The Black Star

scottsman

Rating: PG
Genres: Action & Adventure
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 4
Published: 09/08/2004
Last Updated: 07/11/2004
Status: in_progress

AU\ Hermione is a police detective in a big city. when a mysterious discovery is made and mysterious "raven-haired" stranger shows up she is thrust into the ultimate battle of good and evil

Chapters

1. It Begins

2. Dark star rising

3. The Blood Moon

4. Truth

5. Shadows

1. It Begins

The Black Star

Chapter 1: It Begins

Detective Hermione Granger sighed as she took another folder off the stack of folders that stood on her desk. Police work is one percent footwork and ninety-nine percent paperwork.

Hermione was a very pretty twenty year-old and the youngest detective on the force. She had cinnamon brown eyes and bushy brown hair. And she stood five feet five inches tall which was about as tall as the stack of paperwork she was trying to get through.

“GRANGER!!!” thundered Captain Hillsdale loud enough to shake the rafters, “My office now!” Hermione jumped up and practically ran into the Captain's office. Captain Hillsdale was a fatherly looking gentleman that could blow the roof of with a single shout. He had brown hair with traces of grey in the sideburns.

As soon as Hermione entered the office Hillsdale stopped pacing behind his desk and handed her a file that had been lying on his desk.

“Granger,” he said, “as you've probably already heard, some archaeologists have uncovered a crypt in the Scottish countryside that they believe is at least two thousand years-old. They're bringing the artifacts to the Bartough Museum I want you work the security detail for these artifacts nothing must happen to them they are priceless, oh and take Ferris with you!”

Hermione groaned internally the last thing she wanted was to have to baby-sit Will Ferris the biggest bungler on the police force. Everyone at the precinct knew that he wouldn't even have a badge if his uncle wasn't a big muckety-muck at the capital that had pulled some strings.

MEANWHILE IN A HIDDEN REALM….

A handsome young man of about twenty years old stood on the edge of a mystic abyss he had raven-black hair and emerald green eyes but the most noticeable thing about his face was a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Above his outstretched hand there hovered a sphere of shimmering black light. Quickly he dropped the sphere into the abyss and said,

“EN SEALIOUS ETERNACUS!!” Instantly the sphere was sealed in the abyss which closed behind the young man as he turned around. Instantly the boy found himself in an ancient stone hallway. The young man turned at casually walked down the hallway, around the corner, down a spiral stone staircase and into a very austere looking office

“Working hard, Harry?” said a voice behind him. Harry wheeled around and broke into a wide grin as he came face to face with a red-haired young man who stood about two inches taller the he did.

“Ron,” said Harry giving him a manly hug, “what brings you down to the field office?” Harry was an Omni level Auror (top level) and Ron worked in the Assignments office.

“I just though I'd stop by and see you since I had to come down here and deliver some papers to Dumbledore.” Replied Ron with a smile. Harry sat down at his desk and Ron took a chair. They were just about to start reminiscing when a parchment appeared on Harry's desk. Harry picked it up and looked over it.

“Uh oh,” he said

“What is it?” said Ron straightening up is his chair.

“It seems that that the Muggles have found Gryffindor chest.” Said Harry, “They removed it from the ancient Crypt and took it to the Bartough museum.” At this news Ron let his fist slam down on the arm of the chair.

“I told our archaeology department when they located the crypt last year that leaving that chest in the muggle world was a bad idea,” said Ron angrily, “The chest contains the Scroll of the ancient ones. It contains the key to releasing and controlling the creatures locked in mystical holding areas like the abyss!” no sooner had Ron said this than the crystal ball on Harry's desk began to glow blood red. Ron and Harry rose from there seats.

“Does that mean what I think I means?” said Ron his face turning pale. In the next instant he and Harry teleported to a desolate area of their realm called Lands-end in the middle of which was a huge dark stone tower. Racing up the stairs they found shackles dangling lose and a hole blown in the back wall.

“Oh no,” said Ron, “Koval the Black star wizard has escaped!”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Three nights later…at the Bartough museum…

Harry stood outside the Bartough Museum. He had made a beeline to it after learning that Koval had escaped.

“Yeah,” he said to himself, “That chest is exactly what Koval will come after as soon as he finds out about it. That is if I don't get it first.” Instantly Harry teleported himself inside the museum. Working his way through the exhibits he finally came to the Scottish crypt exhibit. He waved his hand and the inferred beams went off. Once the security system was disabled he walked up to the chest.

The chest was cedar with gold trim and a Griffin's head latch.

“This is too easy.” He said. No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he heard a gun cocked behind him.

“FREEZE,” snapped a feminine voice behind him.

“Me and my big mouth,” muttered Harry

“Put the chest down!” she snapped.

Harry put the chest back on the pedestal raised his hands and turned around slowly. He found himself face to face with a pretty bushy-brown-haired Lady detective. Harry flashed a million dollar smile.

“Save the charm, Lover-boy,” she snarled, “Ferris cuff him.” Detective Ferris stepped around behind Harry and there was some clicking as Harry stood there with his hands behind his back. Suddenly Harry crinkled his brow and held up both of his hands which were still completely free. Harry turned around to see that Ferris hand handcuffed himself to the hand rail.

“Idiot,” muttered Hermione as she cuffed Harry herself.

“Well,” said Harry smiling down at her, “If I had known you were going to hold my hand I would have gotten myself arrested sooner.”

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2. Dark star rising

Chapter 2

Dark Star Rising

Captain Hillsdale stood looking through a two way mirror watching to officers attempting to interrogate Harry. Just Then Hermione came walking through the door.

“Well,” she said standing next to him, “has he talked yet?”

“Oh he's talked alright,” said Captain Hillsdale with a note of sarcasm in his voice, “HE'S BEEN GIVING THEM THE RUN-AROUND FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS!!”

“Let me talk to him,” said Hermione, “I think I can make him talk.” Hillsdale nodded and Hermione turned and walked to the door of the interrogation room. Right before she opened the door she saw her own reflection in the window. She stopped and began to smooth her hair and check her appearance then she caught herself.

“What am I doing?” she said to herself, “this is a suspect not prince charming!!” huffing she turned back to the door. Opening the door she motioned for the two cops in the room with Harry to leave. Harry was sitting at the table with his elbows propped up on it wrists still cuffed. When Harry saw her he flashed a smile and leaned back in his chair.

“I trust you'll be better company than those two gentlemen.” He said

Hermione pulled a chair out from the table and sat down.

“That depends on whether or not you intend on treating me like you treated them.”

“I wouldn't think of it,” Said Harry who was smiling over his hands.

“Why were you trying to steal the chest from the crypt exhibit? Most thieves would have gone to the jewel exhibit.”

“I'm not most thieves,” said Harry smiling. Hermione slammed her fist on the table.

“Don't you get it!!” she thundered, “What you tell me could me the difference between a short jail sentence and a long one!!” Harry remained unconcerned.

“The only reason you are able to hold me here is because I'm allowing you to.” He said. Hermione was livid

“WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!!” Harry and Hermione were now standing on opposite sides of the table leaning forward so close that their noses were almost touching. Suddenly Harry leaned forward and kissed her right on the tip of her nose.

“WHY YOU INSOLENT___!!” snapped Hermione. Her face turning red and too angry to finish her sentence she opted to take a swing at Harry. Hermione swung aiming a right -cross for Harry's nose. Harry ducked and Hermione had swung so hard that when her fist didn't connect with anything she swung completely around and landed in a chair.

Hermione jumped up and hammered on the door.

“Guards take him,” she said, “put him in solitary maybe that will take the wind out his sail!!” The guards grabbed Harry by the arms and hauled to a cell in the Jail. Harry walked into the cell and the door clinked shut behind him. Harry sat down in the middle of the floor with his legs crossed Indian style. He looked at the door and smiled. Suddenly in a flash of light he was gone.

* * * * * *

Hermione paced angrily behind her desk muttering to herself as her friend Etta another female detective watched trying to hide her amusement.

“I can't believe that guy,” she fumed, “kissing my nose right in the middle of the interrogation room!!”

“He really got under your skin, didn't he?” said Etta.

“No he did not get under my skin!” Snapped Hermione

“Then why did you blush when he kissed your nose,” smiled Etta.

“I did no--I'm not even going to discuss this with you Etta!!” retorted Hermione. Suddenly Ferris came running in to the office.

“Her-Her-mione,” he gasped.

“What is it?” asked Hermione

“It's your black haired prisoner,” he replied catching his breath

“What about him?”

“He's gone!!!”

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“This is impossible,” said Hermione as the police looked over the cell the locks and searched the area outside the jail, “The guy would have to be some kind of magician to get out of here.”

Harry stood on top of the highest building in the area and looked down on the city suddenly his scar began to burn. In the next instant there was a horrendous crash behind him. Whirling around Harry came face to face with a giant gray ogre.

“Grock,” said Harry, “who let you out from under your rock?”

“My Master will soon have the scroll of the ancient ones and you will not be there to stop him.” Grock's hands morphed into blades and he attacked. Harry ducked the first blade and jumped the second one. Before Grock could attack again Harry fired a bolt of energy out of his hand blowing Grock's blades to fragments. Grock slumped to his knees looking at his bloody hands. Harry walked up to Grock and placed a glowing hand on Grock's forehead. And with a primal scream Grock was transported into the Abyss. Harry shook his head.

“Why would Koval send someone that he knew wouldn't stand a chance against me?” he said to himself

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hermione walked up to the front door of her house. She was still in a state of disbelief over what had happened at the precinct and dismayed to find out that she was still thinking about that Raven-Haired suspect who had had the audacity to kiss her nose. She shoved her key into the lock, unlocked the door and pushed it open then stopped short when she heard the sound of dishes rattling. Drawing her gun and cocking it she moved slowly inside the house around the corner to see Harry standing at the eloquently set table lighting the candles. Harry looked up and smiled as he blew out the match. He walked around the table and pulled out one of the chairs.

“Good evening,” he said, “I do hope you like grilled chicken with all the trimmings.”

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3. The Blood Moon

The Black Star: Chapter 3

Blood Moon

For a moment Hermione was to stunned to speak but finally she regained her voice,

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR EVERLOVIN MIND!!” she thundered. Harry held up his hand

“Now, now, Miss Granger there is no need to shout,” he said with a smile. Hermione held her gun on him and reached into her purse for her cell phone. Just as she glanced down at the phone, Harry stepped forward and pulled the firing pin right out of her gun.

“Before you make that call, Ms Granger you should consider two things one I got out of the cell you put me in this morning which means I'll be long gone before they get here and two your dinner is getting cold.” Hermione glared in response to Harry's pleasant smile and slammed the phone down on the table.

“Cheeky,” she snarled before plopping down begrudgingly in the chair that he had pulled out for her. Grabbing her fork she began to eat, deliberately trying to ignore the fact that he was wearing a deep burgundy button up shirt and black slacks and looked absolutely dashing all while smiling cheekily at her.

“Oh great,” she thought, “He would have be a good cook.” They were part of the way through the meal when there was a knock at the door.

“Hermione, are you home,” said a Male voice. Hermione's eyes widened

“WILLIAM,” she gasped!

“Who's William?” Harry asked as he stood up to get the dessert.

“My boyfriend,” said Hermione herding Harry through the door into the kitchen, “I completely forgot that I was supposed to go to a movie with him tonight. Now you stay in this kitchen and don't make a sound I don't want him to know you're here!” Hermione raced back to the front door and answered it. There stood William combing his hair all Five feet and eleven inches of him. He grabbed Hermione and kissed her. Then he went back to combing his hair

“What happened, Hermy baby,” he said, “we had a date tonight?”

“I'm sorry William I had a rough day and I just forgot.” replied Hermione.

“That's okay baby,” said William, “tell you wha__.” William trailed off as he looked over Hermione's shoulder. Then she turned a saw Harry standing at the table setting down a rich chocolaty dish on the end of the table that was visible from the doorway. Hermione mentally slapped her forehead.

“Doesn't he listen to anybody,” she thought, “is that `Death by chocolate'?”

Harry looked up, smiled, and walked over to them.

“Hi,” he said extending a hand, “I'm Harry Potter.”

“Who is he, and what is he doing here?” snapped William ignoring the extended hand. Hermione's brain raced to find and answer that was believable. But William didn't what he stepped just in side the door and poked Harry in the chest.

“Listen, Buddy,” he said, “you've got a few things to learn about invading a man's territory.” William clenched his fists, “and Class is in session.” Harry widened his eyes.

“Whoa,” he said pointing over Williams shoulder, “Check out the rack on that hot mama!” William whirled around eyes wide with anticipation. Harry instantly Karate chopped him in the back of the neck and kicked him in the butt sending him flying out the door to land face down in the front yard. Harry promptly slammed the door, and turned to Hermione.

“I thought he'd never leave.”

“You are crazy!” said Hermione, trying not to laugh and failing. They went back and sat down at the table talking like old friends.

When dinner was over Hermione sat down in the living room and Harry cleaned the table and took the dishes into the kitchen. Just then the front door was blown of the hinges and in charged three vampiric looking grey creatures each about the size of a man and each carrying a long handled weapon with a blade like a sickle. They crouched on the either side of the doorway and stayed there as a tall black clad man wearing a black metal mask walked in. the mask obscured everything except his mouth and nose.

“Good evening, Miss Granger.” He said in a high pitched oily voice

“Who are you?” she snarled pointing her pistol at him, “the phantom of the opera?” suddenly the man held up his hand and the gun flew out of Hermione's hand and into his.”

“Now let's be civil about this shall we?” he said, “I have a proposition for you, that pendant you always wear around your neck in trade for your life.”

“I'd rather die than give up my family's heirloom,” Snapped Hermione defiantly.

“That can be arranged,” snarled the masked man menacingly. He snapped his fingers and the creatures raised their weapons, bared their teeth and started toward her.

At the last second three fireballs came out of nowhere they struck the creatures full in the chest and blew them against the wall. The masked man whirled around to see Harry standing there with his arm stretched out and his eyes glowing.

“Potter!!” he hissed.

“Get him you pea-brains!!” he yelled at the creatures. They jumped up and with a primal yell charged Harry with their weapons. Harry caught the arms of the first attack and whirled around so he and the creature were back to back. Suddenly he pulled down sharply and there was a sickening crack as both of the creature's shoulders snapped causing him to cry out and release the weapon in to Harry's hands. Instantly Harry spun around and cut the creature clean in half with his own weapon. To Hermione's shock there was no blood the creature disintegrated into dust. The other two creatures charged with their weapons raised. Harry made a lightning fast swing with the weapon he still had in his hand. The creatures stopped dead in their tracks and disintegrated. Hermione realized that Harry had severed their heads.

“Potter!!!” the man in the masked yelled. Enraged at the defeated of his muscle men he fired and energy bolt which Harry absorbed and threw right back at him knocking him out the door into the yard.

“We'll meet again very soon Potter on the night of the Blood moon,” he snapped, “This is far from over!” with that he disappeared. Harry waved his hand and the damage was instantly repaired. Harry then turned to Hermione who was standing there still trying to comprehend what she had just seen.

“Are you alright?” asked Harry. She looked at him with a mixture of fear and gratitude.

“What are you?” she asked wide-eyed. Harry looked at her for a moment before softly replying.

“I'm a wizard.”

TBC

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4. Truth

Chapter 4

Truth

Hermione sat there on the couch trying to swallow what she had just been told. She was also trying to comprehend the fact that she had a real live Wizard standing right in front of her. She stood up and began to pace with her right hand resting on the crown of her head as though she was holding her head in place.

“I don't believe this,” she said, “I thought you people were just figments of Myths and Legends.” Harry shrugged,

“Some times myths and legends have more truth in them than we realize.” He replied.

“I have a lot of questions to ask you,” said Hermione but first and foremost, “What is going on here?”

“If you'll stop pacing and sit down, I tell you the whole story or better yet I'll show you.” Suddenly the room around them began to fade away and all at once they were standing in the corridor of a castle.

“Where are we?” asked Hermione looking around.

“The Past,” replied Harry, “My past to be exact.” Harry turned and guided Hermione right through the wall into a large room with fireplace, tapestries and antique furniture.

“How did we do that?” whispered Hermione.

“We don't physically exist in this time period,” replied Harry, “We're in the fourth dimension, unseen observers if you will and you don't have to whisper nobody can hear us either.” Just then Hermione saw the three 12 year-old boys that were sitting side by side on the floor by the fireplace. One had black hair, one red, and one brown.

“That's you isn't it?” she said pointing to the black haired boy in the glasses.

Harry smiled and nodded,

“Yeah,” he said, “that was before my eyesight was fixed. The red-head is my best friend Ron Weasley and the Brunette is Koval.”

“You mean the guy that tried to kill us tonight?” gasped Hermione. Harry simply nodded, he was a friend of mine and Ron's when were in school here at Hogwarts.”

“It that what this place is called, Hogwarts?”

“Yes,” replied Harry, “It's a school to train magical kids in the use of their gift.”

“What happen to Koval?” asked Hermione.

“He became obsessed with making himself more and more powerful, and he was corrupted by his own power.” The room faded a way for a few seconds they reappeared. This time the young Harry looked about 15 he and Koval stood facing each other with determination written all over there faces. Ron stood between them.

“Koval tried to convince us to join him in his mad lust for power,” said Harry they watched as young Ron walked over and stood next to young Harry with an equally determined look on his face. Koval scowled the he spin on his heel and strode from the room.

“When he couldn't sway us over to his side he left the school,” said Harry, “and we didn't hear of him again for three years. Ron and I were rookie Aurors when he made his reappearance.”

“What's an Auror?” asked Hermione

“A Wizard Law enforcement agent,” Replied Harry, “ sort of like the police and Scotland Yard rolled into one.”

“You're a cop?” said Hermione.

Harry nodded,

“A Wizard cop.”

The scene began to change around them again and Harry resumed the tale,

“As I was saying Ron and I were just fresh out of basic training when we were assigned to capture Koval. Apparently our superiors didn't take Koval's initial threats seriously enough to send any of the other more experienced Aurors. Koval had grow in power just as we had.” The scene was now a rocky desolate hillside where a fierce battle between Ron, Harry and Koval raged. At the base of the hill in a clear flat area there stood an ominous looking stone tower.

“Koval was powerful,” said Harry, “But he was also arrogant. He let down his guard just once and was captured. Koval was blown backwards into the tower. Ron and Harry Raised their hands and energy bolts flew out causing the silver shackles that were there to grab Koval's wrists and ankles. Koval Jerked and pulled on the chains howling in rage and frustration as the younger Harry and Ron walked out of the tower and teleported away.

“That's where Koval stayed until he escaped a few days ago.” Said Harry

“What kept him from just teleporting away like you did?” asked Hermione.

“Its a special tower,” replied Harry, “you can't teleport inside it.”

“That explains Koval but it doesn't explain why he was after my Family's heirloom.” Said Hermione as she found her self in her own living room again.

“Do you remember the chest that you caught me with at the Museum?” asked Harry.

“Yes of course,” said Hermione, “but what does that have to do with all of this?”

“That chest is a special Wizard chest,” Replied Harry, “over a thousand years ago a wizard named Godric Gryffindor one of the greatest in out history discovered scroll that showed how release the mystic holding areas where we imprison monsters and evil wizards. Not only release but also control what is in them. He knew that this scroll was too dangerous to trust to anyone, so he locked in his chest and hid it in that crypt where it was found. It is said that the chest could be opened by anyone who hand Gryffindor's pendant. It's said that Gryffindor gave to Pendant to his most trusted non-magic (or muggle as we say) friend a man named Sir Galen Granger the lord of the northern shires.”

“Harry,” Said Hermione touching the pendant around her neck, “this is that pendant isn't it?”

“Yes,” said Harry, “I believe so, that is part of the reason that I allowed you to arrest me at the museum when saw that pendant I knew yow would be one of Koval's targets too Koval wants to open the chest to get to the scroll and gain its power but in order to do that he must get the scroll in time to read it at midnight on the night that a lunar eclipse occurs at the same time that earth is aligned with mars and the outer planets that is a time we call the Blood Moon.”

“You stayed to protect me?” said Hermione wide eyed, “why, you could have just taken the chest and the pendant and left.”

“Godric and Galen were close friends,” said Harry, “they once made a pact that said that they would always protect each other and their family and their descendants would always protect each other as well. I am a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor I'm honor bound to protect you and your family and because I care.” Hermione stood up and walked over to stand in front of the fireplace with her back to Harry. Harry suddenly noticed her shoulder shaking a little. He stood up and walked over to her only to realize that she had been standing there crying silently.

“Harry,” she said wiping her eyes, “for once in my life I'm scared. Out there is someone that the police can't stop and he's trying to kill me, and release monsters on the world.” Harry placed his hands gently on her shoulder and turned her to face him.

“Hermione,” he said, “I'm on your side remember and I am willing to die to keep you safe. We will stop Koval.”

“Why are you willing to die?” said Hermione, “How could you care that much? You don't even know me?”

“It's not a person's family history or Birth date that makes you care about them,” said Harry as he gently brushed her stray bangs out of her face, “it's what you can see in their heart, and you are a good person Hermione Granger.” They stood looking at each other as they stood there their faces began moving a little closer with each second. Hermione closed her eyes and leaned forward a little more for the kiss that seemed inevitable. Just as their lips were about to touch, the shrill sound of sirens cut through the night air as they surrounded the house shattering the mood of the moment.

“MISTER,” came the voice over the bullhorn from one of the squad cars, “WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN THERE, LET DETECTIVE GRANGER GO AND COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!

TBC. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW

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5. Shadows

Chapter 5

Shadows

Harry and Hermione stood there for several tense moments. Then Hermione grabbed Harry's forearms,

“Harry you've got to get out of here!” she said. Harry looked surprised.

“Why would you let me go?” he asked

“Because,” she replied, “if what you've told me is true then we don't have a fighting chance without you! You can't afford to waste time playing anymore games with the police.”

“But,” said Harry, “if I go now it will look like you are aiding a abetting.”

“Harry don't argue with me,” she snapped, “Not now!”

Harry finally relented and teleported away just seconds before police broke the door down. S.W.A.T. team members rushed in pointing there guns in ever corner of the room and house.

* * * * * * *

Hermione sat on the bottom bunk in her jail cell. Without warning she jumped up and started pacing.

“I can't believe it.” She muttered, “ I can't believe they accused me of aiding and abetting.” When they took her in she tried to tell them what was going on but the investigating officer and laughed in her face. Hermione sat down on the bed again still wanting to sock that smug detective. Her hearing would be in 3 days on the day of the planetary alignment and blood moon.

“At least Harry is free out there to stop that lunatic.” She thought. It was about ten o'clock at night at the guards herded the women into the bathroom to get their showers and so forth before the lights were turned off.

Hermione walked into the part of the communal shower that was back against the far wall and was just starting to undress when three of the other female prisoners entered the area.

“Hey,” said one of them pointing at Hermione, “I know her, she's the little tart that put us in here!!”

“GET HER!!” they all started toward Hermione with blood in their eyes. Hermione raised her fists to defend herself. Suddenly, all three of them stopped dead in there tracks. They appeared to be looking at something behind Hermione. Puzzled Hermione peered over her shoulder and saw the bricks and the tiles turn and slide back in on themselves, making a doorway with what appeared to be a pitch-black corridor on the other side.

“What the--,” what of the started but never finished because a voice from the doorway cried out,

“DORMOS OBLIVIA!!” instantly a shimmering metallic green ball of energy shot out of the doorway in into the center of the room and exploded showering everyone but Hermione with its energy. When it was over everyone in the room except for Hermione was sound asleep on the floor. Then through the doorway walked Harry.

“Harry what are you doing here?” said Hermione who was glad to see him in spite of herself.

“I've come to get you out of here,” replied Harry.

“Why,” said Hermione, “you should be out there looking for Koval.”

“Hermione.” Said Harry, “ there was a breaking at the Bartough museum. The back was blown out and the Chest was stolen. And it was Koval who called the police on us in the first place. He wants you here because now all he has to do is get the pendant and you're a sitting duck in here.”

Without waiting for Hermione to say Yea or Nay to the whole thing, he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the doorway. After a split second of total darkness, Hermione found herself in the street out side the Jail.

“Harry,” she said, “what about the women in the bathroom?”

“Don't worry,” replied Harry, “they won't remember a thing when they wake up, and even if they did who'd believe them.”

* * * * * * * *

Koval slammed his fist down on the table in front of him with enough force to shake the floor and glared down at one of his apprentices,

“What do you mean she wasn't there?”

“W-Well,” the man stammered, “I went to dispose of Ms. Granger and get pendant like we had planned and when I got there I heard the guards yelling that she had escaped. But I can't be sir my plan was foolproof.”

“BAH Phooey!” snapped Koval, “I want results, Baracus, not excuses!! I've told you time and time again the Aurors are not to be underestimated, especially that Auror.”

“Y-Yes sir,” stammered Baracus.

“Now get out there and find Harry Potter and the Girl,” thundered Koval.

“Sir,” said Baracus, “Why not use one of the viewing devices you've got here to look for them?”

“Because, fool, Aurors and anyone under their protection are invisible to such viewing devices, NOW GET GOING!”

* * * * * * * *

Harry and Hermione topped a fire escape and stood looking out over the city.

“It's a beautiful view,” said Hermione, Its to bad that we can't enjoy it under different circumstances.” When Harry didn't respond she looked over at him. She saw that every muscle in his body was rigid and his nostrils were flaring like a hunting dog.

“Harry,” she said, “What's wro-.” She didn't have time to finish because just then a gray winged creature that looked like a cross between a gargoyle and a bat appeared flying low overhead the creatures had vampiric red eyes. Harry pulled Hermione down as the creatures buzzed the roof.

“What are those things?” said Hermione

“Gorelons,” replied Harry, “they're winged vampiric creatures that evil wizards often train to do their dirty work.”

Harry held up his hands and a silver sword with a red jewel in the handle and the name Godric Gryffindor embedded in the blade appeared and morphed into a two handed broad sword.

“Stay put,” he said to Hermione as he stood up. It was then that Harry saw the man riding on the back of one of these creatures.

“Baracus,” he muttered to himself. The Gorelons came about into a V formation and readied for another pass. They swooped down with an earsplitting cry and the center one grabbed Harry and took off.

“HARRY!!” screamed Hermione. But before she got too worried she saw Harry push off from the top of a building turn a double back flip and land on top of the creature. With one swipe he severed the creatures head and it disintegrated into dust. At first she though that Harry was going to fall to his death, but then she saw him floating in mid- air near where the gorelon had been. For once Hermione was glad it was the dead of night so people wouldn't be able to see what was going on. Harry began to fly straight forward with the sword held out in front of him. One of the remaining Gorelons the one with the rider began to fly straight at Harry. At the last second before impact Harry spun to the right and sliced the Gorelon right down the middle. It disintegrated and Harry kicked the wizard in the gut the kick sent him flying down backwards to slam into a pile of crates in the roof. Suddenly Harry heard Hermione scream. That's when he saw her struggling with the third creature on the roof. Harry landed on the roof raised the sword and charged at the creature. When it saw Harry coming it gave a cry and flew off.

“Are you all right,” he asked Hermione, “checking her over for bites.”

“Yeah,” said Hermione her hand went to her collar

“Harry,” she gasped wide-eyed, “The pendant is gone!!”

TBC

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