Chapter Twelve:

Stranger

It wasn't seeing the blood that made her pass out exactly, but instead the overwhelming shock of being raped. She didn't know what to say, what to do, where to go, or even how to act. She couldn't run to Harry, he was gone, and she needed to accept that for now while he was there. She couldn't try and get him out of there, because fighting with the Ministry would only screw her life up more, but she insisted she'd rather be in jail then here having this done to her.

She had no idea what to do at a time like this, for it was morning and she was completely covered in dry blood and bruises. Her breasts had sharp prangs in them every few minutes, and yet, she didn't want to remember what happened. She just let them bring her the pain and tried as hard as she could to completely ignore it all. Even though the pain wouldn't leave, something else was keeping her from pushing these memories into the back of her head.

The last thing that she would ever say is that she enjoyed it, for it was vile and completely repulsive. She grasped the sheets with all her might, and before she knew it she was talking to herself, as if reciting a poem. Though, she herself didn't know what she was saying, for it didn't sound like something she'd say, but she was saying it… like it meant more than the world, more than life, more than… Harry.

"Why am I here oh present moon, as the light shines overhead. I don't understand those who do these unworthy deeds, but it's my fault it was lead. May you listen to me shout to the skies, for I know not who I talk to. Why dost thou act as if this is important, why does it destroy lives too? What does this prove? Listen to me, oh faithful one, and answer me for I here I shall be."She covered her eyes. "Let spirits of the dead steal my soul and devour it with a kiss, for I have no reason to live. I'll be waiting for you to come for me, but I shake with wretched beast-like nails, as I claw my way out of this box I've put myself into. At first I thought it was all I dream, but then I realized that all I along I knew."

Without meaning to cause anything but meaning towards he words, she suddenly heard a loud, dripping noise. Like a never-ending shower of nails upon a chalkboard, and when she look to her side she found it raining. The window creaking open and shut as she lay in the pitch black madness of the scene. She tossed and turned, not even realizing the nasty pain in her arm, but did nothing but lay there, soaking in the heat. Something about this night sacred her, and scared her practically to death.

She closed her eyes, and in a lovesick manner she began missing Harry's presence. Though she would see him soon, for she was to meet the Judge at Azkaban, she had no intention of missing him as much as she did right now. If he were here, none of this would have happened. It would be a usual common last Saturday till school. School started on a Sunday this year, so therefore when she was done with the Judge she would be shipped back to Hogwarts to resume her post.

Hermione raised herself from the bed that she loved, yet hated so much it made her sick. She loved it, because that's where her and Harry had expressed their love, but again she hated it because he would never be by her side again. Why had they fought those two days of their shot time together? Something could have sparked in those two days so that she wouldn't feel so lonely without him. Maybe he could have fought the Ministry, and maybe he could have won. The clock struck 6 am.

The pitch black, blued, and misty sky looked it's usual after a rainstorm: nasty. The sky was mixed as the colors faded away softly into a gentle grayish color and a silver lining upon each individual cloud that hung over head like the moon. The moon was there, but slowly it began disappearing behind the gray sky. She couldn't help but think her vision became a bit foggy too, but she ignored her desire to fall asleep once again and sat up, holding the sheets to her like a shield.

Those words he had said swam in her head about how she was his princess, and he was her prince. It made her sick to just think about the possibilities of them being together for eternity. She loved Harry, more than the world itself, and for some reason she always knew that nothing could keep them together. For it was love they experienced in those few days, but it was something so stupid that pulled them right apart again. What was she thinking; when she told herself that she would spend the rest of her life with the wonderful, popular, and famous Harry Potter? This was nothing but a game.

She raised herself from the bed, searching the room for clothes, and settled with a normal pair of jeans and a light blue sweater. The sleeves were stretched out into a bell shape, where she abnormally hid her wand inside. She would be meeting the Judge soon enough and they together would save him. They would put Ron away, and then… Harry would be free. Harry would be here, by her side, but what scared her most was what would he say to her if he found out Ron had successfully raped her when he was in jail?

Would he call her a weakling practically for not being able to stop him, when truth-be-told Harry couldn't either? When he returned what exactly would his expression be towards her and him? Would this start a war between the families when she never intended it to? What would he think when she eventually told him? The one question though that lingered in her mind like a fear was: would she even tell him what happened and the truth to it?

During the night she had received a note from the Judge to meet him at the Ministry at 7 o'clock, am, sharp. She would not tell Molly where she was going, but she left a note on the bed that said she wouldn't be back and that she went somewhere and she'd catch the train by herself. Not knowing if Molly would understand, she left it without any more words. Then she raised her hands as the clock struck 6:55 am, and she was whizzed away without two words.

She had her eyes closed because she usually got dizzy from everything swishing by her so quickly it made her sick to her stomach. She felt her feet hit the ground where she opened her eyes and stared at the phone booth in front of her. She stepped inside as the "Out of Order" sign vanished. She put in the code with a small hassle with the order of the numbers, but she managed to get to it after a few tries. A lady came on the speaker with a prissy/charming tone to her voice.

"Please state your name." She said.

"Hermione Jane Granger." She said sharply, wanting to be on time.

"What is your purpose?" She asked a little offended, but she continued to listen to her with patience.

"I am here for a Scheduled meeting with Judge Day and a trip to Azkaban." She said boringly. "The time of meet is 7 am." She stated once more.

"Correctly stated," The woman said. "Take your badge from the slot and you may resume to your meeting." Hermione took her badge. "Good luck." She said.

Hermione said a light thanks before she was lowered into the depth of the Ministry itself. It had been precisely two years since she had actually done this, and she didn't miss it at all. Whatever were they thinking while being so young? She shook her head, for back then was filled with nothing but fear, problems, love, heartache, and stupidity. That's all that got her to be who she is now, but somewhere in that predicament she had to thank all that happened, because she honestly enjoyed her life… until now.

What ever had she done to deserve this pain that she had been unmistakably cursed to death with? Why was it her and not someone like Ms. Perfect Pansy Parkinson? What about that twit? Who would have thought her and Malfoy would make it all the way through 6th year. That's what made her sick to her stomach… Pansy… Malfoy… eh, she couldn't even imagine what their kids would look like with bleach-blond hair and pug noses with snappy attitudes.

Hermione had always wondered why they were still together when Malfoy had found out a horribly secret about her. Last summer he found that she was, in fact, a half blood and the Malfoy family only ran of pure bloods. She was a dead-end in the chain link of the family, and everyone was surprised he didn't just turn her away. Hermione thought it was her cunning that made him stick to her so, love between them was nothing but a joke, and them together was like eating a snake and mustard sandwich… malevolent.

She walked down the tainted wood and maroon halls as she made her way across the Ministry, clipping her badge to her shoulder. She walked forward, giving her wand to the man at the desk, and walked past without any words or actions that needed to be given or told about. She just walked, but curiously it seemed that the halls were all but one person empty. Was there a meeting in action, and why was there no one in the halls but body guards and security wizards? It didn't make sense.

"Hermione!" She heard a voice call. "Oy, Hermione, over here!" It shouted again. She turned sharply on her heal and faced the voice.

There was the man she was looking for. The plump, short man that she met in the Courthouse and she had formally introduced herself to him at that time was walking straight at her. She smiled slightly at the thought of what was going to happen next and where they were going. Hermione, with her luggage sitting beside her, waved gently to the judge as she nodded her head. She smiled graciously and gave him a thanking smile as she stepped in front of her bags.

"You can leave those here." He said. "We'll get them back to you at the train station." He promised and she nodded.

"How are we going to the prison?" She wondered. "I mean, with all the Dementors there, how are we going to get past?" The Judge laughed a little.

"The Dementors have been gone for months, Dear," He laughed. "We're going on Thestrals."

"Oh," She said sadly. "If only I hadn't seen my cousin die at birth." She said. "Then I would be grateful for not being able to see them."

"Its okay, Hermione," He reassured. "I've seen more people die than you could even imagine."

She wasn't sure if that was supposed to be taken as a happy comment or a depressing one, because his expression sort of gave her mixed signals. Before Hermione even realized it, she was settled on a Thestral and riding out into the late sunrise with the Judge on another at her side. She looked over to him as he began yelling across to her in the orange and pink smothered sky. She listened intently to his directions, but she found it difficult to look at him and the direction she was going.

"Ok, we're going to come to an opened bridge where we'll enter, but be careful of the sphinxes around the castle. They can be a bit vicious." He warned. "You're wand less so that's what your biggest downfall is at the moment. It's hard keeping track of those filthy creatures, because you never know exactly where they are." He laughed.

"Where are we going to find Harry?" She yelled back, distracting her horse a little.

"We'll be guided by the Jail Guards there. You have to be careful though, they can be a little touchy around visitors." He warned again. "They aren't every trusting people."

"I know." She said. "I've run into them before, but it was at the Ministry, not Azkaban. I've actually never been to the actually Jail, but I was planning on never going anyway because it's not exactly a happy place, but Harry's in trouble." She said.

"Why are you so worried about him and how many years he serves?" The Judge asked curiously. "Just because you know he's innocent?"

"That and I love him." She said. "More than the world itself, but this place is not for him. You have the wrong man." She stated clearly talking of Ron.

"Is that all, because there's something about you Hermione that seems like this is more than love and innocence. What else are you here for?" He wondered and she sighed. "You are poised to his life, are you not?"

"Yes!" She said. "Look… I have to save him, because…" She paused with a sigh. "I owe him."

She saw the Jail coming into the clearing, and such a horrific place it seemed to be. It was darkened with gray clouds as chains hung from the metal bars. People watching them coming in through the small slits between the bars, and their only source of light available to them. The chains dangled from a phantom breeze that lingered over the jail like a cloud. She gasped at the sight she saw, for this was horrible. What had they done to her fiancé?

She pushed forward on her horse when she had seen a large wooden door fall to the ground to form a bridge. She felt her horse land on the sandy beach and galloped to the front of the bridge. She looked at the guards with fear as their hands were covered with leather and whips glued to their hands like a knife. She blinked with enlighten and waited patiently for the Judge to join her at her side. He came into view and his horse had successfully got him there.

He quickly told her to follow him, and together their horses slowly walked along the bridge. The Judge had stated their names and purposes of why they were there and when they were leaving. One of the four guardsmen began leading as they left their horses with another one. The tall iron doors were side by side as each one was occupied with a criminal, though one, somewhere, was occupied with a hero. No one might have believed it, but Hermione believed it full heartedly.

"Who are you looking for, again?" The guard barked at them, Hermione turned her eyes upon his leather covered head.

"Potter." She said sharply. "How much further is it?" She asked, starting to get impatient.

"Two floors and three doors left." He barked.

Hermione got a chill as sounds of moaning, screaming, and crying came from the halls. She heard crack sounds from whips and slaps. She growled. Is this what they were doing to Harry? Is this what they did to everyone that was here? Even if they were guilty, this was completely unnecessary. This was horrible the way they were treating them, and she swore if they lay even one finger on Harry then she'd get back at them as vile as she could possibly think of.

They came to a large metal door with the numbers "6625" carved along the outside by the hinges that it rested on. She gulped slightly as he announced that this was indeed Harry's cell, but when he opened the door the sight had broke her heart in pieces. He had more scars upon his body, tears in his eyes, and he was chained the wall without being able to move his hands apart. His head hung low with tears of knowing he had to be strong, but he couldn't hold in the pain.

Her heart was heavy as she felt it shatter within her chest and her hands had instantly covered her mouth as she cupped it and her nose inside her hands. Her eyes filled with tears of sadness and unbelief about what had happened. She couldn't look at him without feeling his pain and crying for him. She stepped forward, into the only light source, and revealed herself to him. She cried into her hands. What had they done to him and what had he done to deserve it?

"Hermione?" He asked with a bit of uplift in his voice.

"Harry," She cried as she ran to him with a hug. "What have they done to you?" She asked wrapping her arms safely around his neck.

"It's alright," He gave her a light smile. "It honestly doesn't hurt anymore." He reassured, but she didn't want to believe him. "Please don't cry." He asked.

"I can't help it." She said. "They shouldn't be doing this… this is absolutely preposterous!" She cried, kissing him on the lips.

"Hermione," He said as she turned her head back to him. "I've missed you even though it has only been one day. I don't think I can last ten years." He said stirringly as he laid his head on her shoulder.

"You might not have to wait that long, as long as we get your permission to look inside your mind." She said.

"We?" Harry asked with confusion. "Ron isn't here… I hope." He said with a hint of anger flashing inside his green eyes.

"No, not after what had…" She got a flashback.

"I will go now, but first I have a few words for you." He picked up the knife that he had cut her clothing off with and set it to her throat and with vicious words he spoke: "Tell anyone, especially your precious fiancé, and I will kill you. I am the only one you love."

"After what?" Harry asked with worry.

"It's nothing." She insisted. "Just he was most happy with you being gone. That's all." She said.

"Hermione," Harry sighed. "I hope you know that you're the worst liar in the world." He laughed.

"I just can't tell you…" She said. "Or time will grow most short."

"Wh…" He was cut off.

Harry looked to the door as the plump man entered in the doorway and stood in the center of the light. He looked a bit annoyed with just getting done with talking to the guard, but Hermione gave him a smile, trusting he could save Harry. Harry, though, looked at him with betray, for he was the man to put him away for so long, but he would do anything just to stay with Hermione for the rest of his life. He bowed his head with sadness as the Judge looked at him with an understanding gleam within his blue eyes.

"Good morning Mr. Potter." He said with a saddened voice.

"Good morning Mr. Day." He responded with a light sigh escaping his lips. Hermione hugged him closer. "Why are you both here?" He asked.

"I came across Ms. Granger the night of your trial where she had told me something that I never actually thought of myself. She said the only real way to find out the truth would be to open your mind to us, but we need your permission." He said. Hermione smiled.

"This could get years off your sentence Harry!" Hermione said happily.

"What's the catch?" Harry asked. "What exactly are you looking for?" He wondered.

"Everything that happened that night, for it will be written in a record." He said and Hermione and Harry both gulped. Them having sex would be… would be… recorded?

They looked at each other for a moment; both with a bit of embarrassment in their eyes, but they both pushed it aside. Harry looked up to the light after gently nuzzling his head against Hermione's cheek and then returned to his vision on the Judge. He nodded his permission and the Judge raised his wand. He warned that it might be painful at first, but in the end it should be alright. Harry closed his eyes tightly and then it came. The Judge's wand pointed directly at him.

"Legilimens," He said and Harry's mind opened like a book.

It seemed like hours before the Judge was completely satisfied. He looked at Harry with amazement and then analyzed Hermione with disappointment. At that age? It seemed too sad to have them experience that, but he turned to the guard and sighed. He was still in a bit of a shocking stage when he had begun to speak. The guard listened carefully beneath the think layer of black leather. The Judge shook his head with a pure and utterly misunderstanding about why this would happen.

"Guard," The Judge said. "I'd like you to go to the house of Weasley and place Mr. Ronald Weasley under arrest for the rape of Hermione Granger."

"But, he didn't successfully rape her." Harry said, feeling stupid for even talking.

"It doesn't matter, he tried. That gives him a least a four year lock up." The Judge said showing sympathy towards Hermione.

"Wait," She piped up. With tears in her eyes she sighed. "I'm sorry, but Ronald Weasley did in fact successfully rape me." She said. "Last night, at about 6pm." She said, and Harry let out a gasping noise as Hermione broke down in tears.

"Hermione…" She stopped him before he spoke anything else.

"I'm sorry Harry." She cried. "I tried to stop him, but I just… I just wasn't strong enough! I tried to stay away, but I couldn't. He… He just took advantage of me and I had no way to stop him." She sat next to him and set her forehead on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," She cried, "So sorry."

"It's alright; the Judge will take care of it." Harry assured. "You need to be strong, but why didn't you tell me earlier?" He wondered.

"He said he'd kill me if I ever told anyone, and that he was my only lover and I was his only Princess." She spat the words like acid. Harry kissed her lips lightly.

"He'll never touch you again." Harry assured. "Even if I'm here… I won't let him. He'll pay or this. He'll die." He assured. She had kissed him back and with a relieved sigh she spoke.

"I love you." She said. "With all my heart."

"I love you too…" Harry said, kissing her a few more times as they became glued to each other. When they stopped the Judge cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry for this tragedy Ms. Granger, and Mr. Potter for being framed and I to fall for it. You'll be able to get out of here in about four months, if that's good enough, because it takes a while to have the papers sent and everything. You'll be able to resume back to the school at that time."

"Thank you… For everything." Harry said to both him and Hermione.

It hadn't even seemed that long before she found herself back at Hogwarts and a new Head Girl. She was sitting by the lake, missing the first feast, and looking upon the lake with a sigh from her lips as she thought about how Harry was doing and what he was thinking. She wondered if perhaps he was looking at the same moon she was, and somehow they were again connected, but she couldn't find the connection. She sat in a golden, sequin dress that was a bell shape at the end of her thin body and the night was dark with a full moon above.

"Hermione!" A girl shouted as she carried herself across the field.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked. "What are you doing here; I thought you were going to dinner." She said with confusion.

"What are you doing out here, and so late at night?" Ginny asked wile ignoring her question, picking up her pace to reach Hermione as she sat planted on the bench.

"I've been out here for hours," Hermione said. "Why does it matter?"

"What have you been doing?" Ginny asked in amazement. "It's freezing out here!"

"I've been looking out over the lake for a while now, watching how the moonlight plays on the water below, and they blend like tongues of lovers in an everlasting kiss, and yet... it's not satisfying. Time is too short, and this reflection will cease at one point in time. Nothing can live forever, so why should I care now?"

"You love him, and he loves you. He'll be free someday soon. You'll see." Ginny said. Hermione laughed slightly.

"Yeah, and then all I'll be waiting home for is a stranger, just like the backside of the moon to the earth." She sighed. "He'll never be the same."

Author's Note:

I am so incredibly sorry about everything and the posts that I have missed! I was up till midnight writing this so I would not miss it. I completely forgot and I've been working and I've been on Vay-Kay in Carolina over the Thanksgiving recess. I'm sorry about everything, and if you're mad at me right now for the promises I've made then I'll understand completely, but I hope to god you aren't mad at me. I'm a very forgetful person… Enjoy!

Airalynn

To My Reviewers:

Ravenseductress – I saw the movie myself on the 19th. I hope you enjoyed, I personally think it's the best one yet. Wow, imagine Harry Potter rated R when it's a kid's book! Haha, that's so weird!

Kyntor – How the fuck are they acting like twelve year olds? I'm so confused by your review because it makes no sense! If you were raped or something or one of your parents died I'm sure you would be freaking out too. They are no where near twelve. CAN SOMEONE ELSE CLEAR THIS GUY'S REVIEW UP FOR ME?

Call me brit – If I had a chance to meet a character, I'd take Hermione out to lunch and apologize for all the crap I've put her though. You're right… this is horrible. Everything will get better, I promise.

Nicole13-1991 – Thanks, enjoy!

Sarah – What the hell are you trying to get people to hate me? And people seem to like it so what the hell do you know about what people want to read and what they don't want to read? I shouldn't have asked you to read it… knowing you and your comments. You're being extremely mean to my writing, I hope you know that. Next time I seriously won't write just to piss you off, because your criticism is really pissing ME off right now. Oh, and for your information I was in North Carolina, if you want me to write so badly then buy me a fucking laptop, then I WILL be able to write everyday of my godforsaken life. Geezus! Just be fricken happy I update!

Toga party – Yup, I was Hermione, but my tie wasn't exact to the Gryffindor's, so it looked a little odd. Were you supposed to be Spongebob, a present? A cardboard box? THAT'S AWESOME! I wanna be a cardboard box next year! Did you enjoy GOF? I love it, but one of my friends rated it F, but I'm a nerd and rated it A+ because I loved it so. I was just a little disappointed in knowing that there was no Sphinx :(

FroBoy – She told him alright, but how could he kill him if he's in jail? Lol. Ah, Well, I still love your reviews. –wink wink- Maybe at some point you'll write, and I'll be behind you 100, because in time you'll find it to be fun.

UPDATED: (SATURDAY) DECEMBER 10, 2005 – BIRTHDAY WISHES TIME! I have 4!

1. Happy Belated Birthday to Alfred Enoch who plays Dean Thomas.His Birthday: 2nd

2. Happy Belated Birthday to Gemma Jones who plays Madam Pomfrey. Her Birthday: 4th

3. Happy Almost Birthday to Shirley Henderson who plays Moaning Myrtle in Chamber of Secrets, and Goblet of Fire. Her Birthday: 24th – AWESOME BATH SCENE SHIRLEY! HAHA!

4. Happy Almost Birthday to Maggie Smith who plays Professor McGonagall. Her Birthday: 28th

That's all! Until next time!

Quote:

"I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake."