in relief and shocked. The victims were alive and they were begging for help.

Immediately, Kingsley, Snape, the Aurors and the prefects worked quickly to get the victims out of the cage, corroded with rust. It must have been painful to sleep in something so creepy, uncomfortable and unsanitary. Hermione and several other prefects controlled the crowd of seventh years. Gerrard Smith and his nephew were still held firmly by the Aurors. The doctor leered at the victims. He was feeling spiteful, after capturing these people with intense effort, only to be taken away before he could even capture the others.

Harry ran straight to the cages, in hoped for someone he dearly loved. The first cage of the three that was lined side by side contained only one person. Walden, looking awfully tired, ill, pale and haggard, was being carried from the first cage, which was only meant for him. Harry gaze pitied at the half giant, and silently thanked he was still alive. He walked past the first cage to the next one and was annoyed to see someone.

Ron was helped from the cage, looking almost the same as Walden, but amazingly, he was able to walk. He grinned weakly when he saw Harry. He went to the raven haired in attempt to hug him.

"Harry… I knew it… I knew you would've-" the red head was shoved aside easily when he entered Harry's personal space.

"Move aside," Harry growled, moving towards the second cage. It was emptied as Benny Tong and a very feeble Jamie Wescott, who was in need immediate medical attention, were carried out of the cage. He approached the last cage. It was also empty.

He paled.

Hermione watched as, one by one, the victims were carried out of the cages. Her heart was torn deeply when she saw Jamie, the first one, looking very ill. It reminded her of Harry right after the battle with Voldemort. When Harry shoved Ron, she knew Harry was not going to forgive Ron. She too could not forgive Ron, no matter how bad he looked now.

She felt a tad guilty; she loved the shocked look on Ron's face. She quickly turned horrified as Ron started to search for other familiar faces. She quickly went back to her duties.

"Hermione!" he called out throatily. Hermione cringed at the mention of her name. She turned around slowly, but the first sight she met was her housemates, Dean, Neville, Parvati and Lavender helping Seamus, who had a huge smile on his face. She was glad for his safety, but when Ron stood right in front of her, her face dropped.

"Hey Mione!" he grinned, and she gulped. She hated that nickname. It was like someone unable to call her by her full name.

Ron leaned in for a kiss but she gave him the cheeks. At that time, her eyes landed on Harry, who was searching frantically on all three cages like a lost child seeking his mother. She heard him calling out Susan Bones' name over and over. Her eyes were in tears at the sight of this, so she pushed Ron off and wiped her eyes. Ron mistook this for something else.

"Oh Mione," he said dreamily, "There's no need to cry for me."

Hearing this she snapped.

"Shut your mouth, Ron Weasley and don't call me Mione!" with that Ron jumped back, shocked. Hermione continued watching Harry.

Harry continued anxiously searching all three cages. He refused to believe the truth, after extensive research on capturing her murderer. "Susan!" he called out. "Susan!" again he called out. At last, he gave up. There was no Susan, not even a trace of hair.

"Oh yer looking for the girl, aye Potter!" said Gerrard, leering deviously at Harry with two Aurors, holding him firmly. Harry quickly turned to the murderer with intense hate and ready-to-kill look. "Where… is…she?" he asked through gritted teeth.

The doctor grinned cruelly. "Why don't you ask my nephew? He's the one you want," he told Harry, with that sly evil look of his. Harry stared confusingly at the doctor, then turned his attention to Zacharias, who was looking guiltily everywhere but Harry. "Where is she, Zacharias?" Harry asked. The blonde Hufflepuff did not answer, not even showing his heavily guilt face.

"Where is Susan!" Harry asked again, this time raising his voice, till everyone could hear. Zacharias kept on being silent. Not getting his answer, Harry ran to the Hufflepuff, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him closed to his face. "Where is she?" Harry spat.

Zacharias mumbled something but Harry could not hear it.

"What?" Harry asked.

Zacharias mumbled again but Harry still could not hear it.

"Speak loudly, damn it!" Harry yelled, making some of the people inside the room jumped at his voice. Zacharias finally looked up to Harry and glared defiantly at the raven-haired boy.

"I killed her, damnit!" he confessed loudly. Harry was in utter disbelief, ignoring the gasps and whispers around him.

"Why?"

"Because I thought you were coming through the door at the Astronomy Tower."

Harry let go of the Hufflepuff. "What do you mean? What do you mean it was me?" he asked hesitantly, feeling dreadful of the answer.

"I send you a letter, so we can meet, and I can pull you out of Susan's life, but she got to it first before you got a hold of it. She knew it was me, and being her, she went in your place to speak her mind, but that was a mistake. I killed her thinking it was you the sooner you got through the threshold," he explained in a guilty tone, tears welling up his eyes as he spoke and hiccoughing.

"It was too late… when I realise it when it wasn't you… it was her."

Harry's whole body was shaking when Zacharias uttered the word 'her'. He was fuming with anger. Past insecurities haunted his mind. Feeling this was all his fault, but he learned one thing from his mentors, 'when one is at fault, there are others who are at fault too.'

Harry's attention went back to the guilty Hufflepuff, as he spoke again. "She was smiling… all bloody and smiling… at me… like she was forgiving…. me," he uttered in a hitching tone.

That did it for Harry as his anger was pushed past its limits. Furiously he grabbed the blonde boy and, with surprising strength, lifted him off the floor by the throat. The whole room went chaotic as Kingsley and the Aurors tried to separate a mad Harry, who was yelling like a madman, off Zacharias.

Hermione looked on, tears streamed softly down along her cheeks. She knew how Harry felt. How can you not be mad, when you have been tirelessly investigating a series of bizarre murders, to find the victims were still alive all this time, and the one you're searching for was truly gone.

She witnessed Harry held by Kinsley and Snape. They were holding on him resolutely, trying to calm him down as his tirade was not stopping. He kept yelling as Zacharias and his mad uncle were taken away. The seventh years stood still, watching the whole drama in shock. They actually did not know what to make of it. Hopefully tomorrow would be a better day.

Hogwarts was given a day off from lessons to give the Ministry and the Aurors time to clean up the mess. Dumbledore proclaimed a feast for the returning victims and also Harry's accomplishment in capturing the culprit. During the supposedly magnificent feast several toasts were made, goblets were raised, and yet the absence of the guest of honour fanned the festivity down.

When everyone needed an answer to the whereabouts of Harry, they turned to the youngest Creevey, who just shrugged his shoulder and confused as everyone else.

Hermione was in for a terrible day, avoiding Ron's excessive approach. She was utterly worried about Harry during the feast that was partly meant for him. She intended to seek him out and that what she did. She excused herself from the feast, leaving a lot of pairs of eyes gazing at her till she disappeared. She also predicted that Ron would follow and maybe she could kill tow birds with one stone.

Hermione briskly walked to the Gryffindor Tower, ignoring shouting for her. When she spoke the password to the Fat Lady portrait, she met with a surprising sight. Harry Potter was carrying bags and trunks form the stairs down to the common room - lots of bags and trunks.

"Harry, what are you doing?" she asked out of surprise. "What's with the packing?" she asked anxiously now. Then Ron came in room frantically.

"Hermione, why don't you…" his eyes widen when he saw Harry and the baggages. "Ha-Ha-Harry," he said stutteringly. "What're you doing?" he looked horrified, as if he just saw a huge spider.

"Having an early holiday, that's what I'm doing," he said hotly, his feelings since yesterday was not fading away, even after a rest. Ever since yesterday's event, Harry seemed frustrated all the time. Hermione knew it was because of Susan Bones, but not her death, it was something else. "But why now?" she asked. "Christmas is only few weeks away and the school holidays haven't even begun yet."

"Dumbledore gave me permission to…. And I needed it badly," he said hesitantly, she nodded affirmatively. "Where are you staying then?" she asked expectantly. She hoped it was somewhere safe and peaceful.

"Sirius' place," he answered blankly, making both Ron and Hermione shocked.

Ron surprisingly opened his mouth. "But Harry…you-" They turned to him, it was definite surprise for them to hear him talk.

"But I what?" Harry snapped back in annoyance.

Ron then gulped, his face showed nervousness. "But Sirius place is… isn't it closed down?" he said.

Harry frowned making Ron scared. "The place changed a lot since I became its owner," he said nonchalantly.

"You're the owner?" Ron said loudly. His eyes were wide as saucers. Hermione was surprised as well with this new piece of information. Then Ron said the wrong thing. "Why didn't you tell us? I mean we're bestfriends." He then realised what he just said, and closed his mouth with a clapped to the mouth.

Hermione was stunned when she heard what Ron said, and turned her head cautiously to Harry, wondering what his reaction would be. She saw Harry standing still but staring at the floor, hiding his face from them. The only noticeable expression was that his hands were gripped tightly and shaking by his side.

"Why would I tell you, Ron?" he said in a very dangerous tone. His eyes looked up at his former bestfriend. "When have you ever become my bestfriend?" he trudged up to Ron and poked him in the chest with his finger. He looked up irately at the tall boy, not afraid of the difference in height. "Answer me, you blurry dolt," he spat.

Ron was very afraid by the evident terrified look etched on his face. Hermione was scared and torn on what to do. "The… last…. Six…. Y-" Ron rasped out and was cut off instantly.

"Six years!" Harry yelled out in front of the red head's face. "What happened last year? Are we still bestfriends? Where were you and Hermione when I needed you both the most?" Ron and Hermione winced at the question. Neither could answer. Harry backed away until he got a good view of both of them. He glared at his former bestfriends. "We're not bestfriends anymore… not what after you did, Ron! Stealing my broom, ignoring me, playing with someone's heart, hurting Susan, and making the three other houses despise the Hufflepuffs." Then Harry turned to Hermione with the same face. "And you, Hermione." She almost stumbled back at the tone of Harry. "You became oblivious to everything around you. You were always aware of everything that was going on in your life. What happened to that Hermione? What happened to the both of you?" he stopped his shouting.

The both of them tried to comprehend what Harry just told them. Hermione was almost close to tears and her body was trembling. She admitted that Harry was right. They were terrible friends. She took this moment to say something. "We grew up and changed," she said. Harry stared at her with the same glare. She was ashamed and devastated. "Just in the wrong way," she said and dropped down on her knees to the floor and cried, shocking both boys.

Ron reacted but Harry stood still. The red head boy tried to comfort her with a hug, but she pushed him away, making him tumbled to the floor. She ran to the girls' dorm, leaving one boy shocked and the other standing still.

"Hermione…" Ron called out, feeling lost.

Harry stared at Ron and his expression on his face was no longer anger or hate. It was pity.

He shrunk all the bags and trunks and put all of them in his pocket. He then left through the portrait hole without a glanced back, leaving Ron alone.

The next morning was unexpectedly sombre for Hogwarts. Even though there was happiness for the victims, save Ron who was still brooding. To put it simple, the whole castle was quiet, like bad news bound to happen.

Hermione stayed in bed, till classes started. The events last night left her more solemn then she ever had been. Harry's words were too much and had made it hard for her to sleep. She had bags under her eyes. She hated what she become. She wanted the friendship back, the once where it all started.

Lunchtime she reluctantly went to the Great Hall, after being urged by her friends. It was uncomfortable, with people gazing at her. Everyone wanted to know what happened to Harry.

'Well sod it, it's his own personal business,' she thought bitterly. She wanted to tell everyone that but did not have the heart to do it.

Draco and Ginny were sitting with her, while Ron was five people away from her, looking very lonely, tired and miserable. He neither ate nor did anything. Hermione felt a bit of pity for him, but she thought he deserved to suffer a bit until circumstances changed.

Things got all excited out of the blue. Owls, flocks of them fluttered into the great Hall form the windows above. Everyone watched in awe and knew this could only mean one thing. The owls swerved around the room, dropping flyers, down to the people. It was form the Daily Prophet and by the way of the owls frantic way of flying, it must be urgent and distressing.

Hermione grabbed one that was falling towards her, quickly unrolled the flyer. She read.

'Grey Mansion Murder and Accomplice Escaped From Aurors'

After being revealed, caught and apprehended by the Aurors, Dr. Gerrard Smith, a mortician who was thought to be dead twenty years ago, and the culprit in the kidnapping of several Hogwarts students, escaped from the Auror's custody, along with his nephew, Zacharias Smith.

While it is still a mystery as to exactly what happened, we know that the Aurors transporting the prisoners were stunned and recovered only this morning.

The Ministry has assigned the high-ranking Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt, to capture the escapees…

Hermione stopped reading after the news explained things she already knew. She got up and left the Great Hall to do some thinking.

After being suspected as the main target for the Smiths, Hogwarts was swarmed in with Aurors. The Ministry were taking great measures to capture the Smiths. They even issued a reward to whoever found them.

Hermione was pacing around the common room. Something in her stomach lurched, making her a bit sick. After reading the news, her stomach was like this. It was an indication or fear. She knew where the Smiths were going. But did they know where Sirius' place was. She tried to think hard and her mind reeled back to the time Harry solved this whole mystery in Dumbledore's office in front of Hogwarts' finest and also the time in the dungeon.

Then something came to her like a brick. "They know," she said out loud.

The magical secret door was opened. Draco and Ginny came in looking worried. They've been trying to search for Ron and Hermione. They found Ron alone and sulking in the stands at the Quidditch stadium. They left him thinking he would not do anything foolish and went to find Hermione. She would be the one they thought would do something irrational and stupid, even if it's not her nature.

"Hermione calm down and stopped pacing, everything is going to be fine," said Ginny trying to stop Hermione's frantic walk around by following her.

"No, it's not alright," snapped Hermione, out of nowhere. Draco and Ginny jumped in shocked. "They know where he is," she said anxiously.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And how do they know that?" he asked carefully.

She was about to tell them but shut it quickly. "Does it matter…. The point is Harry is in trouble and he needs to be saved," she spoke quickly.

"So," the youngest Weasley was hesitant to speak in fear of the Head Girl's reaction but forced it out. "You're thinking of going to London, aren't you?" she asked.

Hermione stopped pacing and turned to her friend. "It's hopeless," she said and buried her face in her hands. "The train won't make it till next morning; no portkeys immediately go to London, no Floo's available and with the entire racket going on around here, it's too late to reach Harry now," she said dispiritedly. She cried because of failure and she hated the feeling of it.

Ginny went to her and ushered her to sit on the couch. Draco took the one sitter and the room was silent save Hermione's sobbing.

"The Smith's are already in London. If we reach there, god knows what state Harry will be in," she said grimly.

In their distress they didn't notice the door to the common room open.

"Don't worry, Harry can handle himself till we get there," said a voice from the door.

A/N: Finally a new chap finished and beta-ed immediately by th wonderufl rachkmar. Reviews would be appreciated and the next update will be shortly followed. I got a life, guys and my adopted is about to leave me to a better family in two months. A sequel is also in order.