If Love Is A Crime, Arrest Me Now.
"Tell me again why you're against love," she said, walking right behind him. "Even salt and pepper shakers come in pairs, and you know why?"
Regulus didn't reply, so Hermione grabbed his arm and turned him around. "Because there's love everywhere. Love's the only thing free in this expensive world. Love gives you the joy to live, determination to fight, and hope for the future. It transcends any religion or boundary. It's just... love."
Hermione Granger peeked around the corner and motioned for the couple behind her to be silent. The hooting of an owl and the wind's whistling greeted her. She sighed in relief. Silently, she waved them over. Creeping along the road, they reached a small car parked nearby.
Once Cedric and Daphne were inside the car, Hermione said to the driver, "Here's some cash. Make sure they get to their destination." She turned to Daphne. "Daph, you have to go now."
"Thank you, Hermione. If it weren't for you, I'd never have met Cedric."
"There's no need to thank me. You two were made for each other, and you know marriages are made in heaven. I want you to be happy."
Cedric squeezed Daphne's hand. "Trust me, Hermione, you should run away too. If you don't, they'll kill you."
Hermione shook her head. "Don't worry. By the time they find out about you two, I'll already be in London. Now, go." She shut the door and stepped away.
As the car drove away, Hermione caught sight of a policeman patrolling nearby. A lorry stood at a distance, so she ran and hid under it. When she realized he was likely to find her, which would mean major trouble for her, Hermione climbed inside and she waited with bated breath for him to leave.
Just then, a man got into the lorry and drove out of Hogsmeade. Aware she couldn't get off without being seen by the policeman, she lowered herself onto the haystack and closed her eyes.
When Hermione opened her eyes, she was handcuffed to a bar in a moving police van. At first, she didn't understand what had happened. As she slowly regained her bearings and became aware of her surroundings, she gasped, trying to yank on the handcuffs.
Two policemen were in the van with her, and neither of them paid her any attention. Through the rearview mirror, she saw the driver's reflection. He wore dark sunglasses, and his wavy black hair was styled to perfection.
Hermione yanked on her cuffs again and panicked. "Please, let me go! The girl ran away on her own accord!"
The driver's voice was deep and low-pitched. "Did you know she was the Chief's daughter?" When Hermione didn't answer, he raised his voice. "Did you?"
Hermione flinched at his tone, her heart racing. "Yes, I knew... Can't the Chief's daughter fall in love, too?"
"No one here can fall in love, ma'am," he drawled, his eyes on the road. He looked relaxed, but Hermione knew she was in deep trouble. "It's illegal 'round here. If you wish to live, tell us where she went. It'll save your life. Because no matter how far the pigeon flies, the falcon always catches it."
"A falcon's designed to hunt and kill, but the pigeon can't desert its truth either," Hermione stated, watching his reaction. He cocked his head as he drove along the rocky road back to Hogsmeade.
On the way, he stopped in a small village and got out to call the Chief of Hogsmeade. "Yes, she's with me. We'll find your daughter by nightfall."
Hermione tried to eavesdrop, but the man was ten feet away.
"If we'd found and killed your sister the day she ran away with that Tonks brat, my daughter would've never taken such a drastic step. Bring her back quickly, you hear! The moment I find out where she is, I'll drag her back by her hair and set her on fire in the middle of the village green! After that, all the girls in Hogsmeade will think a million times before they ever take such a step!"
"Yes, sir," the policeman murmured and hung up. He yelled over his shoulder at his partner, who stood near a fruit vendor. "Flint, let's go!"
He got into the van and waited for his partner to come back. Hermione took the opportunity to reach over the seat and hand him a handful of bills. "Keep it. I know anything goes in your profession." Hermione didn't notice his teeth clenching. "Go on."
The man shoved her wrist back roughly, startling Hermione. "Oh… You're an honest one? Well, Mister Honest, under which law have you arrested me? Which law states that we can't help two lovers? Tell me!"
The man kept his mouth shut. Hermione saw the muscle in his cheek twitch and scoffed. "Don't you know two people in love should stay together? Aren't you aware of that? In fact, you should be helping them."
When Flint reached the van, the man demanded, "Flint, shut her up."
"How's he going to shut me up? Even though you're wearing a police uniform, you're loyal to the Chief. You're the Chief's bitch, that's what you are!" Hermione goaded him on.
The man flung the door open, climbed out, stormed to the back of the vehicle, jumped inside, and sat down opposite Hermione. Leaning towards her, he growled, "Don't force me to forget that you're a woman. Got that?"
His eyes were hidden behind his dark sunglasses, but his fury was evident. They glared at each other before the man got out and walked towards the driver's seat. Hermione's heart raced as she called out, "It's not like she's your sister!"
The man paused, his hand on the door handle, and Hermione sensed she'd hit a nerve. She didn't know he was reliving the day his sister had run away with her lover and caused great shame to befall him and his family.
He got into the car and thought about what the Chief had said to him the previous night.
"I got you transferred to this village so that no girl would repeat your sister's dishonorable actions. I saved you and your family from disgrace! And you allowed that girl — who claimed to be guarding my daughter — to help her run away! I don't care how you get the three of them back — dead or alive, I don't care — but I want them back here!"
"I was on duty with Minister Fudge last night, sir, and Flint was patrolling —"
"I don't care where you were! You only have this uniform because of me! Me! You belong to me first, and then, to the Minister! You're my bitch, remember that!"
Shamefaced, he had promised, "I'll bring you the girl within the next 24 hours, sir."
Breaking him out of his thoughts, Marcus interjected, "Sir, I still feel as if I'm running after that girl. When we find her, we'll teach her a lesson she'll never forget."
"She won't be alive to remember it." The man's face was expressionless.
Hermione gulped, her heart pounding at the man's ominous words. She knew he was serious about their fate if they apprehended them. She glanced at her wrist that was cuffed to the metal bar above her head, and a plan formed in her head.
"Stop the car," she murmured, but the man ignored her. "I said stop the car." When the man continued to ignore her, she sighed. "I need to pee."
When the man still didn't stop, she shrugged and said, "All right, don't stop. I'll just pee in here."
A few seconds later, the man stopped the van beside a tree. "Flint, take the girl, and this time, no mistakes. If the girl disappears, I'll make you disappear."
Flint stared at Hermione pointedly, and she scowled. "Why are you looking at me like that? Let's go!"
He took Hermione into the forest and showed her a few bushes she could do her business behind. "I'll turn around, and you can do whatever you want."
"What do you mean 'turn around'? Remove the handcuffs!"
"Handcuffs?" Flint looked at their cuffed hands and shook his head. "No, no, what if you run away?"
"Come on, please, remove it," Hermione pleaded. "I'm like your little sister, aren't I? If your sister was stuck in a similar situation, would you say the same thing?"
Flint winced at the thought and hesitated. He glanced at the van behind the trees and said, "All right, but don't go too far, okay?"
Hermione nodded her head and began to walk away. Flint was right behind her, so she turned and frowned. "Are you going to watch me? Turn around and don't look! Come on, please… If your little sister had to pee in the open like this..."
Flint stopped her from completing her sentence. "Just go."
Hermione walked towards the trees slowly, glancing at Flint over her shoulder. She picked up a large rock and threw it at a distance. Flint immediately whirled around, and she scowled. "Why did you turn around? I was testing you! If you turn around again, I'll wish your sister runs away too! Now, turn around and don't look."
Once he turned away from her, Hermione slowly inched away from him. When he said that he wouldn't be fooled by her 'tests' again, Hermione smirked. She silently crept away into the forest, her heart pounding at her actions.
She ran faster once she was out of sight, trekking through the mud, hopping over the low bushes, looking for a way out of the forest. She soon found herself hopelessly lost in the dense maze of wizened trees and undergrowth. Panting, Hermione looked over her shoulder as she ran faster.
All of a sudden, she bumped into a hard wall of pure muscle. She gasped as she looked up and found the policeman standing in front of her. He grabbed her wrist and tightened his hold on her.
"Let me go!" Hermione cried, trying to pull away from him, but he held onto her. She yanked her arm, trying to escape, and the man dragged her closer.
Suddenly, his foot slipped, and he grabbed Hermione by her shoulders, pulling her to the ground. They rolled around in the dirt, trying to get the upper hand, but finally, the man pinned her down.
Having lost his sunglasses in the scuffle, the man's deep grey eyes stared right into her soul as he held her, and Hermione's heart skipped a beat at how intense it was. They stayed in that position for a few moments, their gazes locked, until the man finally broke their eye contact.
He got to his feet, and Hermione scrambled away from him. Her back hit the tree, and she looked for a way to escape. The man stepped closer to her, placed his hand on the tree trunk above her head, and leaned down. His minty-fresh breath wafted to her when he hissed, "I warned you not to force my hand, didn't I? Before the Chief gets his hands on you, I'll… Tell me where his daughter is, or else…"
"Or else what?" Hermione snapped. "You'll kill me? If your troubles will be over the moment I'm dead, then kill me already! Besides, I don't have any family, so no one will miss me."
"You won't die so easily. You'll be punished in front of everyone in Hogsmeade so that no girl dares to do something so shameful again. Don't force me to do something I'll regret," he growled, his eyes darkening with rage.
They glared at each other, and he demanded, "Tell me where the Chief's daughter is."
"I don't know." The man glared at her pointedly. "And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."
The man slammed his hand against the tree again. "What are you so proud of, anyway?"
"It's not pride. I believe in myself, alright?"
"Listen, you're a girl," the man threatened as he leaned down. "We're alone out here. I can do anything to you."
"What will you do?" Hermione was enraged at the implication. She shoved him backwards, glaring at him. "That's what you learned from the other men, didn't you? How to treat women like they're the dirt beneath your feet! How to disrespect them! How to make sure they're unloved!" In her rage, she unbuttoned her jacket and threw it at his feet. "Here! Do what you want to me!"
The man's eyes were unfathomable as he bent down. Hermione closed her eyes, terrified he would accept her challenge, but her eyes snapped open when the man gently placed the jacket around her shoulders. He turned his back on her and stepped away, letting her compose herself.
"Because of your dramatics, I've lost my way," he grumbled, looking around.
"If you don't lose your way, how will you find yourself?" Hermione asked innocently but straightened up when he glared at her again.
He pulled out his phone. "No network… There are wild animals ahead."
"Where?" Hermione squeaked and tripped over his sunglasses.
The man caught her by her waist, stiffening at their proximity. He let her go and looked away from her.
"By the way, I'm not in any danger from the animals. Because the wild animal I'm with, he's just acting like an animal." Hermione smiled when he looked annoyed. "You've got such beautiful eyes… Why do you keep them hidden? Do you have a secret hidden behind those eyes?"
"Just shut up, woman!" He handcuffed himself to her and grumbled, "God knows how I ended up with a crazy woman like you." He pulled her behind him as he walked through the forest.
"Hey, I'm not crazy!" Hermione made sure to stay right behind him so she wouldn't fall behind. "You and that Chief of yours are the crazy ones. Are you living in the twenty-first century or not? Everyone deserves to find love and be happy. What else could those two have done? Running away was their last option."
"Yes, leaving their families behind to face the disgrace and shame. Running away is very easy," the man snapped.
"Why are you so angry? If you had a sister and she'd fallen in love with someone and run away—"
"Hey! Not one more word out of you!" The man's gaze was murderous, and Hermione stopped. He dragged her through the thick forest, squinting at the sun occasionally, trying to find a way out. The woods grew denser as they walked for what seemed like hours.
Hermione broke the uncomfortable silence. "Being faithful to the Chief is why you're lost in the woods with me. I told you this was the wrong way! But no, policemen know everything. I'm lost now, too!"
Angrily, the man kicked the ground, and Hermione's laughter escaped her lips. She covered her mouth with her free hand, and her amusement at their situation caused a smile to slowly unfurl on the man's lips. She giggled as she looked up at him. "You look more handsome when you laugh. You know... you grew up in Hogsmeade with the rest of us, but you're not like the other men."
The man remained silent as he turned away, uncomfortable under her scrutiny, and Hermione pulled her arm back, accidentally tugging too hard. The man slammed into her, and they fell to the ground in a heap again. Hermione's cheeks reddened at their closeness, wondering how many times they were going to fall like that. The man's intense gaze sent shivers of desire down her spine.
As he pushed himself up, his wavy hair brushed against her cheek, and Hermione swallowed. When they were both upright, Hermione pulled on the handcuffs and sighed. "It's ironic, isn't it? Both of us are tied. My hands are tied because according to you, I'm wrong. And you're tied because you're making a mistake. Maybe it's a misplaced blame that's making you do this."
"Do you interfere in everyone's life?"
"No, only for those whose hearts are pure."
The man didn't reply, but when he stood up, he extended his free hand towards her, and Hermione placed her hand in his. When he had helped her off the ground, they continued trekking through the forest.
The water was cool against Hermione's skin, and she shivered as she climbed onto the riverbank. Drying her hair with her undershirt, she glanced at the man. He was busy pulling his shirt on, so Hermione ogled him to her heart's content.
"Hey, what's your name?" Hermione called out, watching the muscles in his back ripple as he stretched his arms.
"Why do you want to know?"
"It's polite to know people's names when you talk to them." Hermione rolled her eyes. "My name's Hermione."
"Regulus." His back was still turned.
"So, what were you saying, Mr Regulus?"
"Me? I didn't say anything…"
"Silence speaks louder than words," she said with a small smile. He turned his head and stared at her for a while before he turned away again. Hermione frowned. "What's your problem? Haven't you ever loved somebody?"
"People like you believe in love, ma'am — those who have their heads in the clouds. Not people like me."
"Why do you say that? Did something happen to you?" Hermione looked curious, and Regulus gritted his teeth.
"Are you done? Shall we go now?"
Hermione understood he wanted her to drop the topic, but she was still curious. She'd always believed in the power of love to overcome any adversity. Even though she was an orphan, she vaguely remembered her parents teaching her that love was a power that could do wonders in the world. She wanted to learn more about the mysterious man, but she had to bide her time.
Regulus stepped towards her, and Hermione raised her wrists, expecting him to handcuff her to him again. But he surprised her when instead of shackling her to him, he said, "It's slippery ahead. Be careful."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat when she saw his intense gaze and she nodded. He led them through the trees, and Hermione watched him. At first, she'd assumed he was very predictable, but as the sun slowly set over the woods, she realized Regulus was a loose cannon. He never did what she expected of him, and Hermione wondered if she'd made a mistake labelling him as the Chief's henchman.
"Tell me again why you're against love," she said, walking right behind him. "Even salt and pepper shakers come in pairs, and you know why?"
Regulus didn't reply, so Hermione grabbed his arm and turned him around. "Because there's love everywhere. Love's the only thing free in this expensive world. Love gives you the joy to live, determination to fight, and hope for the future. It transcends any religion or boundary. It's just... love."
With a heated gaze, Regulus stared at her silently, and Hermione continued, "And, yes, Mister, this love is for everyone. I don't understand why you'd want to run away from it."
Before he could say something, he flinched and stumbled forward. Hermione didn't see a slithering tail disappearing into a nearby bush. Regulus bent and clutched onto his ankle, swaying, and Hermione grabbed his shoulder to steady him. She helped him sit down on a large rock and asked, "Regulus? Regulus, are you okay? Answer me!"
Regulus' eyes fluttered shut as he leaned against a fallen tree trunk, and Hermione's heart threatened to punch its way out of her chest. She yanked his trouser-leg up and gasped. It was a snake bite. "Don't fall asleep, Regulus! Stay with me!"
She almost bent down to suck the venom out of his leg but remembered that would be useless. His best chance at survival was for her to find help soon. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and helped him up. "Come on, Regulus, stay with me. Keep walking."
She dragged him through the forest, her heart thundering. He has to live… he just has to. Hermione made sure he didn't fall asleep, not wanting to see what would happen if he did. She continued to goad him on, but he didn't reply. His head nodded back and forth, and Hermione lost her composure. She placed him down against a tree trunk, checked his pockets for something that could help her, and ran away with his penknife, tears streaming down her face, marking the trees on her way. She had to save him.
She came across a hut and rushed to ask for help. The old man was surprised to see her, but he quickly followed her back to Regulus. He applied a herbal mixture that he promised would help Regulus long enough for him to get back to civilization. Hermione thanked him profusely and asked for directions to the road.
"I'll help you carry him back to my house. You can rest there for the night and leave tomorrow." Grateful, Hermione offered him payment for his help, but he refused.
Inside the hut, Hermione sat beside Regulus' bed. She'd almost lost him, unable to believe how terrified she had been. She extended her hand and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Andy… ran." Regulus' eyes were still closed. "Shame… Chief save…"
Hermione tried to make sense of what he'd just said. "The Chief saved his family from disgrace after Andy ran away with someone? Oh, Regulus… You've got so much to share." She caressed his head lovingly.
When Regulus woke up the next morning, he found himself in an unknown bed and shot upright. Seeing Hermione's jacket on a chair, he tensed up. "Hermione? Hermione!"
"Thank God you're awake," Hermione said, entering the room with a breakfast tray in hand. "Okay, there's a highway nearby, so we can leave easily."
Regulus frowned. "But… you were free. Why didn't you escape?"
"Those who are free have no reason to run. Now, I'm going to do something that'll make you furious." Hermione grinned as she swiped his phone from his trousers. "Network's available here, so…" She dialled in a number and handed it to him.
Regulus' face reddened when he saw 'Andy' flashing across the screen. "What the fuck did you do?"
"Nothing wrong. I'm getting you to talk to your sis—"
"I don't have a sister!" Hermione flinched at his tone. "The one I had died five years ago!"
"Is that why you still have her number? See, anger's not good for anyone — especially you. It turns you into this monster — a fake! If you really hate her, then tell her you hate her and that she's dead to you. Go on!"
Regulus gritted his teeth. "How do you know this?"
"You told me under the influence of the snakebite — don't change the topic! Call her and tell her!" She shoved the phone in his hand.
Regulus' chest heaved with anger as he held the phone to his ear. The moment he heard his sister's voice, his demeanour shifted. His emotions overwhelmed him, and he choked on his tears. "How are you, Andy?"
A few minutes later, he hung up and looked at Hermione, who had her back turned on him to give him his privacy. He grabbed her forearm and whirled her around. "I'll ask you once again," he said hoarsely. "Why didn't you escape?"
"If I'd escaped," she whispered, her voice just as hoarse as his, "the Chief would've killed you."
Regulus' arms were suddenly around her waist, and Hermione knew this was her heaven. In such a short amount of time, he had won her heart. "See? Hatred has no place in front of love."
Regulus closed his eyes as he continued to embrace her. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke for him.
Regulus limped towards the highway, his arm wrapped snugly around Hermione's shoulders. He glanced at her occasionally, and Hermione asked, "Are you okay?" Silently, he nodded.
When a car came into view, Hermione smiled but it soon faded. She grabbed Regulus' arm. "It's the Chief's car, Regulus! It—" she trailed off when she saw the determination on his face.
Betrayal was a bitter pill for Hermione to swallow. Her tongue refused to work as two men got out of the car and grabbed her by her arms. They shoved her inside, and Regulus got into the passenger seat. Hermione's heart shattered when he didn't even look at her.
Her heart and head were in turmoil the entire ride back to Hogsmeade. She couldn't believe Regulus had betrayed her. When they reached the village and stood in front of the Chief, Hermione's mind went blank.
"You dare enter my house and help my daughter run away? Tell me where she is." When Hermione didn't answer, the Chief raised his hand and roared, "Tell me!"
Before he could hit her, Regulus grabbed his wrist. "Don't touch her… She hasn't done anything wrong — only helped two lovers unite. I haven't said anything because I respect you — not because I'm afraid."
Hope bloomed in Hermione's heart.
"I had a feeling you'd betray me, Black," the Chief snarled.
"Even a dog is only loyal to the one who deserves it."
The Chief stepped closer to Regulus. "You dare talk back to me? When Andromeda ran away, why didn't you do anything then? But for this cheap whore, you step up?"
"Don't call her that! I love her… which is banned in your kingdom." He turned towards Hermione and gently cupped her face. "I'm in love with you already. Something held me back, but you set me free. And today, in front of everyone here, I want to tell you that I... love you, Hermione."
Hermione's heart wept at his words. "I love you too, Regulus."
Regulus turned to the Chief. "This orphan girl taught me the importance of relationships — that we don't have anything else but love. She taught me how to make relationships — not break them."
"What are you looking at? Grab them!" The Chief waved his men over, and they caught them by their arms. "I'm going to make sure no one ever finds your bodies! Whoever falls in love surrenders his right to live!"
"My love for her has conquered my fear of you," Regulus said with a smirk. "Do what you wish."
The Chief whipped out a sharp blade from his pocket and raised his arm to stab Regulus, but then, a voice called out, "Halt!"
Hermione turned around and found four policemen standing with their guns pointed at the Chief. One of them stepped forward to handcuff him. "You're under arrest for attacking an on-duty police officer."
Before they took him away, Regulus said, "Love has been sacrificed for too long in this village, but not any more. Whoever falls in love… deserves to be happy. Take him away."
As they dragged him away, Regulus turned to Hermione. "This is why I brought you back. You told me those who are free don't run away."
Hermione smiled as Regulus pulled her up for a heartfelt kiss. They were free.
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