HAPPY NEW YEARS YALL! I Hope yall have been enjoying the story. R&R.

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Chapter 20

Snake Charmers

March 15, 1999

Blaine, Washington, United States

Michael was getting ready to go on a date with Wina. They had been getting along great. She was amazing. Michael was really taken with her and she seemed to really be taken by him. They had been spending a lot of time together. She had even gone to a muggle bar with him and his work friend Josh one evening. They had been on many double and triple dates with Anton, Lisa, Malcolm, and Winnie in the past month in a half. Tonight Michael and Wina were going to an international wizarding festival. He wore a pair of black slacks and a yellow button up with the sleeves rolled up and left it untucked. He was excited to be getting away from Washington and Canada for a few hours. It was still very cold in that part of the country even though everywhere else seemed to be thawing out.

Michael arrived at Wina's house in Idaho around 2 in the afternoon. They had both taken the day off work. Wina was wearing dark tight jeans and a light pink very well tailored button up shirt and black boots that she wore on the outside of her jeans that went almost to her knee. Michael thought she was the most stunning woman he had ever seen. She welcomed him into the house and kissed him hello. He loved her kisses. She asked if they he was ready to go. They walked over to the portkey and took ahold. They landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There was a huge month long festival there that celebrated the different cultures in the Americas. It was mostly made up of vendors and performances from the nations in South America and Central America but there were some from different parts of the United States as well as Canada. They walked around the booths tasting different foods and watching the shows. They bought some clothes and trinkets from the different vendors.

It was nearing the end of the festival for the night and they were watching a Brazilian wizard and witch preform with snakes and Michael started hearing things. He started to panic. The things he was hearing were evil things. Someone was speaking in parcseltongue. Only evil and dark wizards spoke to snakes. He stood there scheming how he was going to kill the evil witch and wizard who were talking and controlling the snakes without everyone else knowing. He finally came up with a plan. Everyone knew that only people who practiced that dark arts could speak parseltongue. He couldn't figure out why no one else seemed to have a problem with it. He waited till the show was over and told Wina he'd meet her at the dress booth that she liked so much. Once Wina left he cast a disillusionment over himself and followed the witch and wizard into their tent. Michael revealed himself to the couple and scared them.

"Sir, why are you back here?" The witch asked in very poor English.

"The fact that you can speak English doesn't fool me. I know what you are. I know what both of you are. You are servants of the Dark Lord. Only those who serve him are capable of speaking to snakes. You are vile. You deserve what is coming to you." Michael spoke coldly and harshly. All three people present raised their wands but Michael was the quickest. He disarmed both of them and put magical bonds on them. He then preformed the curse on the witch and watch the horror in the wizards eyes as he saw his wife take her last breath. He laughed. "That is what you deserve. You deserve to watch the life leave your wife. You've done it to many others, now it's your turn. You are evil, you have destroyed many people's lives. You and your evil wife deserve to dwell in hell forever." With those last words Michael watched the blood ooze from the man's neck and chest. Michael needed to get home.

He found Wina and told her he didn't feel well and they needed to leave immediately. They took ahold of the portkey and were in Wina's house in a matter of moments. Michael apologized he couldn't stay and apparate home. He made it to the doorway of his bedroom before he passed out on the floor.

March 16, 1999

Blaine, Washington, United States

Michael wakes up on the floor half way between his bedroom and the hall.

"Shit!" Michael screamed. He heads to the pensive and pulls out his memories and dives into them. When he is finished he comes up with nothing. The last thing he remembers was watching the snake charmers with Wina. He owled Wina and apologized for his odd behavior and she wrote back saying she hoped he felt better. Even though Wina told him he said he didn't feel well he still doesn't remember telling her that. He has no idea what happened last night.

He went and wrote in his journal. He was doing so well. He was pissed that he had another spell. He wrote all of his feelings in his journal, showered, and headed for work.

Washington, DC, United States

"Sir, you have a floo call from the Argentinian WP. They think there has been a murder by the bastard we're still chasing." Greg told Johnny Ray about thirty minutes after he had arrived that morning.

"Thank you, Greg. Please tell them I'll be right in." Johnny Ray said. He grabbed quill and a pad of parchment and headed to the floo. "This is Johnny Ray. How can I help you?"

"Sir, we were told to contact you about a double murder that occurred at our annual wizarding festival last night. What killed this couple was something we've never seen before. There are odd slash marks and a great deal of blood." Said the Argentinean deputy.

"Well, damn it all to hell." Johnny Ray cursed. "We will be there shortly. I will be bringing my second in command with me, Roddy."

"Thank you, sir. We are sorry for this inconvenience."

"We are sorry you have a murder on your hand. If it is the same guy this bastard is good. Damn!" Johnny Ray shut off the floo.

Greg headed to get a portkey to take them to Argentina and Johnny Ray went to find Roddy.

Johnny Ray knocked on Roddy's office door.

"Come in." Roddy said. Johnny Ray walked in the office. "How can I help you, Johnny Ray." Johnny Ray just looked at Roddy. "Damn it! Where this time?" Roddy hollered.

"Argentina. This damn bastard can get around very easily. I know you and Potter and Weasley are doing everything you can. I can't thank you enough for all of your hard work. I know this hasn't been easy on y'all either. At least it is warmer there, You ready?" Johnny Ray asked. Roddy grabbed his wand and they headed to find Greg.

Greg handed them the portkey and Johnny Ray activated it and they headed to Argentina.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Johnny Ray and Roddy arrived at the tent with the WP and saw a middle aged man and woman laying on the ground. They had been killed by sectumsempra.

"Damn it." Roddy muttered. They talked to the WP and gathered information on the couple and what they had been doing. They took pictures and preformed spells and logged everything. The guy had disarmed his victims this time and bonded them. This was new, but not telling. Once they gathered all the information they could they headed back to DC.

Washington, DC, United States

Johnny Ray and Roddy were back in DC in the conference room pouring over ever inch of information. Roddy had copied everything and sent it to Draco, Hermione, Ron, and Harry. He was going back to England the next day but wanted them to have the information before their meeting Friday. Johnny Ray and Roddy were still coming up as empty handed as they had before. They had nothing new to go on. They didn't even know where to go. They had nothing. Maybe something will jog Potter's memory or Hermione's or someone's. They needed to catch the bastard.

Draco's flat- London

Hermione and Draco were at his flat when an owl arrived. Draco looked wearily at Hermione.

"It's from Roddy. Damn it!" Draco said.

"I bet Harry, Ron, and I receive an owl too. You going to open it?"

"Yeah, but that probably means our date is ruined."

"Probably, but so long as I get to spend time with you, I don't really care what we do." She smiled up at him over her drink.

The contents inside the package sure enough did ruin most of the plans for their date. They ordered in dinner instead of going out and they headed to Hermione's parents house. They looked over everything and were still as lost as they were the first time they heard about the murders.

Ron and Harry were just as lost as everyone else about the murders. Ron even went and talked to his father about it. Mr. Weasley had no ideas either. He was just greatly disturbed by it all as was everyone else. Harry wished he could talk to Snape or Sirius or Lupin about it. Harry decided to head to Grimmauld Place for some alone time. He didn't spend a lot of time there but he did go there when he needed to be alone or was working on something important. He talked through all of the evidence and another piece fit into place but he still didn't have enough to form an actual thought. He was frustrated beyond belief. He picked up his glass and threw it across the house and watch it shatter into a thousand small pieces. Kreacher began to clean up the mess right away. Harry felt bad.

"I'm sorry, Kreacher. I'll clean it up. It's my mess."

"Master, it's my honor to serve you." Kreacher said flatly. Harry treated Kreacher very well and allowed him to basically do whatever he wanted him to do.

"Thank you, Kreacher." Kreacher was still not used to being thanked. It had taken him a while to warm up to Harry Potter but decided that he treated Kreacher okay and so he didn't hate Harry Potter like he did Sirius.

Friday, March 18, 1999

Everyone gathered at Hermione's parents house at their usual time. Everyone looked very discouraged. They still had nothing to go on. The boys said they were going to stick with the list of people that were students at Hogwarts while they were students there. They still had over 400 names to go. Once they caught the bastard it would all be worth it.

After they finished their meeting they all sat around drinking and playing cards. They needed a distraction from the murders.

Hermione was going back to Hogwarts on Sunday and they wanted to have a good time before she went back. They decided they'd all go out to a muggle theme park the next day. Roddy was going back to America and bring his girlfriend, Mae, back and Ginny and Ashria were going to join them. They'd all meet at The Burrow the next day. Harry and Hermione were excited to take them to a muggle theme park. Ron and Roddy were excited to do anything muggle and Draco again seemed apprehensive but agreed.

Saturday, March 19, 1999

Roddy, Mae, Draco, and Ashira all arrived at The Burrow at 9 o'clock. Mrs. Weasley has prepared a breakfast for everyone before they went off on their adventure. Mr. Weasley was very jealous that everyone was going to live like a muggle for the day. Hermione and Harry had to explain to them what was going to happen and explain that everything was safe. She had to reiterate that there couldn't be any magic at all even if they thought they were going to die. This made Draco even more uncomfortable. Harry and Hermione just laughed at the expressions on everyone's faces. They floo'd to a wizarding shop near Alton Towers. From there everyone followed Hermione as she led them onto the muggle train system. Ron, Mae, Roddy, and Ashira were eating it up, but Draco looked so lost and confused. He looked nervous and anxious. Hermione threaded her fingers through his and reassured him. She promised it would be okay.

"Relax. Remember how you were about the car and the movie, that turned out okay didn't it?" She asked, he nodded his head. "This will be the same. It's going to be fun. I love rides. Come on, Draco. Loosen up some."

He was trying. He wanted to have fun. He wanted to let loose. He wanted to do it for Hermione. He needed to do it for himself.

Once they made it to Alton Towers Hermione and Harry payed for all the tickets and they made their way inside the gates.

Draco was terrified. There was no way in hell he was going to get on any of those rides. They looked like death contraptions. He wasn't going to do it.

Hermione and Harry decided they'd start out simple and ease everyone into the real stuff. They headed to the kiddy rides. Ron wanted to ride the roller coasters first, but Harry was able to talk him out of that. Promising that there would be plenty of time for them. They rode the swings first. Draco wanted to grab his wand but Hermione had taken it and securely locked everyone's wands away in a locker.

He screamed like a little girl and everyone laughed at him. Ron was laughing so hard he was having trouble breathing. Hermione was in tears she was laughing so hard at him. Poor thing, she thought, he needs to have some fun and loosen up. He was terrified. There was no way this was fun. All of the muggle children were looking at him like he was crazy. How the hell were they not terrified? Next, they rode a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride. Hermione and Harry had to explain to everyone that it was a book and they adapted it to a ride. This was much more Draco's style. No flying through the air with just chains to hold you up. Ron and Roddy were very bored and begged to go on something more exciting.

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and decided to take them on a children's version of a roller coaster. Everyone loved it and Draco held Hermione's hand so tight she thought he broke it. They rode a few more milder rides before taking a break for some lunch. Draco was slowly coming around but was still pretty much terrified of the entire place. After lunch they headed to some of the more intense rides. Hermione forced Draco to ride the roller coasters. After riding one or two he found out they were actually quite fun and began to enjoy himself. They spent the remainder of the day riding rides and eating funnel cakes which Draco discovered and fell in love with. Harry and Hermione thought it was very strange everyone's fascination with muggle food.

They had a wonderful day together. Everyone enjoyed everyone else's company. Ron and Draco were getting along and Mae was very sweet. Apparently, she was your typical Southern Belle from America. Her accent was thicker than Roddy's but she was very intelligent. She was delightful to be around. Roddy was lucky.

After the park closed they apparated back to The Burrow. Ginny and Hermione were heading back to Hogwarts the next morning. Roddy took Mae back to the States. Everyone else hung around for a while chatting and not wanted to say goodbye. Soon Hermione said she needed to finish packing and Draco knew he needed to get back and get some work done. They all decided they continue to meet on Friday's and the boys were going to continue to meet with everyone on the list. Draco kissed Hermione goodnight and disapparated.

Ginny and Hermione headed upstairs to pack talking about all the fun they had at Alton Towers.

March 20, 1999

Hogwarts

Hermione was back at Hogwarts and were discussing N.E.W.T.s with Luke, Neville, and McGonagall. Those who were going to be taking N.E.W.T.s stopped going to classes and began studying very intensely for their upcoming tests. The tests were to be taken on April 25th.

McGonagall called a meeting with all the 7th years. She was informing them of how things were going to go for the next month and a few days. She was expecting great things for each of them. Each one would be allowed an hour every week with each professor they were taking a N.E.W.T. for. Hermione was taking 10 N.E.W.T.s. She was taking more than any other student had dared to take including McGonagall, who only took 8. Luke was also only taking 8. He wasn't taking them in Care of Magical Creatures or Astronomy Hermione has been studying for her N.E.W.T.s since she passed her O.W.L.s but she still was going to use the time off of lessons to really step it up. She would be fine in the History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Transfiguration, and Ancient Runes N.E.W.T. She was expecting those to be the easiest. She was slightly more concerned about Astronomy, Herbology, and Arithmancy but not too worried at all. The only two that gave her any qualms were Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. She decided to spend the most time studying for those. She wished Snape was here to help her with her potions N.E.W.T.

Hermione spent the next four solid weeks studying for all of her N.E.W.T.s She only took breaks to owl Draco, go to their meetings on Fridays, do rounds and other head duties and one night a week she met Draco for dinner. She loved her dates with Draco. They were never fancy but it was a good distraction from her studying and the only other time she was able to see him was at their meetings. She was very confident in all of her N.E.W.T.s and wished that she could just take them already and be done with them. She was also helping McGonagall plan the year anniversary ceremony.

April 19, 1999

They were sitting in the same little restaurant where everything between them started back in early November.

"Are you planning on going to the ceremony for the one year memorial?" Hermione asked Draco over their glasses of wine.

"Yeah, I think that mother and I are going to attend together. Oh, I have told my mother I'm seeing someone, but I haven't told her yet who it is. I hope that's okay. Is Gryffindor doing any kind of party like Ravenclaw?"

"That's fine. Why haven't you told her that you're dating me? I'm glad you are coming. No, we aren't doing a whole house thing, I'm sure there will be some parties, but nothing officially just Gryffindor. I know that most of us are going to be hard pressed to get through the ceremony in one piece. I think Luke wanted to do something because most of his friends didn't come back and he hasn't seen them since the war ended and he is going away to university in August and all that stuff. I know that Shacklebolt is speaking as is McGonagall and even Harry is going to speak at the memorial. I can't believe he agreed to it. He said he was going to owl me his speech so I could look over it. I don't think I could do it. I am going to be a mess."

Draco smiled at her. She was perfect. "I haven't told mother that I'm dating you because I didn't know where we stood, I didn't know if we were official and I also didn't know if you wanted people knowing. I will tell her that it's you I'm seeing the next time I see her. It's going to be a very moving and difficult day for all of us. I can't believe it's been almost a year. It's so riveting to know I've been free of that man for almost a year. My entire life changed the day that Potter killed that bastard."

"Do you want us to be official?" Hermione asked as red creeped into her cheeks.

"I very much would like us to be official and I'm fine with anyone and everyone knowing if you are."

"Yes, and yes." Hermione smiled.

"Hermione, when do you want to go see your parents?" Draco asked.

"Well, I was thinking about that last night in the bath. I want to go not too long after graduation. Graduation is on the 23rd. Oh, I hope you're planning on coming. Are you?"

"Yes, I'm planning on coming. I'll even sit with Potter and Weasel for you. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

This made Hermione smile. She was falling in love with him.

"I'm going to invite Roddy, too. He's wonderful. Anyways, back to my parents, I am thinking on the 26th. Is that alright with you? Do you still want to do this with me? You don't have to."

"Yes, I want to do this with you. I told you that. I think inviting Roddy would be a fantastic idea. The 26th sounds fine with me. I've got a while to get everything in order then. Sounds lovely." They finished their meals chatting and headed to get ice cream before Draco walked Hermione to the gates of Hogwarts.

"Oh, Hermione, you're going to amazing on your N.E.W.T.s. You're the smartest witch I've ever known. Don't worry about them." He kissed her goodbye and watched her walk through the gates.

He couldn't help but smile at her. She was beautiful. He was falling in love with her.

The rest of that week Hermione spent studying for her N.E.W.T.s. She was well prepared when Monday rolled around.

Monday, April 25, 1999

Hermione, Luke, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and the rest of the returning 7th years were up very early to take their N.E.W.T.s. They were in the Great Hall eating before anyone else was even up. Everyone was eating and frantically trying to shove as much information into their brains as they possibly could. McGonagall came up to Hermione.

"Ms. Granger, due to the fact that you are taking 10 N.E.W.T.s I've been able to secure a time-turner for you again. You will have to use it to take your potions, care of magical creatures, herbology, and astronomy N.E.W.T.s. I trust you that you remember how to use it? I believe 2 turns should work just fine." She handed Hermione the time-turner and Hermione placed it around her neck. "Everyone, you have been working very hard and I know you will all do fantastic on your N.E.W.T.s. Now if you are taking the divination N.E.W.T. please head to the proper classroom. If you are taking the herbology N.E.W.T. head down to the greenhouse and if you are taking the muggle study N.E.W.T. please find your way to the classroom. Ms. Granger, please use your time wisely. See you all at dinner."

Hermione, Luke, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and a few other Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students headed down to the greenhouse. Everyone was nervous. They made their way in to find a group of witches and wizards standing around.

"Alright everyone. Come in and find a table. Let's begin." Said a tall wizard. He explained what was going to happen and everyone began.

Once Hermione finished her N.E.W.T she turned everything in and headed out of the door. She used her time-turner and headed to her astronomy N.E.W.T. The rest of the day continued that way for Hermione and the rest of those taking N.E.W.T.s.

Once she was finished with everything she headed back to her dorm. She needed a bath and to relax. She grabbed her bath salts, ran a warm bath and sunk into the water.