Return Of The Elemental
Chapter 22 – The Call Out. Part II.
Harry woke to the soothing trills of Emmeris. He grumbled groggily and immediately he was set upon by his anxious fiancé.
'Harry? How are you feeling? What happened?' Firing off questions at rapid speed whilst falling on the bed and hugging him tightly. Harry blew a few strands of her fuzzy hair out of the way and saw that he's onlookers included Ron, Crystal and surprisingly Fawkes. Ron and Crystal were both trying to hide their grins as the continued to watch Hermione squeeze the stuffing out of him.
'I'm alright Hermy.' Harry slurred slowly. Hermione pulled back and glared at her shortened name.
'What was that? I don't want to ever hear something like that ever come out of your mouth again, you hear me?'
/ Yes, sweetie. / Harry said amusedly through their link.
/ Better. / Hermione replied, leaning down to kiss Harry soundly. They were interrupted by to rough coughs and two coughing like trills.
'What?' Harry said indignantly. After all, it was his room.
'Oh nothing.' Ron started casually.
'We just love watching you to snog.' Crystal finished sarcastically.
'No one is telling you top stay.' Hermione snapped playfully.
'That's nice isn't it Ron? That's real nice. The price we pay for being worrying friends. No, don't mind us, please continue. We'll just go now that you're all better Harry. Humph.' Crystal said haughtily, dragging a smiling Ron behind her.
'Don't overexert yourself to much Harry.' Ron yelled out, before leaving the room. Beyond, Harry could hear them both cackling madly.
'Those two.' Hermione said with a small smile on her face. She and Harry then watched as first Fawkes left, obviously on his way to report Harry's condition to Dumbledore and then as Emmeris left towards the Owlery, to share her news with Hedwig, leaving the two lovers alone.
'What happened?' Hermione asked again.
'I don't know. Everything just went black. And this voice, this odd voice spoke to me.' Harry then pulled a thoughtful face. 'I can't remember what it said though.'
'Soon Potter… Very soon.' Hermione said hauntingly, shivering as she remembered the voice.
'Is that what it said? I wonder what it means.' Harry said quietly. 'How long have I been out this time?' He added.
'Only the night. You've woken up just in time for classes.' Hermione said with a bright smile.
'Why me?' Harry said throwing his hands in the air as he walked to the bathroom to take a quick shower. 'What have we got first?'
'History of Magic.' Hermione called back and controlled a giggle as she heard Harry scream very girlishly.
'Are you alright now Harry?' Lucy asked sincerely. She and Harry were sitting once again at the Hufflepuff table surrounded by their respective friends having lunch.
'Much better, Luce.' Harry said warmly, using the made up nickname for his little Hufflepuff friend.
'What happened Mr Potter?' One of Lucy friends asked, shifting her eyes back down to her plate at a quick glare from Lucy.
'I'm not sure Sally. And I told you to stop calling me Mr Potter.'
'Was it Yo-You-Know-Who?' Sally quickly asked again, before Lucy could stop her. Harry lowered the spoonful of soup that he was about to place in his mouth and stared at the girl, surprise evident in his features. Looking at Sally and seeing her determined gaze Harry almost chuckled at the resemblance to someone else he knew. He turned to look at Hermione, who looked as though she was thinking exactly like Harry.
'Inquisitive little bugger isn't she?' He said, laughter in his tone.
'Yes she is.' Hermione said, smiling at Sally who was blushing. Harry waited a while and then said.
'She reminds me of you.' He then ducked his head, expecting retaliation. After having waited a while he popped his head back up and looked at Hermione who was grinning broadly at him.
'Were you expecting me to hit you?' She asked sweetly. Harry nodded dumbly. He then felt the back of his head get smacked.
'You were right then.' Hermione then joined in with the laughter with everyone else who was laughing at Harry's expense. Harry soon joined in too, but stopped when he saw Sally still looking squarely at him. He waited till everyone quieted down and spoke.
'No it wasn't You-Know-Who.' He didn't say Voldemort due to the amount of 1st years surrounding him, he really didn't think he could stand so many people peeing themselves. 'I'm not sure what it was actually, but don't worry, I'm nothing to worry about.' He said comfortingly, smiling as he saw the satisfied look on Sally's face before she went back to talking to Lucy.
He picked up his spoon and was about to put it in his mouth when the bell rang. His empty stomach growled in protest at the noisy contraption. Hermione shot him a sympathetic look before clasping her hand in Harry's and pulling him away from his half eaten bowl of soup.
'This is not my day.' Harry grumbled in Hermione's ear as they left. He didn't know right he was. Just then professor McGonagall came up to him and sniffed at his closeness with Hermione.
'Mr Potter, please leave your obvious affections for Miss Granger in the Gryffindor common room.' Harry reluctantly pulled away from Hermione.
'Now, I have a message from professor Dumbledore. You are to go straight to his office right away. NOW! Do not dawdle, time is of the essence.' She then strode of towards the staircase that would lead her to her classroom.
'I wonder what this is all about.' Harry stated calmly, whilst looking at the already fretting Hermione.
'She sounded really serious Harry, quick go to professor Dumbledore and see what he wants.' She then started pushing and shoving Harry towards the changing staircases, not leaving his side till he was outside Dumbledore's office door. Harry was about to knock when the door was pulled open by Dumbledore.
'Harry. Excellent, and Miss Granger, yes I suppose you should come in as well.' Dumbledore said quickly.
'I can go professor.' Hermione said, hoping that Dumbledore would let her stay.
'No, no my dear this involves you as well. But in more of a fiancé kind of way.' Dumbledore said, picking up where Hermione left off and started shoving Harry into the nearest chair.
'It's happened Harry.' He said gravely as he sat behind his desk.
'What's happened professor.' Harry asked, curious as to what would upset his mentor so.
'He's done it. The Minister has finally got enough votes to bring you in.' Worry lines spread across Dumbledore's face as he released the news he'd only gotten a minute ago from a member of the Order. It seems as though the Minister was trying to keep him out of the loop.
'That's good though isn't it?'
'Are you stupid Harry, how is this good?' Hermione snapped angrily.
'Well, I might be able to trap him in my cell wont I?'
'Maybe Harry, its not like you can just pick what cell you can stay in. But if you decide to do it you'll also be given Veritiserum when on your trial.' Dumbledore said quietly. Harry thought for a while, angry, because he wanted to do something but would probably lose the biggest secret of his life. He stood up and paced nervously, finally looking at Dumbledore.
'What exactly is he charging me with?'
'You wouldn't know Harry, I don't believe that our Minister is doing this for just anything. He wants you under Veritiserum no matter what costs.'
'Well what should I do? Do I stay at Hogwarts and let them take me in, or do I run and hide.' Dumbledore breathed deeply.
'That choice my boy, is one I suggest you think about tonight.'
'What should I do Hermione.' Harry said softly later that night. He was currently in their bed snuggled up with the anxious girl who was shivering with nervousness. Hermione was silent for a while on the quick breathing a sign that she was still awake.
'I think you should go with them and try and trap Ramosa in Azkaban.' She said seriously, looking in Harry's eyes determinedly.
'I don't understand, back in Dumbledore's office you were all for me to run away. What's changed?' He asked.
'Well I've been thinking. Oh shush, can't you be serious for at least five seconds?' She tried to speak angrily but couldn't when she heard Harry counting to five under his breath. He stopped and looked apologetically at her.
'I'm sorry, you were saying?'
'I was saying that what happens if you went under Veritiserum, what's it going to matter if they find out you're an Elemental. Speaking for myself, I wouldn't be surprised if Voldemort already knew.' Harry stared at her funnily, his lips slowly stirring to a smile.
'You're right, of course you're right. You're you.' He deflated just a teeny bit. 'But what if they ask other questions.'
'What like? How many times have you kissed Hermione Granger?' She said, trying to lighten the mood.
'Not exactly the questions I was thinking of are more along the lines of: Where have you been. And what have you done? Those kind of questions.' He said sadly. Hermione looked thoughtful and then raised her hopeful eyes slowly towards Harry.
'What if you didn't know where you were? What if you could temporarily erase those memories?' Harry was once again shocked by the quick thinking of his partner. Never before had he met such a mind. He leaned down and kissed her, just before she was about to take back her idea, thinking that Harry's silence meant he didn't like it. So she was quite taken aback when she felt Harry's burning lips connect with her. The fire she felt, she had no doubt had something to do with the Elemental she was kissing. She added a little wind to the kiss and the fire roared with passion.
Harry ran his hand down Hermione's back, moving it in slow circles, gradually getting lower and lower. Meanwhile he could feel one of Hermione's hands run across his stomach and over his chest whilst the other one made its way into his hair. Harry decided to be daring and with his left hand that was currently circling Hermione's back, he moved it. He hovered over her arse, making the tip of his fingers gently graze the surface, and continued till he hit the bottom of her chemise. He then moved his hand under and made his way back up Hermione's body. He felt her stop what she was doing as she concentrated on the hand that was moving over her. To her Harry's slightly callused hands felt like magic.
His hand had now reached her smooth stomach. Running in circles Harry could feel the tight muscles that Hermione had begun to get. Lifting his head and linking eyes with Hermione he moved both his head and hand upwards. His head reached till it he was level with Hermione's eyes and lips and his hand moved up until it was directly above Hermione's left breast. He waited, seeking permission in her eyes before commencing.
/ I love you. / Hermione whispered before she, at the same time, with her left hand brought Harry's lips to hers again and with her right pushed Harry's hand down onto her breast and began moving it around for him. Trying, with her actions, to tell Harry that what he was doing was perfectly alright with her.
They were moving pretty fast and soon Harry had found his way on top of Hermione, with her top thrown on the floor and with her hands trying to get his boxers off. It was then, with his hand doing donuts on Hermione's warm globe, that something within him clicked. He jumped at its ferocity and rolled off Hermione, who immediately thought she had done something wrong.
'Harry? Did I do something bad?' She asked softly. Harry spun round and faced her, an incredulous look plain on his face.
'Hermione, how could you ever do something wrong?' He reached his arms around her and cuddled up to her, he remembered briefly that this was the position that started all their hoo-haa. He pulled the blanket up and covered them before he continued.
'I stopped because I remembered something you told me not to long ago. Something about waiting till we were married.' Lifting his eyebrows for effect.
Hermione slapped herself on the forehead before her warm brown eyes looked at Harry and for a second he thought his soul was being searched.
'Why are you so good to me?' She whispered.
'You're my girl.' Harry replied back truthfully. 'I would never hurt you Hermione.'
'I know you wouldn't Harry. I'm just surprised you stopped. My mind was just a whirlwind of lust. All I could think about was you.'
Harry brushed a sweaty piece of hair off her face and kissed her forehead softly.
'I felt the same, but then something told me to stop and I remembered our conversation. But if it didn't then I don't think I could have stopped. You're just too beautiful.'
'Oh Harry, you don't have to lie to see me naked. Just look under the covers.'
'I'm not. You're beautiful, it's true.' Hermione smiled brightly at the honesty that shone in Harry's eyes. She reached up and kissed him, finally pulling away saying.
'I'll obliviate you in the morning of all the secrets that you don't want the ministry to know.' Snuggling into his chest she started to drift off to sleep.
'Remember to protect what just happened the most.'
When Harry and Hermione awoke the next morning they hurried about to get everything ready for their imminent encounter with the Minister. Standing in the lounge Hermione pointed her staff at Harry's noggin and extracted all the memories they had talked about hiding. The smoky substance that was Harry's memories left his head and travelled into Hermione's waiting staff.
When the process was over Harry looked around bleary eyed. He looked at Hermione, who was sitting down looking as innocent as can be.
'What? What's going on?' Harry said dumbly.
'Nothing. Ready for breakfast?' Without waiting for an answer Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and apparated them down to great hall.
Hermione waited anxiously for the minister to make his appearance at breakfast. She looked at Harry who ignorant of her actions. They had decided to obliviate the news of the Ministers arrival as well. Just to make it look as though Harry had no forwarning.
Just then the doors to the great hall flew open revealing Winston Ramosa and at least 15 Aurors. Hermione stared at Harry who was looking at the new arrivals with a feral look in his eyes. She reached over and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. The gesture was to add support but also if needed, to restrain her fiancé.
'Minister Ramosa, what brings you to Hogwarts?' Dumbledore said in a clear voice as he strode out to meet the Death Eater in the middle of the great hall.
'Not what Dumbledore, but whom.' He sneered at Dumbledore and ran his eyes over the selected students, finally coming to rest on one person.
'I am here to arrest Harry Potter.' Gasps of shock and surprise reverberated around the hall as the Minister started walking towards Harry. Gripping tighter Hermione tensed her hold on Harry, her grasp getting so strong it made Harry yelp quietly.
'Sorry.' She apologized.
'Don't worry about me.' Harry whispered as the Minister stopped in front of him with a mad gleam in his eyes.
'Harry James Potter.' Ramosa started, spitting Harry's name out like a curse. 'You are here by arrested for the death of Reece McCullum. You are to hand over your wand and return with us to the Ministry where you shall await trial.' He then gave signals to two of the biggest men Harry had ever seen to step forwards and put magical restraints on his hands and feet, binding him tightly. The two men then started patting Harry all over, obviously looking for something. They stepped back and shook their heads at Ramosa, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
'Where is your wand?' He snapped.
'It's not a wand, it's a staff and its here.' He said, softly calling his staff to him. He then placed it in one of the Aurors hands, before passing it over though he said fiercely.
'If my staff should happen to get one scratch even one tiny blemish, I'm going to come after you.' He then dropped Mione into the Aurors hands and was happy to see the man handle it as if it was his first born.
'You are in no position to place threats Potter.' The minister said harshly. 'Now lets get out of this… school. Dumbledore.' He said, nodding to the old man, he then turned around and let the Aurors hastily follow in his wake. Harry turned around and smiled.
'I'll be back soon boys and girls, don't fret.' And that was that. Harry Potter had been arrested and was now being taken to the ministry for a trial. The great hall was as silent as a church. What were they to do without Harry Potter?
Harry was blindfolded as soon as he arrived at the ministry. He could hear the whispers and gasps as he was led around like a prize Hippogriff. It was obvious that the minister had planned it to be like this.
'I knew you were no match for myself or the Dark Lord.' Ramosa hissed scathingly in Harry's ear, so only he could hear. Harry just smiled.
'You'll keep Death Eater… You'll keep.' He then felt a wand jammed into his ribs. 'You'd better be careful of what you ask under Veritiserum Ramosa or my secrets won't be the only ones revealed.' The wand at his side retreated in surprise.
'Take him to the deepest cell we have, see to it so he gets no food or water. It's only fair that Mr Potter here should enjoy the treatments that he will get in Azkaban.' Harry heard Ramosa say cruelly before he was led away to supposedly the deepest holding cell in the ministry.
'Are we there yet?' Harry asked in his best bored voice.
'Watch your tone Potter.' He heard a gruff voice say before he was punched in the ribs. As he was bent over gasping for breath he choked out.
'Oh nice, how very muggle of you.' He then felt another blow to his ribs and head. The last thing he remembered was being thrown into the smallest room he'd ever seen.
This must be my new home. He thought sarcastically before he became unconscious.
The next time he woke up it was dark… But that really didn't help him much considering how far underground he was. He could hear two voices speaking outside. As his ears became more attuned he could hear his name being said every now and then malicious laughter could be heard.
Jeez, I wonder who they work for. He thought bitterly. Of course, all the Aurors that came with Ramosa must have been Death Eaters. He slapped his forehead a couple of times just to prove his stupidness.
/ Harry. / A voice called in Harry's head.
I can't be going mad alre-… Hermione. The voice in his head was his sweetheart, he wasn't going.
/ Hermione. Are you there/ Harry asked quickly.
/ Oh Harry, you're finally awake. I've been trying to call you for ages. What have you been doing/ Her frantic voice queried.
/ Umm not much. This and that. I've been unconscious ever since I've been here. By the way, how long have I been here/
/ Its 10:00am, Thursday the 24th of October. They took you in yesterday morning. Now how could you have been unconscious all that time/ She asked curiously, although there was an underlying tone of rage building up.
/ Hermione, before I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't come here and do anything rash. Do you promise/ Harry said squeakily.
/ What happened Harry/ Hermione asked dangerously.
/ Hermione, promise me. /
/ HARRY/ Hermione yelled loudly.
/ They beat me up. / Harry said childishly.
/ THEY DID WHAT/
/ Hermione its nothing. I'll be fine in no time. It's only a couple of bruises. / He said reassuringly. The connection was suddenly quiet. / Err, Hermione? What are you doing/
/ I'm coming to the ministry. / She said strongly.
/ Wh-What? Hermione, I said no. Hermione/ Harry said forcefully, more so then he might have meant. Once again their link went quiet.
/ Fine Harry. But you cant heal yourself anymore remember / Hermione voice sounded like she had a cold, it was sad to Harry to know that she had been crying, the sniffing from her only broke his heart that much more. She was of course, right. They day before, all marks of his water powers had disappeared. His tattoo, his hair and especially his healing abilities.
/ Don't cry. /
/ Oh so now you're telling me I can't cry. What can I do Harry/ Hermione's voice trembled with suppressed anguish.
/ Be strong for me. Come to my trial. Show me your smile. Because when I see you smile I know everything is going to be alright. / Harry had a hard time of holding in his own emotions. From the sound of it Hermione had an even harder time.
/ Ok Harry. I'll do that… I love you. /
/ I love it you too baby. I'll see you at my trial. Bye. / Harry reluctantly said his farewell and closed the link with Hermione.
'Oi, Death Eaters, when the hell is my trial.' Harry yelled, releasing some of his anger.
'Ooo, aren't we in a hurry to visit Azkaban.' One of his guards replied, not even bothering to deny that he was a Death Eater.
'Don't worry Potter, you've got a fair stint in there before your trial, so get comfy.' The other said. Harry thought he knew that voice.
'When is it?' Harry roared.
'Oh it's on a very special day. Your trial is a week from today Potter.' The minister's voice said from outside the door. Harry tried to figure out what day it would be whilst they opened his cell door.
Hmm, Hermione just said it was the 24th so a week from that wou-… Harry stopped thinking and turned a pale chalky colour.
'Yes Potter. October 31st is the day you'll be sentenced to Azkaban.' Harry looked up with depthless eyes into the sneering face of Winston Ramosa.
'Such a special day for you isn't it Potter?' Ramosa said cheerfully, pulling his wand out and pointing it at Harry. 'We must get you ready for the big day, mustn't we? Boys, come in here and help me with the Mr Potter's preparations.' The two guards outside then stepped in with their wands held high. Harry's eyebrow twitched a little but that was the only sign he showed of recognition of one of the faces of the Aurors. Dante, one of the double agents of the Order was one of his guards. Harry met his eyes but only saw hatred burning back at him.
'On three boys. One… Two… Three… CRUCIO.' Ramosa screamed out the dark curse and Harry was hit in the chest. The guard's curses weren't far behind and soon Harry was under three Cruciatus Curses screaming his lungs hoarse. Seconds… Minutes… They passed by at snails pace. Harry bit his tongue in protest. The three Death Eaters pulled their wands up and relieved Harry of his torture.
'I told you Potter, your nothing compared to the Dark Lord. He rewards his most loyal followers with powers you couldn't dream about. I hope you enjoy your stay. Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to my duties as this country's Minister for magic.' He turned on his heel and left the dingy cell with his head held high.
Harry pulled himself into a ball as he was finally left alone. A lone voice spoke in his mind.
Soon Potter. Soon.
Flyin Eagle