DISCLAIMER: HARRY POTTER, characters, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. © 2001.
***
When Hermione woke up, she was on a train heading to a location that she didn't know. She couldn't remember much except that she was not where she was supposed to be, but she could feel someone with her that was keeping her safe. Someone was looking after her in this time of turmoil and Hermione was very grateful for whoever it was.
"Ah, sweetums, you're awake!" Brad said.
He was obviously in a chipper mood.
"You know that he'll come looking for me," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
There was a silence as if Brad was thinking of how much he wanted her to know.
"Good, that's what I am counting on. He'll be here about this time tomorrow, I guess," Brad said confidently.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked.
"Do you think that I am going to tell you my master plan? Do I really look that stupid?" Brad asked.
"You could've fooled me," Hermione said under her breath, but Brad heard her.
"Do not talk bad about me!" he said as he slapped her face. "You do not know what kind of power I have backing me up!"
"Anyway, I remember what you told me. 'Harry's off studying magic. He'll probably be able to read minds. Harry has always been so smart. I know he'll do well. Harry this and Harry that,'" Brad said mockingly.
"I should've known that this would happen, but I let my guard down when I let you in. I became just as obsessed with him as you are, but that wasn't the plan," Brad said in a fading tone.
Hermione thought that it was obvious that he was hiding something, but was still caught in the fear of Harry's power because he wouldn't tell her his plan for fear that Harry would hear it.
'If you can hear my thoughts, please hurry up and find me! I love you,' Hermione thought to herself.
***
"She's on a train going through some mountains, and OW! He slapped her!" Harry screamed.
Harry had been up all night waiting for them to stop long enough so that he could find out where they were. Lupin had left to go and get some breakfast, but soon he was walking through back into Harry's house with doughnuts and coffee.
"I figured that caffeine would help us to stay awake. You really should get some sleep, you know," Lupin said, trying to sound like the responsible adult.
"I will kill him once I have found them. Her love is keeping me going without rest. I will not rest until I have found her. Hermione's thoughts are in my head. They won't let me forget my mission or my love," Harry said assertively.
"I know that this is hard for you, Harry, but try to remember that you are no help to Hermione if you are asleep when she needs you," Lupin said.
He was starting to get to him. Lupin had this uncanny way of getting the truth under Harry's skin and eventually Harry would cave, but this time it looked as though he might not.
Lupin had seen Harry grow into a magnificent young man, but he was still more stubborn than a mule. If Harry set his mind to something, he would put that before his own needs. He had already been putting Hermione's needs before his for a along time. Add those together and you have a very tired, very hungry, very stubborn, very determined Harry Potter.
"I know, Lupin, but I can't sleep until I at least know where she is," Harry pleaded.
"Alright, just keep at it so that we will know where they are the second that they settle down," Lupin said, giving up.
***
Sorry this chapter is so short. I just had to get it out, but didn't have any more to add. . .for now. I promise that there will be more soon. And SummrMagic, I promise that you will get your chance to beat up Brad soon.