Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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The trio proceeded to discuss throughout the week, who could be the man and why he would even be there at the Burrow. Ron and Harry seemed concerned for her well-being. Wednesday soon came around and after having a quick breakfast, they were putting on their coats as Mrs. Weasley grabbed hold of a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece and peered inside. 

"We're running low, Arthur," She sighed, "We'll have to buy some more today. Ah well, guests first. Harry? Hermione?" 

Harry and Hermione peered over the pot, staring at the glittering powder. 

"What am I supposed to do?" he asked them. 

"They've never traveled by Floo Powder before." Ron stated to his Mom. 

"Oh, then Ron why don't you show them how's it done?" Mrs. Weasley suggested to Ron. Ron took a handful of powder before walking inside the fireplace. He turned around before shouting out, "Diagon Alley!" then he threw the powder on the ground where emerald fire engulfed him then vanished along with the flames. 

"See, dearies, nothing to it." Mrs. Weasley told them. Harry still looked nervous. 

"I'll go," Hermione spoke up while grabbing a pinch of the powder then headed over to the fireplace. She cleared her throat before speaking out loud "Diagon Alley!" then tossed the powder down. She felt the flames rise around her before she felt like she was being sucked down a giant drain. She felt herself spinning fast as a roaring in her ears was deafening. She tried to keep her eyes opened but the flames made her feel sick. She suddenly felt something like a pair of hands grabbing her arms and pulling her backwards. 

She flew out from a fireplace and onto cold stone.  Covered in soot and bruises, she got to her feet. She was alone but she had no idea where she was at. She could have sworn she had said Diagon Alley right. But she was standing in the middle of a large, dimly lit wizard's shop but there wasn't anything in there that would ever be on Hogwarts' school list. Hermione felt out of place and the the items that surrounded the entire shop wasn't making her feel any better. There were skulls, staring glass eyes, a withered hand on a cushion, evil-looking masks draped the wall, and worse human bones. She could see outside was a narrowed dark street, which she knew was most definitely wasn't Diagon Alley. 

Hermione was about to make her way to the door to get out of there when suddenly a loud blazing sound caused her to turn around to find Harry sliding down from fireplace. 

"Harry," Hermione whispered, not wanting to draw anyone's attention to them, while she hurried over to him and helped him to his feet. 

"Where are we?" Harry asked her. Hermione shrugged her shoulders. 

"I'm not sure. But we better get out of here before we're caught." Hermione advised to him. He nodded his head as they hurried to the door. However, they hadn't gotten halfway to the door when they saw two people heading towards the shop. One of which was Draco Malfoy. Hermione felt Harry grab her wrist and pulled her towards a large black cabinet to their left. They hurried inside as they closed the doors except for a little crack. Malfoy came walking inside with the man, who could only be his father, followed behind. 

"Touch nothing, Draco." Mr. Malfoy growled in a cruel tone as he made his way to the front desk and rang a bell. Soon a stooping man had appeared behind the counter. 

"Ah, Mr. Borgin," Mr. Malfoy said. 

"Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you again," Mr. Borgin said, "Delighted-- and young Master Malfoy, too-- charmed. How may I be of assistance? I must show you, just in today, and very reasonably priced--" 

"I'm not buying today, Mr. Borgin, I'm selling." Mr. Malfoy stated to him, "You have heard of course that the Ministry is conducting more raids and I have a few-- items at home that might embarrass me, if the Ministry were to call..." 

"The Ministry woudn't presume to trouble you, sir, surely?" 

"I have not been visited yet. The name Malfoy still commands a certain respect, yet the Ministry grows ever more meddlesome. There are rumors about a new Muggle Protection Act-- no doubt that flea-bitten, Muggle-loving fool Arthur Weasley is behind it." 

Hermione had to keep an arm around Harry when Mr. Malfoy insulted Mr. Weasley. 

"I understand, sir, of course," Mr. Borgin stated, "Let me see..." 

"Don't-- touch-- anything--" Mr. Malfoy suddenly growled as he shot his cane at Draco, nearly hitting the side of his head. Hermione couldn't help but wince for fear she might see it cut into Draco's head. 

"Ah, the Hand of Glory!" Mr. Borgin said, "Insert a mere candle and it gives light only to the holder! Best friend of thieves and plunderers! Your son has fine taste, sir." 

"I hope my son will amount to more than a mere thief." Mr. Malfoy said, coldly, "Though if his grades don't pick up, that may indeed be all he is fit for--" 

"It's not my fault," Retorted Draco, "The teachers all have favorites, that Hermione Granger--" 

"I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you in every exam," Mr. Malfoy snapped. Harry shot Hermione a smirked and a thumbs-up. 

"That's not what I heard, Mr. Malfoy, if I may be so bold to say." Mr. Borgin said, drawing both Malfoy's and Hermione's attention, "Rumor is, she is the great-great-great-great Granddaughter of--" 

A bell rang, causing everyone to turn to see who walked in. Suddenly the air seemed to shift violently to a colder tension. 

"I can't believe..." Mr. Borgin mumbled under his breath. Hermione peered around to see a man wearing a long leather trench coat walking past a magnificent necklace of opals with a card that says Caution: Do Not Touch. Cursed-- has claimed the lives of Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date. Hermione gasped. It was the man from when she fell off the broom. The man walked over, almost near Mr. Malfoy, who looked suddenly frightened himself. 

"Good evening, gentlemen, it's been awhile since I walked these streets since I've been sentenced to Azkaban." the man stated. 

"If you could wait for a mere moment, I'm helping Mr. Malfoy here..." Mr. Borgin started when the man cut in. 

"It would be a mere second. There's going to be a young girl by the name of Hermione Granger, coming in through that fireplace over there. When you see her, I want you to lead her to me. I'll be in the back, waiting." the man ordered him. Hermione gasped. That was a pair of hands that grabbed her from the fireplace. 

"Whatever would you want with that girl?" Mr. Malfoy asked. 

"On the orders by a certain person. She's not supposed to go to school this year." The man explained before slipping past the counter. Mr. Borgin scurried away to avoid being near the man. They waited a few minutes before Mr. Borgin cleared his throat. 

"That man could kill with a mere look in his eyes," Mr. Borgin before going over the list, "And that's it." 

"Good-- Come, Draco-- Good day to you, Mr. Borgin. I'll expect you at the manor tomorrow to pick up the goods." Mr. Malfoy said before Draco and himself left the shop. Mr. Borgin chuckled. 

"And good day yourself, Mister Malfoy, and if the stories are true, you haven't sold me half of what's hidden in your manor..." Mr. Borgin mumbled while making his way to the back. They waited a minute in case he or the other man came back. Harry pulled up Hermione's robes over her head before they made a run out from the cabinet and out the shop.