AU!

WRITTEN FOR QLFC, SEASON 9

Prompt:

8. (genre) mystery

The owl flew in through the window, furling its large wings as it landed on the wooden bedpost. Hermione looked up from her book and frowned. She wasn't expecting any mail from her friends, was she?

Still, she got onto her knees and extended her arm out. The owl hopped off its perch and landed on her arm, sinking its sharp talons into her forearm to gain some traction. Hermione winced but carefully untied the white envelope dangling from the owl's leg.

Still paranoid from her time during the war, Hermione checked the envelope for curses and hexes before she was fully satisfied to open it. A little note slipped out from the thick envelope.

My valentine has hollow eyes. I watch her every night.

A chill ran up Hermione's spine at the words, but she made no move to look around. Taking a deep breath in to calm herself, she decided it was just a joke and she shouldn't involve the Aurors… not right away, of course.

Scrunching the paper into a ball, she lit it with a quick Incendio and watched it burn to a crisp. Then, she turned back to her book, but her mind was already planning on escape routes to and from her bedroom in the case of an emergency. She didn't know if it was just a cruel prank or not, but she didn't want to take any chances.

Wandlessly—just in case someone was watching her—she strengthened the wards around her flat, her eyes still focused on her book. Once she was done, her shoulders relaxed and this time, she was able to read a bit more peacefully.

The notes continued for two weeks, but Hermione still thought it was just a cruel joke. Until one morning…

She came back from her morning jog and found a bouquet of roses lying on her doorstep with a note attached.

I don't just want your heart. I want your flesh, your skin and blood, your voice, your thoughts, your pulse, and most of all your fingerprints everywhere.*

Hermione swallowed the lump forming in her throat, her heart pounding at the sight of the red ink. She didn't touch it, fearing it was real blood.

When an eerie feeling of being watched swept over her, Hermione was unable to stop herself from looking around. Subtly pulling out her wand, she cast a Homenum Revelio on the stairs leading to the building's entrance. Though she came up empty-handed, Hermione nibbled on her lower lip, worried about her safety.

It was time to call the Aurors.

Harry and Ron were both furious that she hadn't informed them of her situation earlier, but she waved them off, saying that she'd thought it was a malicious prank. Despite their annoyance, they were genuinely worried about her.

And so, they sent in one of their men.

Cormac McLaggen.

She had to key him into her wards so that he could enter and go as he pleased—her friends' demand. Though Hermione knew Cormac, she didn't necessarily trust him. At first.

But when a man dressed completely in black tried to attack her that same night as she walked back home, Cormac swooped in and singlehandedly fought him off. Even though she had her wand, she was unable to move in her panic as memories of being on the run raced through her head. Hermione's heart raced as she watched Cormac throw the assailant to the ground, and she began to trust that he would keep her safe.

Over the next few weeks, though Hermione continued to receive terrifying love letters and presents, Cormac managed to keep her distracted. She was surprised to find out that he was well-read and could hold a decent conversation that wasn't about Quidditch. He even liked her favourite novels and had similar opinions about them!

It was so refreshing for Hermione to talk to Cormac, and a bond of trust and friendship soon developed between them.

Two weeks later, Hermione was fast asleep in her room, tired after a long day at work. Everything seemed normal at first, but then, her wards shifted.

The shift wasn't enough to alarm her, but when she heard something in the living room crash to the ground, Hermione shot upright, whipping out her wand. Her heart in her throat, she crept to the door, her hands trembling by her sides.

Just then, she heard a loud thud and a pained cry that she recognised as Cormac's. Instantly, she reached for the doorknob.

"Hermione, stay in there!" Cormac yelled. An unknown voice called out a Stupefy. "I can handle him! Oof!"

Another thump and a crash sounded right after.

Hermione tried to open the door, but she realised Cormac had locked her inside. She attempted all the Unlocking Spells she knew, but none of them worked.

She tried to kick down the door to help Cormac but failed. Every time Cormac cried out but managed to hold his own, Hermione grew more and more desperate in her attempts to open the door, her mind overcome with panic.

When she heard the assailant use the Cruciatus Curse, Hermione screamed alongside Cormac, tears streaming down her face. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if anything happened to him while protecting her.

She looked around the room to find something that could help her break down the door. Just as her eyes landed on the bedside table, she heard a thunderous snap and a crunch. She stiffened as she whipped around and stared at the door, terror taking place in her heart as she thought of what the sounds could mean. Was he going to come in and kill her, too?

"Hermione? Are you okay in there?" Cormac called out, sounding tired and weak.

A wave of relief washed over Hermione as she slid to her knees and sobbed. Her arms shook as she wrapped them around her waist to reassure herself that everything was fine. That Cormac was fine.

But she needed to see him for herself.

As if he'd heard her thoughts, Cormac jiggled the doorknob and slowly let the door swing open. With a blood-streaked face and ripped sleeves, he hobbled into the room, wincing at each step he took.

"Cormac!" Hermione cried, unable to stop herself from lunging at him. She buried her face in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her torso.

"Shh, I'm here. He's dead now. He won't lay a finger on your precious head, my love."

As Hermione trembled in his arms, the panic slowly receded to the back of her mind. Her heart continued to thump wildly, but at least, she was safe.

She didn't see the dark smile playing at Cormac's lips, nor could she hear his twisted thoughts as he finally got what he so coveted.

Hermione, I don't just want your heart. I want your flesh, your skin and blood, your voice, your thoughts, your pulse, and most of all your fingerprints everywhere.* I'm going to possess your very soul, my love. You just wait and see.

*Isobel Thrilling, Lover