In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 28: Abducted
Hermione's muscles spasmed as she woke Sunday morning, to flaming red hair with those blue eyes looking down on her, wand drawn. She shivered as she was in her knickers, laid upon wet grass, with modest trees that loomed overhead, trees that did nothing to shield her from the drizzle from the dark clouds overhead.
"Cruicio!" the boy spoke, wand aimed at her.
Hermione convulsed, writhed from the tormenting pain that visited every reach of her body. Giggling beside the red haired boy, stood a raven black haired boy. Wand moved, the pain went away.
"Harry…?" Hermione stammered.
More pain, and Hermione squirmed as the two boys in black Hogwarts laughed as she soiled herself.
"Ron!" Hermione said, the red haired boy looked like him.
Instead, a flick of the wand, her words were silent, and she screamed, only the screams were audible as both of the boys laughed. Hermione recognized the wands, the fake wands that Harry and Ron had gotten ages ago, neither of these boys were Harry nor Ron. Hair, eyes, all realistic, but their mannerisms betrayed the impostors.
"Acutum Penile!" the raven haired boy spoke, wand drawn.
Conjured out of midair, a vibrating godemiche plunged downward toward her.
"Watch her squirm," said the red haired boy, enthusiastically, before he flicked his wand, "Cruicio!"
"What she deserves for always bossing us around," the raven haired boy snapped, "Filthy whore that she is."
Meanwhile, back at Gryffindor Tower, Ron woke up in his bed, by himself, the indentation of Hermione noticeable as he got up.
Odd of her to not be there, Ron thought to himself. He walked into the empty bathroom, returned.
"Good morning," came the voice.
Ron glanced at Neville Longbottom, laid upon his four poster, reading.
"Have you seen Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Like I'm supposed to talk to you," Neville said, "No."
"Must be in the library," Ron said, before he walked to the table, with its breakfast. He figured the library had to be it, as they've generally been leaving Hogwarts for the weekends, she likely took advantage of the opportunity.
"Nice arrangement there," Neville said.
"Practical," Ron replied as he worked a cauldron cake.
"How did you sabotage Slytherin?" Neville asked.
"Trade secret," Ron said.
Ron's pinkie throbbed, he massaged it.
"Are you alright?" Neville asked.
"Fine," Ron lied.
"Good," Neville said as he stood up, "Not exactly supposed to be talking with you."
Neville left the dormitory.
"Yeah," Ron said, to nobody particular.
Ron's pinkie throbbed again. His eyes scanned the floor for spiders that may have bitten him, when his eyes landed upon the sparkling gold, an earring of Hermione's.
"Damn!" Ron exclaimed, realizing it was the tracer spell he had cast upon Hermione's ring that was giving him pain, letting him know a Cruciatus Curse was being used against her, "Hermione!"
Pain remained dull in his pinkie as a reminder, but seemingly content that he had gotten the message, that not only was Hermione not in his bed, that she was in trouble. He needed to know where, so he grabbed his wand, knelt next to Harry's trunk, and riffled through its contents. Familiar piece of parchment, he muttered.
"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good," Ron said, tapping the map, "Show me Hermione."
The map ignored him, simply moved around the various rooms.
"Where is Hermione Granger?" Ron asked.
It scrolled to the edges of Hogwarts, moved around, but it did not show him anything else.
"Rats!" Ron stammered as he ran over, grabbed his Portkey. Ron activated it, hoping that she had just slipped and fallen at her parents' house.
As the Portkey pulled Ron away, the throbbing in his pinkie grew voraciously, objecting to him leaving, letting him know that Noigate wasn't where she was. However, Harry was, and Ron figured it'd be good to have help. Ron went for the door.
"Harry!" Ron shouted.
"Down here!" came the reply.
Ron went down the stairs.
"Hey, what's up?" Harry asked.
Harry was sitting on the easy chair. Gia was on the sofa, while Kristen was on the other easy chair, the fireplace had coals in it, with Snuffles on his back, belly getting rubbed by Kristen's feet.
Ron wasn't sure about sharing it with Kristen.
"Urgent matter at school," Ron said, "Need him too." He pointed at Snuffles. "Upstairs."
"I'll be back when I'm back," Harry said.
Harry and Snuffles followed Ron back upstairs. Ron clutched his pinkie for a moment as the throbbing flared.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked as he closed the door.
Snuffles began to transform.
"No time, hurry," Ron said, activating the Portkey.
He grabbed Snuffles, and felt the jerk behind the naval. Snuffles kept transforming as they were pulled fast toward Hogwarts, and landed on Ron's four poster bed. Sirius walked over fast, locked the dormitory door.
"Explain!" Sirius demanded as Harry landed.
"Hermione went to bed with me last night," Ron said, "I checked the map—she's not to be found, and I think she's getting at least one Unforgivable on her."
"I need her scent," Sirius said.
Ron rummaged through the clothes in his trunk, tossed a pair of lace panties at Sirius.
"Why, I didn't realize you wore these," Sirius said.
"Shove it," Ron snapped.
Harry grabbed the strap for his broom, slung his Firebolt onto his back, tucked his wand into the strap.
"Got it?" Ron asked, watching Sirius smell her panties.
"Where's your fake wand?" Harry asked, as he stood by his desk, "Mine's not here."
Ron glanced at his desk.
"Mine's missing too," Ron said, maybe it was coincidence.
"Where to?" Harry asked as he unlocked the door.
Sirius transformed, and Snuffles led the way out. Ron felt more throbbing as he followed. Harry grabbed the map as he followed. Snuffles sniffed at the steps, and they went down. They left Gryffindor Tower, walked along the empty seventh floor corridor, with Snuffles still sniffing.
"What did Lupin say?" Harry asked.
"I didn't think…" Ron held his pinkie, massaged to sooth out the throbbing.
Harry handed Ron the Marauders Map. Harry pulled his Firebolt off its sash, mounted it, leaned forward, and flew down the corridor. Harry pulled a right, went behind the corner, when the shouting came echoing back.
"POTTER! NO FLYING IN THE CASTLE!" Professor Snape yelled, out of sight.
Snuffles kept sniffing. Ron glanced at the map some more, checked the library for another time, where Ginny and Colin appeared to be in a table together. They made it to the staircase, where a the irritated Professor Snape stood, glaring, as a blur came up the stairs.
"POTTER! FIFTY POINTS! LUPIN—!" Professor Snape yelled.
"Buzz off!" Ron shouted back as the blur became Harry, on his Firebolt, with Professor Lupin riding backside.
"You insolent fool," Professor Snape said, "I will see what the Headmaster has to say."
Professor Snape's robes billowed as he left fast. Snuffles, though, kept sniffing as they marched down the steps.
"Blimey!" Professor Lupin said, "Harry explained—how are you aware of her getting a Cruciatus Curse?"
"I recently gave her a ring with Vincio Amor on it," Ron said, "It's a tracer spell, lets me know when…"
"She's not on the map," Harry said as he saddled up his Firebolt back onto the sash.
"Snatched out of my bed," Ron said, "I slept through it!"
"As much as…" Professor Lupin's sullen eyes latched onto the dog collar on Snuffles, and broke out in hysterics. "Prongs Jr.. did indeed manage it! Your Dad would be so proud!"
Snuffles turned his head, growled at Professor Lupin for a moment, before taking them all the way down to the sixth floor.
"Severus is correct," Professor Lupin said, "Professor Dumbledore must be informed. Keep working, and I'll find help."
Professor Lupin broke away from them, walked fast, to the next stairs, and vanished from their sight. Harry grabbed the map from Ron, studied it.
"Got an idea," Ron said, "DOBBY!"
Pop!
"Dobby happy to help Harry Potter," Dobby said.
"Hermione's missing," Ron said, "Is she at Hogwarts?"
"Dobby finds out!" Dobby said as he snapped his fingers.
Pop!
Dobby vanished. They caught up to Snuffles on the fifth floor, passing the library.
"You restricted him to Hogwarts," Harry said.
"I assumed the map was lying," Ron said.
Snuffles stopped at a corner, a junction between two corridors, near the library. He sniffed down one, then the other, as a pair of third year Slytherins walked past, a boy and a girl.
"I thought the Slytherins had taken holiday," Harry said as the Slytherins entered the library, "Must be broken."
"Ummm…" Ron said, "It has happened before."
"Wormtail knows—" Harry started.
"Don't you dare suggest that!" Ron snapped.
Pop!
Dobby appeared, sullen eyes.
"Dobby apologizes," Dobby said, "Dobby unable to find Granger. Dobby asked others, Dobby knows Granger is not on Hogwarts. Dobby checked magic, Dobby's magic could not find Granger. Dobby wishes you to find Granger. Dobby's so sad."
"You did your best," Harry said.
Pop!
"Harry!" Ron snapped.
"They did what they could," Harry said, "I hope she's alright too, but if they're not finding her—"
"Don't say it," Ron snapped.
Ron knew what Harry was implying, that it could be beyond trouble, however, his pinkie was still throbbing, so she wasn't…she wasn't dead.
…
"Whoa, whoa!" Ron uttered a bit later, as his pinkie went numb as they left the castle, "HURRY!"
Clouds overhead, but otherwise pleasant, as they went down the steps. Professor Lupin came running.
"Sorry I took a while," Professor Lupin said, "Professor Dumbledore is still in London for a rather long meeting with the Minister. Every other teacher, including Professor Tonks, had some excuse. I forgive Professor McGonagall trying to run the school by herself, but the others—"
"We're not exactly popular," harry said.
"As Finnigan said, we got a pass last night, because of the win," Ron said, "Otherwise…"
"It's a pity that none gave a damn about your predicament," Professor Lupin said.
"Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"He was off dealing with some problem with the Centaurs," Professor Lupin said.
"If we go into the forest, he'll help," Harry said.
"There's more than one forest, Harry," Professor Lupin said, "Forbidden Forest is ours, and the closest, for Hogwarts, but there are others that he normally doesn't venture into."
Ominous dark clouds crowded out the light, darkening it all as they crossed the grounds. They came to an unused gate, behind a bunch of overgrown shrubbery, at a forgotten edge of the grounds, over a hill and out of sight of the castle. Shiny metal of a bolt on the rusty latch propped the it unlocked, and ajar.
"Recent," Professor Lupin said.
"Let's go," Ron said, pointing, "It ought to go faster."
"Do you have a nose for scents?" Professor Lupin said as they went through the gate, into a far lesser traveled, bigger, and darker forest than the Forbidden Forest, "As to your brooms, you might find her faster, but you'd also get lost faster."
Harry's foot slipped, the mud carried him into the puddle covered by a deepening shadow.
"Whoa!" Harry shouted.
His butt hit the mud. Rain kept drizzling down from the clouds, the sloping hill had trees down it, the castle of Hogwarts had been hidden from them for hours, the sun stooping toward the horizon.
"It's still numb," Ron said, massaging his pinky as they kept walking between the gloomy trees.
"Vincio Amor is a fickle enchantment," Professor Lupin said, "I won't be harsh, because I understand the desire, but the downside is the effects can incapacitate the caster."
"He'll manage," Harry said.
Snuffles gave a low growl, they went quiet. A flicker of light among the trees ahead. Quieter and slower, they crept to the edge of a small clearing.
A small blue fire burned in the middle, while Hermione was strewn on the ground, next to her torn knickers, face up. Though not gagged nor bound, she laid motionless as green flame danced on her chest, flames that were jetting out of the wands of two boys with the same likeness as Harry and Ron. Unlike the Ron and Harry at the edge of the clearing, these copies were laughing and grinning in their billowing black school robes with Gryffindor badges.
Ron and Harry grabbed their wands, aimed, as they charged into the circle. Ron tripped over a piece of firewood, in time to hear the distinctive pop. Both copies disapparated.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, as he ran over to Hermione.
Ron knelt, reached to feel. Ron hesitated, before he forced his fingers to touch, as he felt the coldness of the skin. Professor Lupin conjured up a stretcher and blankets, before he joined Sirius.
"No, no!" Ron stammered.
"She's got a heartbeat!" Professor Lupin said, as he and Sirius scouted the circle.
Harry grabbed the self–heating blanket and threw it onto her.
"Careful Harry," Professor Lupin said, "She's hypothermic at the moment."
Professor Lupin assisted Harry in lifting her limp, unconscious body, onto the stretcher.
"Nothing!" Sirius exclaimed as he stopped searching, "Nothing that'll help."
"Carry the stretcher," Professor Lupin said, "We need to get her back fast."
"Fly," Ron said.
"Don't risk it!" Professor Lupin snapped.
"Time is of the—" Ron started to protest as he and Harry lifted the stretcher.
"Leave magic around the injured to a qualified Healer," Professor Lupin said, "Too many casualties have occurred by those desiring to help."
Sirius borrowed Harry's wand, joined in Professor Lupin, as they repeatedly blasted the vegetation apart in front of them, allowing for them to make a fast trot back, over the outstretched feet of the hill, between the trees, back the way they had come.
"As much as I hate it," Sirius said, "Their favorite slow, torturous, death gave us the chance."
"They were deliberately—?" Ron asked.
"A cat will frequently play with its food," Sirius said.
"Somebody's going to know a slow and torturous death when I get the chance," Ron stated.
"I seriously doubt you're the type," Professor Lupin said, "You'd have to destroy your heart first, and that's not you."
"Did we get her in time?" Harry asked.
"I hope so," Professor Lupin said, "I hope so."
It took an hour from the clearing to the gate, where Sirius transformed back into Snuffles. A half hour later, and they entered the castle as the sun dropped beneath the lake; they entered the Hospital Wing.
"Bed three Mr. Potter," said Madam Pomfrey as she quickly put her Healer cap while walking out into from her office. Her eyes landed on the group, Harry taking the lead, Ron carrying, with Professor Lupin seemingly supervising.
"Remus?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Assaulted and hypothermia," Professor Lupin said as Harry and Ron moved Hermione onto bed number three.
"Pepperup—orange cabinet, third shelf," Madam Pomfrey ordered as her wand started moving over Hermione, "You all take a sip and then get some dry clothing, then report back. Examinations are needed for you—"
"What?" Harry protested.
"I'm obligated to check all of you," Madam Pomfrey said, as her other hand felt Harry's cold skin, "Yes, all of you."
…
Hermione woke up a short time later. After being checked by Madam Pomfrey, Hermione left the Hospital Wing with Ron and Harry, walked up to the second floor, stepped onto the ascending stairs, and knocked at the door.
"Enter!" came the familiar voice.
They entered. Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind the desk and his eyes were not winkling. Professors Lupin, Tonks, and McGonagall were also there.
"Let us start with Miss. Granger," Professor Dumbledore said.
"I went to sleep last night only to wake up—" Hermione gestured outside "—out there. Those impostors, they looked like Harry and Ron, but they did not behave like Ron nor Harry. They repeatedly used the Cruciatus and the Imperius curses. They forced…self pleasuring and indecent acts. They attempted to rape me—nice charm Ron. They knocked me out, I didn't wake until I was in the Hospital Wing."
"Charm?" Professor Lupin asked.
"That ring—there was also a chastity charm," Ron said.
"Ouch," Professor Lupin said.
"Speaking from experience?" Professor Tonks asked.
"Return to the matter at hand," Professor Dumbledore said, the eyes focused on Ron.
Ron understood.
"After … er… last night," Ron said, "I woke up to her missing, and the pain from the ring let me know she was suffering an Unforgivable. Once I realized that she had been abducted, I got Harry, and…you know, to go looking."
"Abducted from Gryffindor Tower implies—" Professor McGonagall said.
"Another explanation may surface," Professor Dumbledore said.
"After a bit of encouragement," Professor Tonks glanced at Professor McGonagall, I made inquiries regarding possible suspects within Hogwarts. for instance, Mr. Malfoy made periodic stops in at the library today, while Mr. Finnigan served his afternoon detention with Professor Sprout."
Professor Dumbledore studied the harried group there.
"First, you are a true Gryffindor, Miss Granger, for recognizing them as impostors," Professor Dumbledore said, "I conversed earlier with Remus and Nymphadora regarding their observations. I am still puzzled as to why."
"Perhaps they wanted to break us up," Harry said.
"You are formidable as a group," Professor Dumbledore said, "Still disturbing."
"Hermione and I will be commuting—" Ron said.
"What?!" Hermione said, "That's not necessarily—"
"You were kidnapped from my bed, next to me!" Ron said, "You are not safe sleeping at Hogwarts! We're commuting!"
"Commute, Hermione," Harry said.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Weasley's suggestion sounds proper," Professor Dumbledore said, "I despise today as the day a student no longer feels safe sleeping in this castle."
"Do not be tardy," Professor McGonagall said.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the office.
Ron and Hermione landed on his four–poster bed, at Hogwarts, Monday morning. They got off and Hermione glared at Ron.
"How dare you suggest that I can't handle myself!" Hermione stammered, she grabbed her Daily Prophet before she left the dormitory.
"I'm coming along," Ron stated.
They entered the Gryffindor Common Room.
"How was the Potter surprise?" came the retort from Parvati Patil.
"Like he even has to ask," Finnigan stated.
Ron and Hermione left Gryffindor Tower.
"They even think it!" Hermione snapped.
Footsteps chased them, Harry caught up by the time they entered the Hospital Wing.
"This is to be a private examination," Hermione stated, not eager to share it with them, "If you need something titillating, here." She handed Ron The Daily Prophet.
Madam Pomfrey waved Hermione over, to a bed with a privacy screen around them.
"Listen, she's just being—" Ron started.
"What?!" Hermione demanded.
"Read," Harry said.
Ron unrolled The Daily Prophet, opened it. Ron began to read the top article.
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Monday, 4 November, 1996
Bert Renews Contract with Wizarding Quidditch Network
"Bert" Louis Peters renewed his contract with Wizarding Quidditch Network, one of a pair of colourful hosts, and is looking forward to voicing every match. Bert is always rooting for the underdog, like Puddlemere United in their opening match against the Falmouth Falcons on Saturday.
"Not that one," Harry said, pointed to one toward the bottom of the page, "Here."
=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=v=
Hogwarts Under Investigation
After receiving some disturbing reports regarding Hogwarts and their coverup in some recent events, the Minister for Magic, Victor Fallerschain, has promised a thorough investigation. This represents a renewal in trying to bring accountability to the United Kingdom's prestigious crown educational jewel.
"Hogwarts enjoys a generous allocation on the budget," the Minister said, "The wizarding world is owed an explanation to where their hard earned Galleons are going, how it's being squandered in an attempt to appease a single student. This has to stop, for the benefit of every pupil in attendance."
While the Minister refused to name the particular student, The Daily Prophet firmly believes this to be a rather infamous person who is garnishing a reputation of terrorizing his fellow schoolmates.
"Harry is a drain," Hermione said.
"Pardon me?" Harry asked.
"How much are they spending on you?" Hermione asked. "What's our schedule?"
They went fast, to Professor McGonagall's office, knocked as the entered.
"Greetings," Professor McGonagall said, as she handed over their schedules for the week, "You were obviously not in the Great Hall."
"We avoid that," Harry said, as Ron handed a schedule over.
"Out of sight, out of mind," Professor McGonagall said, "It'd do you good to have them witnessing you in the normal affairs."
"After she was kidnapped, yesterday?" Ron asked.
"Unless you're accusing students of perpetrating that," Professor McGonagall said, "Please, use the Great Hall."
Harry sighed as he glanced over his schedule. "Potions, again?"
"Professor Snape has much to offer," Professor McGonagall said, "Good day."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione left.
"A bitch bitches," Ron snapped.
"Bitch?!" Hermione stammered.
"You heard me," Ron stated.
"Next time, don't bother searching!" Hermione snatched her schedule from his hands, walked fast.
"Don't bother?" Ron stuttered, as he and Harry followed.
They went down the steps, until they came to the Potions classroom, entered. Hermione got to their usual table first, when Ron and Harry approached. She glared at them, even as Ron began to put his book–bag down onto the table, and she shook her head, pointed away.
"Fine," Ron muttered.
Harry pulled Ron backward, until Hermione stopped her glare, as they went to the other side of the room, though their voices carried.
"Must be that time of the month," Ron said, a bit louder.
Hermione saw Professor Snape enter the classroom, walk swiftly over to Harry.
"You hope," Harry said, loudly, and oblivious, "Could be a nine month—"
"Do not accuse Slytherin without proof." Professor Snape addressed Harry before going to the front.
"It never exists to him," Harry said loudly to Ron.
"Twenty points Potter," Professor Snape sneered.
SPLAT!
Wet, crumpled, bit of parchment, a spitball, sailed and hit Harry on the face. Professor Snape's eyes glanced at this, before he waved his wand. Chalk at the board write out the lesson, another potion to brew.
"Too bad Potter didn't screw that mudblood out of here," Pansy Parkinson said.
"Silence!" Professor Snape said, "Best work is a silent affair."
Hermione worked, added the lacewings, until her cauldron simmered blood red, and the bell sounded.
"Samples on my desk," Professor Snape said.
Professor Snape's dark eyes trained themselves onto Hermione as she filled her flask. As she walked toward the desk, Malfoy tripped her, and she stumbled. Her flask crashed onto the floor and spilled its blood red contents. Harry and Ron reached Malfoy, shoved him, and he tumbled onto the floor.
"FIFTY POINTS each, Potter, Weasley, and the mudblood," Professor Snape said, "And a detention!"
"Malfoy tripped—" Ron started to protest.
"Another fifty points each," Professor Snape said, "Wait, I do not believe Gryffindor has that many so I award fifty to your victim, Malfoy."
Malfoy and Parkinson had a hearty laugh as Harry led the storm out of the dungeon. Harry paused at the threshold, dropped a Dungbomb back into the classroom, and locked the door.
"Bloody bollocks!" Harry exclaimed.
"Be careful," Ron said, "That was his favorite deodorant."
"Ta." Harry lightly punched Ron in the forearm.
"Like that'll solve anything," Hermione said.
"Malfoy deliberately tripped you!" Ron said, "We're not taking that laying down."
Thereafter, Harry and Ron started to keep a closer guard on her.