Chapter 40 - The Tales of Miss Ranger by YoureBeautifulDontDeny part 1

Summary:

Hermione decided long ago that if given a chance to do it again, she wouldn't waste the opportunity. She'd wither her own logic and morals and raze her way through everything, even if she would have to bear everything on her shoulders.

Even if no one will know about it. She would do it.

Because one life lost is much better than everyone else.

Notes:

So I challenge myself to write this and because I couldn't stop my hands from typing.

I didn't have a prompt or idea of what I was going to write actually. I just told myself at 6 am. 'Hey, why don't you write a Hermione story again? For old times sake.'

Mind you, my first Hermione story had been ages ago and the way I write was dearly lacking. I don't know if this is interesting but Hermione-fic has always invigorated me.

Anyways, enjoy.

Chapter 1: First Case: Meeting Miss RangerNotes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Hermione huffs as she raises her ax and drops it down at an angle. 

The blade cuts through no question as the wood fell now divided. She craned her neck and decided it was still too big and chopped the remaining two, and now had four. She picks it up, noticing the rough patches on her hands although otherwise ignores this, and puts the cut-up wood on the pile she stationed a few feet. 

She was on her next one when the sound of a crack in the winds tempered her attention behind. She sniffed once and puffed, her breath visible and deeply nostalgic. 

Hermione turned around and saw two wizards, wearing long dark cloaks, their inner garments with nicely suited business suites varying from black to grey to dark brown. The standard clothing policies for wizards.

She rubbed her hands on her utility pants, making sure the sweat and dirt were taken care of before greeting the two. 

"Ah, Ms. Ranger, We've hoped we weren't too early for our appointment." One of them was shorter, his bearings a cross between a politician she met long ago and a Mall Santa clause. At least, he was courteous in their first-ever meeting.

"You're not." She offered a smile as a gesture while also offering her hand for a shake which he took greedily, eye alight with mirth. "Do not worry. You arrive at the time that you are supposed to be. However please understand that I cannot offer you my house as it is miles away right now. Perhaps you wouldn't mind talking here?"

The man seemed a bit baffled by this arrangement. They were in the middle of nowhere. A forest miles and miles deep that might put any lost traveler in a long and winding maze if they ever were to try their hands at a hike.

She always sends a letter to meet her at this specific location whenever she meets with ministry officials or anyone who wants to speak business with her. Why? 

Security, maybe. 

No one will be able to know where she lives and if they so wish to attack, she can see on all sides. 

While they might seem a bit abash by this arrangement, they did not speak this out to her, as she predicted. Had they thought she was a useless asset, they wouldn't have sent the letter altogether. This also showed Hermione that the fact they were even willing to talk to a dirty being like her then they might be a little desperate.

They gave their nod and cleared their throat to speak again.

"Very well." He said before turning to his companion. "Allow me to introduce ourselves. My name is Brandley Galloway and this here is Markus Grapper Muirhead. We've tried reaching out to you because lately, we've been having some troubles with our territory."

"With which race are you having a dispute?" Hermione asked as she took a couple of logs transfigured them into seats and offered them generously. "Please."

"It's not what you think—ahh yes, thank you." Only one of them sat down while the other man, the largest and bulkier, had his distant eyes following her as if transfixed and awaiting for a fight. Hermione surmised he must be a bodyguard or something of the like.

She did not take a seat, so she started taking another piece of wood and slowly placing it on the stump.

"Um, am I at the wrong time to discuss this?" Mr. Galloway's mustache moved in a frown.

"Not quite. You may speak freely Mr. Galloway although I must apologize that I have to finish this since they are needed for where I am going. But none, otherwise, will it be a distraction, I promise." She waved a hand and smiled.

He seemed appeased. "Then I will take you up on your offer. You've read my letters so you might have an idea about my predicament. You see, months ago, we had explicit orders from the Minister to expand a wizard town over the marshlands. Enough that they would be able to add more residences in the area, which is still far away from muggle towns. However, horrifically, we've been having reports that wizards had gone missing after surveying the lands. We've also sent some of our best Aurors to check but one of them has also gone missing. We have not found any magical signatures and based on the ones who had gone to the area, they did not encounter anything obviously odd. We are asking for your advice on what steps to take next."

Hermione cuts up the log, pausing to think about it before cleaving the log into four. "If I may ask while they were surveying the landscape did they observe anything weird at all?"

"Excuse me? I don't quite understand your question."

"I meant, were there any distinct noises, smells, or even sightings of silhouettes? Those kinds of things— did they notice anything?" she paddled and dropped the other ones in the pile before hoisting a large log to her chopping area.

"Let me think about it." Mr. Galloway crossed his arms and began to think. Hermione wasn't in a hurry at all so she kept to herself, the sound of crunching snow and her ax was a duet to the blowing winds. 

After minutes, Mr. Galloway began to talk again. "I did remember them complaining about a wisping noise."

"Wisping?" Hermione paused.

"Uhh-yes. Is that a clue?"

"Not really but it is something. Can you detail more about the noises?"

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can. But the Auror in charge that day might be more of help." He sadly responded.

It wouldn't make a difference who Hermione talked to. This would need a visit to get a grasp of the situation. She sighed and regarded the taller man. "It was you, wasn't it? The Auror who investigated the area." She said as if she was bored as she went back to her chopping.

She heard a chuckle. "You're quite perceptive for a dark creature, aren't ya girl?"

Hermione snorted and found it funny. "Thank you for the compliment."

"Markus!" 

"It's quite alright, Mr. Galloway. Mr. Muirhead can have his own opinion of me. Merlin knows it's not a new thing for me." Hermione raised her axe and continued chopping as her piling was increasing. It wouldn't be long before she's finished. "So, care to enlighten me of how the evening went?"

"Well, Burke and I were sent to go inspect the Northeast of the area. It was muddy, very wet and all sorts of insects and fishes were out and about. We were checking for any formations or maybe creatures that would pose a hurdle to the project but overall, we didn't find any. Just before Burke disappeared, he said he kept on hearing wisping noises, as if someone was beckoning him. Also, someone tapping— he wasn't consistent. I didn't hear it to be honest but the guy always said nonsense buggers all the time so I didn't see the need to take him seriously. As we were heading back, I thought there were pixies on the branches so I tried to cast an immobilized charm but nothing came of it. It was just fireflies. Just when I resumed leaving, I finally noticed that Burke wasn't with me anymore." He explained with a dark cloud over him.

"By this time, did you scan for magic signatures?"

"My team did but all they found was my casting of the immobolus. No other unknown origin." Hermione found it a bit weird and interesting. 

Mr. Galloway's head perked up as he asked excitingly. "Did you figure it out, Ms. Ranger?"

She shakes her head. "I still need to double-check a few things but I do have some predictions."

"And what might that be, Ms. Ranger? If I may be so bold to ask." 

"You guys may not be dealing with a dark witch or wizard, not in the way I may think so." Hermione surmised. Her voice was airy as she was lost in thought. Both of her visitors gave her an odd look. "Lots of dark wizards prey on Aurors. One may be hunting us."

"Could be, but based on your retelling, no magic signatures were identified before your arrival, and after the incident only detected it may be because of your own casting. Like it or not, most dark wizards are purebloods or half-bloods and I may be stereotyping things but most dark wizards then to attack someone using magic. That should have been your first basis." She strikes her ax on the stump and lets it rest before she herself takes a break by looking at the clouds. "Not detecting anything prior to his disappearance should be giving you context clues that for an Auror and a dark criminal wizard not to engage in a fight the moment they are presented in danger would be laughable. But let's say your partner was taken by surprise, you as an experienced Auror would have detected it, right?"

"Yes, I have keen senses. I would have noticed if someone had attacked us." Markus scowled at her impertinence to his competency but it wasn't her that's needing help so she really would have loved him to shove his scowl up his arse.

"It's either you have something to do with the disappearance since no one would just disappear in thin air-" She was cut off as the larger Auror had his wands up her face faster than he could blink but he didn't cast anything. The thin sharp wand was on her neck while his face was borderline disgustingly close to hers.

"You accusing me, you filth?" he spat at her face.

Hermione smiled as she took one step forward, edging the wand closer to her skin so that it left an indention. "If the shoe fits," she said teasingly but Mr. Galloway was faster to admonish. "Markus! Don't make me suspend you for two months!"

He sneered before stepping back and glaring at her. Hermione for her part, raised her chin and chuckled amused. 

"Ms. Ranger, while I would apologize for my subordinate's distasteful behavior, I think that would have to be a large accusation, indeed." His face was serious as he also wasn't stepping down in defending his own men. 

"Calm down, Neither of you is letting me finish," she exclaimed a bit tiredly. "I said Mr. Muirhead could be involved as he is the last to see him disappear and only he had cast a spell in the span of the hours or— just as I told you before— you guys might be dealing with a not-so-human issue."

"A creature then?"

"I was thinking of something else but unless I go and see for myself, this will just be a theory, so how about we set a time and I can accompany another batch of your Aurors to marshlands." She offered instead at the sky was slowly turning darker.

"It would not be a problem, Ms. Ranger. I'll send another letter about the schedule of the visit and you can choose for yourself when you'll be available."

"That would be a great help, Mr. Galloway." Hermione was polite as the two said their goodbyes and apparated away.

Hermione waited for half an hour out in the dark snowy outdoors to make sure no one was following her or had stayed to stalk her whereabouts. When she was sure of everything, she took her piles of logs and tied them securely to each other. With a wave of her hands, it shrunk until it was the size of her palm, casting a featherless charm, she put it in her pockets. 

She started walking on the snowy night.

It was Friday and it was cold.

The day before, it poured heavily and even now, it had not stopped at all, which made it a bit of a sour mood for the brunette. 

Hermione apparated to the designated place where she was told to wait. The edge of a wetland area with some pretty eerie atmosphere. Why they wanted to expand here is something she was baffled about.

Then again the ministry has always been sporadic at times. The only good thing here was that less muggles do tend to end up here.

Hermione walked around in circles, trying to see the area far away. The fog was near palpable and it wasn't far off the temperature of her forest floor.

Cold. Damp. Foggy.

She rolled her eyes. If the media got one thing right about witches and wizards, it's that it's always the creepy places. 

She did not have to wait for long though, as several people arrived one by one into the clearing. 

Hermione smiled at them, her eyes going over the many faces. By the look of things five aurora in total and one ministry official. Mr. Galloway greeted Hermione with an outstretched hand and she received it in kind.

"So glad you could make it, Ms. Ranger." He said sweetly, eyes sockets deeply ingrained while his lips had dried up considerably. 

Hermione guessed the last couple of days were not doing him good. 

"I made a promise. Of course, I would see to it." She responded civilly. 

He walked closer and patted her shoulder and urged her to follow him to introduce the team. 

"Let me introduce my colleagues." Mr. Galloway walked to a line of people all in deep robes of red and black, gold linings on their shoulders and along the buttons on the chest. Their uniform was regal but unnecessary. 

She herself only wore a dark and thick cloak and inside a shirt and utility shorts since marshlands would always get your feet submerged in water more times than not. 

Hermione was first introduced to a short lad, brown hair that was swept to the side, a pretty face, and with a darker tone. He wasn't frowning nor was he smiling at her. The best she could put it was that he was dazedly stoic. 

"This here is Peter Mooreswood, our Ace auror for our visit. Second only to Markus. Unluckily, Mr. Muirhead cannot be with us as he has been placed on probation for now." Mr. Galloway tried to seem calm but his eyes gave him away. 

It seems Hermione's word last time was not put on deaf ears but nor would she like an innocent man behind bars just because of a guess that has no bearings yet. Hermione ignored looking at Mr. Galloway to greet Peter, only for the man to look at her outstretched hand and gaze away.

"Please call me, Auror Mooreswood." That's all before he walked away from them to check the perimeter. 

Hermione might have wedged her and the team's cooperation before she even met them. 

"Please call me, Ranger as well." She said as he passed by her. He gave her a dead stare and nothing more. 

"Please excuse some of us, Ms. Ranger. It's been a very hectic week. I don't hope you won't take offense." Mr. Galloway was the one who was apologetic so she could really hold a grudge. 

"It's fine."

"Next is the rest of the regular team. Andrea Druinden, Fredrick Chondrell and Jermain Dorcas." Three faces appeared before her.

The one in front was a tall imposing woman, scarlet hair with two pairs of blue eyes, and a deep scowl. She made no effort to hide her dislike for her when she came up to Hermione with an attitude.

"What ya looking at, bitch?" The woman rudely said. 

"Andrea!"

"What? It's a simple greeting."

"Don't worry, Mr. Galloway. Really it's fine." Hermione settled the tired and frustrated official before giving back her attention to Andrea.

"I wasn't looking at anything particular, Ms. Druinden. I hope I did not offend you if it may seem so." She said with a wide fake smile which got the woman mad and also walked past her while bumping her shoulders. So far, Hermione didn't appreciate the gesture.

Fortunately, the other three were more bearable. 

The other two men had the same height, a head taller than Hermione. The first one had long black haphazard hair reminiscent of when she first saw Sirius out of Azkaban but Fredrick had a more slick back than him. The other one needed no description of his hair because he had none at all to speak with. Yet while that may be the case, his golden eyes were as striking as his growing white beard. 

Their build was slightly just a bit elevated from each other but still impressive as they filled out their robes quite nicely. 

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Ranger. Please call me Jermain! I've read all the articles about you. You are phenomenal in it by the way!" Jarmain had approached Hermione with a beaming smile while taking her hand in quick success before she could offer it and then began shaking it in gusto. "I was very excited to meet you."

She smiled after getting over her shock over the jolly man. "Thank you but you shouldn't read those. I've recounted the only time I've done the interview and it was under Mr. Lovegood. The other ones are pure baseless, and false. Especially with that upcoming reporter named Rita Skeeter." 

"Wait, really? Does that mean your favorite drink isn't Blue Hell?" The way he asked was so serious and saddening, she wanted to spare his feelings but that wouldn't be right at all. 

She shakes her head, with a small smile. 

"That's your fault for being too impressionable, Jermain. By the way, also please to meet you, Ms. Ranger. You can call me Fredrick or Ricky since I don't usually go by my first name that often. How are you?" The other man was more gentlemanly as he offered his hand and as Hermione gave it, he gave a standard kiss and a small bow. 

"I am well. Thank you for having me." She meant her word when she said it which garnered a smile from the two and a sneer from the woman behind her. 

"No. No. It should be us who should be grateful to have you. It's not every day we get the elusive Supernatural Bloodhound to assist us." He said in a gentle but teasing tone. 

To which she chuckled back. "I prefer the term consultant."

After the two there was one person left. 

Hermione turned her body to her. A blonde woman with blue eyes and a dazzling smile. There was a pull to her, just from her gaze she could surmise what it was.

"Hello. I'm Ms. Ranger— Jean Ranger, actually. You may call me either of which."

"Hello, my name is Isabelle Delacour." She said with the same inviting tone Hermione used and shook her hand with the same buzzing that she kind of felt years before but couldn't remember.

Mr. Galloway approached the two women, patted Isabelle's shoulder, and looked at her like a father, with a bright smile and a more seeming calmer gesture.

"This here, is Auror Delacour. A trainee in her last stage but is an apt learner and competent beyond her own batch. She transferred jurisdiction from the French ministry to ours after the first year when the revolt of Voldemort's reign had started. Since then, she'd been working with us as an honorary citizen and Auror-in training." He proudly showcased Isabelle that Hermione couldn't help but beam to mirror the old man's expression. 

"That's wonderful to hear, Ms. Delacour." she praised easily.

"The country grew on me so it gave me more inspiration to finish my training."

"And the weather?" 

"Dreadful but I can manage."

"Hey, can't you start doing your thing so we can leave already!?" Andrea shouted from where she was, leaning on a bark and glaring at them.

This reminded Hermione why she was here in the first place. She offered an apologetic look towards Isabelle, bowed slightly, and walked away to start investigating the place.

"Okay, for now, I don't want any of you to separate from each other or me. Where I go I want a five-point circle formation. Auror Moreswood on the back with Auror Isabelle, Auror Druinheld on the front, Fredrick on the left side, and Jermain on the right. In the middle of the formation, Mr. Galloway." 

"And why are we doing this exactly?" Andrea fired the question faster than Hermione had anticipated it but it wasn't surprising. It been more weirder had they accepted her command purposely.

Hermione took the bag she had with her and began rummaging inside. 

"As of now, the threat is not identified. Another one of us could start disappearing and no one would notice so separating is not recommended. A five-point circle formation will alleviate the disappearance problem and heighten the presence of any who will come closer to us. Two people on the back to supplement if one of them is attacked. I'll be leading the group and all you need to do is follow me." Hermione explained as clearly as she could before finally taking a mason jar out of her bag. A deep green dust inside that Hermione shakes ardently.

"You'll be in front? Wouldn't that endanger you?" Peter asked suspiciously.

"Not quite. From my standpoint, I'm the most protected while actually being at risk, I guess. I am in front therefore most eyes can see if anything or anyone is also close. More likely to see if any events were to happen. Which is my plan." Hermione opened the mason jar, and an odd smell permeated around the group, quickly held their noses as they quite made gagging noises.

"What's that?" Fredrick asked, eyes shining in curiosity while also looking a bit green. 

Hermione holds up the jar, the powder a twinkling green. 

"This was once a piece of a hydra's intestine, which was dried up and pounded into dust. Its properties can attract most magical creatures in the vicinity as it holds powerful essence from the Hydra. Unfortunately, its smell becomes more acrid as time goes on and there's nothing I can do about it as it is unpleasing to human's noses but for creatures this smell is heavenly." Hermione took a small part of it and dragged it on her wrist before closing the lid and putting it back in the bag. 

She then faces the six people, still holding their noses. "Hmm. It would be counter-productive if the smell really bothers the group. Would you like a protective charm for the smell? At least so you guys can't smell for about... let's say, 12 hours?" she offered.

"There's a spell for that?" Fredrick asked.

"Well, it's not really designated for that purpose but I can tweak a spell to my advantage if all of you are okay with that?" Almost all of them agreed, even Andrea was, somewhat, cooperative with her. 

Hermione waved her hand and slowly they put down their hand and checked. "Do you guys smell anything?"

"Wow! I can't smell at all." Jermain expressed his excitement as he hugged Fredrick to try and maybe smell his partner only to be pushed away from the other person. "Get away, Jermain! We get it. You can't smell. Now get off!" 

Hermione stared at Peter, his face still as stoic but nodded in confirmation of the spell, while Isabelle gave a thumbs up. Andrea snorted but otherwise seemed unperturbed by the smell as well. 

"Okay, since we're all ready please follow me." Hermione started walking in the wet marshland, as her eyes turned scanned the trees, moss, and creatures inside.

The Hydra remains were effective in drawing out creatures. At the moment, they were able to draw out a few grindylows in more deep waters, three Rougarou that Hermione didn't even know British soil had, several harmless nymphs, kelpie, and Lizard Limeswamps.

Each of these creatures was handled appropriately, if they posed a threat, they were dealt with by the Aurors while Hermione watched, for those that were only passing through, they warded them off so they may never come back. 

This was done until the sun had set and they were relying on the light from their wands and the moon. 

"Can we go home now? It is the den of night. We can't see for shit and We're wet and hungry!" 

Hermione stopped to look back at the group, most of them did look tired from running around the land for nine hours. 

"We can't stop now or we won't get to solve this case. Didn't you know nighttime is almost like another world. Things happen in the dark, Ms. Druinden." She said before walking again.

"I think it was the Rougarou that did it. They don't need magic to attack so no magic signature and it's powerful enough to kill a wizard." She insisted.

Hermione eyes scanned the eerie wetland as even with Lumos the fog had gotten thicker, her nose picking up rotten fungus. Her stomach grumbled and her throat salivated. 

"Again, the disappearance was so quick and done so quietly that a Rougarou would have alerted Mr. Muirhead since moving rapidly causes splashes. Also, the victim would have screamed in that certain situation no?" 

"Fine, but we're walking in circles. We don't even know if we are going on the right path." This got Hermione attention, as she looked back to stare at Andrea's face.

"That's right. We don't know where we're heading. That's it." Hermione smiled. 

"Mr. Galloway, you said before, that Mr. Muirhead and Mr. Burke were hearing wisping noises yes?" 

"Y-yes. Even after the whole thing he kept on repeating how annoying It was. It was the reason he thought there was something in the tree branches and didn't notice Burke wasn't with him." The old ministry official recalled. 

Hermione looked at the six people and waved her hand in the air. Her mouth moved for an enchantation but there were no words they could hear. When she was done, her hands glowed and raised up for Andrea to grasp. 

"Hold my hand."

"And what will happen if I do?" Hermione rolled her eyes at her.

"It will protect you I swear." When she did so, the magic flowed from Hermione and towards Andrea's outstretched arm, it glowed some more as now Andrea's body emitted a red tint shine. 

"Now, Fredrick and Jermain please grab Andrea's shoulders. Moreswood and Isablelle please do so with Fredrick and Jermain's shoulder."The four obeyed and soon enough they were enveloped by a bright light. 

Suddenly once everyone was done, Hermione said the finishing enchantation and the glow disappeared.

"And me?" Mr. Galloway asked a bit scared to be left out. 

"I would actually advise Mr. Galloway to go home for tonight. If my prediction is sound then we will give you news tomorrow." The relief in his face was predominantly obvious but Hermione couldn't blame him. Out of the six present, he was the only one not as fit for a fight, if it were to happen. He would be put in danger either way. 

"I hope it is good news." 

"Let's pray it will be." She replied. 

When the old man disappeared, Hermione's presence turned serious. "Now that it's just us I want all of you to cease your Lumos and follow me as best as you can." Hermoine eyes the moon and sees it turning blue, the smell in the air turning more delicious. 

"Um, I don't mean to be rude, Ms. Ranger but how will we see?" Jermain asked but was already putting down his light. 

"Don't worry, as all of you the formation I did was not only for protection but binding. I have connected all five of you to each other and to me. Even without looking, you can pinpoint where each other is standing. You can try it if you're apprehensive." Hermione urged. 

Isabelle soon followed while the rest was not far behind. True enough, a string glowed in the dark, their hands connecting to each other, and an instinct to know where the rest would go activated in their heads. 

"That's so cool!" 

"Why didn't you do this before?"

"Unnecessary. It also takes magic to keep the binding afloat. This is not permanent thing so it's much preferred to use when it's only needed."

"How do you know all of these?" Moreswood asked Hermione but his voice did not hold any warmth. 

Hermione did not care to share this information as it wasn't a secret at all. If they also care to find out for their own, she wouldn't be the one holding them back. 

"There once was a witch who had no eyes. Such was a shame since she was so talented. She was not schooled, nor was she taught by someone. It was only through her desire to see did her magic prevailed her disability. She honed her skills on runes and was able to make her own incantations and formations. Because she was abandoned as a babe there was no one else she could rely on, only with animals—mostly ravens and little rodents. These beings became her friends and trusted her in turn. To be able to see, she tethered herself to these animals and found that through their senses she could finally see the world, though not as humans would. It was a magical experience that she could appreciate life even more. She wrote a book about it, once she was able to see with her sense. I learned from her diary. This formation is much like hers although I cannot replicate the tethering of sense of sight and touch since that would endanger anyone who's not trained to receive the magic— I can, however, make spatial awareness present." She explained slowly.

He was quiet before he nodded absent-mindedly. "Very well." He curtly replied. 

What sets apart Mooreswood from Muirhead was that he, at least, knows when his dissatisfaction with someone can be ignored rather than pull everything through hate. 

She can work with him in the future if she is permitted. 

"Then let's talk a stroll. Have your wands ready since this time, nothing is in our favor." Hermione's words swirled around them, feeling her smile creep up her face although no one could see it.

The water splashed as Hermione led the way towards the smell she'd been dying to step on closer.

Notes:

I know nothing makes sense for now and that's fine. :)

Chapter 2: First Case: ReputationSummary:

Reputation is black and white.

Chapter Text

"Say, Ms. Ranger. Since we're still waiting for anything to happen, can you maybe share with us stories about the... you know... the 33 death eater you took down." 

The night embraced a profound stillness, with only the croak of frogs, the whispering entrance of flies, and the serenade of cicadas. In the midst of this tranquil symphony, Jermain's words gently shattered Hermione's wistful gaze fixed upon the deep azure moon.

Hermione pressed on, her steps unwavering, navigating through vines and skillfully avoiding the protruding roots of ancient trees. The water had risen to waist depth, its chill dissuading anyone from relishing the icy immersion. 

"Well, it isn't an exciting story, if that's what you were expecting, Jermain. I tracked down those who had a ranking in Voldemort's official little fan club, killed those who were determined to die for their cause, and imprisoned those who surrendered or could no longer fight back. The end."

"But I heard you single-handedly brought down a group of them—without any help. You even exposed the spies within the ministry, compelling them to reveal the truth after several sessions. You basically purged the snakes! They mentioned you could see the chronicle." Jermain insisted, his voice escalating with excitement. Despite his urge to approach, Isabelle, positioned behind him, restrained him with a meaningful look.

"I can't see the chronicle. I can only determine it through my own ways of detecting dark magic. While not everyone who uses dark magic are Death Eaters, all Death Eaters use it for the majority of their subservience to Voldemort. Precise guessing is what I am known for, mind you. As for fighting a group of them on my lonesome, it was a matter of situations. At the time, I was filled with intense determination to stop them that I had bested them at their own game." 

"Which was dark magic?" Fredrick asked. 

Hermione sighed. "Yes. Fighting fire with more fire seems to work in my favor, but I would advise never to copy my reckless behavior. The side effects are not worth it." She chuckled. 

"Can I ask why?" This time it was Isabelle who asked. Auror Moreswood was quick to silence her but Hermione had already heard the question. 

She smiled warmly but shook her head.

"Maybe later, I can show why that is." She felt the conversation should stop now as they could feel their surroundings lightening up in shades. 

"Finally, they're here." She perks up at this, feeling the wind pick up as well.

"What's here?" Jermain asked before he yelped when a small light appeared before his eyes. 

Suddenly little spots of light began to form around them. It started as small specks before these specks began to merge with each other. Soon the small light began to form blobs of blue fire, and the wisping sound started to resonate as well.

All of them could hear it whishing through the air in a playful direction. As the once dark swamp became alight with flying lighters.

"What are these things?" Isabelle asked in curiosity before giggling as one of the small blue flames began flying near her hair. It flicked her strands from side to side like a toddler playing with strings. Fredrick tried touching one of them, and it scurried away. Making him frown. The others made no such move to do anything to it and just kept on watching. 

Hermione smiled as she as well marveled at the beautiful creature. "These ones are sprites also known as Will-O-the-wisp or was also called before ignis fatuus."

"Foolish flame," Isabelle answered.

"Yes, that's right, these things are playful little things that can actually pose a lot of threat," Hermione said as she offered her hand. All the wisps began flying above her fingertips bouncing from each other. "They will appear to any seemingly lost travelers and show them a path for which one is tempted to follow. But know that these things will lead you astray and even lead you to a path of doom. Many iterations of where they will take you differ. Some say they will lead you to deeper water so you may either drown or be baptized, and some will have you waiting through jaw's teeth." The brunette laughed as one of the sprites began to rub on her skin as if it were a cat. She, in turn, rubs its head like a pet. 

"This must have been what Mr. Burke and Mr. Muirhead heard that day. They are harder to see in daytime and if you aren't careful, could even show you illusions of the sort." She added.

"Are you suggesting that this is what took Burke?" It was challenging for all of them to comprehend that an experienced Auror could be felled by something so diminutive and seemingly harmless. Hermione, shaking her head in disbelief, gently pushed the sprites away from her and commenced conversing with them as though they could understand. After mere seconds of this exchange, all the sprites took flight, revealing a path across the dark swamp.

"Of course not. Sprites like this cannot harm directly. They prey on the magic of the dead but they're more scavengers in that regard. How they will feed is that they will lead these followers to the deadliest creature around." Hermione explained before giving them a wink and started following the wisp. 

"Which might actually help us find the one responsible for the missing victims."

"Shit." Jermained cursed as the others were now looking more alert and maybe a bit more excited about what awaited them. 

"Come now, don't be left behind."

The wisp practically pirouetted on the breeze, luring them deeper into the swamp.

Funneled through a narrow passage, they sensed magic washing over them, though it carried an unpleasant taint. Progressing further, they observed that the moonlight, initially guiding their way, had vanished, concealed by vines entwined dominantly in the lofty tree branches.

The atmosphere transformed into an almost otherworldly setting, akin to wandering through a cavern. Everything grew darker and murkier, with the water assuming a hue of black and green algae. In the intensified darkness, they relied on the binding spell to trail Hermione, the sole one seemingly able to navigate the path. While the wisp offered some guidance, its feeble glow did little justice.

Not that the surroundings offered any picturesque views.

In every direction, obsidian-hued growth clung to the tree barks, appearing as though the very forest breathed, exhaling tendrils of black miasma. Swarms of flies hovered in massive clouds, yet the group was fortunate that none of them could perceive the unpleasant odor that undoubtedly accompanied the spectacle.

Soon, Hermione led the group to a turn when suddenly she stopped following the wisp. 

"Is there something ahead?"

"Yes." Her voice resonated with suspicion.

They held their breath in anticipation until it materialized—a roar so thunderous it could have filled an entire stadium, a distant warning echoing through the air. 

The wisp also disappeared in a flash as the whole thing was enveloped in darkness.

"Ahhh!!" 

"Wands at the ready!" she commanded, and in response, Hermione conjured a Wand-Lighting Charm, dispersing an enchanting glow across a 20-foot radius. In the newfound illumination, they discerned numerous sinuous vines coiling around the limbs of the team.

"Bombarda!" 

"Diffindo!" 

"Glacius!"

They retaliated, attempting to free themselves, but the vines proved relentless. Each severed vine was swiftly replaced by others, persistently entangling them.

As more vines emerged, encircling their necks and arms and yanking in different directions, some even snatching away their wands, Hermione realized she could no longer remain a spectator. Almost as if responding to an unspoken signal, her eyes glowed with an eerie red hue, an incantation poised on her lips before she exhaled.

From Hermione's breath emerged swirling tendrils of black fire, sinuously dancing through the air like sentient serpents. Potent and deliberate, the flames ensnared the vines in a searing grip, meticulously detaching them from the root inch by inch, carefully avoiding harm to the others.

Vines plummeted into the water, reduced to ash, and several recoiled in fear, affording the group a brief respite. As the vines retreated into the shadows, Hermione extinguished the flames, drawing them back into herself. She coughed as she readjusted, the ordeal taking its toll.

"Is anyone injured?" Hermione swiftly assessed the group, having returned the Angel Flame to dormancy. Fortunately, there were no injuries to report.

"We're fine; vines like these aren't a problem. But who was controlling them?"

"It's not a 'who,' Ms. Isabelle. It's actually a 'what.'" Hermione walked over and touched a vine that remained unresponsive but whole, closing her eyes.

"As I suspected," she uttered, opening her eyes with a tinge of irritation and sighing. "The swamp is cursed."

"Cursed?" 

"Yes, there's a malevolent curse pervading this place; the vines and even the trees are entwined with it. I caught a whiff of it a few hours ago, but I was too far from the source, causing it to ebb and flow. I couldn't reach a definitive conclusion until now."

"You said that the vines were connected? To what?"

"The heart. Where the curse started and is festering. What we need to do now is to find the heart and destroy it. Hopefully, the curse will not affect us because of the protection but the farther we are to each other, the more the curse will affect you. So protect each other as much as you can, understand?" she lamented.

"Yes," echoed a unanimous response from the entire group as they ventured deeper.

"Wait, what kind of curse is it?" Peter inquired, seizing a few seconds to catch his breath.

"I believe it-"

As if thwarting her attempt to speak, the malevolent energy returned. A barricade of vines erupted out of nowhere, confirming Hermione's concerns. The vines turned more aggressive, thicker, and now fortified with a dark protective barrier, forcibly dividing the group into distinct sets of six.

Hermione found herself repelled by the protective barrier, treated as an adversary rather than prey. She gritted her teeth as the binding thread weakened significantly, the fortified walls solidifying in response. Before Hermione could dismantle the barrier, several hands—muddy and rotten—started seizing her clothes with an unexpected force. Despite her efforts, Hermione was overpowered and forcefully pulled into the water.

Isabelle swiftly wielded her wand, skillfully severing all the vines attempting to ensnare her arms. Panting, she found herself isolated in the darkness. She attempted to shout for her companions, but only Peter's voice resonated clearly from the other side of the vine walls.

"Peter! Can you hear me?" Before she could make another attempt, a surge of pain erupted on her back as teeth sank into her shoulder.

Isabelle endured the pain, confident that it had pierced deeply. She twisted around and forcefully slammed the creature chewing on her back against the wall multiple times until it weakened and finally released its grip.

Isabelle spun awkwardly, prepared to confront whatever threatened her, only to be faced with a girl no older than 19. The girl's eyes were glazed, mouth agape, and an aura of dark energy surrounded her. This was far from what Isabelle anticipated. Though her heart continued to race, the blonde woman managed to regain her composure and assess the situation. Observing the disheveled teen with a mix of concern and caution, Isabelle noted the girl's dirt-covered appearance, clothes no more than a week old, severe malnourishment evident in arms that were more bones than flesh, and the unmistakable influence of Imperius, as white, glazed eyes stared back at Isabelle.

"What is happening?" But no one could answer her. 

Isabelle aimed her wand at the girl, who moved erratically like a rabid dog. However, due to the girl's weakened state, any attempts at attack were easily repelled by Isabelle. Despite her resolute demeanor, Isabelle couldn't bring herself to strike with full force. Instead, she transfigured nearby vines into a rope, skillfully immobilizing the frenzied woman. She ensured the rope was securely tied to a tree, serving both as a means of restraint and a safety measure to prevent the girl from drowning.

"Sister? What are you doing there?" 

As Isabelle secured the rope, Fleur's voice reached her ears from behind. In a moment of panic, she spun around, only to be met with water and pondweeds. She frantically scanned the surroundings, twisting her head left and right, but found herself alone.

"What's wrong with me? They're back in France. Why would they—"

"Sister!" The sound of Fleur's voice echoed again, and this time, Isabelle turned around to find Fleur standing in the foyer of their house, her eyes questioning, and a small smile on her lips.

"How?" Isabelle took a step back, feeling solid ground beneath her instead of muddy waters. "What—" She glanced down at herself and discovered she was adorned in a stunning red, free-flowing ball gown. She raised her hands, realizing they were covered by delicate white gloves.

"Sister? Are you okay?" Isabelle watched as Fleur approached with a concerned expression. "Maman has been looking for you. She said Raphael had arrived. Aren't you going to join your own birthday party?"

For some reason, Isabelle's previous worries faded upon hearing Fleur's words. What was she doing just now? 

She couldn't recall.

"I-I'm sorry for making you all wait. I don't remember... what I was preoccupied about." She said her voice had lingered too long for a memory she couldn't access. 

"Well, now that I'm here, let's go!" Fleur moved closer, the elegant blue off-shoulder ball gown gracefully accentuating her younger sister's presence. Isabelle smiled, allowing Fleur's infectious grin to dispel any lingering worries, and followed her to the main hall.

They entered a vast and exquisitely adorned main hall, where moving candles cast a soft glow, and music filled the air. The floors teemed with guests, adorned in resplendent dresses and tuxedos, an array of colors painting the spectrum. Isabelle's body moved instinctively, guided by the poise and grace instilled in her through years of her mother's teachings. She gracefully bowed and greeted guests as they approached her. Though she responded appropriately, a growing discomfort nestled in her heart, the opulent surroundings evoking a familiar sense of claustrophobia.

Yet, Isabelle swallowed this anxiety, holding herself with composure, until she spotted her mother and father engaged in conversation with a young man. Tall and distinguished, his tuxedo a deep scarlet with black linings, his hair reminiscent of the deep sky, and a slight tan that complemented his dazzling demeanor.

"Raphael." She doesn't know why she was muttering. Her mother told her not to do that often, but she couldn't help it. 

Why does this feel so familiar? 

"Isabelle!"

A sharp pain shot through her head, causing her to grunt, her footing faltering.

"Sister!"

"Isabelle!" 

Enveloped in large, warm arms, Isabelle abruptly snapped awake to find herself gazing into Raphael's roguish face, his eyes furrowing in a cute frown.

"Are you okay, mon amour?" His deep voice was comforting, yet the blonde still felt unwell. However, when she noticed her mother's stern gaze, she swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded with a forced smile. "Yes, just stumbled on my foot. Please help me get up, mon nounours."

He seemed as if he wanted to argue further but held his tongue as she smiled and gently caressed his hands to reassure him. He assisted her to her feet, and together they walked to her parents side by side.

Her mother looked pleased with this display, leaving Isabelle with no choice but to smile and bow respectfully to them.

"Hello, Mamam. Papa. Thank you for organizing my party for me." 

"It's no worry, mon ange. Even if you are going to be married, you will still be my daughter." Her father hugged her and kissed her forehead before stepping back to look at her. 

The mention of her wedding chilled her back but smiled regardless as the last thing she would want was to dishearten her father. 

"Yes. My wedding..." 

"Isabelle, have you considered the proposal I discussed with you weeks ago?" Her mother's voice held a steely determination, but her expression remained hopeful, awaiting Isabelle's response.

"I.." What did her mother propose again? It was about...

"Isabelle! Wake up!"

A sudden, immense throb reverberated through Isabelle's head, leaving her breathless. She staggered, a sense of disorientation overwhelming her. Suddenly everything felt wrong.

"Isabelle! Answer me!" Her mother's voice, fraught with anger, matched the intensity of the pain in her head as she fought to shake off the persistent buzzing noise.

"Mamam, stop it!" Amidst the pain, Isabelle faintly heard Fleur's voice, as her sister attempted to defend her.

Suddenly, the hand that should have belonged to Raphael felt wet, cold, and unsettlingly decayed. When Isabelle turned, she was met with the half-decomposed face of a man, moving in a grotesque attempt to bite her.

"Isabelle, wake up!" She jolted awake, black flames forcefully pushing the decaying figure away from her, sending it crashing into the water.

The flames soared, swirling above them, casting a radiant glow.

Isabelle coughed and panted, her arms and body entangled in vines and tethered to a tree. She winced as she felt some kind of tendrils draining her. Numerous of these insidious entities clung to her neck, arms, and back, their movements unsettlingly reminiscent of squirming worms.

Before her thoughts could dwell further, Ms. Ranger's face appeared, filled with guilt and worry. "Isabelle, can you hear me? Are you out of the illusion?"

"Yes. What did I see just now?" Mr. Ranger grunted as she broke each vine holding her arms. The vines retaliated aggressively, but a stroke of the black sentient flame repelled them, sending the writhing tendrils scurrying back toward the heart.

"That is the curse of the swamp, whoever stumbles in its reach is put in a lull and forever dreams of reliving a life that will cause you great pain and regret. It likes to feed off these dark emotions until you are dead from starvation." The last of the vines was severed, allowing Isabelle to move again.

"The curse's grip is formidable. When you were separated from me, my protective enchantments couldn't shield your minds from its influence. It was my fault for being careless." Ms. Ranger raised her hand, and something swirled in the water before the object she sought flicked into her hand.

"My wand!" 

"Yes, here. It was almost lost." Isabelle gave her thanks.

"We should get the others before they get hurt." 

"What about them?" They both glanced at the girl Fleur had tied to the tree, still in a state of delirium.

"I cannot help them for now, they have succumbed to the negative emotions the dreams had shown them, and it would be much harder to pull them out. But if we destroy the heart, we might be able to have hope for them," she explained regretfully.

Isabelle frowned, feeling a sense of helplessness. If that was the case, there was little she could do.

The black snake-like flames descended, encircling them, while the vines danced about in the shadows, ready to strike, just out of sight but never absent.

Ms. Ranger scrutinized the formidable vine walls, contemplating how to breach them when the protective barrier seemed to resist her efforts. Meanwhile, Isabelle's thoughts revolved around the protective flame surrounding them.

"I've been meaning to ask you this, Ms. Ranger but is this..."

"Is Dark magic? Yes." The woman didn't hesitate with her response, running her hands over the vine walls in search of something.

"What does it do exactly?" The flames drew closer, and Isabelle's eyes gleamed with an irresistible urge to touch them.

"Please refrain from touching it. While it may not be intended to harm anyone without my permission, accidental contact will burn you to ash. They are Angel Flames, and despite their enchanting name, anything they touch is consumed by a fire that water can't extinguish. The only silver lining is that the flames can't spread to areas untouched; they're confined to the part they've come into contact with. So, unless you want your fingers reduced to ashes, it's advisable to keep a safe distance." Isabelle straightened up, moving closer to Jean to avoid any accidental burns.

"What do we do? The wall has a barrier to our magic." The brunette continued knocking on the wall, completely ignoring Isabelle, who sighed and waited for the other woman's response.

When Hermione detected a dull sound, a smile graced her face. "Fetch me a large piece of wood, please."

She did as she was told and accio a log to her. "What are you going to do?"

Taking the log from her hands, Ms. Ranger transfigured it into an axe. "Well, magically, it's sturdy, but I wager it's no match for metal."

Ms. Ranger gestured her back as the brunette began hacking at the vines, displaying precision and vigor. Both were relieved when her efforts were rewarded with the satisfying sound of vines snapping. Soon, with efficient work and coordinated efforts, a hole large enough for each woman to crawl through emerged.

"You go in first and wait for the Angel Flame there. Assist Auror Moreswood. Once you've freed him, gather the others— don't worry about the vines, the angel flames can scare them away but still please be careful. I'll join you after; I just need to take care of something." Her gaze shifted behind them, staring into the distance

"What about the curse?" She also considered asking if Ms. Ranger needed assistance, although their past endeavors suggested she could handle herself. Nonetheless, extending the offer wouldn't hurt.

"As long as two or more of you are close in proximity, the protection charm will supplement the effects. Make sure none of you are separated from the group."

"I understand, Ms. Ranger. Please be careful," she expressed genuinely before proceeding through the hole, feeling the water not much warmer on the other side. She heard splashes just a minute after her arrival, which soon ceased as the Angel Flames began to accompany her, casting their illuminating glow. In the light, she spotted Peter in a pose similar to hers moments earlier.

This time, Isabelle had a clear resolution on what to do.

"Merlin's beard, I hate this!" Andrea's blunt attitude shone through once she was liberated from the illusion and the vines.

All five of them emerged with only minor injuries and scratches. Thanks to Isabelle and Fredrick's adept healing, they were quickly tended to. However, another predicament loomed as, at regular intervals, individuals ensnared by the curse would assail them. Some displayed considerable strength, indicating they had recently fallen under the curse, while others, like the girl Isabelle had encountered, appeared emaciated and skeletal

Through meticulous coordination, they restrained them without causing harm. Fortunately, the majority of the victims happened to be Muggles, adding an element of luck to their situation.

"Where is she?" Andrea asked, rubbing her wrist in frustration.

"She didn't particularly say where she was going but it sounded urgent," Isabelle explained, facing a dark tunnel leading to nowhere. The Angel Flame continued guarding them, occasionally hissing at Andrea.

"How about we attack the Heart now?" Jermain suggested.

"Or call for backup since we have the location," Fredrick interjected.

Their senior Auror shook his head, his expression grave. "We cannot apparate out, I've tried. The magic surrounding this area is begrimed and disrupts magic flow outside its trap. We can maybe try to leave on the same path we came from but that would require to know where it was. Only Ms. Ranger knows the way." Peter explained as he began walking towards the tunnel. 

"How about we wait for her?" Isabelle asked the group.

"I don't think we need to. We can destroy the Heart while we still have the chance. Waiting for her might waste us precious time." Peter dribbled on as Andrea and Fredrick began following him. Jermain gave her a small smile before patting her back.

With a sober consensus of four to one, Isabelle had to concede and followed after the group.

Jermain offered her a supportive smile and words of encouragement. "Don't worry about her. She'll find us anyway. She was hired by the Ministry even before the war started, as a Death Eater tracker. Only the big shots got to work with her, and all of them signed magical contracts not to spill any information about the experience. But they said she was really good at it, like a Bloodhound. That's how she got her nickname. More than half the Death Eaters taken down by Moody were because she was able to find them and even expose those spies. She's wicked cool."

"But why didn't I hear her name mentioned among the honored heroes after the war?"

"She asked not to be included— vehemently warned them not to. Since they still needed her services even after everything, the decision was made to avoid inciting her displeasure therefore ending this mutualistic relationship and just award her in secret. No parties. No big announcement, just a recognition that they might have inserted somewhere in their speeches." Jermain had a smile as he explained. 

Isabelle was surprised that Ms. Ranger was actually a celebrity under all those humble aesthetics. 

"Hey, Peter weren't you on the third batch of interrogation team?" Fredrick remembered as all eyes were on him. "Did you see her in action?" 

The man had always been silent. Always prompting to say less and act more. This Isabelle knew because of the incident that got him the large scar on his back after blabbering the wrong thing at the wrong time. 

None of the teammates had seen it other than Andrea but while the woman was crass and had no filter, even she wouldn't say anything when it comes to Peter's past. 

"I did. Once," He answered courtly while still navigating them to the terrain with the Angel flame lazily flying above. 

"And?" Jermain excitedly asked but he was slapped by Andrea on the head. 

"Don't you get it, He signed a contract... I mean, you did right?" 

"No. I didn't." They were surprised by this. 

"Blimey, really?"

"Yes."

"So... how was she? Ms. Ranger, I mean. They said she helped the accused to confess." The excited man couldn't hold back his curiosity. 

"She was merciless, cruel, and mad. It was more torture than an interrogation"

"Come on. I think that's exaggerated. I mean, sometimes we get a little rough with them so they confess. I don't think a lady, such as herself, would go overboard." Fredrick played it off. 

"Is that so?" He pivoted to confront the man, his gaze piercing and resolute. "She methodically interrogated 200 suspected Death Eaters, resulting in the demise of 50 during those sessions, yet conclusively establishing the guilt of 350 in total. How do you think she could have done that by just asking questions nicely?" 

"I don't mean that." 

"I promise you, Ms. Ranger's reputation precedes her but one thing you should always know. She isn't our friend. There's a reason why most Aurors hate her, Markus included, it's because she's not so different from the creatures we are fighting right now. She can be as vile or even more than death eaters and mindless creatures."

"Now that's too much, Peter!" Isabelle rushed out, her glare driven. 

"Oh? What, you think just because she saved you and us, that means I'm not right? Tell me, Auror Delacour. Who do you think was responsible for the Kenmare massacre? Huh?" It was the first the others had heard of it. 

Isabelle was aware of a somber and tragic event that unfolded in a wizarding town in Kenmare—an area that had served as a refuge for hiding Death Eaters during Voldemort's weakened state. Aurors were dispatched to apprehend them, leading to the demise of 20 Death Eaters and, regrettably, the unintentional loss of 9 innocent Muggles in the ensuing skirmish. The incident became a scandal, prompting the Muggle Ministry to demand reparations for the damages caused.

"She bore responsibility for all 29 deaths—no mercy, no hesitation," his eyes reflected intense emotions.

"If your life obstructs her goals, she won't spare a second thought for it. It's wise to remember that for the future."

The team was left speechless, and none would question the validity since Peter has always been known not to joke. 

"Now if we're done joking around, we need to get serious. Since we don't have our precious hound with us." The Angel Flame hissed at Peter's face but otherwise did not attack. Peter might act cool and standoffish but even he stepped back when the sentient flame made a move on him.

It resumed circling them swiftly when Peter looked away, a silent acknowledgment of submission.

Isabelle rolled her eyes. Apparently, intimidation had its limits.

Chapter 3: First Case: OdditySummary:

Sometimes, Hermione can be a bit rough... unintentionally or not...

Notes:

So... Here I am. 🥺

Thank you to those who read the previous chapters, it motivates me. Also, this chapter is dedicated to Rebekah N.. 🌹 for her heartwarming comment previously.

Also thank you for sticking along.

Also, I know there's still not much to note but I hope you guys enjoy this.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Hermione limbs slot back to their place as she breathes in relief that her clothes aren't too mangled up by her part-transformation. 

Just after releasing Isabelle from her mind prison, she detected an anomaly nearby. It wasn't dark magic, instead it was significantly normal magic, if there's anything as normal magic. Either way, she found it odd. There shouldn't have been anyone who could stumble inside the zone because she made sure to seal off the exit and entrance to further decrease the victims of the swamp. 

Then who could have bypassed it? 

Whoever they are they did it intentionally. 

So she went to inspect the intruder. However, even with how much Hermione considers herself a cunning and sneaky person, it isn't enough to get past them. She was ten feet away when they let out a nasty hex directly at her face. 

She reeled back as the hex hit but it only served to relieve some of the hunger she'd been holding. She absorbs the hex through her skin. Hermione grinned, her excitement scratched as her skin turned white and her eyes swallowed by black swirls— her control lessening.

Agitated by the attack, Hermione retaliated with her own spells. White and dark flashes fought each other, illuminating the otherwise murky cave. Hermione was much faster than her counterpart though while she slowly edged closer and closer. Each flick of her hand was more deadlier and turbulent than the next. 

But they were clever because as reached the midpoint, they made a patronus that had her reeling back utterly because she was not prepared and had not expected this individual to know some of her weak points. Because of her unique constitution, the effect of the patronus threatened her instinctual behavior to primally attack. 

She howls her breath igniting the patronus back for a face-off. The shimmering ibex bounced on the air, only doing so to catch her attention. When she noticed this, her jaws stretched out and she cast a bubble charm on the Patronus before moving around it to chase after the unknown individual, only to see no one. 

She turned back and the patronus had vanished into the fog. 

Just when she thought it was for nothing in the corner of her eyes, she potted something on the wet floor. A piece of mangled cloth that she must have cut unintentionally from them. 

She kneeled to touch it. It was rough, and dirty as it had small gravel stuck to it. Hermione tried smelling it and detected three distinct scents, blood, moss, and a rather sweet earthly fragrance. Her nose crinkled but a clue was a clue. 

She pocketed the thing so she could get more information from it later on. 

Hermione meticulously put in more wards around the cave before going back to where everyone might be. 

She just hoped none of them was stupid enough to attempt killing the heart without knowing how to.

"Bunch of headless Buffons," Hermione said with a groan as she neither found hair nor the presence of the five Aurors on the last division of the vine walls. 

While she instructed Isabelle to free the others it wasn't a free go to hunt an extremely dangerous dark entity. But then again, she didn't specifically tell them not to. 

Also, they have their own set of rights to proceed how they want. They're Aurors— they're built for fighting.

It's just... they have no idea what they are facing. This was one of the more reasons dark arts should be taught more. At best, Hermione has suspicion the heart has more up its sleeves. 

"It's a good thing I sent them Angel Flame. But... with my distance it might..." she said exasperatedly to herself. Ignoring her want to berate, she started following their trail before things went haywire. 

The tunnel delved far deeper than their initial expectations. Numerous twists and turns befuddled the group of five, leaving them uncertain about the exact count of the convoluted path they had traversed.

The only good thing was that, by far, nothing has tried attacking them. The extra dark creatures hiding on the walls were scared to come out because of the sentient black flame hovering above the group. 

Emerging into a chamber after navigating the twisting turns, the group of five found themselves in a cavern that exuded an eerie atmosphere. Stalactites loomed ominously from above, casting long, distorted shadows on the uneven walls. The mineral deposits on the surfaces formed grotesque, almost skeletal patterns, adding to the unsettling ambiance. Dim, flickering light from sporadic patches of bioluminescent fungi created an eerie play of shadows that seemed to dance malevolently.

In the heart of the chamber, a murky pool of water lay just below ankle height, its surface occasionally disturbed by unseen ripples. The unsettling silence was broken only by distant, echoing sounds, echoing through the chamber's hidden recesses. The surreal landscape, while captivating, carried an undertone of dread, as if the very essence of the cave harbored secrets and mysteries that were better left undisturbed. The group couldn't shake off the feeling that, despite the apparent respite, they were not alone in the depths of this chilling underworld.

"Weren't we in a swamp before?" Echoed the collective thought among them, a shared realization that the surroundings had taken an unexpected conclusion. The atmosphere seemed to have shifted dramatically, as if they had descended into an underground realm, entangled within the intricate labyrinth of cave passages, a disorienting departure from the marshy landscape they remembered.

"I hope this isn't another illusion, or I might lose it!" Andrea exclaimed, keeping pace as the group pressed forward. However, she couldn't ignore the fact that the Angel Flames had ceased following them, as if hindered from proceeding any farther.

The flames flickered, gradually dimming.

"Shit! Oi! Light up! Light up!" Jermain urgently shouted at it, but the Angel Flame was slowly fading away, its head dissipating into smoke.

The angel flame flickered and glided back to the entrance where they came from. 

"Forget about it. Cast shield spells!"Peter commanded as echoes reverberated off the chamber walls, signaling approaching sounds from the other side.

From the unassuming puddle, tufts of hair and heads emerged as five figures gradually rose from the supposedly shallow water.

Their bodies were soaked, skin oddly greyish, eyes glazed over, and dark veins popping visible over cold skin. The Aurors braced themselves when they noticed all five assailants were holding wands. 

The gravity of the situation finally dawns on them. They found themselves ensnared in a perilous predicament, surrounded by another group of individuals under mind control. However, this time, the captivated weren't ordinary muggles but wizards. Their eyes were following the five with blurry vision but there was no question to their attention as the first hex pointed towards Peter. 

On instinct, Peter reflected on the hex and commanded the team. 

"Fuck! Aim to disengage! No killing spell!" Peter urgently shouted.

Suddenly, a frentic battle exploded within the cavern.

The team instinctively split into two groups: Peter, Andrea, and Isabelle formed one, while Jermain and Frederick stood side by side in the other.

Their adversaries, cunningly employing a divergent strategy, deliberately scattered and initiated a relentless barrage of spells. The wicked zines and temptress ghouls, concealed within the cave's shadows, lent an ominous edge to the assault. Despite the team's attempt to stay united, their foes cleverly exploited the limited space, aiming to force them to break apart.

Anticipating their adversaries' tactics, the team found themselves navigating the cramped cavern, attempting to evade spells without compromising the safety of their partners. The confined spaces posed a significant challenge, amplifying the difficulty of their every move.

Compounded by the curse that threatened to cloud their minds if they stayed separated for too long, the team had to orchestrate their maneuvers with precision. As their enemies lurked in ambush from every corner, the delicate balance between cooperation and survival became increasingly intricate.

~oOo~

"Protego Totalum!" Isabelle's incantation rang out, forming a shimmering shield that enveloped Peter and Andrea as they crouched, preparing for a dual strike.

"Arresto Momentum," Andrea uttered with intense focus. The two enemies in front slowed, but Peter seized the moment, predicting the wizard's movements. Angling his wand toward the ceiling, he pointed it at a stalagmite, conjuring an arrow that tore through its main stub with a ferocious speed.

The stalagmite plummeted, crashing into the wizard's head, taking him out. However, before sleepiness could take out his retaliation came swiftly in the form of a hex. "Redactum Skullus!"

Peter's eyes shot up as his feet stumbled, leaving him no time to retreat. A faint light streaked out from the enemy's wand at lightning speed. His breath hitched, but salvation came in the form of a powerful force yanking Peter's collar back. He tumbled backward, saved at the last moment by Isabelle's seize-and-pull charm. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Isabelle responded tersely. Peter nodded before rising, only to witness Andrea finishing off the other adversary with a cascading jinx, explosions echoing one after another. Without a second more, Peter assisted with a binding charm.

On the opposite side of the passage, Fredrick and Jermain battled three adversaries simultaneously.

"Conjunctivitis!"

"Protego!" Jermain deflected the curse, while Fredrick countered with a dumo spell that shattered a nearby boulder into a million pieces, creating a dense cloud of dust. Jermain followed suit. "Confundo!"

Two of the wizards, now disoriented, began brawling with each other as the smoke cleared. Taking the load of the numbers as Fredrick retrieved their wand with an easy accio. 

The last one, however, was more calculated to settle calmly. Jermain recognized the smirk on the wizard's face, the man's eyes glazed over but his face was clean. "Burke!" Jermain yelled, realizing he was the missing Auror.

Despite his haggard appearance and unsteady pose, Burke swiftly retaliated using their own strategy just seconds before. "Fumos! Colloshoo!" He let out two spell instantaneously. Both men found themselves trapped, sitting ducks as they attempted to counterattack. The smokescreen thwarted their efforts to cast spells precisely.

Amidst the swirling haze, a voice muttered something sinister. "Pestis..." Those words sent a chill down their spines, signaling impending doom.

"Guys, we're coming!" Andrea shouted as they managed to tie up their set of troubles.

"No, don't come here! Run away!"

"...Incendium!" Light pierced the smokescreen, revealing licks of Fiendfyre growing larger and larger, forming a serpent that engulfed the cave in near hellish degrees. As the Fiendfyre outgrew the smokescreen, all five could see the continuous stream of fire from Burke's wand, the man unknowingly unleashing hell in the confined space.

Despite their efforts, Fredrick and Jermain remained rooted to the ground due to the spell, helpless witnesses as the flames consumed everything in a frenzied dance, the caster seemingly losing control or perhaps never having it in the first place. The air itself crackled with the intensity of the unleashed chaos.

"Shit! He can't control it!" Fredrick's voice wavered with a raw, unfiltered panic as the flames danced unpredictably, flickering left and right.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Jermain's incantation cut through the chaos, the spell aimed at the two wizards locked in a brutal brawl. Without missing a beat, he followed up with another incantation. "Carpe Retractum!" A surge of purple light burst from his wand, transforming into an ethereal rope that snaked through the air. He seized the bodies, dragging them away from the encroaching Fiendfyre's insatiable heat just in the nick of time.

The vines and everything all was fried and burned.

As the gravity of the situation settled on the other three, Peter's eyes underwent a visible transformation, reflecting a mix of determination and anguish. "Both of you, untie your boots! Andrea, Isabelle, get the victims out of here! I'll distract it!"

Peter sprinted to the forefront, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. He took a deep breath, feeling an indescribable whirlwind of distress and fear. The rapidly rising temperature, coupled with the vivid memories of losing his entire family to Fiendfyre, stirred an overwhelming mix of emotions. His hands trembled with the weight of his past, but in the face of his responsibility to his team, running away was an undeserving thought. Swallowing the dark thoughts, he raised his wand, the raw edges of his voice cutting through the chaotic sounds. "Protego Horribilis!"

The incantation resounded urgently, each syllable echoing with the weight of Peter's haunted history. The protective shield materialized, a palpable barrier standing between his team and the encroaching inferno. It marked a poignant juncture where duty collided with the ghostly echoes of personal loss. Fiendfyre hissed menacingly as it clashed with the shield, the entire group holding their breath, hoping the conjured barrier could withstand the dark curse.

As the shield retained its shape, the ominous nature of Fiendfyre continued its ruthless assault, tearing through the surroundings, the once-protective barrier included.

"We're free! Come on, Peter! Let's go!"

"Get Burke! He's going to get consumed by Fiendfyre," Peter gritted out, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He stood alone between the inferno and his teammates, concealing the vulnerability of his shield compared to a complete three casted Protego Horribilis.

"Get him now!" He shouted firmly.

"We can't! He's too far, and Fiendfyre is closing in. He's not going to make it." Jermain said in distress. The realization hung in the air, a collective acknowledgment of the impending danger, the grim truth that Burke might succumb to the relentless fury of the magical fire while all they could do was watch. 

The colossal form of Fiendfyre loomed, a writhing serpent over 20 feet, its fiery head descending menacingly upon them. Burke, trapped in the flames encroaching ever closer to his feet, left Peter grappling with a sense of helplessness, unsure of what action to take. Abruptly, Fiendfyre halted, sensing an unseen presence.

All eyes turned skyward as Angel Flame materialized out of nowhere, hovering in elegant circles around the colossal magical inferno.

"Need a hand?" Ms. Ranger's voice, a welcome relief to the tense atmosphere, reached Peter's ears, even as he grudgingly wouldn't acknowledge the sentiment. The others were also relieved by her presence as her easy smile calmed them immensely. 

The woman's clothes were a bit mangled and cut-up but overall she was still descent. The other neither had time to realize this but Peter knew better than ignore that. However, it was not the time playing 20 question with someone so tiplip and mysterious, as Ms. Ranger. 

"Yes. An uncontrollable Fiendfyre and the caster is beyond our reach for rescue," Peter replied, a glimpse of curly, frazzled hair catching his eye while he monitored the shield's stability.

"Out of control, hmm?" She grinned, her eyes flickering into black, sending a shiver down Peter's spine. The first time Peter had seen Ms. Ranger it was those same eyes, the pit of the dead. He watched as those eyes craned into one's soul and pried them out. Truth, lies and anything that is within your mind, she will take it. 

He read the behavior as something had interested her for there's no other reason her dark creatures behavior would come to the surface so easily. 

He was snapped away from his musing when she went back to normal and stared back at him with a humane smile and all he could do was avert his eyes. 

"Fear not, Mr. Moreswood. Angel Flame can likely handle Fiendfyre. As for your caster, I'll fetch him for you. Step back when I cross over the shield."

Shouts erupted as Ms. Ranger, a picture of poise and unpredictability, stepped over the shield towards Burke, still engulfed in Fiendfyre's flames. Before making contact, however, the flames turned obsidian. As the group puzzled over this strange transformation, Fiendfyre responded with furious howls as portions of its body blackened upon contact with the smaller sentient flame. What baffled them even more was that with each confrontation, Angel Flame grew incrementally. The two engaged in a silent dance for dominance, a perplexing spectacle playing out in the midst of chaos.

Peter witnessed Ms. Ranger's deft hand movements, and in an instant, Fiendfyre's colossal form shifted as if under her command. The surreal spectacle left him pondering if she possessed the ability to manipulate the inferno. His gaze fixated on the flames, a majestic confluence of blackened tendrils battling Angel Flame's relentless assault. Fiendfyre, half of its body succumbing to the encroaching darkness, seemed powerless against the mysterious fire's voracious appetite, each clash draining its essence.

The eerie dance persisted until Fiendfyre's once tumultuous blaze transformed into a serene radiance of night shade. Its movements, now purposeful and controlled, allowed Ms. Ranger to approach Burke unharmed, the inferno yielding to her presence as if guided by an unheard command.

Finally releasing the shield, Peter slumped to the ground, drained and breathless. His eyes lingered on Burke, a conflicting mix of relief and unease settling within him. Because Burke is very much still under the effect of the curse and he has no idea what she'll do to him.

Burke's hand raised in acknowledgment of Ms. Ranger's presence, but the unexpected occurred. A whistle from her lips, and Fiendfyre, entangled with Burke's wand, thrashed its tail. In the ensuing struggle, the flame grazed Burke's hand, prompting him to release his wand. They thought that would be the end of the problem but suddenly, Burke took a knife from behind him and aimed it at his neck.

"NO!" Acting on pure instinct, Hermione unleashed bursts of magic directly at Burke, casting an Imperius Curse to halt his movements. The struggle ensued as the curse fiercely resisted her, fighting for control over his mind.

Her goal, however, wasn't to maintain control indefinitely. "Throw the knife away!" The man's body tensed, caught in the conflict of two forces battling for control. "Throw. it. away." Hermione intensified her magical command, prompting hearing the audible clatter of the knife hitting the ground.

Swiftly employing a simple Incarcerous spell, she bound the man with magical ropes, releasing the Imperius Curse. The man lay on the ground, subdued by the magical restraints. 

She sighed. For a moment, she thought she was too late.

Turning her attention to Fiendfyre, Hermione recognized the urgency of dispelling the magical inferno to prevent it from consuming all the air within. Commanding it to disappear, Fiendfyre slowly faded away, dissipating into nothingness

"Blimey, Merlin's beard, that was awesome!" Hermione sensed that the sole individual likely to appreciate such a feat would be Jermain, but to her surprise, it was Fredrick who voiced his admiration.

Smiling, Hermione rejoined the group, the missing Auror now safely accounted for.

"See, I told you this was going to be a fun mission." Jermain nudged Fredrick with his elbow, and both couldn't help but grin.

Once Hermione approached, Jermain couldn't contain his curiosity. "How did you do that?! It was the first time I've ever seen someone completely stop a Fiendfyre of that size!"

Hermione pondered about her answer. Strictly speaking, if it were just Hermione's opinion, she could explained more but two things made her pause. For one, information of this size would require someone else's permission other than hers and she was sure, he'd said 'no'. Another variable was if they knew of this information, who's to say they wouldn't potentially exploit it. Moreover, two of the Aurors harbored suspicions about her.

Given these considerations, she opted for a concise explanation. "Angel Flame's definitive function is to burn or to consume. If it encounters something it cannot burn, it chooses to consume it. Take fire, for instance, be it dark, light, or sentient. As fire inherently embodies intense heat, Angel Flame opts to consume it as sustenance and converts it into a similar property of its own being."

"So when Angel Flame began changing Fiendfyre... It became an extension of itself," Isabelle tried to understand.

"Exactly. By then, it was no longer Fiendfyre but another limb of Angel Flame." Hermione beckoned the snake-like flame closer, and it hissed above her head, as if seeking acknowledgment.

"Good boy," she said with a smile. Its tail wiggled before continuing to ward off the smaller parasites.

"Wow. That's a neat thing to have," Isabelle commented as the black flame attempted to burn wicked vines in strokes. "Is there a way to get one?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "It's a dark art. Obtaining anything through dark magic typically involves intense negative emotions, heinous conditions, or payments ranging from mild to extreme. I doubt you'd be pleased with what you'd have to give up to acquire even a small amount of Angel Flame."

Just as Isabelle prepared to ask another question, showing her curiosity about what she had to exchange in return for it when Peter stepped forward with a serious and intense look.

"You used an Unforgivable," Peter stated defensively as if expecting Hermione to deny it at any moment.

She didn't. "I did," she said straightforwardly, meeting his gaze.

"It is against wizarding law for a wizard or a witch to use it against another human being."

Hermione chuckled. "But I'm not a witch, am I? The Ministry has never considered me a witch since 1969."

"That..." His voice faltered, acknowledging the truth in her words.

"And since I am not a witch in your regard, my casting of an Imperius Curse is nonexistent because, according to all your accounts, magical creatures are inherently unable to perform such spells, as it goes against their canonical magical capacity." She stretched the truth, and he knew it, intensifying his glare. She also couldn't hide how mocking she just sounded, but it's not for nothing.

Hermione had long been aware of the Ministry and the Magical Law Enforcement Department's opinion of her—a person being taken advantage of, yet also in a precarious position, susceptible to prosecution by the very department she was assisting. A double-edged sword.

"We know very well that you're more than capable of casting the spell, creature or not. The war has ended, and the laws against them have been enacted. You have no excuse to use it," Peter insisted.

"Calm down, Mr. Mooreswood. My very being is rooted in dark magic, and we both know you can't put me in jail just because of it— at least last I've heard anyway. Moreover, should I have let your friend die for a law that prohibits my actions? I mean, all my spells and enchantments have been dark magic, and yet you've all benefited from them since we got here. Are you really going to play semantics with me now?" Hermione chuckled darkly, her eyes growing darker as she looked down at the Auror

"I am an Auror, I uphold the laws against the use of Unforgivables, so yes, Ms. Ranger, I do," Peter asserted. He would have continued, but Andrea intervened, grasping his shoulders and stepping in front to bow to Hermione.

"Sir, if I may." Andrea's eyes conveyed a seriousness as she produced something from her pocket. "I wasn't sure why Mr. Brandley gave this to me last minute before Apparating, but Ms. Ranger was well within her rights to cast the curse at that moment. This is the handwritten orders of Minister Fudge." She handed it to Peter, who looked annoyed as he snatched it from her hands. He read it through while Hermione rolled her eyes and stepped back, giving them some space.

Hermione patiently awaited to see if Mr. Galloway had taken her part of the deal seriously. Explicitly, she had negotiated multiple cases with the Ministry, and one of her conditions was being exempted from the prohibitions of using dark magic since it had become a significant part of her repertoire. While she might dabble in conventional spells, her nature now leaned heavily towards the dark arts—curses, rituals, enchantments, and the like. It felt like an addiction she couldn't resist, delving deeper than the spells the Ministry considered acceptable.

She anticipated this argument would come in the morning, but it seemed Peter Mooreswood was too firmly bound by rules to comprehend her perspective. What surprised her more was that it was Auror Druinden who had been given the seal of approval. She had expected it to be Isabelle or Jermain, given their high opinions of her. The scarlet woman's support caught her off guard but she wasn't going to complain.

The distant echoes of the two Aurors arguing provided a backdrop as Hermione turned her attention to the water, which emitted a tantalizing aroma. Kneeling beside the pond, she extended her hand to touch the surface, only to be repelled. A sly grin spread across her face as realization dawned.

"You're afraid of me, noh?" Her voice, both serene and mocking, whispered like a gentle breeze. Her features relaxed, and a hungry glint sparkled in her eyes.

"I haven't eaten in weeks. You came into my lap at the very last moments, so thank you." Her murmurs, almost affectionate, accompanied the trembling and rippling of the pond's surface as her hand hovered above it.

"Just wait for me," she sings songed teasingly. Her words lingered in the air, as the two Aurors finally reached a decision.

"So? Am I arrested, or do we continue?" She straightened up, turning to face them.

"You are terribly lucky, Ms. Ranger. You have not broken any laws," Peter forced himself to maintain calm composure while deciphering the Minister's orders.

A silent snide expression crossed her face. If she were in his position, she might have reacted the same way. Minister Fudge, she thought, was always eager to portray himself favorably to the public and media, even if it meant utilizing dark creatures and sanctioning the use of Unforgivables. The notion seemed absurd to her, considering they had already employed Dementors in a similar manner. Suppressing a laugh at the sheer absurdity, she refrained, mindful of her audience.

"Splendid! Then let's make a cage for these poor people to be safe under. It should be warded, strong enough that they cannot break through. We have to leave them here while we take care of the heart."

"On it!" Fredrick offered, while Isabelle chimed in, "I'll help you." 

After some tinkering and transfiguration, the five wizards found themselves bound and confined within a cage, protected by wards and silencing charms. Satisfied with their containment, the group refocused their attention on the dark pond.

"What's our next plan?"

"We don't need to do much. Since we've taken care of its guards, it doesn't have anything else protecting it other than locating where the heart is and breaking the curse. The problem is, it's not letting me in because it sees me as an enemy, and I don't want to waste magic on something you guys can do. That's why I need all five of you to swim in and take the heart for me." Hermione understood that her straightforward approach might seem lackluster, but there was no other way to convey the urgency.

Peter snorted, and even Jermain let out a small whine; the whole group appeared unwilling to take the plunge into the ominous pond, still infested with miasma, resembling a portal to the seafloor.

"I'll go." Isabelle stepped up, determination in her eyes. Hermione felt impressed but also a bit guilty.

"Stand down, Delacour. I'll go," Andrea responded, gradually shedding her robes.

"Let you girls have all the fun. Please let me and Jermain do the honors."

"What?! Why do I have to go too?" Jermain complained.

"Because we're gentlemen!" Fredrick retorted.

"I am your officer; it should be me."

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "As noble as you think you guys are, I said all five of you. The more you guys look for it together, the better the protection of my enchantments is." She knelt and touched the water's surface, a deep growl reverberating through the ground as the water rippled even more than before.

She turned and locked eyes with each Auror, infusing her words with a somber gravity. "You're essentially diving into the heart's territory, where its influence is threefold compared to what you've experienced before. It will attempt to worm its way into your mind, coerce you to heed its desires, and make you yearn for nothing more than to be caged. To combat such a force, I suggest you function as a team. No one is lesser, and no one is greater."

All five nodded in understanding and began to strip down until they were wearing shorts and shirts. Their wands are holsters strapped on their arm and legs.

Hermione was pleased with their commitment and waved her hand, signaling them to enter. "Word of warning, the water is cold."

"Anyways, what does the heart look like?" Isabelle inquired.

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "A curse of this size should be very unique, and, in most cases, it manifests based on its past origins."

"So basically, we're going in blind," Peter sighed.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, my apologies. I'm not proficient with divination. However, you are experienced Aurors. I'm confident you'll recognize it when you see it."

"That doesn't reassure us," Andrea remarked.

"Really? Then what will?" Hermione asked, a bit perplexed.

"Never mind."

"So when you see it. Bring it back to me. That's all you need to do." 

With these instructions, the five wizards cast Bubble-Head Charms and submerged into the murky pond, ready to face the unknown depths.

Hermione, for her part, grinned and transfigured the large boulders around her into a makeshift chair. With deft movements, she conjured a small fire, produced a kettle from her bag, and a cup for her tea.

She settled into the chair, waiting, holding her cup of jasmine, determined to silence the grumbling protests of her hungry stomach.

"Almost there," she muttered to herself, occasionally sipping her tea.

~oOo~