( Espo here.

I have read many a fanfiction at this point. Where the controlling Dumbledore loses control of the situation because he never removed Hermione from Harry's life. For one reason or another, she always remains. Normally because Ron wants to be with her, though this makes little sense, as he would make Ron see there where better fish in the sea.

This idea came from the plot bunny of another idea i have been working on, yet the concept, while dark is sound in its logic. Even if the original plot bunny would not have fit in the original story due to sheer whiplash it would feel like in the lighthearted story that it originally came from. Albus Dumbledore, if he was willing to make a martyr of Harry Potter, would not for a second hesitate to remove Hermione Granger from the picture. Permanently, if that was what was required to make his plan come together. It would not be difficult for him either, a good compulsion charm and Hermione would kill herself in whatever fashion he desired.

This Story's chapter 1 was left very ambiguous for three reasons.

One it is a bit of a challenge story for those who wish to take it up, you can save Hermione and Harry, or leave them for dead. Dumbledore could escape or be caught. Voldemort could be stripped of his power, or a lurking threat now free of dealing with Harry forever. This is just the opening shot for someone to springboard off.

Two, because I do have my own ideas where I would go from here. Something i will likely post soon after i post this chapter. Do not expect more than a second chapter or two that wraps up this story.

Three, though i have now added more chapters. Chapter 1 by itself, does not need more chapters to be complete. The later chapters just bring closure to the matter for those that want it. IF you want to feel the full impact, then forget those chapters after 1 exist.

Either way, i shall bid you all a good time. Enjoy and please leave your reviews. I hope to keep posting more soon, bye. )

Over the Edge

Harry felt odd, and worried. It was in a way he could not quite describe or figure out. Sure, he was worried and concerned about the upcoming first task. Still, this feeling of concern and dread came from something else. Something much more important than that. It had been something tugging at him since he had fallen asleep last night and so far, he could not figure out what it was. It was as if some part of him was missing, a part that understood this odd feeling of fear.

He looked around the charms classroom and noticed the empty desk. A desk that normally had someone sitting in it. He just knew someone was supposed to sit there. But he could not figure out who. Not Ron, he was still around being the annoying jealous prat he had been since the start of the tournament. The other boys were there, dotted about the room. Dean, Neville, Seamus and of course Ron was there. Of the girls Lavender and Parvati was there was well. Yet of the Gryffindor's in his year, it felt like one was still missing. It was that missing someone, he was sure, that was causing his odd feeling of worry. Looking back at his paper, Harry tried to focus on it, but then he heard what Parvati and Lavender were saying to Parvati's twin sister Padma.

"She just left last night. Didn't give any reason why she left either."

"So, are all her things are gone?" Padma asked, sounding surprised, "Why would she just leave."

"Don't know, but all her stuff is still here. But she could have it sent home later," Lavender said, before glancing about, thankfully not noticing Harry listening in, "But I think she had a fight with him."

"Ron?" Padma asked.

"No. Harry," Parvati said, in a soft voice that none the less Harry heard.

"What about?" Padma asked.

"No idea, but it is the rumor going around. They fought and she finally left as she has no other real friends here," Lavender said, sounding oddly sad.

The three of them fell silent for a few moments as Harry's mind tried to conjure up a fight from last night. But nothing came to mind, no reasons why he would fight with someone he was close to. An image of a girl with bushy brown hair came to his mind as he tried to picture the fight. But her face and name were hidden from him. He had to hear her name, if they could only say the name, maybe he could figure out what was going on. Thankfully the trio seemed to be willing to provide him unknowingly with more information.

"But Hermione would never leave him," Padma said finally, "Even last year, with their fight over Harry's Firebolt. You told me that she only did it because she felt she had to. To save him. She would never abandon him, not with the task so near. I mean, what could he do that would cause her to leave school like this?"

"I don't know. Something does not feel right about this," Parvati said.

Harry noticed Lavender nod slightly out of the corner of his eye, "Those two were always so close, it is a wonder they never started dating. And now she just up and leaves. The only thing that comes to mind is she was pregnant, and Harry is the father."

Parvati shook her head at this, "Her time is the same as mine. She asked me if I was ready for mine as she was just beginning to show two days ago."

"Even if she pregnant. And it was Harry's. Do you honestly think he would just let her go? He is to kind and noble to not go with her. I mean, think about second year, the moment she was attacked everyone stopped thinking he was the Heir. That boy would die before he let anything happen to her. It does not matter how it made him look. Even more so, I have seen how close they been getting since the Halloween. He would never leave her, or she him," Padma countered.

"And she has been so worried for him," Parvati said, sounding a little worried now, "I hope it is nothing to big."

Harry closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples as he tried to think of Hermione. There was a headache growing at the back of his mind, a block of his thoughts that seems to hold him back. It told him to stop thinking of her, but he was not in a listening mood. He needed to think on her, on what he had heard. Why was this Hermione not here, if he was such a close friend of hers. How he had forgotten about her completely.

Harry kept trying to draw forth his memories of her, pushing against the pain. It was honestly more discomfort than pain to him, his scar had often hurt worse than this for longer periods of time. Finally with a grunt of annoyance, the pain suddenly vanished as a figure and memories returned sharply to him. Hermione Granger, her kind face, bushy brown hair, and deep chocolate brown eyes. The feel of her warm hugs, and the way she cared for him. Her bookish nature, and drive to always know everything.

So many things had come back to Harry that he was left momentarily stunned. Four years' worth of memories flashed before him. Stopping just last night when Dumbledore had shown up, to talk to them. They had argued, and then Dumbledore had cast a charm on the pair of them, wiping their minds clean. He had then laid a compulsion on them, saying it had to be done. Harry's had been simple, to never think about his friend again. He was to forget her forever and focus on completing the first task. Hermione's, he did not know. But the dark look in Dumbledore's eyes suggested it had not been anything that was good for her.

"No," Harry growled, as he suddenly realized he needed to find her before it was too late.

The feeling he was feeling, was Hermione's own. She was scared, terrified for her life. Her life was in danger. The soul bond they shared was still young, and far from complete, it only let him know the most basic of things from her. Yet he did not need the fully formed bond to know he had to act quickly if he wished to save her. No matter how nice it would have been to have the fully formed soul bond right then, he could not dwell on it. It might have been able to prevent Dumbledore's actions having any effect, or worse case he could at least locate her without issue. But if he could not brood on it, waiting any longer and he might be too late to save her.

Harry got up and ran from the room, not even caring that people were staring at him. He left everything behind save his wand, and raced up to his dorm. He needed to find his broom then get Hedwig. Hedwig could find Hermione even if he could not. He just hoped he was fast enough, if he lost Hermione then he really would lose everything he cared about anymore. She was the only reason he was willing to stay at the school, because she had been with him.

As he reached his dorm, he saw Hedwig waiting for him. He smiled grimly and pulled his firebolt form his trunk and jumped on it. He expected Hedwig to take off, and fly out the window, but she instead landed on his broom and gave him a look. Before looking back out the window and pressed her body as low to the broom as she could.

Harry understood as he urged his broom forward and out the open window. Hedwig could not keep up with his broom, so she would ride it and guide him the best she could. He just hoped it was enough, Hermione could be anywhere at this point.

Hermione stared at the road not too far below her. Trying and failing slowly to fight a small voice that told her to jump. She did not want to, but she was finding it hard to reason out a reason not to. She felt so alone, so unloved and unwanted. She had no friends, at least none she could recall. She had broken off her friendship with Ron, because he was completely stupid. Yet she could not remember what he was being so stupid about. As for her parents, she was slowly become a stranger to them, that she barely knew them anymore.

She had run away from Hogwarts and been slowly making her way across the country on the top of a borrowed broom. Following the commands of a little voice in her head. A voice that told her where she would have to jump to end it correctly. She would at least be known then, as this paper was watched by many people, even wizarding kind took heed of this paper. Then they would know what they had lost, he would know what he had done to her.

But Hermione still fought the urge to jump. Something deep down was holding her back. It was emotions not her own, yet she could not understand where else they would come form but herself. The fear of her dying, the fear of losing her, of losing her love. She knew someone loved her, someone cared deeply for her and would not want to see her end her life like this. It was these feelings that helped her fight but not stop the urges to jump. After all, if someone cared this much, where were they now? Why were they not here already trying to stop her.

Her foot slide forward a few more inches, as she got close to the edge. To close. Any closer and she would be over the edge, falling into the busy traffic below. Hermione felt tears come to her eyes, as a figure swam before her mind, yelling at her to stop to move back from the edge. Saying he could not live without her in his life. Hermione wished she knew his name, could see his face, but the vision faded from her mind as she looked out over the world one last time. Knowing any second her will would slip and she would plumet.

Her attention was drawn to someone diving toward her from the sky, the face and eyes so familiar she knew them anywhere. Her shock and sudden clarity brought back memories, years worth she had seemingly forgotten. But this shock and clarity also cost her, as her control slipped. Her legs pushed her forward as she leapt out into the air. It was to late now, she was falling. Her closest friends name coming out in a scream of terror as she fell towards the road and the incoming traffic below her.

"HARRY!"

It was the day of the first task and everyone was a little nervous and worried. A feeling that had taken hold of the entire school. Harry Potter had vanished two weeks ago, and not been seen since. Some said he vanished following his close friend Hermione, while others said he had run away in fear of what was coming, and still others said he had left for some private training away from all the other students so he could survive what was to come. No one, not even the Professors knew the truth. Though most guessed he had run away, seeing how oddly the Professors were acting.

Professor McGonagall who was normally strict with rarely a show of emotion on her face, was now looking almost lost during her classes. Fear, worry, and sadness were seen in her eyes. Little wonder as both Harry and Hermione were among her favorite and most beloved students, even if she would never admit that out loud. Professor Hagrid had likewise lost all his drive, and handed off his classes to another Professor for a little bit. And had not been seen since people had first realized the pair was missing. Some said he was drinking himself under in the village, while others said he was out looking for the pair.

Sprout and Flitwick seemed to have both lost a lot of their own pep as well. They had not been very happy with Harry after his name had come out, but his disappearance had clearly left even them feeling out of sorts. Snape, was probably the most shocking of the group. As he had gone from slightly scary and bias, to downright terrifying. No one, not even Professor Dumbledore seemed to want to get close to the man right now for fear of what he would do to them. His classes were hushed silence as he watched them all, not one person dare make a wrong move around him, not even the Slytherins he had used to favor.

Madam Pomfrey, it was whispered had left the school at least once or twice. It was rumored she might be healing Harry. Though when anyone had gone up the Hospital Wing for some sort of help, they had noticed she had stockpiled an increasingly large quantity of potions. Which lead many others to guess she was expecting Harry to return in a state barely alive. Professor Trelawny on the other hand, seemed to be using Harry's disappearance as proof of her predictions finally coming true. Very students though, remained in her class now after she had used that idea to prove she was correct in her guesses. It left a bad taste in their mouths, the few who had once praised Trelawny's abilities.

As for Professor Dumbledore, though he hid it well, he could not hide his feelings forever. Even he had a frown that clearly showed he was worried about what was going on. A sentiment shared by the other school judge's outside Durmstrang's own Headmaster. Karkaroff seemed to be quite happy Harry was gone, as it meant the tournament was fair again. While Madam Maxime seemed to be concerned that Harry had vanished, as though she had been unhappy that he was forced to compete, she did not want to see him hurt or worse lose his magic because he could not compete.

By the time of the first task began officially, Harry had still not shown up. As such the three other champions were given the first three dragons to get by, while the last was given to harry just in case he showed up late. But even as the third Champion escaped with their egg, no one had seen any sign of Harry showing up. The stands were growing restless as the fourth and final dragon was rolled into place. And the cannon sounded letting everyone know it was Harry's turn.

Though all of them knew he was still missing. The fact Harry did not exit the tent to face his dragon still came as a bit of a shock. Everyone knew to greater or lessor degrees what would happen if he did not show up. A binding magical contract only could end one of two ways if you did not complete it. Death, or loss of magic, it just depended on how badly it was breached. If Harry did not show up soon, he risked one or the other of those things happening. Maybe even both as the shock of losing one's magic was enough to kill someone, or so many claimed.

As time ticked slowly by, the general mood of the stands perceptively changed. Many of the students who had been wearing the Harry's stink's badge, were suddenly rather self-couscous about it. The feeling they might have driven him away became suddenly a lot more weight than they had ever wanted to bear. The simple idea of them chasing someone away from a life of magic, was not one anyone of them were ready to face the reality of. Let alone having done it to The Hero Harry Potter. Yet it was now staring them hard in the face, and the more they felt it as still time passed between the cannons blast and where they sat now.

Fifteen minutes they waited, none of them daring to move. Many silently hoping Harry would walk through into the arena looking out of breath having somehow forgotten or overslept. Yet with each passing moment, that very idea seemed more increasingly far fetch. The tension grew to the point that even the dragon down in the arena began to shift about nervously. The tension finally reached its peak at twenty minutes when Professor Dumbledore finally stood up.

"IT is with a…" Professor Dumbledore began but stopped, as he looked not at the stands, but up at something else.

People turned to see what he was looking at and saw a pure white owl flying towards the stands. Everyone knew that owl, or at least anyone who had been at Hogwarts for more than two weeks knew that owl. Hedwig, the only snowy owl currently owned at Hogwarts. Current owner, one Harry Potter. Everyone watched as she soared over the stands, and towards the judge's seating. If the tension as bad before, this was a whole new level as they could all see what she had been carrying. A bright red letter, the trademark sign of a Howler, and the mark someone was very angry, and was about to make it known to everyone.

Hedwig dropped the letter right in front of Dumbledore before winging away and landing on the dragon's head of all places. She did not seem to be in the slightest concerned about where she had landed but instead was now looking expectantly at Dumbledore. Indeed, the dragon did not seem to care either about the owl and was just looking at Dumbledore as well. In fact, everyone was now looking at Dumbledore, waiting to see what just the letter would say.

Dumbledore wanted to vanish the letter, as he had a very bad feeling what it would say. Yes, he knew he had to open it. It might, however unlikely, hold the answers he wanted. He was also fearful what was about to be revealed to everyone. Information could be revealed he did not want to give out answers to, some which would land him in a lot of trouble. But just vanishing the letter would likely leave him in an ever bigger mess. As he would have to explain just why he had chosen to vanish a letter from a missing person without even looking at it. An explanation he did not have.

Finally, the timer ran its course, taking the decision from Dumbledore, and the letter exploded outwards. Flame and noise flew out from it. The noise was toned down by comparison to a normal howler, yet the flames that flew from it was enough to cause all the judges and Dumbledore to leap back. From the now open letter, came Harry's voice. The tone he had suggested anger, yet his voice never seemed to raise above the level of a normal talk, even if the volume was still much louder letting everyone hear what he said.

"To Albus Dumbledore. Judges, Teachers, and Students.

This is the end.

I hope you are happy with yourselves. For three years I called this place my home, but now no more. You have made this place worse than hell. More so than even living with the Dursley's my abusive relations. I hope you are happy that you made the idea of me living without magic preferable, to dealing with you lot for another day.

To make it all clear to everyone. Since the so-called professors seem incapable of doing anything or just plain hate me. I did not enter my name, nor did I ask anyone to enter me. You bullied a fourteen-year-old student who was forced to compete against his will in a tournament that was stopped because of its death count. A student I might add, had no need for more fame or money.

Ask any so-called pureblood the average worth of a Potter, and we would be right up among the top earners. As for fame, why would I want it? I am THE BOY-WHO-LIVED. I am the literally the only person to ever survive the killing curse. My fame is such that even foreign witches and wizards know who I am. Why would I want more fame, when the fame I already have would eclipse it? And the fame I have, what good has it got me? Stares, whispers and the death of my parents, a day you celebrate while I am left mourning my lose for something you take for granted. Parents.

You have no idea how much I wish I could be like any of you. Sitting in the stands, and happy to see my mom and dad when I got home from school. That is not the lot I was given. I hope you are happy with yourselves. I left the school; I shall no longer compete. This is what you wanted; I hope you thrilled about it.

As for you Dumbledore," Harry's voice suddenly became filled with a hatred that caused even those who it was not now aimed at to flitch.

"You have taken everything from me. You! You, who was supposed to protect me. You left me with an abusive family where I was treated as little more than a slave! And never once checked up on me! You have hidden from me my family's wills! You have never aided me nor let me stay at Hogwarts when I asked to get away from my abusive relations. When I finally found my soul mate, you actively worked to stop me and her being together! Memories wipes and compulsions were too quick to your lips! And your last act against us was to have my soul mate kill herself! And force me to forget her name till the end of my life!

I despise you. I loathe you. I curse you very name, Albus Dumbledore. Should we ever meet again, magic or no. I will do everything within my power to make sure you suffer as I have suffered. Then once you have understood the pain you have caused me, and your name carries less importants than of a burnt chicken. Then, and only then, when you have been brough low, I Will Kill You! Pray God has mercy on your soul, for I shall not."

Silence fell for a few moments, giving everyone time to look over at Dumbledore. But before they could react, the letter spoke one last time.

"I will say this one last thing, then. As my loving Godfather has so happily said, Mischief Managed."

With that the letter burned up leaving a stunned audience in its wake. Hedwig stood watching the crowd, before silent taking wing and fly away. Meanwhile near the edge of the arena, a large black dog got up, and trotted away following the owl.

As for everyone else in the stands. Emotions ranged from utterly dejected, to completely fury, and or complete shock. Dumbledore knew he was not getting out of this one, his many ideas worked by simple fact no one knew all the details. If some of those details came to light, as they had just done, it would likely be only a matter of time before he was forced to flee the country. If that was even possible. Judging by the look in McGonagall's and Snape's eyes, he might have to flee the school very quickly indeed if he wished to survive for a few more hours.

Of the students, most were feeling utterly dejected with themselves and how they acted. Most even in Slytherin were feeling a little put out, while a select few were rather happily. Though it would soon become clear when the first fight broke out, being happy about what they caused was a very bad idea. Slytherin house, would soon realize why Gryffindor house should be feared. They would soon wage a war on Slytherin the likes of which would make even Salzar himself sweat with nervousness.

A bang was heard as the Goblet of Fire appeared glowing with an eerie light as it hovered over the center of the Arena. A hush fell over the crowd as they realized what was about to happen. The Goblet was about to take is price from Harry for failing to show up. It glowed brighter and brighter till with a flash, and a bang it vanished. A second later a piercing unholy and unearthly scream filled the air. People coward in terror as the scream filled the air around them. It seems to go on for a minute before finally dying away to nothing. Nearly five minutes went by before anyone spoke or moved, but this time the silence was cut by not an unearthly scream, but Professor McGonagall's own voice.

"All students are to report to their dorms at once, this task is over. All Professor's to the Great Hall."

There was no argument, no back talk. Everyone did as they were told. Rita Skeeter was the only one who left Hogwarts that night as the school went into lockdown. Auror's had shown up, and began demanding questions. It was only the next day did the students and staff learn that letters had been sent to the Daily Prophet and Ministry of Magic with stories about what had happened at Hogwarts over the last three years.

Amelia Bones, director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was out for blood. For as far as she was concerned, everyone in this school was the reason Harry had left this school. Even Susan Bones, Amelia's niece was not safe from being torn down by her aunt. While she might not want to agree with Fudge, who was now under investigate at well for his own actions during the second and third year, the man was right. They now looked like utter fools on the world stage, the Ministries around the world might not often agree on much. But the news of what had happened to one Harry Potter, and his fame was enough to make them turn on the British Ministry in a way not seen in many years.

While all this was going on, no one realized the Granger family, had left England along with their cat, and new pet dog and owl. When the wizarding world finally figured out who Harry's soul mate was, they tried to finder the Grangers, on the off chance of locating Harry through them. The trail had already long since gone cold by then. No one knew where the family had moved to, nor if a teenage boy and girl had left with them or not.

In short those who had the answers the Ministry of Magic wanted to badly, had vanished. There was now no way of knowing if Harry was alive, or could use magic. They had no idea if Hermione had survived Dumbledore's compulsions or not. They had no way of tracking down their hero. And the only people they could blame, was either themselves or their own children for how they had acted and were raised.