AN: Thank you so much for your reviews, favorites, and follows! Yes, this story is going to be creepy and the stalker involved, as I'm sure most of you have guessed, has a perverted thought of what Hermione should be to him. That will only increase as the story progresses. I am writing the chapters ahead of time and hope to have the story finished by the time I post chapter three. I have also moved this to a mature rating, simply because of some of the gruesome aspects depicted in later chapters.
Ron's funeral took place three days after Harry and Hermione found his body in his London flat. Being the avid reader that she was, she could not imagine a funeral taking place on a sunny day. Books always had painted the picture of the funeral of a loved one happening in the pouring rain, mimicking the tears that the mourners cried for the person they lost.
However, Ron's funeral had taken place on a sunny October morning. It was unseasonably warm, giving a surreal feeling to a day when she should be mourning the loss of one of the closest people in her life. Ron was being buried next to his brother Fred. The loss of their youngest son had taken a toll on Arthur and Molly. They had imagined a long life ahead of the children that survived the war.
Molly had been devastated when Harry visited the Burrow to tell her the news. Harry thought the pain that the family had felt when Fred died during the Final Battle had been compounded with the fact that this death had not been expected. During the War, every Weasley knew death was a possibility for any of them. This, however, was not.
While Arthur understood that it was not Hermione's fault that Ron had died, Molly vocally blamed Hermione. It was, after all, Ron's relationship with Hermione that had been the catalyst in his death. The other Weasley family had admonished Molly for this, but Hermione understood. She blamed herself as well.
The Weasley family, DA members, and Order of the Phoenix members gathered for the funeral on that October morning. Ron would always be remembered for his bravery during the War. The Daily Prophet ran a series of stories since the news of Ron's death broke. The magical population of Britain mourned the death of the war hero.
Minister of Magic Shacklebolt gave the eulogy at the funeral. He had been upset that not only had a friend and fellow soldier in the War died, but that he had died due to the current investigation into Hermione's stalker. He had ordered a larger detail to protect Hermione and her family as soon as he heard the news. He vowed that no more deaths would happen under his watch.
Hermione stood behind all the mourners, not wanting to upset the matriarch of the Weasley family. She loved Ron, though she was not sure if it was as a friend or as a lover, and mourned his death. The grief she felt was in no comparison of that she felt after the Final Battle when she recounted those who had fallen. Harry and a visibly pregnant Ginny sat next to Arthur, stoic faces in place. Today was the first time in days that Ginny left her bed. Ron's death had led her to a deep depression that had worried Harry. The only thing keeping Ginny going was her husband and their unborn child.
Nodding to Auror Jones, who was her bodyguard, they left the graveyard. With one last look, she apparated back to her parents' home.
My Future Wife,
He did not deserve your tears, my sweet. He left you alone while Harry and you searched for Horcruxes. He disregarded your feelings during your sixth year. He was not deserving of your tears, my beloved. Oh my love, if I were there, I would dry every tear. Soon, we shall never be parted again.
Oh love, to hold you. To kiss your tears away. It is everything that I want and more. I cannot wait until I am holding you in my arms. I count the days until you are in this lonely house with me. Until the laughter of our children fills the home. I have dreamt of that day since I was eleven. Since that day I saw your face and fell in love with your beautiful smile. This bed is lonely without you. I cannot wait until you join me.
It is a shame Snape is already dead. I would have killed him next. I remember that comment he made about your teeth. The look in your eyes when you left for the infirmary. My biggest regret in life is that I could not be Voldemort's snake and be the one to kill that infernal bastard.
One day, my sweetness, we will be happy without worrying about pain like that again. I would do anything for you, my love. All you ever need to do is ask.
Until We Meet Again,
Your Eternal Love
When would these letters stop? Surely he had done enough damage. Ron did not deserve to die for dating Lavender Brown during sixth year. What sort of twisted thinking was that? Whatever sanity this person had had clearly vacated by the time he decided that Ron needed to die.
Hermione opened the door and called softy out for Auror Jones. The man walked to the door from his post outside the house.
"It's another letter. He didn't give a target this time. Time will only tell who is next though," she murmured as she handed the Auror the newest letter she received.
Jones read over the letter. "I'll give this to Potter tomorrow. Do you know of anyone close to Snape that might be a target?"
Hermione shook her head. The only real friends Professor Snape had were Lily Potter and Albus Dumbledore, though she often questioned how good of a friend both really had been.
Jones nodded and turned to head back to his post. Hermione softly shut the door and trudged up the stairs to her bedroom. Glancing at her bookshelf, the young woman picked up a book on transfiguration and opened the cover. Sleep would not be coming tonight with the letter.
Two months had passed since she received the letter a few days after Ron's funeral. The ground was cold and covered with a fresh coating on snow. The affluent neighborhood the Grangers lived in was quiet, giving a false sense of security that all was well. It was well past midnight when a dark figure trudged up the street. Stopping at the Granger house, the figure talked in a whisper with what appeared to be nothing.
"We found his body, Thicke, with the words 'For Hermione' written in blood on the wall. His blood. His parents are devastated. After their prejudices against Muggleborn witches and wizards, it's going to be hard to keep them from making her into the villain. I won't be surprised if she's crucified in the Prophet tomorrow," said the dark figure.
"Potter, why Draco Malfoy though? Surely Hermione Granger has not had contact with him since the Final Battle," said Thicke as the spell was reversed and his body became visible.
If the sudden appearance of the man bothered Harry, he showed no sign of it.
"I would imagine it has something to do with how he treated us during school, especially Hermione. Plus, it was his aunt that tortured Hermione when we were on the run."
The man thought over this tidbit of information for several minutes. He nodded, accepting Harry's explanation.
"Makes sense, Potter. He wanted to kill Snape over a simple comment over her teeth and Malfoy treated her far worse from the rumors I've heard."
"Too right, Thicke. We may need to add more protection. Someone other than this stalker might take revenge out on Hermione, thinking them or their loved one will be next." It was evident Harry was concerned. It was only a matter of time before Hermione was in danger.
"Go home and get some rest, Potter. I'll see you in the office Monday."
With a nod, Harry walked down the road and apparated to home to the love of his life.
Hermione's face went pale when she received her copy of The Daily Prophet that morning. Draco Malfoy had been murdered the previous night. His wife, Astoria, had found his body in his study. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were calling for her head. She may have hated the little blighter but she would have never wished death on him. That much was obvious when they saved Draco from the Room of Requirement.
"Mum, when will this end," she cried. "He killed again. This time Draco Malfoy. I can't have all these death on my hands." Her guilt-racked sobs filled the room.
Her mother gathered her daughter in her arms and comforted her.
"Hermione, this is in no way your fault. You are as much a victim of this as Ron and that Malfoy boy are. There was nothing you could do."
Hermione sniffed. "I know, Mum. Honestly, I do. But just because I logically know it's not my fault doesn't mean my heart thinks that."
"Darling, this will be over soon. Harry is working overtime to keep you and others safe from this lunatic. If he could stop that Moldy guy, he can stop this person."
Hermione laughed despite herself. It always amused her when her parents botched the names of wizards and objects in her world. She was almost suspicious her mother did it on purpose when she saw a smirk grace her mother's lips.
My Love,
I have an early Christmas present for you. The death of Draco Malfoy! I remember the way he used to treat you in school. The way he hoped that you would die during your second year in school. He will never again be a source of tears for you. I wanted to kill him the day I saw him hex your teeth. Did you like your gift? Do not worry, this will not be my only gift to you this year.
Christmas has always been lonely for me. Mum passed away years ago and Da drinks far too much to spend time with me. Last time I heard from him, I was still at Hogwarts. Next year, though, I will have you with me. In the future, our children will also be around to give us joy. No more tears or pain for either of us, my love. The only way I can get through this year is to think of you during the lonely nights and pretend that my hand is your pretty pink mouth. Soon it will be.
How I cannot wait until I surprise you with your next Christmas gift! I wish I could see your face, but those evil men remain outside your house. They are keeping us apart. I will tell you this, my dear, I will not be denied of your pleasure soon. I will make sure we are together. Nothing will keep us apart.
Your gift should arrive an hour after you receive this letter. Until we meet, my love. I will dream of you tonight. My sheets have become stiff with the dreams I have already had of you.
Until We Start Eternity,
Your Faithful Servant.
Hermione's eyes widened. After admitting killing Draco as an early Christmas gift, what else would he give her? She ran downstairs to call in Thicke, who was once again on duty that night.
"He's sending me a gift in an hour, Auror Thicke. I don't know if I can take this anymore. Do you know who he is?" She shivered, though she doubted it was from the cold, wintry air.
Thicke shook his head. "All we know is that he was a year below you in school. Other than that, we have no idea. The guy is clever. He uses a post office owl yet there is no record of a transaction. No one saw him enter Malfoy or Weasley's place. It's almost as if he were a ghost."
Hermione nodded and turned without saying a word. Thicke followed her inside.
"Do you want tea or anything while we wait?" Hermione asked?
"No thanks. I just want to catch this guy. It's bloody freezing out and a warming charm is only doing so much."
Hermione laughed softly. She couldn't imagine sitting outside someone's house in this weather, despite magic.
They sat in silence until they heard a tapping on the window. A post office owl was waiting. Hermione took the package and the owl flew off into the night. Trembling, Hermione took the package into the living room and handed it to Thicke.
Thicke performed a few spells on the object. Finding nothing, Thicke slowly opened the package. Lifting the object out of the package, Thicke paled and threw the object back in the box. Excusing himself, Hermione could hear the Auror retch in the bathroom. Curiously she looked into the box and screamed.
Sitting in the box was a severed finger wearing a ring with the Malfoy crest on it.