Bound by a kiss
Chapter 6
Hermione opened her eyes to find herself in a dark alley. She looked around in confusion, wondering where exactly she landed. It was night and the lane looked abandoned. A construction site around the corner housed some light that brightened the alley a little bit.
Her steps quickened when she heard a Police siren nearby. It definitely appeared coming her way. She looked at herself for any clues. She appeared to be in an executive suit and there wasn't any sign of disturbance in her appearance. Her sharp eyes took in her surroundings. If the blue light brought her here, Harry would be nearby. Was he among the police that was coming this way? It was possible. If she could just get past the construction site she'll be past this dingy place. The very look of that area gave her creeps.
But alas, the fate had its own plans. A strong hand clamped down her mouth and another hand pulled her into the half-finished building by her waist. "Don't you dare scream," a hoarse voice whispered in her ears and there was a telltale sign of something sharp and pointy digging into her lower back.
She nodded in panic against his bruising grip. The person holding her relaxed his grip and Hermione took a sharp breath. She tried to turn around to get a look of her captor, but the knife dug a bit deeper into her lower back as he hissed, "Don't."
She bit her lip to stop herself from crying out in pain. What's happening to her now? The Police cars have now entered the vicinity of the construction building. Hermione threw a sideward look as she felt her captor getting tensed. The knife still remained in the place, but the person flexed their body to take a peek at the outside. This was her chance to identify him.
He looked haggard. His body was thin, clothes were unkempt, and his hair long and shaggy. He sported a dirty beard and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of very familiar spectacles. Her throat caught and she careened her neck to catch a glimpse of those bright emerald irises that had been a part of her life since she was a child.
"Harry," she breathed as her eyes welled up.
He threw her a sharp look and hissed, "Not a sound."
She could only nod. Hermione was so dumbstruck looking at Harry, in that way. He looked desolate and weary and anger boiled in her insides. Whoever is responsible for this they are going to pay severely, she was determined.
Slowly, the cars passed the area, they were in and she heard him breathe a sigh. That relaxed her too but his shot up to her and he clutched her throat. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She choked from the pressure and soon a guilty look passed over his eyes as he loosened it. "How do you know me?"
She gained a grip on her erratic breathing and looked at his confused face. "You are Harry Potter."
She can clearly see the transitions in his eyes. From a slight confusion, they became utterly terrifying in a moment. "He sent you didn't he?" He was upon her asking in a dangerous voice. "Give me one good reason, why I shouldn't plunge this knife into your body."
Hermione wasn't afraid. This was Harry for Merlin's sake. Whatever may be the Universe, he wouldn't hurt her, period. She looked straight into his eyes and spoke, "Because I'm your best friend and even more." She noticed a flicker in his eyes and pushed him back a bit, "Please trust me, I'm here to help you." She didn't have a clue what kind of trouble he is in, but she would find out.
"Nobody can help me. He destroyed my life," Harry said in a quivering voice. He looked up at her and perceived, "Tell me the truth and I may let you live."
Hermione gulped and licked her lips. "I will tell you whatever you want. But who is this he, you are talking about?" Hermione prodded tentatively. After seeing him backing down a bit, she caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Trust me, Harry."
He took a sharp breath and slid down the wall. "He calls himself Bumblebee. He's the person behind Tom Riddle's murder, not I. But he framed me and everybody thinks I killed Tom Riddle."
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "Tom Riddle's murder," she whispered. So Voldemort's destroyed. She looked keenly at Harry. She wanted to find out whether they are in a magical world or a muggle one. " Was he the ..?"
"Yes, the famous Philanthropist. My face is flashed all over the papers accusing me of his murder. Is that how you identified me?" he growled.
"Yes, that's how I identified you," Hermione quickly agreed. So this was another muggle world. "I believe you. But this is not a safe place. We need to get out of here."
"I have been in this abandoned construction for the past one week. There is no other place that is safe. The whole town is crawling with either Police or his men," Harry said with dejection.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked glancing around. When Harry nodded with closed eyes, she did a careful once over and asked gently, "How long since you have eaten, Harry?"
He didn't say anything but pursed his lips. She observed the lines around his eyes and bit back a curse word. "You wait here," she said and sprinted out of that place.
She was back in less than ten minutes with various kinds of food. Luckily enough she had her purse on her and enough money in that. She crouched in front of him coaxed his mouth open. He stared at her but didn't object when she started feeding little by little. She harshly brushed the tears that poured down her face as he finished the entire food. Hermione had an idea who that Bumblebee might be and he better be aware of what he had done. Because when she finds him, she's going to kill him.
He emptied a bottle of water down his throat and looked at her, "Why are you doing this?"
"I want to see that Bumblebee going down too. He ruined my best friend's life," Hermione answered wiping his mouth.
"Definitely feels like the same man. He took me after my parents died. The orphanage I grew up was atrocious. I began my training with him when I was eleven. He said Tom Riddle was the one who destroyed my family and if I wanted revenge, I should do whatever he says." He looked up at her with glistening eyes and muttered, "I don't know how to say thank you." When she shook her head he asked, "What did he do to your best friend?"
"Something similar to that," she said carefully. "Do you know where we can find him?"
"Yes, but its impossible to get there," Harry said guardedly.
"Funnily enough, I might have an idea that you don't believe in that word," Hermione said with a smile.
Harry smiled for the first time that night, "I think you are right. But we need equipment. I know where I can get them. But how do we get there."
"Let me take care of that," she said fingering a lithe necklace that she was wearing.
"He expected me to die, but when I survived, he tried every means to kill me," Harry explained looking up at her.
"Oh! I can imagine," Hermione said clenching her teeth. This Bumblebee was just like the Dumbledore in her own Universe, who had manipulated her Harry like a pawn.
"He believed Tom Riddle was standing in his path to Greater Good. He used my vengeance to get rid of him. Now that he's gone there's no stopping Bumblebee. I'm the only one remaining alive who can expose his secret. That's why he's trying his best to get rid of me. Now I'm not even sure if that Tom Riddle was indeed responsible for my Parents' death," Harry continued in a menacing tone.
"Harry, calm down. We need to have a clear mind before we go for that guy," Hermione said placing a calming hand on his shoulder.
"Do you think we need to wait for few days before we go after him?"
"No, he's vulnerable now. This is the right opportunity for us to ambush him. He's got all his people out there looking for you. I think I have a hunch that he might be alone. He doesn't expect you to come for him, in your weakened state," Hermione said. But when Harry flinched at her words, she regretted it immediately, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt."
"No, you're right. I have no idea who you are or what you are doing here, but I thank you," Harry said earnestly.
"Sorry, I'm Hermione," she blushed and extended her hand.
Harry returned her handshake enthusiastically and cheered up. "Well, let's go and take care of Bumblebee."
Once regained his share of lost energy, they set out in the dark. The walk was slow, but Hermione didn't mind even a bit. It was just like old times, going on an adventure with Harry.
Hermione guided their taxi ride according to Harry's instructions to the outsides of the city until a large building came into a view between two hills. All the while Harry remained in shadows. Hermione shoved her necklace into the taxi rider's hand and glared at him to forget the whole thing.
"I'm afraid, we have to walk from here," Hermione said extending her hand.
"I'm ready," they slowly began their trek towards the hills. Hermione caught him more than once, sneaking glances at her, but she could also see the anger at this Bumblebee hovering just over his surface.
As they circumvented the hill, they heard a slight rustling nearby and Harry jumped in front of her, shielding Hermione from any oncoming attack. But the person, who came through, made Hermione jump in joy.
"Sirius," she gasped.
He had the same ragged appearance, as when she saw him during her third year. His eyes were glinting with a gleam as he moved forward to gather Harry into his arms.
"Stay away," Harry pointed the knife in his hand towards Sirius and yelled.
Sirius step staggered and he took a step back. "I don't blame you for not trusting me. But I'm here for you."
"Harry, I think you can trust him," Hermione whispered in Harry's ear.
"Are you sure? We found him near Bumblebee. He might be working for him," Harry asked without relenting his knife.
"He told me you were dead. Until I saw your face in the papers, I didn't know you were alive," Sirius spoke taking a tentative step forward. "You are my family, Harry. I am your Godfather. James placed you in my hands and I promised him I'd take care of you. But that mongrel forged everything and pushed me behind the bars. But when I saw your name in those papers, I had to get out." Harry flinched at his words. "You were wrongly framed just like me Harry."
Harry lowered his hand as Sirius stepped forward. "I don't know what to believe anymore."
"I thought I lost everything the day your parents died, Harry. I didn't even try to fight when they accused me of James and Lily's deaths," Sirius said placing a tender kiss on Harry's forehead. "You have your mother's eyes," Sirius said. He then threw a menacing glare at the building and growled, "Come on let's take care of that bastard."
Hermione slowly squeezed Harry's shoulder and gestured him that it is ok to trust him. Sirius caught the gesture and threw a wink at them. "See, your girlfriend agrees."
Harry blushed at those words but Hermione didn't bother to correct him, as they moved closer to the building.
Three of them were on alert. With Sirius guarding their back, Hermione kept her total attention on the building. To their astonishment, there were no guards at the entrance. She cast a wary glance at Harry. His face mirrored her confusion. But Sirius laughed loudly, "The old coot went barmy, there is nobody here. He is going to die today for sure."
"Sirius wait," Hermione yelled.
"Aah," Sirius cried when his foot got caught in a trap that was set up.
"Oh! no," Harry cried lunging forward. But apparently, that was a very wrong move. Harry's foot too got caught in the same fashion.
The trap was digging into their feet and Harry and Sirius yelled out in pain.
Hermione stood in her place, her mind totally fogged with confusion. As soon as she heard footsteps, she ducked behind a tree near the entrance.
A kind face with a long white beard as long as his white hair stepped into the courtyard.
"I was expecting you," Albus Dumbledore spoke with a sickly sweet and soft voice.
Hermione growled at him. She had a hunch, the person who betrayed Harry and who was called Bumblebee, was indeed Dumbledore. But when she was confronted with that same truth, her heart cried in pain.
"Harry my boy, look at you," Dumbledore approached Harry
"How could you do this to me? I thought you as my well-wisher," Harry cried out.
"Ah, I'm a well-wisher of the world, Harry. Everyone has to play their parts for achieving Greater Good," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"You Bastard, get away my Godson," Sirius roared from his place.
"Sirius Black, I got the news that you escaped from the prison. And I expected you to go to Harry. That's why I prepared this welcome for both of you."
Hermione was then struck by an idea. That old man didn't have an idea about her. This could be their advantage. She searched her purse for some kind of clue. She smiled when she found a phone. Luckily for her, it had an inbuilt camera. Her eyes gleamed in glee and flickered to Harry.
Harry was trying desperately to get out of the trap, but his struggles were not helpful, as the leg started to bleed profusely. She moved to the corner of the tree behind which she was hiding and tried to catch Harry's attention. Dumbledore was talking softly to Sirius, while he groaned against the trap on his foot. This was her chance or else she'll lose the opportunity.
As if reading her mind, Harry had looked up at the same time, his eyes frantically searching for her. Their eyes met with each other and Hermione sighed. She waved the phone in her hand and pointed to Dumbledore. She gestured to Harry to make him talk.
Harry nodded his head with a smile, "Hey Bumblebee, tell us the truth. What is the greater good?"
And so it began. Dumbledore unaware about the phone and its recording started to spill all the secrets. How the Potters wealth and lives had to be sacrificed for his mission's sake, how he had conveniently planned Sirius Black's presence in Potter's house, to avoid Harry going into his care and last but not the least Harry's constant abuse. All details slowly gathered in the phone's memory.
Hermione smiled. She had all the evidence they need to push that manipulative crook into jail.
"You have to understand Harry, you were just a pawn. It was never about you," Albus Dumbledore approached Harry and took the knife from his hands. "Now wait here and enjoy the rest of your free time. The Police are on their way."
"No," Hermione wanted to scream when the familiar rumble called to her. She looked horrified at the whirlpool that started to form. "Not now, please. I can't leave him, now."
"Save him," an internal voice prodded her. "Save your soul." Hermione was spooked. She became still. What was happening? Who said those words? Then the words sounded again. "Trust us." Then with a warm tingle, the blue light melded with her body. She felt an enormous surge of power in her as he body glowed bright blue.
She turned her blue tinted gaze at the retreating form of Dumbledore. This person shouldn't be allowed to live. He was responsible for the annihilation of many people. She stepped into the light. There was power buzzing in her fingers. All the metal traps rattled as she lifted her hands.
Albus Dumbledore slowly turned around, realizing something, which was not meant to happen, was indeed happening around them.
His keen eyes were now fixed on Hermione who was striding towards him with a strange glow. "Curious," he whispered.
The metal traps that were binding Sirius and Harry came free and they gasped at the pressure.
"Hermione," Harry whispered looking at her. All the metal traps were now flying in the air, and surrounded Dumbledore, cornering him into one place.
"Hell, yes. Kill that damn bastard," Sirius roared in laughter. "Or let me do it, I'll plunge the knife into his dark heart for once and all."
But Hermione's eyes were fixed on Harry. "It's your call, Harry."
But she knew what he would say. "No, he doesn't deserve a quick death. You've got the proof. We will draw his real image into the eyes of public." Harry said glaring at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore who was watching the scene unfolding in front of him with baited breath. "Fascinating," he murmured. "If I have you on my side, I can win over the world."
Hermione without a word made a slicing motion and all the hovering traps shot at him getting lodged into his hands and legs. Dumbledore let out a loud yell as his body was dragged down to the ground. His eyes now housed a fear that made Hermione let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"You can't get out of this," Dumbledore muttered looking at Harry.
"I already did. We have everything to put you behind the bars, old man," Harry said coolly.
Sirius approached him punched him in the face, "This is for treating Harry like shit. I want to do more, but his lady took care of it."
A Police Siren reached their ears and Sirius turned to Harry and Hermione and nudged them to go fast. "You go ahead. I'm already in the middle of this shite. I'll take care of it."
"No, they will put you back in the jail," Harry, protested.
"No Harry, they won't. The tape will protect both of us," Sirius explained. "Now off you go with your little lady. I'll find you soon," Sirius said giving them a forceful push. All the while Dumbledore was squirming painfully under the weight of the traps.
Harry and Hermione scooted behind a tree. "That was something," Harry muttered looking at her in fascination. "It was otherworldly. How did you do that?"
"Please, don't ask me anything. I don't know," Hermione said in a terrified voice.
"Ssh, it's ok," Harry said watching her with a warm affection in his eyes. She just wanted to melt in his embrace but the blue whirlpool beckoned Hermione. She came closer to Harry and hugged him. It is time for her to go. She leaned and kissed his cheek. "You are a good man, and I'm honored to have accompanied you."
When he started reciprocating her hug, she felt herself drift into the whirlpool.
She gazed lovingly at the pair once she was inside the whirlpool. "Why are you taking us to different places? What are you not telling us? When will I find Harry?" She screamed into the constricting warmth.
"Soon, very soon," a sound rumbled through her as she gave into the pull with a hope to see Harry soon.
A/N: My thanks to all the people who followed and marked this as favorite
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