Chapter Six- Broken Hearts

Harry sat at his desk, looking at a Muggle Police Station's reports. They had captured Remarque and Navitek and for some "inexplicable reason" the duo vanished from their cell.

"They should have reported to us at once," Harry muttered as he read the report, his chest swelling with anger. "Stupid policemen."

"What are you muttering about?" Raven was standing in his door way, her robes wearing glue stains.

"Are you talking to me again?" Harry asked.

"It's between you and Eris," Raven shrugged. "Eris throws books at me when she's angry, so…"

"Have you seen Remigius?" Harry asked, suddenly realizing he had not seen his boss in a long time."

"No," Raven said. "Weird, huh? He disappears for long periods of time and doesn't bother in telling us."

Harry said nothing and Raven giggled suddenly. Harry raised his eyebrows and blinked. "I had never heard you giggle," Harry mused.

"Enjoy it, it might be the last time," Raven grinned.

"Why did you giggle?" Harry asked interestedly.

"It's just that… Comparing you and Remigius, you're a better boss," Raven said.

"Well…" Harry blushed, feeling flattered. "Aw, I don't think so."

"And better looking, too," Raven said. Harry looked at her and realized that something had changed about Raven. She seemed to be wearing makeup, and her hair was neater than usual. And he was strongly reminded of the night of Ron's and Hermione's engagement party. (for first time readers, it's on the Wall of Ishels)

And suddenly, he remembered Hermione, and what they had been through so they could be together, and Harry realized how much he loved Hermione.

"POTTER!" Harry snapped out of his daze, his heart clenching at the sound of Eris screaming.

"What the….?" Raven gasped as Harry stood up and stood in the doorway next to Raven. Harry and Raven stared at each other for a moment and then they both ran to Eris's office.

Harry tried to open the door but it was locked. He banged on the door, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Eris? Are you all right?"

Eris didn't answer, and Harry drew out his wand, pushing Raven aside. He pointed the wand at the door and it burst open violently. Eris was sitting in the door, her mouth open and her eyes widened in terror.

"I… I entered… and I saw… I can't…" Eris ranted, her whole body shaking in fear.

"Eris?" Raven asked, kneeling next to her, and Harry gasped. The wall in front of Eris had photographs of Hermione all over the wall, and every single one of them had Hermione's eyes gouged out, leaving the impression of a girl without eyes.

And in the small piece of wall without photographs, there was message. Written with blood. Harry felt his stomach lurch unpleasantly at the sight of it. She's ours, Potter

Later, at Neville Longbottom's office at the Ministry of Magic

"Harry, are you sure?" Neville asked.

"Look at this," Harry snarled, putting one of the photographs down in the table. "Do you think I'm kidding?"

"No, of course not," Neville said. "You say you have looked everywhere for her?"

"Yes, Neville, yes!" Harry said in exasperation, and Luna Lovegood put a hand in Harry's shoulder, her eyes watering.

"Harry, calm down," she said softly.

"How am I supposed to calm down, Luna?" Harry snapped. "They have my girlfriend, and I can't find my boss! Eris is on a nervous state and Raven and I can't do it on our own, so, that's what I'm asking you to help me!"

"You know I need Percy's permission," Neville muttered.

"Oh, Neville, are you bloody kidding me?" Harry yelled furiously. "Percy's permission? If I wasn't so damn worried I would laugh hysterically at that stupid comment!"

"You know, Longbottom, he's right," Malfoy said from the doorway, eyeing Raven nervously. "Screw Weasley, and let's go look for the girl."

"But… Oh, okay," Neville said, defeated. "Luna, I'll leave you on charge."

Luna glared at him, and Neville faltered. "Oh, damn it, call Finch-Fletchley!" he barked at Kat, who stepped back, and collided into Justin, who was entering the office in a hurry.

"I was just sending Kat to… Bloody hell, Justin, what's the matter?" Neville asked, seeing Justin's altered voice.

"A dead… a dead person… wizard… near Loch Ness… Stocklard," Justin said, breathless.

"What?" Harry and Raven blurted.

"Remigius Stocklard…. He's dead… Horrible…" Justin said, handing Neville a report. Harry felt shock waves running through his body.

"We have to go there," Raven said, her voice grave and cold. "Maybe we can find a clue or something."

Neville nodded, folding the report and putting it into his pocket. "Justin, if the Minister comes here, tell him we're out on a very important mission," Neville said seriously.

"Of course," Justin nodded.

"Let's go," Kat said.

Five minutes later, near Loch Ness.

"Oh… my…" Raven gasped.

Some wizards were already there, muttering around the lying corpse that was lying on the shore.

A young wizard ran away, and Harry the unpleasant sound of vomiting. Harry walked over to the body and he felt his mouth get dry.

Remigius's body was horribly scarred and his eyes were wide open, expressing terror. His clothes were soaking with blood, and he was clutching his wand tightly in his right hand.

"Remigius…" Harry moaned, as he kneeled next to the man that had believed in him enough to give him a very dangerous mission.

"Harry! Oh my God, Harry!" Harry turned around, his heart beating painfully fast. Hermione was running toward him, an anxious look on her face.

Hermione embraced him, and Harry pulled her closer, running his fingers through Hermione's hair. "Harry… I got to my apartment and my wall… Oh my… the wall… It had dozens of photographs of you… I feared…"

Harry drew her away and grabbed Hermione by the shoulders. "What? Photographs of… me?" Harry blurted.

"Yes," Hermione said, tears in her eyes. "Oh, it was so horrible… I thought they had you."

Harry stared blankly at Hermione. "I can't believe it. They put photographs at Eris's office as well… But the photographs were of you," Harry said. " Never mind. Where were you? I looked everywhere for you!"

"I was… well, I was with my parents," Hermione said, frowning. "I had to talk with them."

"I didn't look in there," Harry snorted. "I should have known."

Hermione glanced around and her eyes stopped at the sight of Remigius. "Oh no," she gasped. Harry put an arm around her and pulled her away.

"We need to talk," Harry said, making his mind quickly.

"Yes?" Hermione looked at him, her brown eyes bright with alarm.

"I… We can't be together anymore," Harry said, feeling guilt bubbling in his insides.

"Is this because of the threats?" Hermione snapped. "Harry, we are way stronger than that."

"No, it's not because of that," Harry lied.

"Harry, I'm not Ginny," Hermione said, her voice sounding hurt. "Don't try playing the hero. We can survive this."

"I'm telling you, it's not because of that…" Harry's voice trailed off, and he started looking around and his eyes lingered for a moment in Raven. He hated himself for what he was going to do, but he had to protect Hermione, as Remigius had said.

"I like someone else," Harry muttered. Hermione stared in disbelief at his, her mouth slightly open. She closed her eyes and snorted.

"I don't believe you," she said, opening her eyes again. "You are doing this because you want to protect me, I know you! I know everything about you!"

"Hermione, I'm in love with Raven!" Harry snapped. Everyone around stared at them, and Raven dropped her wand. Kat stared at Harry, frowning.

Hermione's eyes were filled with tears, her cheeks very red. "Hermione…" Harry started, trying to touch her arm.

"Leave me alone," Hermione said softly, tears running down her cheeks. "You're right. I thought I knew you. I thought you had put Raven behind you. I trusted you, Harry. But you're just like every other man."

She walked away, and Harry closed his eyes. He heard Hermione disapparate and he opened his eyes again. He turned around and saw that the others had returned to the body.

"Finished with your love life drama, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Maybe you can put some attention over here."

Harry didn't answer and his eyes met with Raven's. She looked at him, and Harry understood he had made a mistake. But he loved Hermione so much that he had to protect her.

Even if that meant sacrificing Raven.

A/N: I know you might hate Harry at this point, but we all know how he is. And truth is, that he knows he's sacrificing Raven (evil Harry! LOL) but let's see it from this point of view. Raven returned from the dead, you know, if Dionysus hadn't revived her, she wouldn't be there. So if she dies again, it won't be a big deal. Or maybe I'm being a bit too cruel? Please write your opinion.