A Coded Parchment

Chapter 8: The True Culprit

The broomstick carrying Hermione and Harry landed in the middle of a dark forest near Dover. For her part, Hermione was a little alarmed by what had just happened. Harry had just broken her out of Azkaban when she had been positive that he could get her out through legal means. Of course, Harry had always been a rule breaker in school, but this was the law they were talking about. What ever he had to say to her, Hermione thought it had to be very important with the risks Harry was taking.

All such thoughts dashed from her mind however as Hermione realized that she was alone with Harry in the middle of a forest. Acting more on hormones than reason, Hermione tried to kiss Harry but was startled when he pulled away in shock.

'Why did he pull away?' wondered Hermione. 'I know we've only been dating for a few days but...' Suddenly, it dawned on her that since it had only been a few days, there were still some people who didn't know that the Harry and Hermione were an item. Fear and panic seizing her, Hermione slowly started to back away. "You're not Harry."

'Harry', realizing that the charade was over, whipped out his wand. "Where is the crystal," he hissed.

"What?" Hemione had no idea what 'Harry' was talking about.

"The decoder crystal."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Draco Malfoy gave you our decoder crystal. We want it back!"

Hermione remembered the gifts Malfoy had given her during their date. 'There must've been something among those gifts that the dark wizards wanted. That's why they attacked me after the date! That's why I was framed for murder! That's why I'm in trouble now!' Hermione remained quiet and tried to inch away.

"Crucio!" Hermione dodged the cruciatus curse fired by 'Harry'. She picked a small rock and threw it at the dark wizard. The rock hit him in the hand and the wizard dropped his wand! Hermione made a dash for the fallen wand but was tackled by 'Harry' who tried to pin her to the ground. Hermione started hitting him with fists. It was emotionally painful for her to hit someone who looked and sounded just like Harry but she had to defend her self. Getting angry, 'Harry' managed to punch Hermione in her gut! Hermione whimpered in pain as she curled up on the ground. 'Harry' picked up his wand and was about to curse her when a voice called out Expelliarmus!"

The first 'Harry' jumped out of the way of the disarming spell just as Ron Weasley and a second Harry Potter flew down on broomsticks. Finding himself outnumbered, the first 'Harry' disapparated.

"Hermione! Are you alright?" Harry and Ron made their way to her. Though happy to see her best friends again, Hermione wasn't taking any chances.

"First prove to me that you're the real Harry."

Harry took her hand gently. "I don't know what that other guy did to you, but I can assure you that I'm nothing like him." Harry chose his words carefully, "No imposter could completely trick you because they can not love you the way I do. You can see that this is the real me in front of you because of how much I love you."

Hermione stared into the pools of emerald that were Harry's eyes. She slowly brought her lips to Harry's and felt the amazing sensations that came around whenever they kissed. The sensations were enough to convince her that this was indeed the real Harry she was kissing. Hermione smiled.

"Just to let you know, I love you too," she said. Harry grinned and deepened the kiss.

"Alright, alright! As much as I love witnessing you two snogging each others brains out," said Ron while making a gagging face, "we need to get to Hogwarts so we can see Snape become bug food!" Harry and Hermione sprang apart looking very red.

* * * * *

A dark figure was walking through the dungeons of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This figure needed to perform a very important mission for the sake of the survival of the Death Eaters: kill Severus Snape. Snape had never taken plans for the Candidate Talks seriously. He could not believe that the former Death Eaters could launch such an extensive plot without the aid of Voldemort. Still, the fact that he knew about the plans made him a threat and Death Eaters wiped out all potential threats.

The figure entered the dungeons and started heading towards Snape's office when a voice whispered "Lumos." Natalie Robyns whipped around to see Ron Weasley standing in a corner, his wand lighted. Ron wore an expression that had anger, shock, and betrayal written all over it.

"Tell me it isn't true," he whispered, his voice reeking with malice and betrayal. "Tell me that you just wandered down here to ask Snape a question, or to ask a favor from him, or just to see him for a friendly chat."

Natalie just stared at Ron, her eyes wide in astonishment. "Ron, what are you doing here? What are you suggesting?"

Ron held up the decoder crystal. Natalie stared at in shock. "I'm suggesting that you've come down here to kill Snape," hissed Ron, barely containing his rage.

"You're not suggesting..."

"You know exactly what I'm suggesting!"

Natalie remained still for a moment when she whipped her wand out in panic!

"Expelliarmus!" Natalie's wand flew away into the hand of Harry Potter who was in another corner. Harry pointed his own wand at Natalie's and said "Prioi Incantato." A shadowy image of Phoebe Tomans flew out of the wand and pointed an accusatory finger at Natalie.

"She's the one," said the shadow.

Harry nodded and said, "I believe that you have some explaining to do Professor Robyns."

Ron pointed his wand at Natalie and said "Stupefy!" Natalie fell to the ground unconscious.