F.F.O.

Chapter Ten

The Majestic Situation

The nine o'clock morning sun shone across the castle grounds. Today is a new day since everyone is happy about the recent victory over the liberation of Ibarra. Survivors were able to go back to their loved ones and enjoy their company. Politicians congratulated each other of the success. Guilds and their masters continued their work as always, being better than before.

Harry Potter, Rapticon Sr. Raptor and Ron Weasley weren't up for the postwar festivities. Today was an iconic and important day for them. They have decided that they have no choice but to go with the kidnapping. Hermione is needed in order for them to get out of the world they live right now. But the task is not going to be easy.

“Do we need to get over the plan?” asked Harry as the three, Yumi and Moco walked at the castle entrance square. A large clearing where a fountain stood in the center with the castle entrance built up beyond.

“Like I said last night” said Rapticon Sr. “You get the girl, we make your escape through His Majesty's throne room”

“I can't believe you're doing this, kupo!” Moco said

Ever since he overheard the three talked about the plan, Moco has been paranoid about the possible fallout against them if they were unsuccessful. Every time, he kept on nagging them to pull out their plans and just find a cleaner way to get the General's daughter.

“Sorry, Moco” said Harry, turning to the Moogle “But we have to do this. Look, if were caught, we will admit that you two have no connection about this whole plan”

“But you are a war hero!” said Moco “Why throw all of that away?”

During the layout of plans, Harry has reflected on the results of the “mission”. It's pretty obvious that things will not go right for them in the end whether they are successful or not. People will start asking questions and pretty soon, everyone will know they kidnapped the General's daughter!

Hermione's father will eat us alive…

But Harry has decided that he'll go through with it. No matter what happens, he'll deal with the consequences. Atrynömunal is a beautiful place but he has to go to a place where he can call “home”. So he'll do anything to go back to Hogwarts no matter what it takes.

“Moco,” Ron said “We all have decided that this is the only way to go back to our home, Hogwarts! We wished there was another way but we can't find any”

“How about asked her father to take Hermione along with you for a trip, kupo?”

“He would never allow that” said Yumi

“But Harry can't go through this grueling quest, kupo!” Moco said “Just think of the people you've impressed, Harry! Please, I beg of you to find a much pleasant way to do this, kupo!”

“Moco,” Harry bent down to Moco “I have made my decision. All I ask from you is to trust me, okay?”

Harry patted the head of the Moogle. He smiled at the concern of Moco… he was the first being Harry met when he arrived here.

“But… but” said Moco

“Look, I don't even know why you invited us here” said Yumi

Rapticon Sr. was the one to speak this time.

“We invited you because we need you”

Yumi winced. Harry deduced she knew what Rapticon Sr. meant.

“You need us to do what?” Yumi asked

Rapticon Sr. pointed down at the castle.

“The throne room,” said Rapticon Sr. “is mysteriously unguarded by the Royal Guard of the castle. After we kidnap -“

“Fetch” Harry said

“Fetch Hermione,” said Rapticon Sr. irritably “We head to the Throne Room and -“

“And what?” Yumi asked

“The King has obviously a quick escape route in the throne room, right?”

“Well, yeah. That's true, kupo” said Moco “Every time a national crisis occurs, the King goes into a secret passage somewhere around the throne room. From there, it leads him to a safe zone far away from the castle, kupo”

“And where could that be?” asked Rapticon Sr.

“That, we don't know” said Moco

“Dammit,” Rapticon Sr. swore “There could more than a thousand possible exits from the throne room”

“That's not true” said Yumi “My uncle is a thief guild executive officer,”

“You have chain of command in that guild?” Ron asked before he could stop himself

“It's a lot sophisticated than you think” said Yumi coolly “Anyway, I overheard my uncle talking about the exits of the King's secret passage way”

“And?” asked Harry

“He, he said something about the Citizen District… an old house”

“What else?”

“Nothing” Yumi bit her lower lip “He caught me and scolded me for snooping around”

“So that's it then” Rapticon Sr. punched his palm “We need Yumi and Moco to station Choco - attached to a cart - at an alley near the district square just beside Celes Hotel”

“What?!” Yumi and Moco said in unison

“Are you crazy?” Yumi asked

“Almost,” said Rapticon Sr. calmly “But don't worry, just stay there and when we come out of god knows where, we will meet you there”

“But -“ Yumi said

“Dammit, Yumi just trust me!” Rapticon Sr. said, almost yelling “Look, I know you don't want any involvement in this but Harry, Ron and I want to get out of this place as much as how you feel about this stunt”

“But you can't be serious”

“No buts!” Rapticon Sr. raised a finger “If we all get caught, I will say that I threatened you. You two will not be detained for any civil unrest, treason or that crap, got it?”

Yumi and Moco reluctantly nodded.

“Good…” Rapticon Sr. paused “So yeah, when we get out of the other side of the King's secret route with Hermione, we will go up to you, hide in the cart and you will find your way back at Moco's”

“Won't that jeopardize my innocence, kupo?” asked Moco

“Like I said, you will be under the pretense that I am threatening the both of you” Rapticon Sr. looked at Moco “We will let Hermione wear a poncho with a hood one to make her look like some old nanny. No one will notice her”

“But what if my father interferes?” Moco asked worriedly

“He'll be at work the whole time, he won't notice a thing” said Harry

“And the time everyone will realize we are gone with Hermione, we'll be on our way to Skyld on an airship” said Rapticon Sr.

“Uh… what airship?” Ron asked

“There is a business port a few blocks from Moco's place” Rapitcon Sr. pointed southwest “It's a private port so with the proper payments, we can get in and grab ourselves an airship”

“You won't be - er - hijacking anything, are you?” Yumi asked

“No” said Rapticon Sr. “I am confident that the moment we leave, the kingdom will pull up a massive search and before they could consider airship escapes, we'll be long gone”

There was then a long, long pause.

“You can come with us… if you want” Harry asked uncomfortably to Yumi and Moco

“Haha, no thank you” said Yumi “I think it is best that I should avoid situations I can't handle”

Harry looked at Moco.

“I would love to, kupo. But only if it were in much better circumstances, I'm sorry”

“Don't be” said Harry, smiling “Don't worry too much! Nothing has happened yet”

“But it will,” said Yumi “And I can't stand the image of the three of you arrested for kidnap!”

“Your concern is noted, Yumi” Rapticon Sr. held her shoulder “But we need you and Moco to trust us. You can do that, can't you?”

Yumi looked at Rapticon Sr.'s eyes and nodded.

“Good” said Rapticon Sr. “Now let's get over the plan, shall we?”

The four left the square and into a hotel where Harry, Ron and Rapticon Sr. slept the past night. They were too sleepy to go back to Moco's they rented an inn. They went back to the room and closed the door shut. Rapticon Sr. checked if anyone was outside and with a click of the door's handle, they were safe to discuss.

“We have no neighbors on the room beside us and in front of us” said Rapticon Sr. “We'll be safe. Now let's break it down”

The plan was divided into four parts: the infiltration, the kidnap, the escape and the hiding.

“Infiltration:” said Rapticon Sr., raising one finger “Harry is invited to have lunch with Hermione Grangeré, the General's daughter in the palace gardens. Ron and I, however, aren't invited so entry to the castle is impossible unless we have business there”

Rapticon Sr. and Ron's entry to the castle was a hard obstacle to achieve. Unless they had an appointment with someone inside the castle, they can't go anywhere in the place. Ron suggested they pose as bodyguards but Harry says Hermione promised him that his name will appear in the manifest of visitors on that day. Rapticon Sr. and Ron have no time to ask their names to be in it.

“We have out ruled bodyguards, detained men, tourist guides, etcetera” said Rapticon Sr. “There are some options but our best bet is to pose as employees of the castle”

“Who are all working inside the palace” said Yumi “I doubt anyone is out of the castle. Who will you grab?”

Rapticon Sr. smirked.

“The gardener”

“True,” said Moco “The palace gardeners always go out of the castle grounds to tend to the topiaries along the palace walls”

“How can you grab them without notice?” asked Yumi

“Olaf told me that two gardeners always tend to the flora of the castle's walls every two or three hours” Rapticon Sr. made an imaginary wall with his finger “Me and Ron will come up to them and ask for `garden' advice. We lure them to our `house' which in fact is an alley. And then when we have them there, we incapacitate them and take their equipment”

“How about identification?” Yumi asked

“Gardeners won't have any. They work for a private business under the command of Diana Glacius. It's amusing how no one knows of this detail. Anyone could just play dress up and enter the castle undetected” said Rapticon Sr.

“You connected stuff, didn't you?” Yumi grinned

“Yes, when Olaf told me this, that's when I tried to connect some few loose ends and bam! Ron and I have a ticket way in”

“But what about you, kupo?” Moco asked Rapticon Sr. “Your appearance might compromise your position since you are a war hero!”

“True but I've read up on the employees last night that gardeners are equipped with gas masks. I'll just put it on and say I ran into an Ochu seedling and I can enter the castle. Ron won't have a problem entering”

“But I don't get one thing” said Yumi “Why do we need to let you two in?”

“Harry can't bring Hermione out of the palace by himself” said Ron “He needs inside help if he can extract Hermione out of the palace”

“And we are the outside help?” asked Moco

“Yep” Rapticon Sr. nodded

“Anyway,” said Rapticon Sr. “Ron and I will make our way to the gardens and I will give Harry the signal”

Rapticon Sr. lifted two fingers

“Kidnap. After the signal, Harry will ask Hermione if he could have a tour around the castle. Harry, what will you request for?”

“A look into the throne room” said Harry

“And when she declines?”

“I'll ask her to go the trophy room” said Harry “It's the closest room to the throne from what Hermione said”

“From there, Ron and I will follow Harry. When he brings her to the trophy room, we'll take her and proceed to the throne room” said Rapticon Sr.

“How about the King?” asked Yumi “You do know he stays there twenty-four-seven, right?”

“Yes, we are very aware of that” said Rapticon Sr. “That is why Ron has fire-starters”

“You have fire-starters?” Yumi looked at Ron in amazement

“Only for Dragoons” said Ron “Anyway, we decided to plant them somewhere around the castle. That way, things will be a little restless so our escape will be an easy one”

“Escape.” Rapticon Sr. raised three fingers “We find the secret passage and we meet each other at Citizen District near Celes Hotel”

Moco and Yumi nodded.

“You take us to Moco's place. From there we can gather our resources and leave on airship to Skyld.

“Hiding” said Rapticon Sr., raising a fourth finger “We will simply disappear from view, no one will find us, we'll try to make sure that no one knows our agenda, etcetera, etcetera. You two” he looked at Yumi and Moco “will have no idea why we are doing this. You had no involvement. If asked, you will simply say that how dare we kidnapped such a kind person! You tell no one of your involvement, okay?”

This statement was met with a long pause.

“But… will we ever see you again?” asked Moco

“Contacting you might compromise us” said Harry “I think… I think it is best that we don't try to do so”

Moco looked down miserably. Harry didn't like to leave things this way.

“Is it too late to ask you if you can find another way?” asked Yumi

“Too late” said Rapticon Sr. “We need to go to Skyld before the Anarchy burst it into flames. This has to happen today”

“And if it fails?” said Yumi

“Failure is not an option” said Harry “We have to do this. We will”

And the table has been set.

- - -

Inside the dark dungeons of the castle, Scipio crouched beneath the figure of Severus Snape.

“Fool!” Snape slapped Scipio with his backhand “Because of your blunder, you weren't able to maintain total arrest on the King's mind!”

“I - I am very sorry, sir!” whimpered Scipio

“Sorry is not good enough! Don't you see how this changes everything? The spell Rivoreld cast on the king has results that will end up His Majesty not remembering that he was hoodwinked unless the spell was interrupted. The boy has been casting this spell for months now and he needed you to help him! But you have failed!”

“Please!!” wailed Scipio “Have mercy! I have tried! It's too hard! Master Schneider has warned me that it would be hard to maintain such a spell!”

“But nonetheless, you have failed, Scipio and failure won't be tolerated in the ranks” said Snape

“Let me redeem myself! Let me make it up to you, and my superiors!” he bent on his knees and started kissing Snape's shoes.

“Fine,” Snape winced and kicked Scipio in the face making him yelp in pain “It has come to the attention of the boy that the king has rendered himself `expendable' after your failure of maintaining him. Once out of the spell, the king will take direct action against you and knowing your lack of willpower, you will save yourself and blow the whistle”

“I'd never betray you!”

“Lies” said Snape “The only reason you are alive is because you are King's personal adviser. Luckily, you have shown your worth to the superiors thus, they have assigned you to eliminate the king”

“You - you want me to kill King Bedeviere?”

“You heard me”

“But… but I can't do that! They will find out!”

“You are loyal to your masters, right?” said Snape

“Y-yes”

“And you would do anything for their respect, am I correct?”

“Yes” said Scipio darkly

“Then do it. The King will be back to his normal state in a week's time, we have to take him out now. Find a way to take him. Poison, stabbing, strangling, whatever! You must make sure they don't capture you and if they do, you have to kill yourself or I will have to kill you” said Snape

“Kill me?” Scipio looked at Snape “Oho! How can you kill me without letting anyone be suspicious of you?”

“I can orchestrate that you were fighting back, simple” said Snape at once.

Scipio shook his head.

“If I do kill the king, where do I go?”

“Anywhere,” said Snape “Use the King's secret passage if you must! Just leave far away from this kingdom and find a place to hide. Make sure you clear your tracks so no one will find you. If someone sees you, kill him or her no matter who it is, kill them! And if you feel everything is safe, contact us and we'll pick you up and take you to a place to stay. Understood?”

Scipio bent to his knees.

“Thank you, sir!” raised his arms to Snape “Thank you for your mercy! I promise you, I will accomplish the task at hand!”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Snape looked at Scipio like some pathetic little caterpillar

“Oh, yes” said Scipio, as he stood up and walked out of the dungeon door muttering to himself.

Snape rolled his eyes left the dungeon through another door.

- - -

Infiltration.

Harry entered the castle after inspection. He tried to shake of the weird feeling out of his system. The way that guard searched his bottom…

Did he have to search me like that?

Ignoring the moment, Harry rushed down the pavement and up the steps into the entrance hall. He looked at his wristwatch: it was already eleven fifty-seven in the morning.

Harry waited at the entrance hall. He saw many royal subjects walking back and forth looking busy. If here was a real citizen of this place, he would've enjoyed the happiness.

Where is she?

Hermione told Harry to meet her here in the entrance hall at noon. It's already twelve o-one in the afternoon.

“Harry?”

Harry turned around and saw Hermione looking very pretty in a pants and a blouse with frills around the collar and along the buttons.

“Hermione!” he said happily. It was good to see her again. “You look brilliant!”

“Thank you, you look good too” she said smiling at him

“What took you?” Harry asked

“Took me?” Hermione asked, giving him a grin “I always, always arrive a minute late from my schedule to my dates”

Harry nearly swallowed a chunk of air

“D-date?”

“We are on a date now, right?” Hermione asked

“I - I just asked to have lunch I never knew you saw it as a date” Harry said quickly

“Awww, did I embarrass you?” Hermione tilted her head “I was just joking about the `date' thing. I know you just want to be friends!” she laughed.

Harry was almost amused by this Hermione from the Hermione he knew at Hogwarts. She was lively, she was very open and kind of mischievous. It was very… cute.

“Y-yeah, I just want to be friends” said Harry

“So, lunch will be ready in a few minutes, want to look around the castle?” Hermione asked

“I would love to see the gardens” Harry said, remembering the plan.

“Oh, that place scares me” Hermione said, looking sheepish

“Why?” Harry asked

“Hmmm… let's say the other night, I was reading at the gardens and a couple of guards captured two people snooping around behind me! I wasn't able to see them since Diana Glacius brought me inside”

Harry's heart made a back flip. He suppressed a laugh thinking what will happen if she found out it was him.

“But at least I have a companion!” Hermione said “Maybe it's safer since its day and everyone is busy celebrating the recent victory… your victory” she smiled

Harry didn't know why Hermione was sucking up to him. Does she really like him? This is getting weird since he never knew Hermione would like him this way.

“Oh my gosh,” Hermione said as they walked out of the entrance hall “The moment you three left the party, my father asked me who was I with and I had to convince him to trust you since you are the hero of the war! I don't like his bodyguards breathing down my neck all day!”

Harry remembered how the Order of The Phoenix watched him without his knowledge. It was very annoying to have them guard him every time he does something.

“But I told my father that I can take care of myself and he accepted my request to have lunch with you without bodyguards” said Hermione

“You sure showed him” Harry chuckled

“Yes, I did” Hermione nodded “I love him so much but he has to know that I am not a little girl anymore… that I can make my own mistakes, decisions and that stuff”

Hermione then sighed as they entered the beautiful gardens of the palace. At night, Harry couldn't see anything of the gardens but it was a wide place! Far beyond, there was a hedge grove maze and lots of shaped-bushes of chocobos, moogles, bangaas, and more. The colorful flowers blended with the surroundings nicely giving the place a feel of nature in an urban area.

“There are more than fifty gardeners” Hermione said “I just love it here!”

They climbed an elevated place. Harry recognized this place since this is where he was incapacitated the other night. The fountain where Hermione sat down sprouted crystal clear water.

“I get tempted to pick up the gil that's thrown in there” Hermione admitted, looking at the coins at the bottom of the water's surface of the fountain “This is the place where I nearly got `attacked'”

“Well, I am glad you're alright” Harry said “We - we… we wouldn't have met if it wasn't for your guards”

Hermione laughed.

“You're too sweet, Harry! Thank you!” she rubbed his arm “You are very different from the other boys I've met”

“Elias Vex?” Harry asked before he could stop himself

“Elias is a load of tiny bollocks” Hermione said “Whoops, sorry for that…”

“Don't worry,” Harry said, laughing “I am amused”

“Amused? Of what?”

Harry looked at Hermione.

“Let's say I never expected the famous Hermione Grangeré to be fun to hang out with”

Harry was taken aback when he saw Hermione blushed.

“You… you really think so?” she said

“Yes” nodded Harry

“Why thank you, Harry” she said

“So what's with you and Elias?” Harry asked

“We went out for a couple of months… it just didn't work for me” Hermione said “After that he just kept on coming back to me hoping I will change my mind then he started acting like a total jerk about it”

Hermione looked up at the sky.

“But for the record, Elias is a nice, funny guy” she said

“I don't really think so” said Harry

“You just got on his bad side” Hermione said “And his whole `I am a Merc' euphoria enlarges his ego”

Harry scanned the area. The two must've got the two gardeners by now…

“So, Harry…” Hermione sat down on the edge of the fountain “Can you tell me anything about you?”

Harry shot Hermione a look. What will he tell her?

“Me?” Harry sat beside her

“Yes” she smiled innocently

“Um… let's say I am not a `city boy'”

Hermione laughed

“Okay, let's start with that!” she jokingly said

“And I uh… just live the normal life. I am doing well with my guild duties” Harry said

“Uncle Olaf talks a lot about you, I noticed” Hermione said “He says that your performance is unusually outstanding!”

“He did?” Harry's spirits rose

“Yes and to be honest,” she started scratching the ground with her shoe “I sparkled a fancy into meeting this outstanding guild member of his”

“Is that why you danced with me last night?” Harry smirked at her

“Well, Uncle Olaf told me that the man he praises so highly was you, I couldn't help but try to speak with you!” she looked flushed a bit and continued “The dance was like a last minute thing since you were too shy to talk”

“Oh yeah, sorry about that” said Harry

“It's no problem” she said “But at least we survived the dance floor. You are a great dancer!”

“Heh, yeah, thanks” Harry said

Until now, Harry has never brooded on the fact why he has these abilities in the first place.

“Your friend, Ron does look at me a lot” she said, giggling “I don't mind but I wished he could talk to me”

“He's just star struck” said Harry “Famous people make him numb all the time”

“Really?” Hermione laughed “I never would've guessed”

“But I trust him with my whole life” said Harry, looking sad at the fact that the she is the other person who he trusts

“I wish I had a best friend to trust with my whole life” Hermione said sadly

Harry looked at her with so much concern and care. He just wanted to hug her and make her feel that her best friend is right here.

“You never had one?” Harry said with unease

“Yes, I am bottled up with so much politics and famous people that I never had time to sit down and spend time with a normal friend… sure, the children of my father's friends are great. I can trust them but I want a real best friend… someone who I can be with everyday and all of that, you know?”

Hermione looked at Harry who was giving her a look of utmost concern. Harry wanted to tell her how much he cares for her… but will that work? How will she respond?

“Are you… okay, Harry?” Hermione asked “You seem sad”

“Oh, sorry” said Harry “I just… I just had a realization” he forced a smile

“Of what?”

“That I feel uneasy when girls tell these things” he said all of a sudden

“Oho!” Hermione grinned “You're making fun of me?”

“No!” Harry said quickly “I appreciate you're thoughts, I really do but I am surprised you trust me knowing about this”

Hermione nodded in realization.

“Good point,” she bit her lower lip “But for some reason, I know my heart can trust you - don't give me that look” she pointed to Harry's wide-eyed face “I don't know why but it just says I should, okay? I am not being short with you” she added quickly

“Do you trust anyone?” Harry asked

“Not really” Hermione said “For some reason, the people I trust in an instant are the people I can really, really trust… fortunately, I felt that feeling about you”

“Any guesses why?” Harry looked at Hermione, hoping he can get her back to normal

“Not many… but -” she then made a significant pause “You know what? I think lunch might be ready”

“Wait!” Harry said, standing up “Is there anything else I should know about you?”

Hermione thought for a moment and shook her head.

“Not that much… for now, anyway” she smiled “I like you so maybe we can do more of this in the future”

“I'll say” Harry muttered

“Sorry?”

“Nothing, I just remembered something”

His heart leapt. He saw two gardeners enter from where he came from. He can recognize the red hair of Ron and Rapticon Sr.'s tail. He finally stalled Hermione enough to bring them here.

Kidnap.

“Remembered what?” Hermione asked

Harry looked at her again

“I - I just remembered how I used to admire your views on the political situation of this planet when I read your article” said Harry

Hermione made an unusual smile

“You really did?” she said in a very high voice

Uh… what article, Harry?

“Um, yeah” he said, unsure of himself

“You actually read it? The whole thing instead of scanning it?” she said quickly

“Yes”

“Wow, I never met a man who actually likes what I do for the best interest of this land” she said “Oh, thank you, Harry”

And she unexpectedly hugged him. The feeling of something so familiar and sensational was so relaxing that Harry wanted to go back home.

“Oh!” Hermione gasped as she stood back from Harry. She was blushing everywhere “I - I'm sorry, I didn't know why I did that”

Is it just me or did Hermione's old personality kicked in back there?

“Haha, don't worry about it” Harry said “I had my share of people hugging me out of the blue”

“No, no, no” she said, rubbing her forehead “I - I just hugged you out of the context that I've known you before… you just seem so familiar!”

Harry's heart made a second leap for the day. Hermione must be crawling back again!

“You really think so?” Harry asked excitedly

“Yes,” said Hermione “You remind me of someone I knew two years ago, I think”

Harry's heart sank. He was expecting the old Hermione to say that she knew a boy from a place called Hogwarts but no, he reminded her of someone she met two years ago… probably an ex-boyfriend.

But things were more important right now. Harry looked up and saw Rapticon Sr. twirling his arm around as he and Ron walked passed them. Then with one split-second, the hands of Rapticon Sr. slapped his forehead.

The signal! It's time to move in.

“Harry, are you disappointed about something?”

“Me? No” said Harry

“Harry,” Hermione said with a kind smile “if there is one you stink at then that might be lying”

“Lying? I - uh -“Harry sighed “Yes, I am lying”

“I thought so” said Hermione, she looked at the side “I had my share of lies. It's not very pretty”

“I know. Sorry” said Harry

“Don't be” Hermione said in a happy voice “If it is personal then don't say anything. I was just wondering if you were disappointed with… er - me”

“I wouldn't!” Harry said “You're very nice”

“Thanks” Hermione nodded

“Hermione?” Harry said, trying to change the subject

“Yes?”

“Can you show me around the castle?” he asked

“Of course!” Hermione said, standing up “Where do you want to look?”

“Er… the trophy room” Harry said

“Sure, why not?” said Hermione “Lunch will probably be ready in fifteen or something minutes so let us kill time, shall we?”

“Lets” Harry nodded

“You lead and I'll follow. You do know where it is, right?”

“Uh…” Harry said

Hermione giggled.

“Don't worry, I'll tell you how it works”

As if everything went black. Harry thought a menu interface popped in front of him showing him a set of options. It felt like a tutorial.

“You can check out your map in your inventory” said Hermione

Harry checked his pockets and saw a folded map with the technical figures along the frame.

“That map is a `Trans-Map',” said Hermione “With the proper usage, you can ask the map if you want a plot of the place within a five-mile radius”

Just like the Marauder's Map.

Harry observed the map. It was hard but could be folded four times. It wasn't paper but very strong plastic. It was very thin and the frames were laden with buttons that are numbered from one to zero and a star symbol.

“What are the numbers for?”

“When you go to places you haven't been to, you have to apply the area code to get the map to check your coordinates and then it returns with results” said Hermione “Every guild member has one”

“That's great!” Harry said “Can it detect living beings?”

“No” said Hermione “But it can point out places you can mark like shops, inns, blacksmiths, etcetera. It's an amazing gadget. I only used one once when I visited Uncle Olaf's guild”

“My guild” said Harry

“Yes,” she said “So, it looks like you haven't set the code of the area”

Harry realized the screen in the thin map showed nothing but a very slick interface.

“What's the area code again?” Harry asked sheepishly

“seven-four-one-five-nine-five-three-star” Hermione said

Harry pressed the corresponding numbers and after waiting with a loading screen, a map of the area came out.

“Wow!” Harry said, looking at the very clear and solid interface of the map. It didn't show details like floors, grass and such but only an outline of the whole area.

“We are here” Hermione pointed at the red marker on the map “If you need anything to know, there's always the `Help' button” she tapped on a button with a light bulb symbol. There is a stylus at the back,” she pulled it out and pushed it back in “it helps you navigate around the map like floor plans, or give you a different view of the map and the like”

Harry almost forgot he had to do something important! The tutorial on the Trans-Map must've taken his interest somewhere else.

“You know what to do?”

“Yes,” said Harry

Harry looked at the map and using the stylus, he pointed at the interface where a set of numbers were shown. This must be the floors. He fiddled around and saw that the trophy room was at the seventh floor.

“Seventh floor” said Harry, folding the thin map and placing it in his pocket

“Let's go!” Hermione skipped passed Harry

The two walked out of the gardens. Harry looked behind him and saw the Rapticon Sr. and Ron, who were dressed in gardener suits following behind. Rapticon Sr. waved at Harry signaling him to go with Hermione.

Harry took the lead while Hermione followed behind him. They followed up the staircase passing by royal subjects who ignored them much to Harry's relief.

After a few steps, Harry and Hermione reached the seventh floor. Harry took a double step back and checked if Ron and Rapticon Sr. were there. Luckily, he saw Rapticon Sr. and Ron taking the sixth flight of stairs up. Rapticon Sr.'s unmistakable claws holding the railings told Harry that.

“Harry!” Hermione called

Harry followed Hermione. The castle was huge. It reminded him of Hogwarts. The place was just so familiar… he looked at the still portraits. Oh how happy he would be if he saw a moving portrait right now. The hallway was different from the ones below. The carpet was now dressed in royal purple with flagged stones as walls and a wooden frame around the lower parts of the wall. This must be where the throne is stationed.

“Where does that lead us?” Harry asked, pointing down a hallway Hermione didn't turn to

“The throne room” said Hermione “It's empty except for His Majesty and Scipio, his adviser… these days, the king doesn't want guards around anymore so the guards guard the possible entrance to this floor”

“I see” said Harry, he followed Hermione down the new corridor she went to “How long have you visited this castle?”

“Since I was - er - three? I think” Hermione said, stopping on her tracks “I haven't been here in ages!”

Harry remembered what the map showed him. The trophy room was just right at the end of this hallway.

“It's down here” said Harry

The two walked down the corridor. Harry examined the hallways formal decorations. Blue and gold drapes wreathed almost everything: the windows, the upper corners of the walls, hallway entrances and door frames.

“Blue and gold is considered the kingdom's national color” said Hermione, catching Harry's gaze

“Nice,” said Harry, remembering Ravenclaw.

“Right over here!” Hermione said as they reached a threshold “Here you go, Harry! The trophy room!”

Harry looked inside and his jaw dropped. The place was huge. Almost hundreds of glass shelves filled with statuettes, plaques, trophies and diplomas were lined up along the walls. Tables and chairs occupied the center and a chandelier hung above all of them.

“Wow…” said Harry

“Let me show you something” said Hermione, she grabbed him by the arm

Hermione dragged Harry to a shelf that had the words `Military' on it. Harry saw in amazement his name on a plaque. Rapticon Sr.'s and Ron's trophies were there too.

“They just made it this morning” said Hermione “My father told me the soldiers who served in Operation: Ibarra were to receive their plaques today at the afternoon. The palace will have their own copy of your plaque for record purposes”

Harry sighed at his plaque. He has achieved so much for the past week and now he is throwing all of that away by doing this. Is it too late to abort? Harry sat on the edge of the table behind him feeling an empty pit in his stomach forming.

“Are you okay, Harry?” Hermione looked at him

“Yes,” said Harry and looked at her “Hermione? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure” said Hermione sitting beside him

“Can I trust you?”

“What?” Hermione asked, looking perplexed

“Can I trust you with something I am about to tell?” Harry said it with more clear details.

“Well,” Hermione said looking unsure “I can't lie that I can't keep a secret… but are you sure? We just met, after all”

“Yes but I am having the same feeling you are” said Harry “The whole `You-feel-familiar' thing”

“Really?” Hermione looked at Harry in interest

“Yeah… for some reason, I can't help but trust you” said Harry, looking away from her “Just don't be too conclusive on what I am about to tell you, though”

“Of course, why would I be conclusive?” Hermione smirked

“You're not” said Harry “You're sweet, kind and understanding -“

“Just shut up, Harry” said Hermione, smiling “Shut up. You had me at `hello'”

“Wha -?” Harry said, feeling a bit affronted but confused

This time, Hermione didn't answer but the gruff, American voice of Rapticon Sr.

“Accula loves watching Academy award winning films and Hermione just said a line from a film that one such an award, it's a reference”

“Rapticon Sr.?” Hermione said in a surprised tone “This is a surprised! What are you doing here?”

“You should be asking Ronald too” Rapticon Sr. dragged Ron into the room

“Hello, Hermione” said Ron, sheepishly. Harry could tell Ron was reluctant to do this.

“What's going on Harry?” Hermione looked at Harry “Do they want to see their plaques too?”

“We got plaques?” Ron looked around the trophy room “Where?”

Harry and Hermione pointed at the shelf in front of them. Ron ran towards it excitedly and started examining the shelf.

“Wow! This is as big as my Special Services trophy back at Hogwarts!” Ron said

Harry saw Rapticon Sr. closed the door of the trophy room. What will they do to take Hermione?

“Um… Rapticon Sr.” Hermione said, standing up “That door needs to be open”

“Not now it isn't” Rapticon Sr. interjected “Hermione, is it okay if I ask you to sit down?”

“What in blazes?” Hermione looked at Rapticon Sr. “Harry?”

Harry didn't have the heart to reply. He just looked at Hermione apologetically.

“Harry won't spill?” said Rapticon Sr. “Fine. Ms. Granger -“

“Grangeré” Hermione corrected

“Yes, I know” said Rapticon Sr. “Now please, we need you to stay calm and sit down”

Hermione did nothing. She looked at Harry and Ron and sat down slowly.

“What is this about?” Hermione asked “You three are war heroes of the same battle yesterday so this must be about national security, right? Are you telling me something?”

“Kinda and yes, respectively.” said Rapticon Sr. “You see, Hermione. Our meeting last night was set up by fate. We were meant to find you”

“Find me?” Hermione looked at Rapticon Sr.

“It's a matter of what is real and what is not” Rapticon Sr. said “But let's cut it to the chase, for the past eleven-hours, we have orchestrated a plan to extract you from the castle.”

A long and uncomfortable pause took over the whole room. Hermione looked at Harry, Ron and then Rapticon Sr. She started to laugh.

“Is this some kind of joke? Are you telling me you are going to kidnap me?”

“Kidnap is a strong word. We would like to call it a go and get mission, Ms. Granger” said Rapticon Sr., using Hermione's real last name again

“Grangeré” Hermione corrected again but with a tone of impatience

“Anyway,” Rapticon Sr. continued without taking in the correction into consideration “We have hoped that we can access ourselves to you so we can ask for your consent -“

“Definitely not” said Hermione at once “Under what pretenses are you planning? Do you have an agenda that might threaten this kingdom?”

“No” said Rapticon Sr. “We are not interested in what happens to this land. What we - Ron, Harry and I - want is to bring you home with us”

Hermione looked at Harry in confusion.

“Harry, what is this about?”

Harry sighed. He shook his head and stood up.

“Hermione… I wish I can tell you now -“

“Why not?” Hermione said, her voice rising “Is this what you were about tell me awhile ago? That you are going to take me somewhere with my consent?”

“Let me finish!” Harry said “We will explain everything later but right now, we need you to trust us”

Hermione looked at Harry, helplessly.

“Look, you thought that you could trust me despite that we just met” Harry continued “Can you do that for me now?”

Hermione opened her mouth but closed it. She was at loss of words. Harry knew she had her hands tied at the moment. He could feel she couldn't trust him under these circumstances.

“Please?” Harry asked

Hermione looked at Harry.

“Harry,” said Hermione softly “Just tell me what do you want”

“We want you, Hermione” said Harry

“Why?” Hermione asked “What importance do I hold to you? And why do you still have to ask my permission?”

“This is not working” said Rapticon Sr. “I told you that a calm and formal approach is a bad idea”

“What other options do you have in plan?” Hermione asked, looking worried

“You don't want to know” said Rapticon Sr. “Just cooperate with us, we'll make sure you're safe and we'll explain on the way. We need to get out of this place”

“If I said `yes', would you leave the palace in an honest fashion?” Hermione asked

“Your father should never know” said Rapticon Sr.

“Why shouldn't he?!” Hermione said

“Hermione, calm down!” Ron said “We need you to come with us”

“Why?!” Hermione looked at Ron and Harry “Please, at least tell me! I don't want to get hurt!”

“We won't hurt you unless you don't cooperate!” Rapticon Sr. pointed out “You have my word, we are going to tell you everything you need to know which concerns your recent dreams of a school that resides in a damn castle!”

Hermione froze.

“How did you know about my dreams?”

“Olaf told us last night” said Rapticon Sr. “He said it's been wandering in your mind for weeks”

“I am still not convinced that I have to trust you” said Hermione firmly

“Fine,” said Rapticon Sr. shrugging “Either way, we will take you out of this palace and get out of this place”

“And how are you doing that?” Hermione asked “This place is heavily guarded”

“The throne room isn't” said Rapticon Sr. “We want you to go inside and search the place where the King's secret passage is”

“I can't do that!” said Hermione “Unless I know what you are going to do with me or why you want me, I will cooperate!”

“Harry, tell her a partial of what's going on” said Rapticon Sr.

Harry took a deep breath and looked at Hermione.

“Okay… er - we are going to take you to Skyld. A friend of Rapticon Sr. is there, his name is Accula”

“The archmage, I know” said Hermione “What do you want from him?”

“We need him to help us get out of here”

“Where? The palace?”

“No” said Harry, he paused and finally “Atrynömunal”

Hermione looked at Harry blankly.

“I don't get it” she said

“Hermione, it's hard to explain -“

“He means that this whole place is a fictional world and you are a real person living inside it” said Ron

“What?” Hermione spat

“Hermione.” Harry said “Just listen to us, please”

“You three must be crazy! Atrynömunal is not a fictional place! We are living in it right now!”

“We are aware of that” said Harry “But let's say you are reading a book about animals and then one time, you get sucked into the book and then poof! You are living among the animals that are inside the book”

“Are you telling me we are in a book?” Hermione asked giving Harry an unsure look

“YES! BINGO!” Rapticon Sr. said “Everything you see here, feel, smell, eat, kick, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera are just fictional plots made by my friend Accula! The reason why it feels real is because the magic Accula used to make this world is strong magic that I don't know crap about! There are five `real' beings in this world. You, me, Harry, Ron and Accula. Accula knows our way out and we need to find him. You are here and since you are Harry and Ron's best friend, we need you to come with us to find Accula so we can get out, got it?”

This speech made Hermione dumbstruck.

“You expect me to believe that?!” she said “What kind of author would write that story?!”

“One who has a computer and an internet connection” said Rapticon Sr. “Now give me an answer, will you cooperate with us or not?”

Hermione looked at Harry. Harry gave her a pleading look to say “Yes”.

“What's in it for you?” Hermione asked

“I am not a terrorist, Hermione” said Rapticon Sr. “We need to find a way out of here, we are taking along with you. We are aware that you won't come with us even with a little convincing but we need to take you”

“And what makes you think I will accept?” Hermione said

“Ron has planted fire-starters the palace walls and entrance hall where an approximate six or seven hundred body count will take place if the fire-starters would be ignited” said Rapticon Sr.

“You wouldn't” said Hermione

“Just cooperate, please” said Rapticon Sr. “All we need is that you go to the throne room and find the secret passage for us”

“Why me?”

“Because Scipio or the King wouldn't mind your face in that place” said Rapticon Sr.

“Then if I find it, how can you enter the passageway?”

“The King is like a potato these days, our problem is Scipio”

“You want to incapacitate him, right?” Hermione asked

“Yes” said Rapticon Sr. “When you leave, call his attention and either of us will knock him out. Afterwards, we escape”

Hermione glared at Rapticon Sr.

“If my father hears of this”

“No one will ever know of your disappearance until we are airborne. Yes, we have scheduled a flight out of here” said Rapticon Sr.

Hermione then shot a look at Harry.

“You knew about this?” she spat

“Yes” said Harry “I - I'm just trying to help you -“

“Help me?!” Hermione stood up “I am happy with what I have here and you are taking it all away from me! Under what reason? A cock-and-bull story, that's what!”

“Just do what you need to do” said Rapticon Sr. “We are sorry if we don't have any proof of our case but just trust us”

Hermione looked at Rapticon Sr. then to Ron and then to Harry.

“Fine,” she said “At least now, I will see how your word is worth”

“Excellent” muttered Rapticon Sr.

“I am doing this for the lives you are threatening” said Hermione

“We are not threatening anyone” said Ron “We just need you to at least believe us. Blimey Hermione, don't you remember who we are? Your best friends?”

Hermione's frowned disappeared. Harry knew she had familiarity with him. Did she just have some familiarity with Ron?

“Well?” Ron asked

Hermione didn't answer. She just turned to Rapticon Sr.

“Just walk up to the throne room and locate the secret passageway” said Rapticon Sr.

“Don't worry, I know where it is” said Hermione “I need to refresh my memory on where exactly. The architecture of the Majestic Hall is repetitive”

“Understood” said Rapticon Sr. “We will be behind you if something happens”

“Like what?” Hermione looked at Rapticon Sr. quizzically

“I don't trust Scipio” said Rapticon Sr. “During the party, Olaf introduced me to him and the only thing he's been staring at was you the whole time”

“He was?” Hermione's eyes widened

“And the last thing I want is someone jeopardizing your safety” said Rapticon Sr. “Be careful”

Hermione nodded. Harry deducted Hermione must've took note of Rapticon Sr.'s concern.

“Let's do this” said Hermione

“Good” Rapticon Sr. said

The four left the trophy room. Hermione lead the way up the corridor and down the other which lead to the Throne Room or the Majestic Hall.

“We will wait here” said Rapticon Sr., hiding behind another corridor with Ron and Harry “Look, the top priority is your safety, okay? So if there's something wrong, scream”

“I thought you want to get out of here?” Hermione asked, suspicious of Rapticon Sr.'s sudden change of persona

“Let's assume that I realize one of us cares a lot about you” he stared at Harry and Ron

Hermione didn't answer. She just nodded and continued down the hall.

“What do you have against, Scipio?” Ron asked

“Apart from being a pedophilic numb nut? Nothing” said Rapticon Sr.

Hermione walked down the corridor as she was told. She wished she could just run and report the guards. But what if Rapticon Sr. was right? What if she was living in a fictional word? It's hard to believe but he seems to know something about her dreams of the castle school… or is he just fooling her into doing things?

Hermione was about to enter the tall double doors when she saw Scipio exit the Majestic Hall. She stopped on her tracks as she saw him running towards were with quick pace. He seemed too occupied with something to notice her that he stopped before he could bump into Hermione.

“Scipio?” Hermione said, staring into his sweating forehead

“Oh, Miss Grangeré! H-h-how do you d-do?” he said with a shaky laugh

“I was just on my way to Majestic Hall to meet His Majesty about some issues” said Hermione slowly, observing Scipio

“Why, why, why?” he said with a stutter. Hermione noticed he was shivering “His Majesty is resting”

“Is that blood?” Hermione covered her mouth, pointing to Scipio's robes

“Oh th-this?” he said with a nervous chuckle “I - I kind of spilled my red wine, very clumsy of me, really”

“You don't smell of red wine” said Hermione, sniffing the air “Is there something you are hiding, Scipio?”

Meanwhile, Rapticon Sr. watched the scene unfolding before him. Harry peeked from below Rapticon Sr.

“I don't like this at all” said Harry

“Me too” said Ron

“Something's wrong” said Rapticon Sr. “Scipio is hiding something”

Harry saw Scipio giving Hermione a piercing stare… it looked haunting. Hermione then took a step forward but Scipio side-stepped in front of her shaking his head.

“What is going on?” Hermione's voice said loudly

“N-n-nothing!” he said “The King needs his rest! He can't be d-d-disturbed!”

“Then why can't I check it out?” Hermione asked sternly “There's nothing to hide, right?”

Scipio froze and looked to his left and right.

“He's hiding something, I'm going in” said Rapticon Sr. “I think we just ran into something big here”

“Wait!” Harry said “What if he tries to hurt Hermione on your approach?”

“He won't” said Rapticon Sr.

Harry looked back at Hermione but saw a Scipio grabbed Hermione from her neck, gagged her and carried her off towards the throne room. Something is definitely wrong.

“Dammit!” Rapticon Sr. said as he jumped out of his hiding place “Scipio!”

“Don't move!” yelled Scipio, drawing out a long bloody dagger from its sheath and placing the blade across Hermione's neck “Or the girl gets it!”

“NO!” Harry and Ron yelled

“Don't play games with me, Scipio” Rapticon Sr. drew out his hammer from his coat

“Don't underestimate me, Dimitri” said Scipio, taking a step backwards towards the door of the throne room “You don't want this girl to die, do you?”

“No I don't but killing her won't help you. The moment you slit her throat, we will catch you and then you know what we will do next? We will report her father and he will eat you alive. Hermione's soul can rest in peace” said Rapticon Sr.

Harry saw the words of Rapticon Sr. affected Scipio. His eyes were wide as ever and he was shaking from head to toe.

“You're shaking” said Rapticon Sr. “Are you frightened?”

“DON'T TELL ME WHAT I AM FEELING!” he yelled

Then in an instant, he withdrew his dagger and quickly dragged Hermione into the throne room.

“Quick!” Harry said

The three ran towards the double doors and pushed it open. A horrific site met their eyes.

Sitting on his throne, King Bedeviere head was lying backwards showing a deep cut across his throat. His eyes showed that of horror and fear.

“Oh my Merlin” Ron said in a dead whisper “The King is…”

“Dead” said Harry in shock

“Is that what you were hiding?” Rapticon Sr. glared at Scipio who had Hermione within his grasp.

“Hahahaha, you four are very curious ones, eh?” he started making hysterical laughs

“I - I can't believe you killed him!!” Hermione screamed, as she tried to struggle

“No, no, no, no” said the drawling voice of Scipio as he drew out his dagger again, threatening Hermione once more

“Don't you dare touch her!” Harry yelled

“Too bad, I just did” said Scipio feeling more confident now “She's quite a catch, don't you say”

Harry looked in hatred as he saw her sniff her neck.

“I have always fancied the daughter of Sir Jacques” said Scipio

“You don't say?” said Rapticon Sr. in sarcasm “If you try something funny, Scipio -“

“I have the dagger and you have a hammer” said Scipio, giving them a mocking look “Any funny business from the three of you and I will be forced to kill her!”

Then he looked at Hermione with a very drawing look.

“But then again, it would be a pity to kill such an… angel” he licked his lips

A beast within Harry roared like a fierce lion as Scipio started fondling Hermione's bottom. Hermione started whimpering trying to struggle from Scipio's dagger and exploring hand.

“STOP IT! STOP IT!” Harry yelled

“Oh, you hate it, don't you?” Scipio mocked him “Wished that you were in my shoes right now?”

“Shut up!” Ron said “Pretty soon, the guards will come up here and catch you!”

“And what next? Arrest me? No, no, no, no” said Scipio, now with utmost confidence “What I've done is just a small piece of what's coming next!”

He then started to sniff Hermione's hair… Harry saw Rapticon Sr. wince with his fist shaking. Harry's hear nearly escaped his insides as he saw Scipio attempting to touch Hermione's chest…

“If you know what's best for you, Scipio” said Rapticon Sr., interrupting “I suggest you know who you're up against”

Then Scipio stopped his actions and gave Rapticon Sr. a questioning look. Harry noticed his hold on the dagger on Hermione's neck lowering.

“Then who would that might be?”

“This” said Rapticon Sr. “Hermione!”

Harry saw Hermione push the arm of Scipio away from her and ducked as Rapticon Sr. threw a throwing knife to Scipio's shoulder. Scipio yelped in pain as Hermione crawled to Harry.

“Hermione, are you alright?”

“Y-y-yes…” said Hermione, looking shaken “I can't believe he touched me…” she was already breaking in tears

“You're fine” said Harry “Don't worry”

Then with all the feelings in him, he opened his arms and hugged Hermione in a tight embrace. She hugged him back, shaking.

Scipio fell to his knees as he breathed deeply. He saw as his blood oozed out of his shoulder. Rapticon Sr. walked towards Scipio and stepped on him giving him a glare.

“I wouldn't make a move if I were you” said Ron, walking towards Scipio and summoning his lance from thin air

Rapticon Sr. pulled the dagger from Scipio's shoulder giving him a yelp of pain.

“You… will… pay!!” said Scipio “You have no idea who I am working for!”

“Let me guess, the Natsi Anarchy?” Rapticon Sr. asked in a mocking voice “Make me laugh”

Scipio, wincing in the pain, looked indifferent. Rapticon Sr. looked at Scipio suspiciously.

“Is that a look of a liar?” Rapticon Sr. said

Harry and Hermione broke from their hug and looked on as Rapticon Sr. walked towards Scipio. He stepped on Scipio's wound making him cry in pain.

“Are you hiding something from us?” he asked

Scipio started making wails which echoed the Majestic Hall.

“Don't make me step harder” said Rapticon Sr. “Why did you kill King Bedeviere?”

Scipio said nothing but only continued his wailing.

“The pain will only stop unless you tell me; WHY DID YOU KILL THE KING?!” Rapticon Sr. yelled

Scipio then coughed and started speaking.

“I - I was ordered!” he said weakly

“By who?” Rapticon Sr.

“Someone in the palace -“

“WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR?!?” Rapticon Sr. yelled, stepping on the wound of Scipio with full force.

“AAAHHHH!!!!” yelled Scipio

“STOP IT!!” Hermione cried “PLEASE!”

Rapticon Sr. released his foot and looked at Hermione who was teary eyed in Harry's arms. He sighed in relief just seeing that image of Hermione in the care of her best friend… it made Rapticon Sr. happy.

“When are you going to kill me?” asked Scipio helplessly

“Who said we are going to kill you?” Rapticon Sr. asked “Obviously, something is going on here and I don't like it. You killed the king so that makes your agenda somewhat greater than any of us here in this room”

“Yes” said Scipio weakly

“Then tell me, who ordered you to kill the King?”

Scipio then winced and said

“S - S - S”

“Who?!”

“Severus Snape!”

The name echoed around the halls. There was pure silence.

“Snape!?” Harry, Rapticon Sr. and Ron said in unison

“Are you referring to Sir Severus Snape of the Royal Council?” Hermione said in shock

“Y-yes” said Scipio breathing heavily “He ordered me to kill the king and -“ he coughed “Anyone who gets in my way”

“Mainly, us” said Rapticon Sr. nodding

“And why did you kill the king?” Hermione asked “WHY?!”

“Because he needed to do so” said a familiar voice from behind them

Harry, Ron, Rapticon Sr. and Hermione turned around to see the familiar face of Severus Snape glaring at them. Harry saw that F.F.O. hasn't change Snape's features but his clothes were new. He wore a black mage robe and a cape and had a belt around his waste equipped with pouches and two potions.

“Severus Snape?” Rapticon Sr. said in bewilderment

“Sir Severus Snape” said Snape

Harry couldn't help it. The fact that Snape is responsible of the death of a king is almost ironic! He almost forgot that people the readers knew in real life might make appearances in this world and Snape was one of them…

“I don't believe this…” said Hermione “You are part of the Council! A respected member!”

“Miss Grangeré, if you know what is best for you then I suggest you be quiet” said Snape

“What in Merlin's name are you doing here?” Ron spat

“Ron,” said Rapticon Sr., taking a step forward to Ron “That's not Snape, remember that”

“I am here” said Snape walking towards them with his hands behind his back “because I have found something quite interesting within my crystals”

“Crystals?” Harry looked at Hermione

“Sir Severus Snape is a Crystal Master. Crystals are elements that hold strong magic” said Hermione quietly

“You see,” said Snape, stopping on his tracks and turning to Harry and company “my superiors are asking me to do a task of great importance! A task that, if accomplish, will bring back the planet glory days back to speed”

“What are you planning to do?!” Hermione yelled all of a sudden “You killed King Bedeviere!”

“He had to go, he was a nuisance in the plan” said Snape enigmatically, surveying the king's dead body on the throne “Pity, he was a humble but hobble man”

“You are no better” said Hermione, standing up

“Tsk, tsk, tsk” said Snape, giving his famous sneer to Hermione “Hermione -“

“That's Miss Grangeré” Hermione seethed

“Miss Grangeré” said Snape, nodding “A few hours ago, I have checked the crystals… and one of them showed me something amusing which clarifies my hypotheses in the past months”

Harry turned to Hermione. She looked shaken…

“You are aware that I experiment with crystals” Snape pressed on “and crystals can do anything you see fit. It can give you abilities, produce remedies for sickness, store magic, and the like”

Snape took a step forward towards Hermione but didn't walk any further.

“But…” he grinned “You also know that it can store painful memories”

Harry heard Hermione gulp. What was she hiding?

“What's going on?” Harry looked at Hermione and Snape

“You'll see” said Snape, he reached for his robe pocket and took out a large crystal cube attached to a silver chain. It looked really old.

“This is a memoir” Snape raised it so everyone could see “of a moment in Miss Grangeré's life”

“Please… Sir Severus” Hermione said in a pleading tone

“Ah,” he looked at her with malice “Is that the sound of a weeping child asking for something?”

Harry saw Hermione's face. She looked horrorstruck and teary eyed. He never saw her like this before.

“I thought so” said Snape “I am guessing that you know what's in this, correct?”

“How did you get that?” Hermione said quickly

“A contact sent it to me,” said Snape “He was snooping around your room at your estate”

Hermione didn't say a thing. She just looked at Snape with a piercing look. Harry didn't know what he wanted… to stop Snape from revealing whatever he is about to reveal or to let him go on with it.

“Anyway,” Snape continued “I checked the contents and I can see that the one I have been looking for is just right under my very nose”

This time, Hermione shouted.

“DON'T YOU DARE THREATEN ME!!”

“Threaten you?” Snape laughed “How in the Sentinels' name am I threatening you?”

“You are threatening me of my personal life, that's what!” she exclaimed “Look, maybe we can work this out - !”

“Work this out?” Snape said “Miss Grangeré, you seem to miss the point here! What I want is you”

“And why is that?” Harry said, stepping into the fray. He can't take this anymore.

“And you are?”

“Harry Potter” said Harry. It felt weird introducing himself to a man he loathed so much for years “I am a friend of Hermione”

“Miss Grangeré has history of being with a lot of boys” mocked Snape “I doubt she told you?”

“Told me what?” Harry asked looking at Hermione

“I see, just like everyone, she never tells” said Snape “Isn't that right, Hermione?”

Hermione glared at Snape.

“Even if you reveal it to them, I will never, ever accept! My mother died because of me!” she yelled with tears falling down from her eyes

“Because of what?” Ron said looking confused beyond reason

Snape then raised his voice to a near shout.

“Because the girl you are looking at right now is hiding a secret that has been haunting her for the past decade!”

“PLEASE!” Hermione cried

Snape ignored her and continued

“She was bright!” Snape said, now sounding direct and strict pointing at her while he paced the floor “She was smart enough to hide it from the millions! How could I be so blind whenever I visited the estate that you were a strange little girl?

“But yes, you were strange but special. I never brooded on it but I always wondered until my masters told me about your kind being alive in the palace!”

“Your kind?” Rapticon Sr. gave Hermione a quizzical look

“But ever since my courier gave me this crystal,” Snape cradled the crystal in his hands “It has answered every damn question that I've been asking for! I never knew that the General's daughter was the one I am looking for. Under my very nose, like I said”

Then Snape's eyes looked at the crystal with longing.

“Miss Grangeré's mother didn't die because of her political connections but because of a hidden secret she's been hiding for decades”

Then Hermione let out a lunge towards Snape but Rapticon Sr. was able to grab her in time before she could do any damage.

“Let me go!”

“Snape might hurt you!” Rapticon Sr. said restraining her

“Physically and emotionally to be precise” said Snape “But this time, I will do this emotionally”

Then Snape lifted the crystal as it levitated at midair. The crystal started giving out a faint blue glow…

The whole room magically turned dim as the crystal flashed a projected light above the ceiling. Harry looked in awe as flashes of images emitted everywhere.

A crying girl, a woman screaming as if she was in excruciating pain, demonic-looking figures, the crying girl, the screaming woman, a dragon and more screaming… crying…

Then a voice echoed the Majestic Hall in full volume.

“Mother” said the young little girl, as the disturbing images continued flashing

Harry couldn't see a scene but he could hear it clearly

“Honey, honey” said a voice of an obvious older woman “What did I tell you? You keep quiet!”

Then the sound of loud banging could be heard among the flashing images.

“Oh no… quick, Hermione! I don't want to give you up”

Harry heard running footsteps and lots of stuff falling. It felt like a struggle.

“Mother,” the voice of the little girl whimpered “Are we going to be alright?”

“Yes, darling” said the voice of the mother “We are going to be alright… just close your eyes and - “

BASH!!

Harry nearly jumped as he heard the more running footsteps and lots of grazing. He wished the crystal produced a clear view of the situation.

“You stay here, darling” said the mother as sounds of moving objects could be heard “Promise mommy that you'll never move, okay?”

“Where are you going?” the little girl said giving out a sniff

“I am going to get help just - “

BSH!!

Then Harry heard the sound of lots of footsteps entering. This told him that new arrivals have breached their hiding place… wherever it is.

“What are you hiding?” said a deep voice

“No, no, no… please…” Hermione said

Harry saw Hermione covering her ears making silent sobs.

“Nothing” said the defiant voice of the mother “What is it that you want?”

“Tell us where the girl is” said another voice but this time, this voice had a Cockney accent

“What girl?”

The sound of a slap could be heard as the mother's voice gasped. Laughs that made the hair on the back of Harry's head stand up. He then heard sounds of punching, kicking and beating, the cries of the little girl could be heard.

“She probably knows nothing about the Summoner” said a drawling voice

“Expendable.” said one of them “The girl is not here, then”

“Right, let's get rid of her”

Sounds of dragging, a door closing shut, objects being moved and tiny footsteps could be heard. The breathing of the little girl became heavy as the sound of distant woman's scream and laughing echoed the hall.

Then with a slight pause, Harry nearly jumped as a high-pitched scream and wave of flames met his ears. The cries of pain, agony and suffering echoed the halls. It was haunting.

“MOMMY!!” yelled the little girl

“That's enough!” Rapticon Sr. shouted

Snape grabbed the crystal making the place normally lit again.

“Yes, I think we have seen enough” said Snape, eyeing at Hermione who was now crying “And if you are wondering then I will answer: Yes. What you see here in this memory is proof that Hermione Grangeré is in fact one of the few people in this world that can summon the almighty Sentinels of this planet!”

“Hermione?” Harry gasped “A S-Summoner?!”

“You heard me” drawled Snape “Hermione Jane Grangeré, daughter of General Jacques Wilton Grangeré is in fact the last known living Summoner in this land! There have been whispers of a Summoner within the palace ranks and who would've thought that it was her?

“But I wonder…” Snape rubbed his chin thoughtfully “Why does she resent her gift?”

Hermione stopped her crying. She looked up at Snape with her bloodshot eyes and said

“I resent everything of who I am…” she said, her voice shaking with anger “My mother died because she knew what I can do. She loved me for who I was and the people who looked for me tried to kill me but my mother got killed instead!”

She stood up and looked at Snape with daggers.

“I want no involvement with anything that implicates me as a Summoner” said Hermione, her voice very steady “I hate it and I don't want it. When the people chased me down were arrested and killed by the kingdom, I was able to live again. I began to forget on who I was and I promised that if it came crawling back to me, I will do anything to get away from it”

Harry stared at Hermione. As much as F.F.O. was fictional, Hermione's backstory is such a deep and painful one. He empathize her feelings, remembering what it was like when he heard the prophecy at Dumbledore's office back at his fifth year.

“And if you try to force me to use my damn powers,” Hermione's voice was rising as she breathed deeper “Then you have to -“

“Get through me” said Harry, stepping in front of Hermione drawing his sword out of thin air

“Harry?” Hermione said in surprise

“And me” said Ron, drawing his lance

“Three heads are more than one” said Rapticon Sr. jokingly as he stood next to Ron and Harry with his hammer at ready

Snape looked at the three of them. He shook his head.

“You don't know who you are toying with, Mister Potter” said Snape “You are forgetting that I am one of most prominent black mages in the kingdom. Why else would they appoint me Council member?”

“I don't care who you are” said Harry angrily “We won't let you take Hermione”

“Then so be it” said Snape “But I will do anything to ensure that the plans of my superiors are carried out. And I won't be reluctant to take out the ones who stay in my way!”

Harry, Ron and Rapticon Sr. jumped to battle positions as Snape raised his arms to air. The fire that emitted from his hands grew the size of Quaffles.

“Hermione, get out of here!” Ron called to Hermione

“No!” Hermione said, walking towards the side of Harry “He killed a dear friend of mine, I can't just walk away”

“Can you fight?” Rapticon Sr. asked

Cue to this, Hermione drew out a short rod which she held by the middle. It looked metallic and didn't look like anything for combat.

“Is that a - ?”

“Just watch” said Hermione

Hermione pressed something on the handle making the rod elongate on its two sides making it a long rod. Hermione held it by the center and went to battle stance.

“I know my own magic. My father wouldn't let me live the world without knowing how to defend myself, would he?”

“Be careful” said Harry

“Let's get this over with!” yelled Snape

Snape threw the balls of flames towards Harry hitting him square on the chest. Harry flew backwards to the ground feeling the hot pain rising.

“Harry!” Hermione ran to him “Are you okay?”

“I am fine” said Harry “Us warriors are trained to hold our resistance to magic” he added weakly

Harry stood up and went to battle stance. Hermione followed suit.

“Be careful, he knows the next level of black magic” said Hermione

“We will” Rapticon Sr. said “It's over!”

The raptor sprinted towards the black mage and snapped a hammer blow on the black mage. Snape took the damage as Rapticon Sr. jumped back to battle position.

“Your mortal weapons are nothing against my magic” said Snape confidently

“Harry! Ron!” Rapticon Sr. called the two

Harry and Ron ran to Snape and attacked him but Snape was too quick. He took a step backwards and lunge a scatter shot of icicles towards them barely hitting Ron.

“Ah!” Ron winced as he dropped back

“Ron” Harry said

“Harry watch out!” Ron said pointing behind Harry

Harry looked back and saw Snape's palms electrifying.

Thundara?

Harry dodge rolled the bolt of lighting like what he did with the Behemoth back at Ibarra.

“Too fast!” said Rapticon Sr. running to Snape.

Rapticon Sr. raised his hammer and nearly slammed Snape down the floor but Snape was too quick. F.F.O. must've made Snape a faster fighter.

“Ron,” Hermione went to Ron “Here, this will help”

Ron looked up as Hermione held her hands in a praying position and in an instant; she made a white glow around him making him feel a lot better.

“Thanks” Ron said, standing up “Cure?”

“Not really” said Hermione, she looked behind Ron “LOOK OUT!”

Ron saw Snape hurl dark orbs towards them and with the quick Dragoon instincts, Ron grabbed Hermione and put him and her from harms way.

“That was close” said Ron “Harry!”

“I am here!” Harry jumped to Snape and started slashing away but Snape's nimbleness got the better of Harry.

“Argh, he's too fast!” Harry groaned as he went back down the ground

“Of course, Potter” said Snape, building a fireball with his hand “I am the best of the best”

“No!” Rapticon Sr., Ron and Harry yelled as the three jumped at the same time and aimed their attacks towards Snape.

BAM!

In a successful attempt, the sword, lance and hammer took damaged blows to Snape making him yelp him pain as he fell backwards. The expected damage from a sword wasn't visible on Snape's body. Harry thought Snape had the same weapon resistance training as he had.

“Got more up your sleeve, Snape?” Rapticon Sr. sneered

“AH!” Snape yelled as he stood up in quick fashion “I can't let you stop me from doing my mission. FLARE!”

Hermione screamed as a ball of purple, red, yellow and orange started forming in the center of the room. The ball began to grow larger as fire started emitting in the growing orb. Harry, Ron and Rapticon Sr. froze at the sight and then…

- - -

BOOM!!!

Yumi jumped from her nap. She got out of the cart's mantle and saw Moco at the end of the alley, looking up.

“What's going on, Moco?” asked Yumi in a shaken voice

“Oh no,” said Moco “Oh no, oh no, oh no”

Yumi jumped out of the cart and ran to Moco's position.

The sight made her jaw drop. Up at the castle, smoke began to build up from the explosion that was made on the King's Majestic Hall. The wide window that was known throughout the capital was nowhere to be found.

“Oh my gosh, they didn't…” said Yumi “What are the chances that the king was in there?”

“I don't think he was… Harry wouldn't do anything that rash, kupo” Moco said “But I hope they are alright”

Yumi surveyed the crowd. Everyone was looking and pointing at the smoke. People started talking in panicked voices about some rebellion or a possible assassination attempt on the King.

“Moco, there's something wrong” said Yumi “We have to go in”

“NO!” said Moco “We have to wait for them, kupo! It might jeopardize everything, kupo!”

“But Harry is in there!” Yumi said “And Rapticon Sr. and Ron and who knows, Hermione Grangeré!”

“I can't say I know what's going on there, kupo” said Moco “But there is nothing we can do! We are far away from the entrance!”

Yumi looked at the palace hopelessly. She wished she could do something…

“Yumi, listen to me, kupo!” said Moco, flying to Yumi's face and holding her cheeks with his two hands “Harry will be okay! I know you like him but just wait for results! We can't do anything right now but wait for them to come out, kupo!”

Yumi looked at Moco and nodded.

“Good,” said Moco looking at the palace, lots of airships were approaching on the spot now. Those must be the airships that were equipped with water cannons that can extinguish fires in fast speed.

“Harry…” Yumi muttered

- - -

“Son of a bitch!” swore Rapticon Sr. as he coughed dust and rocks out of his mouth, he tried to stand up but had difficulty thanks to the gash on his leg

“Harry?!” Rapticon Sr. called towards the dust

“I am over here!” Harry's voice called “Is Hermione with you?”

“She's over here” said Ron, who appeared by Rapticon Sr.'s side “She's fine”

“Where's the King's body?” Hermione asked, coughing up dust

“Over here” called Harry from afar “There's a big hole over here and airships are shooting water at the fire… I can't make any of it! But the king is still on his throne!”

“Where's Snape?!” Ron yelled

“I don't see him” said Rapticon Sr. looking around the dust “Dammit, he must've escaped!”

“What do we do now?” Hermione said loudly

“We need to warn the Council about Snape” said Rapticon Sr. “I know the original plan is that we should get you out of here but this situation is ass huge.”

“Harry?” Hermione called “Harry?”

“I right here” said Harry, walking to them

“Oh, Harry” Hermione said, hugging him

Harry was surprised about this gesture but he couldn't help it. He patted her back slowly.

“Enough with the mush” said Rapticon Sr. “We need to get out of here”

The party ran for the entrance door. Rapticon Sr. was about to kick it open when the door burst open with the Royal Guard of the castle entered followed by Diana Glacius and the Royal Council and to the group's horror, Snape.

“There they are, Miss Glacius!” Snape pointed to Harry and the company “The people who killed the King!”

“Killed the king?!” exclaimed the tall man, Norman Quagmire “His Majesty is dead?!”

“I saw Harry Potter do it!” Snape accused “I peeked into the room and saw him cast the deadly spell, Flare into the king's face! I think he slashed him on the throat!”

“Whoa, whoa, wait!” Rapticon Sr. interjected “We didn't do anything!”

“Then explain your presence here!” Diana ordered

Harry was silent. He couldn't believe what had just happened. They are being accused of killing King Bedeviere by Snape.

“I can explain that” said Snape “As you can see, they have Hermione Grangeré under their custody, I overheard the Dragoon using her as ransom”

“THAT'S NOT TRUE!!” Hermione yelled “Snape is a mole, Uncle! Snape is the one who orchestrated the murder of the king with the help of Scipio!”

“That's preposterous!” said Relo Perkins “Sir Severus Snape is an honorary member of the Council for almost a decade! How dare you make such accusations, Miss Grangeré”

“It's the truth!” Hermione shouted “I heard him with my own ears that he planned the whole thing with his superiors!”

“Severus?” Vector Alonzo turned to Snape “Any say on this?”

“Simple. She's confounded under the spell of Rapticon Sr. Raptor” said Snape in a confident manner

“I am not confounded!” Hermione yelled

“Why are you kidnapping the General's daughter?!” said a trooper “We saw two of the royal gardeners knocked out in an alley near the castle walls”

Rapticon Sr. slapped his forehead.

“We had to get into the castle” said Rapticon Sr.

“But why in such a rash manner?” asked Diana “What is your agenda?”

“We have no agenda!” Harry shouted “We didn't kill the king! Why else would we be here? Wouldn't a professional leave the scene before the authorities appear?”

“The boy is right” said Quentin Vernett, the oldest man in the Council “We can't jump to any conclusions!”

“But I saw them!” said Snape at once “Potter here slit the king's throat and performed the spell! Under what pretenses? I don't know, why don't you ask him?”

“It is clear that we cannot make a decision here,” said Olaf “My niece is still safe but we can't let the usual suspects get away before we let them stand trial”

“We can't stand trial” muttered Rapticon Sr. to Harry “Snape will do anything to let us go to jail”

“Miss Glacius!” called a bangaa Royal Guard from afar “It's Scipio!”

Everyone scrambled to the scene and saw Scipio coughing up blood. Harry grimaced when he saw one of the shields' edge pierce through his stomach.

“Scipio!” Glacius gasped as she knelt before him “What happened!?”

“I… I - I - I…” Scipio stuttered

“Get us a white mage in here!” yelled Norman Quagmire from behind

“Shhh…” said Diana “just stay calm… we need you to ask you a question”

Scipio slowly looked at Diana and nodded.

“Good” said Diana “Now answer me…”

“He's going to screw us” said Rapticon Sr. to Harry and Ron “We need to get out of here now”

Rapticon Sr. walked to Hermione.

“Where's the secret passage?”

Hermione looked at Rapticon Sr. for a moment and with a nod, she pointed toward a wall at the other side of the room.

“Press the brick that looks unnaturally white” said Hermione

Harry surveyed Diana as she looked at Scipio.

“Now tell me, Scipio” said Diana “You were here the whole time, right?”

“Y-y-yes, ma'am” he said weakly

“Then you must be here when this happened, am I correct?”

Scipio nodded as blood started oozing out from his mouth than ever.

“Then I ask you… who did this? Severus said that he saw Harry Potter slit the throat of the king! Is this true?”

Then with all anticipation in everyone's minds in the room, Scipio opened his mouth and said.

“Severus Snape… is always correct”

And with one last breath, Scipio lay dead on the ground.

“Oh my…” Relo gasped

Diana stood up and looked at Snape.

“I am sorry for judging you, Severus” said Diana with a strict tone

“No apologies needed, Miss Glacius” Snape bowed “But we need to take care of the perpetrators, first”

“Right,” Diana nodded

The few moments felt awkward… Diana and Snape just stood there as if waiting for something to happen.

“What now?” Snape asked

“Where's Hermione?” Diana asked

“What?” Snape looked around

During the questioning of Scipio, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Rapticon Sr. with Hermione Grangeré must've escaped under their nose… but how?

“Guards, search the area!” ordered Diana “We just got confirmation that Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Rapticon Sr. Raptor killed the king and has kidnapped Hermione Grangeré!”

“Where could they be?!” Olaf roared in anger “I trusted Potter! I can't believe it!”

While everyone moved about the destroyed Majestic Hall. Snape was in deep thought… how did they escape?

He looked around the rubble and with one quick glance, he saw a knocked out guard between two large rocks… good enough to go around undetected.

Snape looked beyond and saw the wall where the King's Secret Passageway usually stays.

“Diana!” Snape called

“What is it?” Diana went to Snape

“The criminals took the King's secret passageway” said Snape, shaking his head.

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