Hope you are having a lovely Valentine's day. I'm just going to eat chocolate and watch basketball and pretend that it isn't Valenties day. Read and review. I hope yall enjoy it!

Chapter 26

Confessions

June 15, 1999

Manila, Philippines

"Oh, it's been beautiful here. I'm rather sad we're leaving, Draco." Hermione said as she finished packing the last of her things.

"Do you want to stay a few more days?" Draco asked her.

"No, I think Japan is going to be so exciting. There is going to be so much to do. I can't wait. This stop has been relaxing and I know I'm going to want to explore so much when we get there." Hermione answered.

"Alright, let's go." Draco said and held out the portkey. She took ahold of it and he activated and they were off to Tokyo.

Tokyo, Japan

"Oh my goodness, this is so different." Hermione whispered as they wandered the streets.

"I told you that the wizarding Asian culture was very different from ours." Draco laughed as Hermione looked around in awe.

Hermione went into all the shops and bought so many different books. Draco just laughed at her. Hermione loved everything. He loved the fact that she loved everything. Hermione had picked up a travel guide before they headed back to their hotel after a full day of exploring Tokyo.

Seattle, Washington State, United States

Michael changed his hair color and put a hat on to try and mask his appearance some. He didn't want to be too easily recognized. He order a a firewhiskey and sat there thinking about things. He had no idea why he was running. He had no idea why he was killing. He kept waking in different countries and random people's houses. He was tired of it. He wanted to get help.

Last time he thought that he went on a giant killing spree. He didn't want to do that again.

He had been staying in a cheap muggle motel near his old home in Blaine. He was afraid that if he went to this house that he would set off alarms. All he really wanted to do was go home and sleep in his own bed. He wanted to be able to get up in the morning and go to work. He wanted to go out with Wina and floo Luke.

He wanted his life back.

He missed his life. He missed his friends. He was tired of whatever his body was doing. He wanted to be normal again.

He was sitting at the bar sipping on his whiskey and he heard a familiar voice. Anton.

He shifted on the stool to see his old friend. He wanted so badly to get up and go and talk to his friend. Instead he downed his whiskey and went to find someone to kill.

Over the next five weeks Michael killed 16 people in 4 different places. Michael hopped from place to place both muggle and wizarding world. He didn't spend more than a week in one place. He was getting more and more paranoid every day.

Johnny Ray, Roddy, Ron, and Harry were doing everything they could think of. They had agents under cover in the places that Michael has visited more than once. They have the stationed around his home in Blaine and around places he use to frequent. There were agents around his old friends' houses muggle and wizarding. Everyone was exhausted. There was serious low moral. They had no new evidence since they figured out it was Michael. They needed a break in the case. They needed something or everyone was going to give up.

Hermione and Draco had spent the last five weeks exploring Japan, China, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece. They were having a wonderful time. They explored not only the wizarding cities but also the muggle cities. They walked on The Great Wall of China, explored the Nile, saw the ancient Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, they sun bathed on the beaches of Greece and now they were getting ready to head to Romania to see Charlie and play with dragons.

Draco was very excited about getting to see the dragons and other creatures that Charlie worked with. He always did have a thing for dragons. Hermione was excited to spend some time with Charlie.

They packed their things and headed to Romania.

July 20, 1999

Arieseni, Romania

Charlie and Crina were waiting for Hermione and Draco at the Portkey drop. They were excited to have them visiting. Draco seemed very interested in the dragons and they both loved to talk about their passion to anyone that would listen.

Once Hermione and Draco arrived they headed to the house Charlie and Crina shared. It was a nice house with 3 bedrooms and a large kitchen.

"This is your bedroom. I assume you share a bed now?" Charlie asked with that all knowing Weasley look in his eyes.

Hermione blushed and nodded.

Charlie laughed, "I won't tell Ron. I think he probably still thinks of you as a 15 year old girl."

Hermione didn't think that Ron thought of her as a 15 year old but he wouldn't be pleased with her and Draco sharing a bed.

They put their things in the bedroom and headed down to the kitchen. Crina had prepared a lovely lunch for everyone. They ate and spent the remainder of the day talking and planning what they would do for the next few days.

July 21, 1999

Hermione and Draco were up early and headed to work with Charlie and Crina.

"Hermione, I have a surprise for you. We have a dragon here that I think you might remember." Charlie smiled.

Hermione just looked at him quizzically. They headed to one of the giant pens that kept a dragon.

Hermione looked at the dragon studying it. Finally it hit her, "Norbert, Hagrid's Norwegian Ridgeback." She laughed at Charlie.

"She's more of a pet than a dragon. She loves people. I'm pretty sure that had to do with Hagrid having her for a time and treating her like a pet. Do you want to go in? Oh, her name is Norberta now, it's a female!" Charlie grinned.

Hermione and Draco both nodded their heads and headed into the pen.

July 30, 1999

Seattle, Washington, United States

Michael had killed five more people in just as many days. He was out of control. He could not control himself at all anymore. He had taken to drinking way to much and using polyjuice potion to hang out in bars where people would know him. He missed being around his friends. He needed to contact someone.

He had made up his mind. He was going to get help.

He took a swig of his polyjuice potion and headed to find a private floo network.

He found one in Seattle. He paid for it and made sure he put up loads of privacy wards and silencing charms.

He took a deep breath, grab the floo powder and said, "Luke McLaughlin, Castlecaulfield, United Kingdom." Michael took great pleasure in allowing the magic to pulse through him. He loved that feeling. He missed magic. The floo found Luke and Michael shook from terror.

"Hello? Who's there?" Luke asked.

"Luke, Luke it's me." Michael's voice was shaking. He was beyond terrified.

"Michael? What the hell?"

"I need to talk to you. Please, just listen. I...I... I've done some very terrible things. I am killing people. I can't help it. I can't stop. I don't know what the hell is going on. I am out of my mind. I don't ever remember doing anything. I just get urges and it's like my entire brain stops working and I wake up in odd places. I use to wake up in my kitchen floor when I was living in Blaine. I've been on the run since I left Hogwarts. I don't know why, I just know that there are people looking for me. I don't know what's wrong with me. Luke. Please. Please, help me." Michael was crying by the time he finished.

"I know Michael. I know that you've been killing people using sectumsempra. I've known since you left Hogwarts. Where are you? I will get you help. I know some nice people that will help you. Turn yourself in, or tell me where you are and I'll send someone to you. You don't have to go anywhere. Please, Michael, let me help you. Let me get help for you." Luke had cast on the floo tracking spell that he had been instructed to use if Michael was to contact him, the instant he knew Michael was on the other end of the floo. He really hoped that Roddy or Johnny Ray or Harry were able to track him down. He didn't think Michael would come quietly.

Michael was quiet for a few minutes. He was thinking. He was fighting the urge to kill. He knew he needed help, but he didn't know to go about getting that help.

"How did you know I was killing people?" Michael finally asked not knowing what else to say.

"You put me under the imperius curse and tried to get me to kill Hermione." Luke sighed. He seriously doubted that Michael had any recollection of doing that.

"I did what?" Michael shouted. "I didn't mean too. I'm so sorry. Is Hermione okay? Damn, I would never hurt her. I swear."

"I know. She is fine. I hit Draco instead of Hermione, but he is alright as well. Harry was able to heal him. I know you didn't mean to hurt her or anyone else. That isn't you. You don't want to hurt people, please Michael. Let me get you some help. Tell me where you are. I'll send someone right away. Harry and Ron are in America right now for work and they can come and help you." Luke was trying to stay connected to Michael as long as he could. Ron had told him the longer he stayed connected the better the trace would be. He needed to keep talking to Michael.

"I don't know. They're going to try to kill me. I know they will. I... I don't think I can." Michael mumbled.

"Please, Mike. I'm your best friend. Let me help you. Hopefully, once you get some help, you'll be able to live a normal life again. Harry and Ron won't try to kill you. You are their friend. They know you. You helped fight in the final battle. They won't try yo kill you. Just let them help you."

Michael took another long pause and then exhaled loudly. "I'm... I'm staying in a muggle motel in Blaine, called Anchor Inn Motel. I don't know how much longer I'll be there. Please help me, Luke." Michael cried and shut the floo off. He was fighting with himself in the room. He was trying so hard to now allow the evil part of him take over. He was taken aback with himself for trying to kill Hermione and for casting an unforgivable on Luke. He needed to sleep. He pulled a sleeping potion from his pocket and took a swallow. It wasn't very strong but it would knock him out for about twenty minutes, enough time for him to recover from battling himself.

Luke grabbed more floo powder and threw it into the floo and connected to Johnny Ray's floo in Washington D.C.

"Sir, this is Luke Mclaughlin from the U.K. calling. I've just spoken to Michael Corners. He is staying in a muggle motel called Anchor Inn Motel in Blaine, Washington." Luke said.

"Seriously? You've talked to him. Finally, I'll get Harry and Ron on the trace right now." Johnny Ray called for Harry and Ron and they set to work.

Soon Johnny Ray came back and said, "We are trying to floo directly to the floo he was using but it appears he has the transporting aspect of the floo shut off. We'll be heading there right away. Luke. Thank you! You have been an amazing help." Johnny Ray said and shut the floo off and went running through the building calling his team to the conference room. Johnny Ray then floo'd Hermione and Draco in Romania. They were on their way D.C.

Once everyone had been briefed they all apparated to the motel. They found his room quickly by casting a recent magic use spell and went in the room. He wasn't there.

"Well shit." Roddy mumbled.

Melissa and Nikki stayed and acted as maids. Tyler was talking to the muggle manager and looking and copying the security cameras. Roddy headed back to D.C. to wait for Hermione and Draco.

Harry, Ron, Johnny Ray, and the rest of the team went in search for any of the local wizarding private floo networks. They found 6 in Seattle. They paired off and each group went to the networks.

Washington, D.C.

Roddy was waiting for Draco and Hermione drinking sweet tea and pacing up and down the hall when they finally arrived. They quickly apparated to Roddy's house in Virginia to drop off their things and then headed to Blaine. While Roddy was waiting for Draco and Hermione he had floo'd Neville, George, and Ashira. They were on their way directly to Blaine. He had also floo'd Luke and he would be arriving in Blaine later that night.

Blaine, Washington

Roddy, Draco, and Hermione arrived in Blaine and met up with Johnny Ray. They discussed the things that had happened and why they were there. They were waiting on Neville, George, and Ashira to arrive before they headed out to help the search efforts.

Michael was sleeping in the same floo room when he woke suddenly. He looked around and was momentarily confused about where he was then he remember everything that had happened. He sure as hell hoped Luke was going to help him. He sat there and thought about what he needed to do. Should he turn himself in? Were Ron and Harry looking for him? Would they send him to Azkaban? What would they do to him? He needed to make up his mind quickly. He had told Luke where he was staying so he couldn't go back there tonight, he needed to find someplace else to go. He had stayed at a wizarding motel in Seattle a few times and decided he'd stay there for the night. He would try and gather his thoughts tonight and contact Ron and Harry in the morning.

He drank his polyjuice potion and headed to check out of the room.

He was in the lobby waiting to check out of the floo room when he saw Ron and Harry come up the hall. Michael started to panic then he remembered the polyjuice potion and breathed again.

"I wish we could find him. Luke said he was a mess. He has no idea what he is doing. I feel like he is doing more harm to himself. He just needs to let us find him or turn himself in and he'll be okay. He needs to get help. We'll get him help. I really want to go home. I need to see Ginny. Roddy and Johnny Ray look like hell and they sure as hell need a vacation." Michael heard Harry tell Ron.

Michael had never thought about how his actions were effecting hose who trying to find him. He paid the remainder of his bill and apparated to the motel he was going to crash at for the night.

Once everyone arrived in Blaine they again swept the area again hoping the fresh eyes would see something they had overlooked. Luke went to Michael's to see if there was a clue or a hint there that he would pick up on that no one else would have.

Nothing.

They were all coming up empty. They were staying in Seattle so they were close if anything happened.

They did everything they could for the night.

They would continue to look in the morning but for now they were going to eat and drink and try to forgot about Michael and all of the murders.

Hermione was beyond ecstatic to see Ron and Harry and they were just as glad to see her. They were even happy to see Draco. The boys could see that Draco was taking good care of Hermione. She looked happy, so very happy.

Ron and Ashira were connected at the hip as soon as she arrived. They had missed one another dearly while Ron had been away.

Luke was quiet during dinner and he looked horrible. He told Hermione that he was worrying about Michael and that Michael sounded terrified. He was afraid that he would go off and kill someone else again and they wouldn't be able to find him. Hermione reassured him that they would find him. He reached out and he wanted to get help, he wouldn't go too far, at least that's what Roddy and Johnny Ray had told her. She was trying to believe them, but she was just as skeptical as Luke looked.

They had an enjoyable dinner and had enjoyed the company. Everyone was headed back to the hotel to try and get a good nights sleep before they had to try and hunt down Michael.

Ron and Harry gave Hermione looks when she went into the same hotel room as Draco.

"What you think we've been sleeping in separate rooms since we left England? You're mad if you think that, boys. I'm not a child anymore. Don't look at me like that."

Hermione scolded and closed the door in their faces and kissed Draco as he giggled at the boys reaction and at hers'.

"You're sexy when you scold your friends, did you know that?" Draco whispered in Hermione's ear as he ran his hands down her body and cupped her left breast.

Draco moved his mouth to Hermione's and kissed her deeply. They removed their clothes and Hermione began to kiss down Draco's body. He was hard and she wanted to taste him so she slowly rub her hand up and down his cock a few time before she placed her mouth on it. She slowly flicked her tongue over the head of his cock a few times than began to suck on him. His entire body tightened. He loved the feeling of Hermione's mouth around his cock. She pulled on him a bit longer before she removed her mouth and kissed him hard. She mounted herself on top of him and slowly began to ride him. He moaned and groaned along with her. He loved when she took charge. She began to move faster and faster and he picked her up and put her on her knees. She raised up on her forearms and he slid his cock into her very warm and tight pussy and began to pump himself in and out of her.

After they climaxed they fell asleep wrapped lovingly in one another's arms. Hermione had found that sex was an excellent stress reliever.

July 31, 1999

Seattle, Washington, United States

Michael woke up and showered.

He had decided to go to his house in Blaine. He was hoping that would trigger an alarm of some sort and they would be able to come and find him there. He wanted to eat again before he did that though. He had no idea when the next time he would be able to eat food of his choosing again and he wanted to take advantage of his ability to make that decision. He took a swig of his polyjuice potion and paid for his room and headed to a diner her frequented.

He ordered a platter of bacon, eggs, sausage, and a tall glass of orange juice and slowly began to mentally prepare himself for being arrested.

Hermione, Roddy, Draco, Johnny Ray, Harry, Ashira, Neville, George, Ron, Luke and the rest of the team were eating breakfast in a local muggle diner not far from Michael's house in Blaine. Luke said he felt like they should be close to his home, he didn't know why, but he just thought it would be a good idea.

They ate breakfast and laughed and enjoyed one another's company. They told stories about school and their adventures since they had graduated. They laughed and had a merry time together.

Michael finished his meal and tipped the waitress generously. He headed to the alley behind the diner and apparated to an alley not far from his house. He walked the short distance to his house and tired to clear his head. He could feel the magic tugging at him willing him to step inside the door. He turned the knob and entered the hall. Memories flooded his mind. He was thrilled to be back home, even if it was only for a brief few moments.

Johnny Ray, Roddy, Ron, and Harry were all eating breakfast when their wands started to vibrate loudly in their pockets. Everyone looked around hoping the muggles didn't notice anything amiss and the four men exited the building. Everyone else hurried and paid for the food and all but ran out of the door. They found the men around the back of the diner talking quietly.

"What's going on?" Draco asked Roddy.

"Michael's entered his house. That was the signal we put on the house." Roddy answered.

"Well then let's go!" Draco said, "This bastard almost killed me while trying to get Hermione killed. I'm serious. Let's go get this bastard." They could all see the anger resinating from Draco.

"No, Draco. We can't just bust into his house. That's just going to scare him and send him into a fit. We aren't trying to kill him. We want to bring him in and we want to get him the proper help. If what Hermione said is true and he has PTSD then he has had no control over anything that he has been doing." Roddy answered.

"Then what do we need to do?" Luke asked after Roddy stopped talking.

"That's what we were talking about when y'all came out." Johnny Ray answered, "We are thinking that you, Luke, need to go. He'll respond best to seeing you. You're his good friend, you're who he reached out too. Seeing you will calm him down. We are also going to send Harry. He knows that Harry is a "good-guy" and is fighting on the same side he is. We are also going to send Roddy. He's my best guy and he can handle anything. Now, the rest of you, we are going to be stationed at his back door, in the alley all around his house. Hermione, when we get there we need you to put up an anti-apparation ward. We can't have him leaving the house by apparation, we know he has his portkey and there really isn't anything we can do about that, but we'll stop him from being able to apparate. Ron, Neville, George, and Hermione you will be right outside the door but not seen. He will take kindly to seeing familiar friendly faces- sorry Draco this means you need to stay far away. You are going to be who sets him off if anyone does. When he sees you all he is going to see if evil. He's already killed people who reminded him of you and your family so you need to make sure you cast a disillusionment charm over your self and keep it up. You'll be in the back, but just incase." Johnny Ray continued to explain what the procedures would be for capturing Michael.

"We are not trying to kill him. Please. It will be tempting to kill him, but don't do it. Stun him. Take his wand. Do not kill him. Understand?" Harry said in a very authoritative tone looking at Draco and Ron. They all grumbled that they agreed.

They apparated to the alley out back of Michael's house. Hermione cast the anti-apparation spell, the rest of the team spread out to their designated places and Harry, Roddy, and Luke made their way to the front door and rang the bell.