Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

104

Hermione stared at the mysterious trunk that laid out before her, confused as to what it was or how it got into her possession. She was sure what it was nor had she opened it nor wanted to open it. Though Grandma Elka had checked repeatedly to ensure there wasn't any kind of jinx or hex or curse placed upon it the trunk, Hermione couldn't help but feel there was something bad inside that trunk. And what of the message that was left for her, 'Though you may need this when things go bad', what was that supposed to mean? Besides it was pointless given that it was lock and no amount of spell that Grandma Elka could do was able to open it. 

She sighed and was about to throw the trunk away when her hand grasp the handle and suddenly let go. It was extremely cold to the touch, almost like touching dry ice with her bare hands. Hermione shook her hand around to get the warmth back in as her eyes glance down at it. The handle had a thin layer of ice around it that she hadn't noticed before. She would have to grab some gloves or something. Quickly she turned around to grab her snow gloves when she knocked over a bottle ink. 

"Crap!" she shouted at herself while tossing the gloves down. As she was trying to clean up, she noticed ink getting onto the card the mysterious person gifted her with. She picked it up and as she was going to toss it, she noticed words she hadn't seen before on the back. Lightly patting it dry, she read the words out loud. 

"I require a bit of aid, to settle a debt that needs to be paid," Hermione said. Suddenly the sound of the case being unlocked caused her to turn around swiftly. She stared stunned as the case popped opened. Slowly a hand started to creep out from inside before the lid was flung opened. Hermione gasped in horror as she watched a dementor crawling out of the case. She shrieked as she grabbed hold of her wand and pointed it directly at the dementor. 

"Expecto Patronum!" She shrieked as light flood from her wand, pushing the dementor down and back into the case. Hermione didn't waste a moment in slamming the case shut and locking it back up. She scurried away from it, wand still drawn at it. She slid across the wall before making her way out of the room and then rushing down the stairs calling for her parents and Grandma Elka. 

"Mom! Dad! Grandma!" She shouted in a shrilly voice while running into the kitchen as Grandma Elka was making Peppermint Imps. Grandma had dropped one that caused a bit of smoke to spit around her just as her Mom and Dad were entering the room. 

"What is it Hermoine? Is everything okay?" her Mom asked her, looking concern. 

"No! It's not! I was able to open that case! There's a dementor inside. I was able to put it back inside it." Hermione stated to them. While her parents were standing where they were looking confused, Grandma Elka jumped to her feet with her wand drawn. 

"Jean! Wendell! You two stay down here! Hermione stay behind me!" Grandma Elka ordered as she jogged passed Hermione and upstairs. Hermione followed behind as she heard her parents following just a few minutes after. 

"What is going on? What the bloody hell is a de-- demen--" Mom spoke.

"Dementors! Horrible, nasty creatures! They guard Azkaban Prison. Now stay back," Grandma Elka commanded while she entered Hermione's room. Slowly they reared over till they were in front of the case. 

"How did you get it open, sweetie?" Grandma Elka asked her. Hermione turned around as she picked up the card then handed it Grandma Elka. 

"I require a bit of aid, to settle a debt that needs to be paid," Grandma Elka recited and just like it did before, the case opened. Hermione gasped as she hid behind Grandma Elka, who held her wand out. However, nothing came out. For a minute they stood there waiting till Grandma Elka carefully lifted up the lid and found there was nothing inside. 

"I swear it was right there!" Hermione pleaded for her Grandma to believe her. Grandma Elka slammed it shut and locked it. 

"I believe you, Hermione. I think it has a Concealment Charm... yes-- I think the dementor will only come out if it's your voice that reads off the incantation while if it's someone else's voice, it appears empty." Grandma Elka explained while she picked up the case, "I'll just be taking this thing down to the basement until I can properly destroy it." 

Grandma Elka scurried downstairs with the case while Hermione's parents followed after her asking about the dementor and whatnot. Hermione sighed as she shook her head, which began racing with what felt like a million thoughts. Who would send her a dementor as a way of dealing with whatever? Why a dementor of all things? Was it a threat? Was it a trick? 

Hermione didn't know but what she did know was just as she made her way back down to the kitchen, there was an owl dropping off a letter just as Grandma Elka was explaining Azkaban Prison to her parents. 

"Who could be writing at this time?" Grandma Elka asked while she scurried over towards the letter as the owl departed. Grandma Elka proceeded to open it and read it. 

"It's a letter from the Ministry... something about you using underage magic?" Grandma Elka mumbled. 

"Well I did use the Patronus Charm to put the dementor back into its case. But I did that for a good reason," Hermione explained to Grandma Elka. 

"Don't worry Hermione, I'll settle this with the Ministry." Grandma Elka confirmed, "By the way, are you packed for your trip with the Weasleys?" 

Hermione nodded that she was all packed and ready for the trip as her parents were shocked. 

"Trip? Weasleys? What are you talking about?" Her Father asked, looking over at Grandma Elka, who shot him a look. 

"I've told you guys, I got a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, the parents of Hermione's friend Ron, who asked if she would like to go and see the Quidditch World Cup. I'm not a sports fan myself, but I figured, Hermione would at least like to see one Quidditch World Cup in her lifetime. We're going to go tomorrow to be early." Grandma Elka stated to them while she proceeded to take the trunk down to the basement where she proceeded to lock it inside.