Chapter Six- Unpleasant surprises

Harry walked to Hermione's office and knocked softly on the door. Hermione opened it and smiled. "Well, at least it's not one o'clock. Come in."

Harry entered the office and looked around. There was a framed picture of Ron and Hermione in the desk. Harry tried hard not to look at Hermione's radiant face as Ron kissed her on the cheek.

"You freaked me out earlier," Hermione said as they sat down. "I there something wrong?"

"You slept with Ron hours after I had kissed you," Harry blurted. "That's what's wrong."

Hermione stared at him and then lowered her head.

"How am I supposed to act, Harry? I can't reject him! Do you think it's easy for me?" Hermione said sadly.

"I know that it's not," Harry snapped. "But at least I'm not sleeping with another person just to forget you!"

Hermione slapped Harry hard across the face and stood up. "I can't believe that you just said that, Harry," Hermione said, sounding hurt.

"Well, I just did, so…" Harry felt miserable. "I'm sorry."

Hermione put her hand in his swollen cheek and sighed. "I'm sorry for hitting you," she said. "You are right. Maybe Ron and I will be one of those couples that sleep in separate bedrooms."

Harry chuckled and took Hermione's hand in his. "Look, I'm worried about you," Harry explained. "That's why I went to see if you were okay at that obscene hour."

"It wasn't that late," Hermione admitted. "But why are you worried about me?"

"I can't lie to you," Harry sighed. "Okay, it starts with The Society of the Defense of True Magical Beings…"

Later, at Harry's office

Harry looked through all the papers and sighed loudly. He was going to meet Neville and Luna later, and they would go search for Remarque.

Harry had decided to go to St. Mungo's, and find out everything about the beaked man Kat had mentioned. He suddenly lay his eyes in a small envelope that was in the corner of his desk. He opened it and saw that it was the ticket for Ron's game.

Surely Ron would forgive him for not going to the match…for the thousandth time. After all, Kat would tell him all about the game, since she was going with Hermione. Harry closed his eyes and hoped that everything would be fine. He trusted Kat deeply, and he knew that Hermione would be well protected.

"Hello there," Luna said as she entered the office, closely followed by Neville.

"Malfoy just sent me an owl," Neville said, handing Harry a bit of parchment. "He's in."

"I can't believe they accepted him so fast," Harry mused as he read on. "But then again, he's a Malfoy."

Luna and Neville chuckled and Harry felt his stomach lurch unpleasantly. "I'm sorry that you couldn't go to the match," Harry apologized.

"It's okay," Neville said. "There will be more Quidditch this season."

"So, are we off to St. Mungo's?" Luna asked.

"We're off," Harry said.

Later, at St. Mungo's

"I'm Harry Potter, Head Auror," Harry said cheerfully at the witch taking care of the front desk. "I sent an owl hours ago."

"Sure," the witch said lazily as she handed him a key. "You have just one hour, Ministry's privilege."

"How many time without the privilege?" Harry frowned.

"No time," the witch stated. "Now get going, you have already lost one minute. Black door at the end of the hallway."

Harry, Neville and Luna walked to the door and Harry opened it. His stomach dropped at the sight of the room.

It was filled with what seemed millions of record sheets. "How are we supposed to find that record?" Luna breathed.

"Just look for some guy with a beak," Harry said impatiently.

"That will make everything easier, Harry," Neville snorted as he looked through some sheets.

Harry smirked and took some sheets as he sat down. They remained looking for what seemed ages, until Luna let out a gasp and started jumping up and down.

"I found it!" Luna squealed. She handed a sheet to Harry, who took it eagerly.

"Mr. Franz Himmeltoff," Harry read. "Entered St. Mungo's with a beak in his mouth, the cause being a bad transfiguration charm. Blah, blah, blah…"

Harry read on, Luna and Neville staring at Harry. "Here it is!" Harry exclaimed. "Mr. Kropp Remarque visited Mr. Himmeltoff at an inadequate hour, causing the assistant healers to restrict Mr. Remarque's visits. Mr. Remarque left his address for further information on Mr. Himmeltoff. "

"Well, at least we got Remarque's address," Neville said as Harry scribbled the address in a bit of parchment.

Luna bent down and picked a red piece of paper. "This fell from the sheet, Harry," she said.

Harry took the paper and felt his heart sink. He raised his head and stared blankly at Neville and Luna.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Neville asked.

"Himmeltoff is dead," Harry said wearily. "Damn it, Remarque killed him!"

"Then, the address is a hoax!" Luna said. "Harry, maybe you shouldn't go to look for Remarque."

Harry shook his head and looked at his watch. "Do you think that the Quidditch Match is over?"

"Yeah, I think so," Neville said. "About an hour ago. Why?"

"I need to tell Ron something," Harry said. "He has to look out for Hermione. Probably they are at his place. I have also to tell Kat to get some rest."

Luna and Neville looked at each other and said nothing. "What?" Harry said crossly.

"Probably Ron and Hermione will be very busy to put any attention to your warnings," Luna said slowly. "If you know what I mean."

"Who cares?" Harry said. "It's my best friend I'm talking about. And I don't care if I find them snogging or something!"

Harry pocketed Remarque's address and disapparated.

Later

Harry knocked on Ron's door nervously. He would probably find Ron and Hermione celebrating or giving comfort to each other. Either way, Ron was a winner: he had Hermione by his side.

Ron opened the door, his hair disheveled. He went pale at sight of Harry, who stormed into the department.

"Harry, I'm kind of busy," Ron mumbled.

"I see you won," Harry said as he glanced around the living room, filled with confetti and banners. "Anyway, this is very important, and Hermione needs to listen…"

"Harry, really, it's not the time," Ron said through gritted teeth.

Harry opened his mouth to retort, but stopped at the sight of woman wearing nothing but underwear, an embarrassed smiled covering her face. And it wasn't Hermione.

It was Lavender Brown.