Author's Note: Yes, I know. It's been ages since I've updated this and I apologize. Everything sort of got away from me. I can't promise a quick update after this one but I will finish this before the year is out. There are either three chapters and an epilogue left or four and an epilogue. I haven't decided, or rather, the muse hasn't decided how the last bit of the story is going to play out. Either way, I hope that you'll love it just as much as the rest. Thank you for always sticking with me. As always, thank you for the feedback!
Thank you to GaeilgeRua for beta reading! You're the best! Much love, xxDustNight
Disclaimer: All non-original characters, plot points, and information belongs to J.K. Rowling, BBC, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story plot and dialogue belongs to me. I do not write for profit.
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Nights in 221B
Rated: M
Pairing: Hermione/Sherlock
Summary: When Hermione leaves the wizarding world behind, choosing to aid Sherlock in his desperate search for Moriarty, she learns much more about the consulting detective than she ever thought possible. *Sequel to Nights in Diagon Alley*
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Chapter Ten
There was no rest for the wicked or the weary this night. Sherlock and Hermione were once again out in the cold of London in the hopes of saving Mary before it was too late. Despite Sherlock's wishes that she remain behind, Hermione was right at his side. She was still rather worked up from her encounter with Moriarty, but she had to push through. Mary's life was at stake and they had to do everything they could to save her.
They hadn't yet shared with John their suspicions, hoping that they could get to the Leaky Cauldron without causing too much of a fuss. Sherlock had been prudent enough to let Lestrade know where they were going, and Hermione had informed Harry and Draco as well. John was still at home with Rosie, seemingly oblivious to the current danger or the sudden upturn in urgency.
When Sherlock had received word of Hermione's distress, he'd told John to hurry home and check on his child in case Moriarty went there next. As far as they knew, everything was well on that front. They hadn't heard anything to suggest otherwise which was a relief. After helping Hermione clean up and redress quickly, the two of them had swept off into the night in the hopes that they could finally catch Moriarty and end this nonsense.
Currently, they were walking briskly along the empty sidewalk, there having been no cabs to be found this time of night. Hermione was still shivering profusely; although, it was more out of fear than the cold. She swallowed back another tremor and then gingerly reached out to take Sherlock's leather-gloved hand. Despite their previous disagreement, he allowed her this comfort. He even went so far as to squeeze her hand in reassurance as they hurriedly made their way to where he believed Moriarty had Mary held captive.
"I'm hoping Harry and Draco will be able to locate Mary before we get there," Hermione whispered into the silence. She was more afraid than she cared to admit about what Moriarty may have done to Mary while being held captive.
In response, Sherlock hummed rather than respond to her comment aloud. He remained holding her hand as they walked, supportive yet stoic as he processed information she could barely comprehend. She didn't feel slighted; in fact, she was just thankful for the truce that seemed to have settled between them since Mary had been abducted and she'd been attacked. When, at long last, Sherlock did speak, it was soft and calculating.
"I do believe that Moriarty truly is three or four steps ahead of us at this point," he admitted, brow furrowed as they continued to walk. They were about halfway to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione leading the way. "Do you remember the night that we first met?"
"How could I forget?" Hermione asked, a small smile playing on her lips despite the seriousness of the situation. "You tumbled over the wall behind my shop."
Sherlock chuckled quietly, the rumble comforting at the moment. "Yes, I do recall feeling quite sore the next morning. However, my less than elegant entrance is not what I am referring to at the present."
Hermione's footsteps slowed as she tried to remember something else significant from that first night. Shaking her head when she recalled nothing out of the sorts aside from a Muggle being able to find Diagon Alley, she shrugged. "Tell me," she urged, "What am I missing?"
"I was chasing a burglar that night," he explained without arrogance. "He was wearing all black and a mask so that I never saw his true appearance. I chased him right to the wall behind your shop. Only," he trailed off here, the frown deepening on his face. "Only, when I tumbled over the wall, he was not there. You were instead and he'd completely vanished into thin air."
"You don't think that was-"
"Moriarty?" Sherlock turned his face and gave Hermione a smug smirk. "Oh, I do believe it was. He's been working behind the scenes from the start."
"Then where did he go?" Hermione asked in a hushed voice laced with fear that she couldn't quite suppress. "I was standing there the entire time and saw nothing, Sherlock. I'd been standing outside smoking cigarette after cigarette and hoping that I wouldn't have any more customers that night."
"I'm not sure," Sherlock said, sounding disgusted for having to admit to being clueless for once. "You're much more versed in the art of magic. Could he have powers we are not aware of?"
"As far as I know, he's as much a Muggle as you are. But…" Hermione stopped speaking and walking at the same time, her and Sherlock's connected hands causing him to jerk to a stop as well.
"But what, Hermione," Sherlock urged, dropping his hold on her hand to turn and grasp her by the shoulders instead. "If you know something or even suspect it, I need to know. The magical realm is an area where I am completely blind. You are my eyes. You are my...everything."
His words took Hermione by surprise and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She hadn't realized just how much she meant to Sherlock. Not to the case, but to him. She saw it now, the way he was staring at her as if she were the only thing that mattered. Sure, he was worried about finding Mary and ending Moriarty's reign, but she'd been at risk too. He'd not let go of her in one form or another since returning to 221B and finding her a sobbing, trembling mess.
"Sherlock I-" She wanted to apologize, but she didn't know where to begin.
"Now is not the time," he whispered, gently tugging her into his chest and placing his chin upon the top of her head. "We can do the apologies and declarations of affection after we save Mary. For now, Hermione, please tell me what we could have been missing so that we may perhaps take the upper hand from Moriarty."
Taking a deep breath, to calm her frantic mind, as well as her pounding heart. Steady for the moment, she leaned back to look up into Sherlock's eyes. "It's a long shot, but maybe Moriarty does have magic. Limited magic… Untamed and volatile. It's happened before, but if it becomes unbalanced and uncontrollable, the owner can unleash a most horrifying monster on the world."
"Do you think that this is a possibility?" Sherlock inquired as he took in every single word she spoke. "What is this monster called?"
"It's known as an obscurus and one hasn't been seen or documented since the 1920s." Hermione swallowed roughly, fear rising like bile in her throat and making it difficult to speak. "I don't see why Moriarty would want to start a war between the Muggles and the magical world if he was an obscurus."
"He's a psychopath, Hermione," Sherlock said simply. "There's no rationalizing what he may or may not do. I've told you what he did in the past. I faked my own death to save my friends and he faked his death to prepare for this nightmare. Now, we must get to Diagon Alley and save Mary."
"But if he's an obscurus we have to be prepared for the worst. They're known for being very unpredictable. I have to tell Draco and Harry. We're going to need more help!" Hermione began to frantically dig through her pockets in search of her mobile.
Before she could find it, however, there was a loud explosion a few streets over. It drew both Sherlock and Hermione's attention and sent them running without a second thought. They were close to where the Leaky Cauldron was located, just one street away, when John appeared looking tired but ready for battle. His presence caused them to slow to a jog until the three of them were standing at the corner.
"I heard an explosion. Think it's Moriarty?" the doctor asked, panting slightly as if he'd been running for longer than they'd seen. "Potter called and said you might know where Mary might be at."
Hermione and Sherlock shared a guilty look. She was just about to open her mouth and explain what they knew when Harry and Draco appeared from around the corner. Harry looked pale and worn while Draco looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Harry stepped forward, his hand trembling as it pushed through his hair.
"I'm glad you're here… I've never seen something like this before…" he muttered, glancing over at Draco. "I'm out of my league on this."
"It's an obscurus," Draco told them, his attention focused on Hermione as she was the only one who would understand what he was talking about. "It's… It's...bad, Granger. I've only heard rumors. I've never seen it do that before. We've already called in the clean-up team…" And then he stopped, eyes wide as he noticed John standing there.
A chill ran down Hermione's spine at what her former lover had just said. Clean up team. That meant... "Is there a body, Draco?" she asked, her voice sounding far calmer than she felt. Merlin, how she wanted to close her eyes and wish away the sadness and pain they were all about to experience.
"Hermione," Draco said and then paused, shaking his head as if he couldn't go on any further. That was all the answer she needed to know that this was about to take a turn for the worse.
In a panic, Hermione broke free of Sherlock's hold and ran around the corner. She skidded to a stop in front of the Leaky Cauldron, her breath causing little clouds to appear in front of her mouth as she panted in the cold. As the realization of what she was seeing in front of her took hold, she was thankful that Sherlock came to a stop directly behind her.
This wasn't happening...
There, in a pool of crimson blood, lay Mary. Her eyes wide and glassy in death. It took everything Hermione had not to stumble to her knees. John wasn't as strong. The sound that came out of him as he hit the pavement was almost inhuman in nature. It brought chills down her spine and Sherlock wrapped an arm securely around her waist.
They had failed.
Mary was dead and Moriarty was still on the loose.
. . . .
End Note: I am aware that Obscurus are typically children but I am taking creative liberty with this one. After all, Credence was far older than the typical Obscurus anyway. Moriarty is a twisted individual and I'm nowhere near done with this plot point so please bear with me. Thank you! xxDustNight
