rogueXmagneto, ShezzaBoo0233, 2AwEsOmE4yA, skydancer2ooo, Red Skull You, arabellagrace, NorthernLights25, Aslan'sWhiteWitch, , Szayel's, Angel hateme101, cosmoGirl666, AliceFrey, Gues, bma925 : Thank you so much! (and for the reviews/comments) Sorry it took this long for me to update! :s
AN: Hey guys! Yes I'm alive, I'm sorry, again…. God I keep breaking my promise to you lot, I'm seriously guilty about this, really…. BUT I thank you guys who've been giving support to me all this time, and those who've read my stories! I'm really grateful and touched that when I went back on after all this time people still left me support through inbox, review, etc… Well I'm back to updating, (I won't be making promises that I can't keep again, like the "I promise to update [insert when] etc…" that's for sure…) I'll finish this story, but updating might take a while and pop up randomly because I've got University to worry about now, and I lost some of the chapter that I've finished that I haven't released yet so I've got to redo them….(and redo them I will, and I'll make sure to make it longer :D), But hopefully it won't take too long, so keep a look out!
Again thank you guys so much! Here's chapter 10:
With much MUCH love and gratitude,
Lea
"Come on Hermione, just tell me where you taking us already!" Harry said exasperated. "You know how I am when it comes to secrets." He pouted.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh honestly, relax will you? I just want you to meet someone."
"And who is this 'someone' exactly?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Just an old friend. And before you ask, no, I won't tell you who because that'll ruin the surprise now doesn't it?"
"F'end?" James perked up. "Jam'e f'end Fed?" he asked from the back seat on his booster.
They were in Eugene's (Hermione's father) car at the moment. Hermione was driving while Harry was seated at the front with little James at the back seat. Ginny was feeling a bit under the weather, and decided not to come the last minute, and Teddy wanted to stay and 'take care of mommy Ginny' like the good boy he was.
"No sweetheart, Freddy is back in England with Uncle George, Auntie Angie and Roxie remember? We're on our way to meet another friend." Harry said as he twists in his seat to ruffle James already messy hair.
"And we're here actually." Hermione added as she parked the car.
The two got out and Harry immediately went to the back to pick up James. She waited for the two boys to catch up before entering a shop right across the street.
"A book store… I should have known…" Harry muttered as he trailed in after Hermione as she entered the shop first.
As soon as he stepped in, the smell of old parchments, books, and ancient tombs hit his nostrils. Feeling a bit nostalgic, he took a deep breath and sighed, almost like Hogwarts. He thought absentmindedly. He swore he could sense a bit of magic in this shop too, and something minty, but he just shrugged it off to ponder later.
James, being the curious toddler that he was peered around in curiosity in his father's arms.
"We in Bots?" He asked, twisting to looking up at his father's face properly.
"Nope, not in Blotts chap. We're in another bookstore named—" Harry looked around for the name of the shop and spotted it on the counter. "— Flemings. Flemings Books and Co." He said.
"Feming?" James asked, tilting his head to a side.
His little face was all scrunched up in confusion, it was so cute Harry couldn't resist and nuzzled his son on his stomach, tickling him in the process which earned him a giggle from the little toddler.
"Yes, Flemings." Harry answered fondly. "So, Hermione, can you tell me who we're meeting now?" Harry asked anxiously.
"You'll see him soon enough, Harry."
"So it's a 'He' then?" Ha persisted.
"Oh come on!" Hermione said exasperatedly, dragging him to the counter.
"Anyone here?" She called.
Not a moment later a blonde haired teenager emerged. He looks to be around 16, carrying dusty boxes filled to the rim with old books.
"Can I help you?" he asked curiously.
"Ah! Yes, well I was wondering if Nick is here." Hermione said politely.
"Nick? Well I think I just saw him at the back with Perry, I could call him if you want?" he asked as he placed the box he was carrying on the floor.
"That would be wonderful, thank you." Hermione nodded in appreciation.
The young teen then went out of the back door, but then quickly came back with a sheepish expression on his face.
"Er, sorry… your names?" He asked, his face slightly red from embarrassment.
Hermione chuckled. "Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." She said.
The teen froze for a second but quickly caught himself before anyone noticed. Except Harry that is. Being an Auror, he saw the split second reaction easily enough. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
The blonde teen nodded. "Right, be right back!" he called as he went out the back door once again.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked curiously.
She saw that look on his face. It's the 'I-am-Auror-Potter-and-I-am-suspicious' mode. And when he's on that mode, he got the habit of over thinking the situation and ended up coming up on to the wrong conclusion, which is kind of funny considering at work it's very effective.
"I'm fine." He muttered.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"Harry, stop over thinking things before you make a fool of yourself…" She warned.
"What? I didn't do anything!" Harry said innocently. "Right Jamie?" he winked.
"Es!" James laughed, clapping his hand giddily.
Hermione shook her head in amusement and dragged him to sit with her on the bench near the counter.
A few moments later, Nick came out, followed by the blonde teen from earlier on.
"Miss. Granger so good to see you!" Nick said joyously as he shook her hand.
"It's good to see you too, Nick." Hermione said, smiling brightly. "And thank you again for the books."
"It's not a problem at all, my dear girl. Well come on, let's talk in the back room." he said. "Oh I almost forgot, Josh?"
"Yea?"
"We're closing in early for today. You may go home when you're done putting those last three boxes at the store room."
"Ok." Josh, The blonde teen from earlier, said. "I'll leave the key on the counter!"
"Thank you!" Nick said.
And with that, Nick led them to the Back room.
"Harry, this is the person I wanted you to meet." Hermione started once they were all settled in. "This here is Nick Fleming."
"Er… it's a pleasure to meet you?" Harry said as the two shook hands in bewilderment.
Nick just grin in amusement when Harry spoke it in to a question, while Hermione stifled her laughter in her hand. Harry's expression was quite comical to look at.
"A pleasure to meet you too, and do forgive me; you must be awfully confused." Nick said. "Though I may be referred to be 'Nick Fleming', in the olden days, people recognize me as Sir Nicolas Flamel. Is that name more familiar to you, Mr. Potter?" he grinned merrily.
Harry was quite for a moment.
"Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"Sweet Circe!" He suddenly exclaimed, making Hermione jump and James closing his ears with his little hands.
"Nicolas Flamel? How is that possible!? The Flamels died in 1992 didn't they?" Harry said in confusion.
"Oh heavens no, if we did, we wouldn't be here now wouldn't we?" said a beautiful dark haired woman who just came in with a tray of tea and biscuits. She looks to be in her late thirties.
She placed the tray on the table and sat herself beside Nick.
"Perenelle Flamel, It's a pleasure to meet you Hermione, Harry." She said, smiling kindly. "And who might this young man be?" she asked, smiling kindly at James.
"Jam'e! I am four!" James said proudly, puffing up his chest for being called a 'young man'. He was sticking out three fingers instead of four, but none of the adult bothered to correct him since it was too amusing.
"Perenelle Flamel?" Harry asked in confirmation.
Hermione nodded absentmindedly. "Madame Perenelle..." she started breathlessly in awe. "The wife of the Nicholas Flamel. The Sevenths daughter of the seventh daughter, she was also an alchemist in her own right and assisted in the making of the elixir of life and many more. Not to mention she's a powerful sorceress that could've rivaled Merlin himself. She was a generous benefactor who invested a part of their wealth in the building of hospitals, schools and churches for the poor. Which is brilliant and very noble of her you know, and Perenelle, like her husband, has had a street in Paris, France named after her, Rue Perenelle. And —" James tugged on Hermione's sleeve. "Oh! Yes, James?" Hermione asked.
"Mie ramble!" he pointed out, giggling in the process.
"I was?" She asked, blinking owlishly.
Harry chuckled, and Hermione finally notice Perenelle who's smiling in amusement despite the slight blush on her cheeks at all the information and praises she received. Nicolas, on the other hand, was too busy disguising his own laughter by coughing.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I- I didn't realize…" Hermione stuttered, her face heating up due to embarrassment.
"It's quite alright dear girl." Nicolas chuckled.
"Oh, Hermione. You'll never change." Harry said good-naturedly in mock solemn tone.
She hit him on the shoulders for that. "Shut up, Harry. You big old prat."
Closing James ears. "Hermione, Little ears!" he said. "And for the record I'm not OLD! Besides you're practically older than me, you do realize that right?" he added smugly.
Hermione pouted.
"Big ow pat! Big ow pat!" James exclaimed innocently nonetheless, clapping his hands and giggling merrily, oblivious to his surroundings.
"James, that's a bad word." Harry frowned. "And Daddy's is not old, Aunt Mione is." he added, trying to convince him.
James shook his little head though. "No, no. Daddy owd. But Jam'e pomis Jam'e no say bad wod ny mow."
Harry pouted. Hermione Grinned.
"And the child has spoken!" Hermione exclaimed gleefully.
Nick and Perenelle just laughed on his expense.
"We had a brilliant time, Madame Perenelle, Sir Nicolas." Harry said with a quick handshake as he held James to his chest.
"And thank you for having us. I know we came without notice," Hermione said sheepishly.
"Pish posh!" Nick snorted "you can come by anytime for all I care!" he grinned.
"We really enjoyed your visit, do come again." Perenelle said, holding Hermione's hands in hers.
"Definitely." Harry Grinned. "Say bye to Aunty Perry and Uncle Nick, James."
"Bye bye Aunty Perry! Bye Uncle Nick!" James squealed out, waving his hand wildly over his father's shoulders as they headed for the car.
"Well, that wasn't so bad now was it?" Hermione teased.
"It was brilliant." Harry grinned.
James, seeing that he's quite taken with Mr. and Mrs. Flamel, tugged on his father's sleeves, "We meet them 'gain?" He asked curiously as Harry strapped him down to his seat. "With mummy and Eddy?"
"Yep." Harry nodded. "With mummy and Teddy. Now come on, it's home time! We've got a long way ahead of us."
"Home! Home! Homey!" James cheered.
Harry chuckled.
"Hey, um… Excuse me?"
Hermione turned around to see the teen from before, Josh if she was not mistaken. He looks rather uneasy and hesitant as he shifted from one foot to the other.
"Do you have a minute?" he asked nervously. "Hermione right?"
Hermione nodded in affirmative and glanced at Harry.
"You go on ahead," he said. "I'll wait in the car with James.
"Alright then…" Hermione said as Josh led her away from the car but not too far.
"So um… well… I'm not really good at this so I'll just shoot and go straight to the point." He exhaled nervously. "I need your help. Riley is missing. And I know you're a witch,"
"I beg your pardon?" she asked warily, reaching for her wand discreetly with the Obliviation spell right at the tip of her tongue.
"Whoa hold up!" he yelped when Hermione pointed her wand at him. "No need for the fancy stick! You don't have to do that Obliviforgetionamajigy, pops and nan was one too! I recognized your name, my nan was a brit."
"Was..?"
"They died when I was ten."
Hesitantly she lowered her wand, but kept it on hand just in case.
"Talk." Hermione stated.
"Er… well as you know from earlier on Riley is missing. He's been missing for almost a week and a half now, I think the last time I saw him was when you two went out on that date." Josh said.
Hermione blushed. "It was not a date…" she mumbled.
"Well anyway, I lied to Nick about him and told him that he was on a sudden emergency leave and didn't have time to tell him personally. By then he was already missing for three days, with no notes or calls or any other information whatsoever. Ever since then I've been covering for him back at the shop."
"Have you called the police?" Hermione inquired.
"If he's been missing for almost a week and a half, why ask for my help? Why not call the Muggle police? I'm sure they would hold an authorized search right away."
"Muggle?"
"Non-magic folks."
"Oh! Well no—" Josh shook his head in negative.
"—I haven't called the police. The problem is he's not the only one who has gone missing these past months… if you read the papers and watches the news often; the count for this month's missing people alone had risen to around one hundred and thirty six people. If I called the police, I'm pretty sure they'll just postpone it until the earlier cases are covered."
Hermione nodded in understanding, having an uncle that works as a police officer and many friends that works for the Law Enforcement (Including her two high ranking Auror best friends) she understands how the procedure works.
"I understand your reasoning of why you don't even bother the police. However, I still don't understand my part in this."
Josh sighed miserably. "Because of this…"
He shuffled a little and pulled something out of his back pack. It was some sort of dark material, it was torn in a few places and dirty with grime.
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. But then her eyes widened in realization on what exactly the item before her is.
"Is that…" she whispered. Reaching for what she recognized as the jacket that he wore the last time the two met.
"His jacket." He confirmed. "Found it a few blocks down in an alleyway near his apartment by the dumpsters. Some homeless man was about to picking it up and I recognized it from the badge that was sewn at the back."
Holding it tightly, Hermione observed more closely and noticed that some of the tears at the back and near the scruff of his neck were unnatural, so animal attack was out of the question. It was also obvious that he tried to fight back whoever the attacker was. The condition at the back of the jacket looked as if he slide or was dragged harshly across the pavement.
"Why I brought this to you is because of this part here…"
He pointed at the collar of the jacket; there was a huge dark stain on it. Taking a slight whiff, Hermione then recoiled when she immediately recognized the scent.
"Blood!" she gasped.
"Yea, I thought he was shot at first but if that's the case why leave evidence? And the neighborhood I found this on the houses there was quite close to each other, so if he was shot surely someone must have heard it, even in the middle of the night. And well the other thing is I got the chills when I went in to that alley to retrieve it from the homeless dude. My sis had always did told me that I got this some sort of sixth sense on me or something, well I never really denied it anymore because I'm usually right when it comes to these sort of things…" He shrugged.
"Well I think your right about this being not an ordinary case, there is definitely something off about this… look here…"
"What?"
Curious, josh peered over to see what she saw; it was hint of purple amongst the blood.
"Spilt grape juice maybe?" he suggested.
"No, the dried texture is wrong to be compared for a juice. It's way too dense…" she murmured. "I'm not quite sure what it is exactly because the rain must have washed most of it off… but I am positive it's not an ordinary liquid…"
After a few more minutes of silence, Hermione but her lip and sighed in frustration.
"I'll bring this home with me. I'll do some research and maybe I can find some clues and find out what this purple stain is…"
"So you'll help me look for him?" Josh asked hopefully.
"Of course!" Hermione replied in shock. "I can't just ignore something like this… besides I also know Riley personally… I'll do what I can to help, and I will contact you when I figured something out alright?"
Josh nodded in affirmative and sighed in relief. "Thank you for helping me, Riley had always been like an older brother to Soph and I…"
"Soph?"
"Sophie, my twin sister. She works right across the book store at Coffee Cup Café."
"Really? Now that you mentioned it, I think she was the one who served my Earl Grey tea and croissant the first time I entered that Café."
"Whoa, small world…" he murmured in wonder.
Hermione laughed.
"Well I'll see you later; I'll inform you if I find anything…"
"Again, thank you so much for your help Miss. Granger,"
"Hermione is fine,"
"Alright then Hermione," He grinned. "Oh! And here's my number, hope to hear from you soon and have a safe trip."
"Thank you, you as well." Hermione said, smiling gently as the shook hands.